Forums / Community Forum Discussions / Government and Politics

If marijuana was legal....

purplepenquin — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:19:59 GMT

...lots & lots of money could be made. Currently we are spending over $26,000 every MINUTE trying to catch & punish marijauna smokers....how much longer can we keep throwing $$$ at this uneffective policy?[url=http://www.sloshspot.com/blog/11-13-2009/If-Marijuana-Production-Were-Legal-Projected-Tax-Revenues-by-State-245]Here is[/url] an image the shows how much money could be made. Unfortunatly, the ObamaAdmin has made it pretty clear that they are against such a thing...("[url=http://reason.com/blog/2009/07/23/legalization-is-not-in-the-pre]Legalization is not in the president's vocabulary" "Marijuana is dangerous and has no medicinal benefit")....[/url]so we'll need a change in leadership before we can see anything move forward on this front.

Sarah Palin’s dirty secrets revealed

Darwin — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:04:56 GMT

[quote]Sarah never wanted the public to believe that the baby belonged to daughter Bristol: “Sarah told me she had a great idea: we would keep it a secret—nobody would know that Bristol was pregnant. She told me that once Bristol had the baby she and Todd would adopt him. That way, she said, Bristol and I didn’t have to worry about anything. Sarah kept mentioning this plan. She was nagging—she wouldn’t give up. She would say, ‘So, are you gonna let me adopt him?’ We both kept telling her we were definitely not going to let her adopt the baby. I think Sarah wanted to make Bristol look good, and she didn’t want people to know that her 17-year-old daughter was going to have a kid.”[/quote]Its funny how this christian/conservative is ashamed of Brystol's "gift from god/God".[url=http://www.kelowna.com/2009/09/02/sarah-palin%E2%80%99s-dirty-secrets-revealed/]Kelowna[/url][img]http://www.kelowna.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/sarah_palin_2.jpg[/img]Sarah Palin may not be who she wants us to think she is. Shocker.

Senate Democrats assured of 60 votes to debate health bill

Darwin — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:44:36 GMT

[quote]U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln said Saturday that she supports bringing the health care bill to the floor for debate, giving Democrats the 60 votes needed to prevent a GOP filibuster.Speaking on the Senate floor hours before the 8 p.m. procedural vote, the Arkansas Democrat said she would give Majority Leader Harry Reid and President Obama the crucial vote required to move the Democrats' contentious health care measure forward for debate.[/quote]Lets hear it for Sen. Lincoln and the other democrats for bringing the American people debate on this important topic.[url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/11/21/senate.health.bill.expect/index.html]CNN[/url]

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Says He Was Waterboarded Only 5 Times

I am you neighbor — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:52:21 GMT

[quote]The inquiry source said that most of the Poland detainees were waterboarded, including Mohammed. According to the sources familiar with the Red Cross report, Mohammed claimed to have been waterboarded five times. Two former C.I.A. officers who are friends with one of Mohammed’s interrogators called this bravado, insisting that he was waterboarded only once. According to one of the officers, Mohammed needed only to be shown the drowning equipment again before he “broke.”[/quote][quote]“Waterboarding works,” the former officer said. “Drowning is a baseline fear. So is falling. People dream about it. It’s human nature. Suffocation is a very scary thing. When you’re waterboarded, you’re inverted, so it exacerbates the fear. It’s not painful, but it scares the ##### out of you.” (The former officer was waterboarded himself in a training course.) Mohammed, he claimed, “didn’t resist. He sang right away. He cracked real quick.” He said, “A lot of them want to talk. Their egos are unimaginable. K.S.M. was just a little doughboy. He couldn’t stand toe to toe and fight it out.”[/quote][url=http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/08/13/070813fa_fact_mayer?currentPage=all]Here[/url]I've seen a lot of claims about numerous waterboardings with Khalid...

Most Frequent Words in Palin's Book

cassiopeia — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:44:20 GMT

Besides "the," "and," "or," and "like."[quote]Not a speed reader? Want to get through Sarah Palin's new book in a flash?...She refers to her husband, Todd, more than 200 times, and uses words like "family," "kids," "mom" and "dad" about 600 times combined.Palin, who championed "drill, baby, drill!" as a campaign slogan, used "oil" and "energy" more than 250 times combined, nearly as often as she used the word "campaign."[/quote][url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091119/ap_on_go_ot/us_palin_s_words]Yahoo[/url][img]http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091119/capt.f4e674e3d20a4fa69b2237c88dfbb908.palins_words_gfx130.jpg[/img]

New Low for Republicans

cassiopeia — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:13:12 GMT

The Republicans apparently will go to any extreme to try and get what they want - or don't want. Arizona Cong. Shadegg used a baby as a prop on the floor of the Congress - putting words in her mouth that condemn the healthcare bill - [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gl0tJbXq4A]here's the video[/url]. Cute baby, too bad Cong. Shadegg has so little respect for her - it's pretty disgusting to put lies in a baby's mouth, poor thing.

the attacks have begun

anti_fascist — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:56:44 GMT

Second day of a new book by a person that's not a politician, an appointee, or corporate exec, or even a million/billionaire, yet there are 5 subjects on Sarah Palin here.And I see them on other boards yesterday, saw them on the tube, heard them on the radio.why is the left and their institutions so fixated upon Sarah Palin?compare and contrast:[quote]When the former Republican vice presidential candidate and former Alaska governor wrote her autobiography, the AP found a copy before its release date and assigned 11 people to fact check all 432 pages....Reviewing books and holding public figures accountable is at the core of good journalism, but the treatment Palin's book received appears to be something new for the AP. The organization did not review for accuracy recent books by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, then-Sen. Joe Biden, either book by Barack Obama released before he was president or autobiographies by Bill or Hillary Clinton. The AP did more traditional news stories on those books. ...Biden's book "Promises to Keep" became an instant best-seller when he was chosen to be Obama's running mate, but was not fact-checked by the AP and only received passing interest. In a story last year on Biden's Vietnam War draft deferments due to asthma, the reporter notes Biden didn't mention the malady in his book....[b]"They're obsessed with trying to discredit her," said Adrienne Ross, New York state organizer for the 2012 Draft Sarah Committee. "Because she's a conservative woman, they make fun of her accent, comment about her looks. She doesn't come in the package they want her to come in."[/b]http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/11/17/ap-turns-heads-devoting-reporters-palin-book-fact-check/[/quote]I hope this subject is allowed stay up for a day or two and I am able to discuss it, but I know that topics like this and topics that do not put the president in a good light will get you banned.[/quote]

hey, gov't healthcare supporters!

BSH — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:20:22 GMT

I've been watching some CSPAN today, after seeing the live news on CNN that the House is on the verge of putting the penultimate nail in the coffin of the USA (passing the awful healthcare bill).The Dems keep saying that Americans need good, affordable healthcare coverage. Over and over, almost every Democratic speaker says our current system needs change, isn't good enough, and we must have [u]affordable, good[/u] healthcare. That's true. They say that this bill must be passed to accomplish that goal. That is not true. Actually, this bill promises neither affordable nor good coverage. I have yet to see what constitutional authority the Dems claim to be acting under, if any. When that question was put to the Speaker by a reporter some days ago, she scoffed "are you kidding me?" as if she and Congress were above such a thing. On the other side of the aisle, Congressman Boehner asks every committee chairperson, "can you guarantee when this bill comes back from conference it will have the Stupak amendment in it [barring Federal funds for abortions]," as if this amendment somehow makes the bill less execrable, and might convince some additional Representatives to vote for the bill. Well, the amendment does next to nothing to make this dung heap palatable. As an aside, I wonder when was the last time a President addressed one caucus of one House in Congress...One other thing that bothers me is the utter failure of state governments to address the health care issue. If health care is such a big issue, so serious and so important, why has virtually every state failed to address the issue in any way? Badger Care being notable as an exception to the rule. Every Governor and state legislator who has wrung their hands about health care but failed to deliver at the state house is a social and political parasite on the body politic. Under the federalist system established by the nation's founders, it is the state governments who are responsible for addressing this issue. The Republicans don't seem too eager to push this issue, as they have their own preferred unconstitutional acts to pursue.The whole things leaves me thinking that this country is ripe for dissolution. 1,990 pages of social engineering, statism, gobbledygook, special interest whoring, overreaching rubbish. Affordable Health Care Act? That's as Orwellian a title as the Patriot Act. Somebody say how a multi-trillion dollar bill is "affordable." It's not - not to a nation already drowning in debt, counting down the months until insolvency. Don't even quote the CBO cost estimate; they're very consistent about grossly underestimating true costs of major bills.I'll say it again, if health care was what the Democrats wanted, it could be passed with less than three or four hundred pages. One example of completely unnecessary, unrelated garbage, just from browsing the table of contents (itself long enough to be a major bill): SEC. 2243. COORDINATION OF DIVERSITY AND CULTURAL COMPETENCY PROGRAMS. WTF does that have to do with providing access to "good, affordable" health care for every American? NOTHING! Here's another one: SEC. 2572. NUTRITION LABELING OF STANDARD MENU ITEMS AT CHAIN RESTAURANTS AND OF ARTICLES OF FOOD SOLD FROM VENDING MACHINES. Again, this has diddly squat to do with providing health care. This bill really is what the Republican say it is: a total takeover by the Federal government of every aspect of the health industry, and then some. And another thing; would it really be unreasonable to require that the members actually read the bills they're voting on? This bill was introduced less than two weeks ago. That's not enough time to digest 1,990 pages and understand what all is in it. It should be flushed on this reason alone, if other reasons weren't good enough. I'm done ranting for tonight. Maybe the Senate can restore some sanity.

When will Liberals explain their hypocrisy on health care?

Nick — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:02:36 GMT

It's so arrogant you don't know whether to laugh or cry.By vilifying and demonizing the insurance industry you are admitting that human nature is flawed. After all, these companies are run by individuals. And if their greed and evil is causing this problem, well then there is greed and evil among us, human nature is flawed.If human nature is flawed, you obviously don't want one entity/party making a decision, you would want it discussed or competed for to keep greed and evil in check. One entity making a decision/solving a problem gives way to the most possible greed and evil being brought into a decision.So why the heck would you want the government to control our healthcare, especially in a single-payer format?What a double standard. It just makes no sense

Guantanamo Inmates Likely To Be Transferred To Thomson Correctional Center

Christian_Nation — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:06:26 GMT

The United States government has expressed that it has plans of shifting inmates from the Guantanamo Bay to Thomson Correctional Center which is located in the small town of Thomson, in the state of Illinois. This new initiative by the White House came to light on Saturday. The Thomson Correctional Center is located close to the Mississippi river near Iowa and is at a distance of about 150 miles from Chicago.[url]http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/guantanamo-inmates-likely-to-be-transferred-to-thomson-correctional-center_100274972.html[/url][img]http://www.fileden.com/files/2009/10/4/2592938/Images/Thomson%20IL.jpg[/img][img]http://www.fileden.com/files/2009/10/4/2592938/Images/Thomson%20Correctional%20Center.jpg[/img]-------The Mid-West will share in the Obama decision to move the Guantanamo __________ (choose one's own descriptive phrase) if approved. Too bad the economy is so bad that small towns will accept "anything" to bolster their job situation and local economic needs.CNEdit: To correct Firefox HTML clitch.

Feingold's re-election war chest open wide

Darwin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:35:47 GMT

[quote]Some Democrats say that Feingold has ramped up his fund raising because he wants to make absolutely sure he trounces his opposition this time around. They say his spending may also reflect the fact that he considered running for president in 2008. Feingold announced in 2006 that he planned to stay in the Senate.[/quote]Go for it Feingold![url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/70337827.html]JSOnline[/url]

BU$INE$$ A$ U$UAL?

purplepenquin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:45:27 GMT

[i]He may have promised to change Washington, but President Barack Obama is continuing one of its most renowned patronage traditions: bestowing prized ambassadorships on big donors. Of the nearly 80 ambassadorship nominations or confirmations since Obama’s Inauguration, 56 percent were given to political appointees and 44 percent have gone to career diplomats, according to records kept by the American Foreign Service Association. The latest nomination came this week, when Beatrice Wilkinson Welters was nominated to serve as ambassador to the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago in the CaribbeanThe Welters can be counted among the nearly two dozen Obama bundlers — fundraisers who together organized and solicited more than $10 million in donations during the 2008 campaign — who now are being dispatched to some of the world’s greatest cities. Charles H. Rivkin, a Los Angeles-based children’s television executive and an $800,000 bundler, is in Paris; Alan Solomont, a Boston-based investor and $500,000 bundler, is in Madrid; Louis B. Susman, a Chicago investor and $500,000 bundler, is in London; and former Virginia lieutenant governor Don Beyer, a $745,000 bundler, is in Bern, Switzerland.Nicole Avant, a member of a Motown family dynasty who is credited with bundling up to $800,000 for Obama, was granted the coveted and cushy ambassadorship in Nassau, Bahamas. Beyond the bundlers, Obama’s ambassador ranks are also teeming with good, old-fashioned, loyal Democrats who have given generously to the party but weren’t ranked among his top fundraisersFor career diplomats, the selection of amateurs is always galling. “It is time to stop this spoils system and these de facto, three-year-term rentals of ambassadorships,” said Susan Johnson, president of the American Foreign Service Association. “We believe the appointment of noncareer individuals, however accomplished they may be in their own field, to lead American diplomatic missions should be exceptional and circumscribed and not the routine practice it has become over the last three or four decades,” she added.[/i] [url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29699.html]Link[/url]Yes, I know a lot of people are gonna say "Well, every President before Obama did this as well"...but I thought Obama was supposed to be different than just the same ol' same ol'.

By The People: The Election of Barack Obama

Remember_Me — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:46:02 GMT

[url=http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/bythepeople/synopsis/index.html]Saw this documentary on HBO the other night.[/url]Anyone else catch it? Thoughts?I thought it was excellent.

Sarah Palin spoke to the Third Reich in West Allis

Darwin — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:44:02 GMT

[quote]Spectators were told beforehand that prohibited items included cell phones, recording devices, video and still cameras, as well as strollers and car seats.[/quote]The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had to buy a ticket to attend this event. The media was not invited and recording devices, even cell phones were not allowed.[url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/69442907.html]JSOnline[/url][img]http://blogs.citypages.com/gop/swastika.jpg[/img][img]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kK18CpDhHKM/SOd59GNKwYI/AAAAAAAABcs/oWVESVFLj8Y/s400/sarah+palin+as+a+cartoon.jpg[/img]

Single payer health insurance

charmcoach — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:41:33 GMT

Do you believe we should have single-payer health insurance in this country?

Where Palin Fits On The Creation - Evolution Scale

Darwin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:32:04 GMT

[quote]Palin accepts creationism's critique, which is that there is no way that species share a common lineage, or that humans descended from apes, or that terrestrial creatures descended from aquatic creatures."But your dad's a science teacher," Schmidt objected. "Yes." "Then you know that science proves evolution," added Schmidt. "Parts of evolution," I said. "But I believe that God created us and also that He can create an evolutionary process that allows species to change and adapt." Schmidt winced and raised his eyebrows. In the dim light, his sunglasses shifted atop his head. I had just dared to mention the C-word: creationism. But I felt I was on solid factual ground.[/quote]Palin is no intellectual. We know that when she opens her mouth. Evolution is a fact. The Noah and the arc story is a myth.[url=http://blogs.cbn.com/thebrodyfile/archive/2009/11/16/sarah-palin-and-evolution.aspx]Sarah Palin and Evolution[/url][url=http://politics.theatlantic.com/2009/11/evolution_and_sarah_palin.php]Where Palin fits on The Creation - Evolution Scale[/url]

Palin's book goes rogue on the facts

Darwin — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:54:03 GMT

[quote]PALIN: Rails against taxpayer-financed bailouts, which she attributes to Obama. She recounts telling daughter Bristol that to succeed in business, "you'll have to be brave enough to fail."THE FACTS: Palin is blurring the lines between Obama's stimulus plan -- a $787 billion package of tax cuts, state aid, social programs and government contracts -- and the federal bailout that Republican presidential candidate John McCain voted for and President George W. Bush signed.Palin's views on bailouts appeared to evolve as McCain's vice presidential running mate. In September 2008, she said "taxpayers cannot be looked to as the bailout, as the solution, to the problems on Wall Street." A week later, she said "ultimately what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the health care reform that is needed to help shore up our economy."During the vice presidential debate in October, Palin praised McCain for being "instrumental in bringing folks together" to pass the $700 billion bailout. After that, she said "it is a time of crisis and government did have to step in."[/quote][url=http://salon.com/news/politics/sarah_palin/index.html?story=/books/2009/11/14/us_palin_book_fact_check]Salon.Com[/url]

Oba Mao

Remember_Me — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:36:16 GMT

[quote]Liu Mingjie learned the latter lesson. He is the designer and entrepreneur behind the popular "Oba Mao" image, which takes a silk-screen likeness of Obama and dresses him in a green jacket and cap to resemble the late Communist leader Mao Zedong.Since September, Liu's shop had been doing a brisk business selling the hugely popular Oba Mao T-shirts, purses and magnets. Oba Mao became one of the hottest-selling items in town, particularly among urban young people and online "netizens." Oba Mao melded two iconic images -- even if no one could explain precisely what it meant.But suddenly last week, Liu had no more supplies, and no explanation why.Liu nervously did not want to answer a reporter's questions. He also removed most of the Oba Mao articles and photos from his blog.But neighbors in nearby shops reported that they were all visited last week by uniformed officers from Beijing's Industry and Commerce Administration and were told they were not allowed to sell anything with Obama's image, and particularly not Oba Mao items."My understanding is it is related with Obama's China visit," said one sales clerk from a shop selling matchbooks with colorful covers. "They think that stuff with Obama's image might be insulting."Yao Lan, the sales manager for another souvenir shop selling T-shirts and toys, said: "Yes, it is true, we have been told not to sell any Obama-themed stuff. The government officials visited our store and told us not to do that.""My understanding is, as Obama is visiting China, our government is making a good gesture not to embarrass him with that stuff," Yao said. [b][i]"I think the U.S. government would do the same thing if Chinese leaders are visiting the U.S."[/i][/b] [url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/16/AR2009111601249.html?g=0]Read more...[/url][/quote]Think again Yao.

In The Mood?

Remember_Me — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:32:33 GMT

I suppose it's better than giving Queens iPods.[quote]For China, Hu and other leaders clearly delighted in the show of face Obama gave them. Far from crowing, however, Hu gave Obama a respectful welcome by soldiers in dress uniforms in the Great Hall of the People and in-depth discussions that ran overtime.At a state banquet Tuesday night, the People's Liberation Army band serenaded Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and much of the Chinese leadership with American songs including "I just Called to Say I Love You," "We are the World" and "[b]In the Mood[/b]." [url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091117/ap_on_an/obama_china_analysis]Read More...[/url][/quote]

Lessons UnLearned...

goldmind — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:17:19 GMT

Perhaps the left, has a difficult time interpreting, what an enemy of freedom really is. I personally don't like the reference to "terrorists" either. Simply put, they are all enemies of our most fundamental liberties, and while they might inspire terror in the masses, I have nothing but contempt and silky hatred for them. Including those who molest, rape and kill our children. Those who swear allegiance to any gang philosophy. Members of all religious cults, who use god to drain pocketbooks and condition their followers to do a jihady dance on our lives and liberties. In my estimation, they all represent a sub species. An undesirable concoction of genetic waste.Yet here we are allowing our confused and burdened legal system to mitigate the charges against those maggots who orchestrated 9-11. Even if they get the death penalty, they will have years to spew their twisted ideology amidst the luxury of our federal prison system, and upon the fragile miscreants occupying the space. They will bleed our resources for countless appeals, and make a mockery of an already confounded legal machine.What is it, so many Americans, don't get about the mindset of evildoers? Why do so many among you, believe there is redemption for these parasites? Would it help if you worked within the walls that house them, and see firsthand how dangerous they remain even in confinement?Maybe walk in the shoes of those correctional officers and staff whose lives are at stake every hour of every working day? How many Attica's will it take before we accept that these are rabid animals who require a rabid solution? There are individuals in our prisons who deserve the rehabilitative process...one needs only to scrutinize their behavior to make the call. So, why waste scarce dollars and manpower on those who want nothing more then to destroy their keepers and the process? It is time for a blanket execution, of each and every one of these enemies of freedom. No more pedophile red carpet treatment, and registration so they can go on to kill the innocence of our society. If anything, they should be among the first to be exterminated after their guilt is proven beyond any shadow of doubt. time to clear this debris from our midst, or we will face an internal consequence on unimaginable proportions.

RWNJ says War on Drugs "is not working"

purplepenquin — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:27:03 GMT

Former Sec-of-State George Shultz recently had this to say in regards to the War on Drugs:

"It's gotten to the point that . . . you've got to be worried about what's happening to Mexico, and you've got to realize that the money that's financing all that comes from the United States in terms of the profits from the illegal drugs. It's not healthy for us, let alone Mexico, to have this violence taking place."

"There has come to be more and more of a realization of the nature of the problem. I thought it was interesting six or eight months ago, that three former presidents of Latin American countries, President Zedillo from Mexico, President Cardoso from Brazil and President Gaviria from Colombia made a report basically saying that we have to look at this problem in all of its dimensions if we are going to get anywhere with it. And we have to realize what its origins are."

"If we want to get serious about this issue, we should start with a gigantic campaign to persuade people that drugs are bad for them. And it has to be based on solid factual material. You can't try to mislead people."

I asked Mr. Shultz if he thinks a more sensible approach might come from the states. He says "people can express themselves a little better at the state level." And, with respect to some liberalization of the drug-possession laws at the state level, "I regard these developments as a distinctive statement by people that the present system is not working very well and they want to change it."

But, he says, we still have not created the "political space" necessary to raise the issue in public. "Right now if you are in politics you can't discuss the problem. It's just poison. The result is that we have this giant problem that is tearing Mexico apart . . . and we have plenty of problems here too and we're really not having a debate about it."

That last comment of his is very true...How can we expect to solve this problem if the powers-that-be refuse to even talk about it?

US officials were aware months ago that Fort Hood jihadist was trying to contact Al-Qaeda

Darwin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:39:52 GMT

Political correctness helps a Jihadist slaughter American troops on American soil.[url=http://www.jihadwatch.org/2009/11/us-officials-were-aware-months-ago-that-fort-hood-jihadist-was-trying-to-contact-al-qaeda.html]JihadWatch[/url]

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barett to run for Govenor

Darwin — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:12:16 GMT

[quote]Mayor Tom Barrett will announce this weekend that he is running for governor, the Journal Sentinel has learned."You would not be inaccurate to write that," said a top adviser to the two-term mayor on Friday.A second Milwaukee Democrat who has firsthand knowledge of Barrett's plans also confirmed that the mayor has decided to enter the race to try to replace Gov. Jim Doyle, who announced in August that he would not seek a third term.[/quote][url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/70048152.html]JSOnline[/url][url=http://www.ci.mil.wi.us/Mayor]Office of Mayor Tom Barett website[/url][url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Barrett_(politician)]Tom Barett WikiPedia entry[/url][url=http://www.tomforgovernor.com/]Wisconsin for Tom Barett Website[/url]The race is on!

McCain Staffer: Sarah Palin lies in her new book about paying $500,000 for vetting process

Darwin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:26:46 GMT

[quote]The AP said that Palin writes about receiving a bill for about $500,000 from the McCain campaign to pay for expenses relating to the vetting process that took place before she was named as the vice presidential nominee."That is one hundred percent untrue," said the McCain official, who would only speak on the condition of anonymity in deference to McCain. "All those bills are from her personal attorney Thomas Van Flein, mostly relating to the Troopergate investigation and other ethics investigations. It is not legal to pay for those investigations out of general election funds, even if the campaign was so inclined."[/quote]Not 99.9% untrue, but 100% untrue! In other words it was bull.#####! Wait to go christian conservative Sarah Palin! Don't you know its a "sin" to lie????[url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/]CNN[/url]

Gov. Palin's Coin Conspiracy

cassiopeia — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:17:26 GMT

At her speech in Wisconsin, Gov. Palin made reference to a conspiracy because of the placement of "In God We Trust" on the new dollar coins:[quote][i]... she began her remarks with a puzzling commentary on the design of newly minted dollar coins.Noting that there had been a lot of “change” of late, Palin recalled a recent conversation with a friend about how the phrase “In God We Trust” had been moved to the edge of the new coins.“Who calls a shot like that?” she demanded. “Who makes a decision like that?”She added: “It’s a disturbing trend.”[/i]The decision to put "IN GOD WE TRUST" on the edges of presidential dollar coins has received little attention from the press, but was reversed in 2007, before President Barack Obama took office. Sens. Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Robert Byrd (D-WV) sponsored legislation to move the motto back to the front face of the coins...[/quote][url=http://rawstory.com/2009/11/palin-speech-abortion-opponents-mocked-describes-weighty-topics-bogus-awesome/]Raw Story[/url]

RNC health insurance plan covers abortions

lardheppus — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:37:13 GMT

[quote]RNC health insurance plan covers abortionsNovember 13, 2009 04:40 ESTWASHINGTON (AP) -- The Republican National Committee's health insurance plan covers elective abortions for its employees -- an option Republicans strongly oppose including in the health care overhaul.An RNC spokeswoman says chairman Michael Steele has asked that the provision be stripped from the group's insurance. In a statement, Steele says he doesn't know why the policy existed in the past, but it won't exist under his term.The spokeswoman says the policy has been in place since 1991.[/quote][url=http://www.kgan.com/template/inews_wire/wires.national/3fd3a800-www.kgan.com.shtml]link[/url]So, the GOP opposes abortion for the "little people" while paying for it for their employees. :D

Multiple School Indoctrination Songs

I am you neighbor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:39:51 GMT

[url=http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2009/11/04/elementary-epidemic-11-uncovered-videos-show-school-children-performing-praises-to-obama/]Here.[/url]Just an update from previous threads. A nice "all in one" website of the disturbing chantings of brainwashed public school children. The "Hitler Youth" of today's liberals.

Gays urged to boycott DNC until Obama follows through on his promises.

purplepenquin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:50:20 GMT

A few of the nation's "homosexual leaders" (for lack of a better word) have called out for people to stop giving money to the Democratic Party until the ObamaAdmin follows through on some promises that they would like to see kept:[i]Until the Democratic Congress passes, and President Obama signs, legislation enacting ENDA, repealing DADT, and repealing DOMA, we ask you to join us in pledging to postpone contributions to the Democratic National Committee, Organizing for America, and the Obama campaign. This temporary (we hope) boycott is sponsored by AMERICAblog, and cosponsored by Daily Kos, Michelangelo Signorile, and Paul Sousa, among others.This isn't forever, the Democrats have it in their power to end this today -- all it takes is choosing to keep their promise[/i][url=http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6006/t/5410/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=727]Link[/url]More details...including a FAQ...is also available [url=http://gay.americablog.com/2009/11/dont-ask-dont-give.html]here[/url].[url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/emma-rubysachs/what-the-gay-boycott-of-t_b_351994.html]Another columnist[/url] says that a better idea would be to re-direct those donations to someone that truly supports their cause:[i]Threatening the fiscal base of the Democratic Party is an important tactic. But threatening their voter base by floating a truly liberal candidate in districts with close races would be an even better strategy. Have someone run on an equal rights, populist platform with support for social services and equality under the law and see how quickly the Democrats start racing around for ways to fold in the left vote they have ignored for so long. Ralph Nader tried this and managed to strike fear into the heart of major political parties for many years to come. Let's play on this fear. Pause the donations to the Democrats, yes, but perhaps redirect that money to a campaign for plurality, for choice and for political competition. It will, at least, get their attention[/i]Between this and the libertarian/biblethumpers rift within the GOP, perhaps we'll finally start getting more than just two choices at our ballot box....

Scott Hassett for Attorney General

cassiopeia — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:21:00 GMT

The former DNR chief, Scott Hassett, is running for Attorney General as a Democrat, of course. Maybe it's time for Van Hollen to retire. He wouldn't defend the state against the lawsuit about domestic partnerships, and so the state had to hire outside counsel.[quote]As a trial attorney, I handled civil and criminal litigation in state and federal courts for 22 years. I have done extensive work representing law enforcement personnel at every level of government. At Lawton & Cates I was involved in many of the environmental cases the firm handled including those involving groundwater pollution and toxic waste.As Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources , I led an agency with 2700 employees and a budget of $500 million. The DNR‘s enforcement division alone represents one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the State, comparable in size to the Department of Justice.Now, its time to return the AG office’s to the people of Wisconsin after three years of hard-right Republican partisanship under JB Van Hollen. This will be a tough campaign against a well-financed politician who, in 2006, was supported by more than $3 million from outside groups like Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC)....[/quote]

Obama referendum begins with Virginia and New Jersey

strawman077 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:13:54 GMT

Numerous visits by obama and biden to NJ and the huge campaign warchest of corzine wasn't enough... and a GOP sweep in VA.http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_election_rdphttp://wcbstv.com/breakingnewsalerts/chris.christie.nj.2.1290144.html

Single-payer insurance would save money

Dean — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 05:23:28 GMT

This is an interesting opinion;

BY CHRIS HARMON

[url=http://www.newtimesslo.com/commentary/3351/singlepayer-insurance-would-save-money/]link[/url]

Do you know why it is that there is only one garbage company serving our area? Or only one cable provider? Would it not be better to have multiple companies in these industries to increase competition and thus drive down prices for consumers?

The answer to the latter question is no. These particular industries lend themselves to being what is known in the field of economics as “natural monopolies”—monopolies that exist because they are more efficient than competitive markets.

If a garbage company drives its truck down a street with 20 homes but only picks up the garbage at 5 of these homes, it will face higher average costs than it would if it picked up at all 20. Let it pick up all 20 houses and it will face lower average costs that can be passed on to consumers in the form of lower prices only if mandated by a governmental authority (which it is, by the way). At the same time, the number of trucks spewing pollution and snarling traffic is reduced by allowing just one company the exclusive franchise.

The health insurance industry fits this same mold. A health insurance company is profitable when it can have a vast number of healthy premium payers to counter the few unhealthy ones. The more people (and healthy ones at that) they add as customers, the more they lower their average costs.

But since the insurance industry is a competitive one, no firm is required to pass on those lower average costs to the consumer in the form of lower premiums. And since the demand for health insurance is relatively inelastic (like cigarettes to a smoker), consumers will continue to bear the burden of higher premiums rather than go without—many consumers can’t switch to a competing insurer because they may have pre-existing conditions or get their coverage from their employer. It is no wonder these corporate health insurance providers are reaping huge profits, such as Well Point’s $61 billion last year alone (this, despite the economic downturn).

Now, I have nothing against companies or individuals reaping profits for providing solutions—profit is a great motivator. And the price system is an effective way to allocate the things people want. But by its very nature, the price system necessitates that some consumers will not be able to afford certain items. For example, if I want a giant flat-screen TV but can’t afford the price the seller is asking, I don’t buy it. If enough people don’t buy it, the price eventually comes down to the point where a few more can afford to buy, but not everyone. This is a very effective system for allocating most everything. The question we should ask ourselves is should it be the system we use to allocate life-saving health care? Think about it: we don’t use the price system to allocate police protection—everybody gets it regardless of their ability to pay. It would be an insult to our police force to suggest that they only protect those that can afford to pay the price. Besides, that would be extortion.

A single-payer health insurance provider can take advantage of the natural monopoly phenomenon. Every working individual would pay into the system and every American citizen would be covered. There would be ample healthy payers to make this system not only viable, but much less expensive than that offered by private insurers.

Many Americans fear a government take-over of the health insurance industry. But I would wager to guess that many of these same people regard America’s military as the most powerful in the world despite being government-run. Or they claim that our fire fighters are the bravest, even though their paychecks are financed by our tax dollars. By the way, fire companies were once privately owned: At some point we saw the inherent flaw in that arrangement and now our fire departments work for the public good.

When the natural monopoly that was our electrical system in the state of California was deregulated in the misguided attempt to introduce competition, it was a disaster. In order to ensure that prices wouldn’t skyrocket (which is what happens when a natural monopoly is broken up), the state imposed price caps on companies, especially PG&E. Market manipulators like Enron jumped in to gouge this supposedly free market and took advantage of the inelastic demand for electricity that runs our air conditioners. California as a result was faced with rolling blackouts, PG&E eventually filed for bankruptcy, and taxpayers subsequently footed the bill to bail out PG&E. While PG&E, its customers, and taxpayers all suffered during that tumultuous time, the publicly owned natural monopoly known as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power fared well.

People get so caught up in the effort to remain “American”—insisting they won’t do what the Europeans are doing because that’s not the American way—they lose sight of the greater good and the smarter choice. ...

Republicans block vote on birth control education

Darwin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:37:53 GMT

[quote]Sex education courses would have to tell students about the proper use of condoms and other forms of birth control, as well as their health benefits and side effects, if the bill became law. Students also would have to be told about how to prevent sexually transmitted disease.[/quote]What is it with conservatives pushing abstinence? Didn't they learn from Brystol Palin?[url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/69027272.html]JSOnline[/url][img]http://www.rageagainsttheright.com/uploaded_images/condom-771699.gif[/img]

Sarah Palin's Pie Spy

cassiopeia — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:23:54 GMT

In Sarah Palin's financial disclosure, along with the $1.25 million from Harper Collins for her soon-to-be-released book [i]Going Rogue[/i], there's also a listing for a company called Pie Spy. Apparently it has nothing to do with either pie or spies:[quote]Pie Spy is described as a business involving "Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities" in documents filed with the Alaska Department of Commerce. According to the Anchorage Daily News, the LLC's address is that of Palin's Anchorage lawyer Thomas Van Flein....[/quote][url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/28/palins-pie-spy-business-c_n_336787.html]Huffington Post[/url]And from [url=http://palingates.blogspot.com/2009/10/sarah-palin-i-spy-with-my-little-wonky.html]I Spy with my Little Wonky Eye (which also includes questions about dependent children claims):[/url][quote]Now to the second surprise: Sarah Palin owns the "Pie Spy LLC". Huh? The wonky name makes it instantly believable that a Palin is involved in this business. But what exactly is the "Pie Spy LLC" doing?Thankfully, the ADN already did some digging. From Alaska's corporation database, we learn that the business was founded on April 3, 2009. It provides "Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities". The business has never been mentioned anywhere before - a google search brings no results. Confusingly, in classic Sarah Palin fashion, in her financial disclosure form for 2009, the purpose of the business says "Marketing".The registered agent of the business is Sarah's "infamous" lawyer Thomas Van Flein....[/quote]

Soglin for Gov?

purplepenquin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:17:31 GMT

That would be interesting....to say the least.[url=http://www.waxingamerica.com/2009/11/a-most-serious-threat-to-the-wisconsin-democratic-party.html]Link[/url]

AARP & AMA Announce Their Support For Obama's Health Insurance Bill

Remember_Me — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:36:17 GMT

[quote][i]WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama trumpeted two major endorsements for his health overhaul push Thursday as House Democratic leaders pushed toward a vote Saturday on the far-reaching legislation remaking the U.S. health care system."I am extraordinarily pleased and grateful to learn that the AARP and the American Medical Association are both supporting the health insurance reform bill that will soon come up to vote in the House of Representatives," Obama said in an unannounced visit to the White House briefing room.AARP is "no small endorsement," Obama said of the 40-million strong seniors' lobby."We are closer to passing this reform than ever before," Obama said. "Now that the doctors and medical professionals of America are standing with us, now that the organizations charged with looking out for the interests of seniors are standing with us, we are even closer."Obama spoke as House Democratic leaders sought to resolve final disputes before bringing their 10-year, $1.2 trillion health bill to the floor on Saturday. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said leaders expect to have the 218 votes needed to pass the sweeping bill, which would extend coverage to tens of millions of uninsured people and ban insurance companies from turning people away.Hoyer acknowledged the vote could be tight, though, and timing of action in the Senate remains uncertain."I wouldn't refer to it as a squeaker, but I think it's going to be close," Hoyer said in an interview with wire service reporters. "This is a huge undertaking."The Maryland Democrat said language on abortion and illegal immigrants was still being worked out, but predicted those issues could be solved by Saturday."We certainly have well over 218 people who say they want to vote for the bill," Hoyer said."The trick is making sure they have a comfort level with the provisions they are particularly focused on to allow them to do so," he said.Obama planned a rare trip to the House on Friday to try to win over wavering lawmakers.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi denied that Obama's visit was needed to get Democrats over the top on the vote count. "We are thrilled that he is coming tomorrow, and we can have our conversation before we go into the process of bringing this legislation to the floor," the California Democrat told reporters at her weekly news conference.[/i] [url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091105/ap_on_bi_ge/us_health_care_overhaul;_ylt=AqJxA1pupqUwhPlOMuibmApH2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMTNjY3FjZmM1BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkxMTA1L3VzX2hlYWx0aF9jYXJlX292ZXJoYXVsBGNjb2RlA21vc3Rwb3B1bGFyBGNwb3MDMQRwb3MDMQRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3JpZXMEc2xrA29iYW1hd2VsY29tZQ--]Read More[/url][/quote]

Honduras got Obama'd

I am you neighbor — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:07:00 GMT

[quote]"A month ago, the Law Library of Congress reviewed the removal of Manuel Zelaya from his post as President of Honduras, an act that the Obama administration called a 'coup' and demanded reversed for its illegality. To the embarrassment of the White House and State Department, the Congressional body determined that Honduras acted lawfully in removing Zelaya for his crimes against their constitution, although they determined that his exile broke Honduran law. Now John Kerry wants the Law Library to retract its findings, apparently trying to rewrite history to hide the facts of the case."[/quote]While Democrats attempt to cover up Obama's mistakes by rewriting history...the Hondurans suffer being Obama'd....[quote]By levying sanctions on Honduras, and refusing to recognize its current government, the Obama Administration has destabilized the country, one of the poorest in Latin America, resulting in mass layoffs leading to 65% unemployment among workers at small and medium-size enterprises in Honduras. Vulnerable social groups in Honduras, like orphans, have suffered especially acutely, and malnutrition has risen.[/quote][url=http://www.examiner.com/x-7812-DC-SCOTUS-Examiner~y2009m10d29-Senator-seeks-to-cover-up-government-report-showing-Honduras-acted-legally-in-removing-expresident]Here.[/url]Now, I'm no constitutional lawyer like The One but I figured this out a long while back. I'm thinking that maybe Obama should start promoting countries that promote freedom and their constitution instead of giving passes for tyrants.

It's Official! Obama is giving the middle finger to the constitution

Oblio — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:01:43 GMT

THe whole question for the poll is "Do you think the salary caps Obama is forcing on the Tarp CEOs is constitutional"THe official announcement was made today that Obama is forcing all the CEOs from the Tarp recipients to take up to a 90% pay cut and capping their salaries starting November. I suppose we could also argue that the Tarp bailout itself was unconstitutional (as was the redirecting of funds to the auto companies). WTF!He must know this is unconstitutional, he was a law professor, right?Is anyone going to stand up and challenge this? Supreme court wake up!

“Damn it feels good to be a victim”

I am you neighbor — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:08:18 GMT

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhPqmJynQPU&feature=player_embedded]Here.[/url]This sums up more than just minority issues but a major tenet liberalism as a whole. I just thought I'd share.

Axelrod: Limbaugh Markets the "Outrageous"

Darwin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:55:49 GMT

[quote]On Mr. Obama's viewing of the return of war dead, Axelrod said, "The President of United States went to Dover to represent the American people and pay his respect to the families who had made so much of a sacrifice to those brave service people who made the ultimate sacrifice. It was the appropriate thing to do, and I think most Americans appreciate that. "We'll let Mr. Limbaugh fulminate, but I think the American people are well-served and believe they're well-served," Axelrod said. "We've got bigger responsibilities, [and] we're going to discharge those responsibilities." [/quote]More proof Rush is full of hate, and full of sh!t![url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/11/01/ftn/main5484194.shtml?tag=cbsnewsTwoColUpperPromoArea]CBSNews[/url]