LORISNJ's Comments (50)

“Agree - they don't want change, they aren't interested in improving the quality of life for American citizens. Their motives are clear, their tactics in the open, and their end game is a regain of power.

What is also quite clear is that if the poor and minorities are harmed by their strategy, so be it. They have no stake in improving the quality of life for those that would probably not vote Republican anyway.

In the past, these groups of citizens (poor, minorities, working poor) would stay home on election day and most likely not contribute to anyone's campaign. So in the Republican's mind, why bother. If it doesn't further their agenda, it doesn't line their war chests/pockets, or it doesn't help big business; then they will be against it. In some cases they are willing to forgo their agenda if they can hurt Obama politically. It is what they do, it is who they are. They are the scorpion.

The only way that any Republican would vote for healthcare reform is if Harry Reid titles it: "The Republican's are always Right Healthcare Bill".”

“52.7% is a majority, period. There is no barely to it.”

“The idea is that if health care is provided then people will be willing to go to their doctors for things other than when they are sick. They will be more willing to have annual physicals and be tested for things that they are more likely to have now or in the future. Once they are in the care of their doctors, hopefully, their doctors will pursuade them towards a more healthy life style.

Baby steps first. Get them in the habit of seeing doctors as a good thing - then try and change them from the outside.

Besides that issue - who gets to decide if I'm too fat? Who gets to make that decision? I had a grandfather who smoked from the age of 14 and died at 92, I had an uncle who never smoked who died at the age of 60 from lung cancer - when science can answer the question why that is, don't try to tax me for things that can't be explained.”

“A. It is Republicans
B. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/11/us/democrats-say-bush-s-tax-cuts-jeopardize-military-spending.html
C. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/09/23/MNGN78TF8B1.DTL
D. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-02-03-bush-budget_N.htm”

“Well I asked for something different but I would have preferred if they had to make a jumpsuit for fat women using farm equipment and toothpaste tubes.

I think Tim's uncharacteristic behavior towards Johnny was probably due to what we didn't see and not what was shown on TV - remember it was Tim who sat with Johnny in the first episode and got him back on track. I think Tim was hurt when Johnny turned into something "pedestrian". I also think that Johnny (if he was confronted by his lack of interest in his paper outfit) may have insulted Tim as a defense - and you just don't do that to Tim - it would be like kicking a puppy. Whenever Tim is critical of an outfit all you should do is agree with him and change the design.

And Kors was very busy when this season of Runway was taped - remember, he was designing for the First Lady - I think he chose wisely.

Can't wait for next week's episode and next week's blog report!!! They haven't made them make clothes out of tires yet have they? Next week should be back to fabric anyway, they can't do weird stuff 2 weeks in a row can they?”

“We do have his back but does he know it?”

“Thanks. I will read it.”

“Thanks!

I think we have to make sure that being a liberal isn't shameful anymore - time to come out of the closet - I'm here, I'm a flaming liberal, and I'm proud - get used to it!!!”

“I think everyone knows what the rightwing pundits are doing and why they are doing it but what I can't understand is why is it working? Clearly these blowhards are playing to the 22 percenters that believe that any idea that doesn't denigrate the left isn't worth the effort. Those people will never be convinced of anything even if it is in their best interest, but what about the others who go along with the radical wing?
I try to avoid giving motives to those on the right, it seems too easy to label them racists or fundies but what is their purpose? What is their end game? Do they want to overthrow the government by any means necessary? Do they believe that they have a right to defend this country from a lawfully elected administration and Congress? Is that what they think they are entitled to do? Or do they hope that some poor dillusional slob will take out the President after listening to Rush and Glenn?

I don't like the right wing of this country anymore - I never much cared for them before but figured that they were mostly nice people who just had a different point of view, but now I view them as potential enemies fighting against our democracy and our President. How are we ever going to get back to normal debates when the rightwingery gets bolder and nastier every day?”

“So far I have agreed with the judges decision. I don't want to watch another predictable show next week though - time to make things interesting. So far they have only had one beachy outfit and the rest have been evening dressy dresses (even if one was for preggers) - how hard is that and they get to use real fabrics. I want something a little harder next week, like making pants suits for fat people using farm equipment and toothpaste tubes.”

“Hurry up and buy your ticket on the Republican train to nowhere - they are selling fast.”

“I think you were tuned to the wrong station during the speech - you didn't get the President's speech - you must have been watching a replay of the GWBs Jan 03 State of the Union speech.

It is a common mistake, lots of people make it every day. That is why they don't allow the patients to control the remote in the day room.”

“The previous seasons of Project Runway, I watched alone and was compelled to scream at the TV on more than one occasion - not very satisfying.

This year however, (because of circumstances beyond my control) I am watching the episodes with my 81 year old mother who never watched it before. I have to write that this is one of the rare occasions that my mom and me agree on something and now we are both screaming at the TV - a hen's egg sling - are you out of your mind???

We both were hysterical with the bowling ball references which I think one of the judges commented on as well but we had already made that observation before anyone else had.

I too did not think they would let Mitchell go one more week either, especially since he practically sent a naked model down the runway last week but I think Heidi was seriously scared of Malvin and wanted him off the show before he axed a few of his competitors (just my opinion, but the guy was really freaking out my mom too, she thought he looked like Richard Ramiez the night stalker).

My dad was also in the room but was too busy clipping his toe nails to pay any attention to the show.”

“Get you head out of Republican's ass and read something will ya? This is not censoring anyone, Beck can say whatever he pleases but it is the right of citizens who find his speech dangerous and counter productive in healing this country that they have a right and a duty to tell advertisers why they will stop using their products and services if they advertise on Beck's show. There is no freedom to say whatever you want without consequences - look what happened to the Dixie Chicks when only one of them had something negative to say about Bush, they practically were run out of town on a rail.

This is what is appropriate - I don't care if Beck is on the air, I wouldn't watch his show anyway but he needs to learn some self control, this country can't afford to have his brand of hate go unchallenged.”

“Over reacting - get a clue would you - there was never a "protest" from people supporting healthcare reform. The protests came from the anti-healthcare reformers who by coincidence just happen to be far right wingers. We know they are far right wingers because these are the same tea baggers who are comparing our elected government to Nazism. They are sore losers (all 22% of them) and you have no common sense if you think this started on the left.

Go away little brainer, there is nothing you can do to stop change, it will happen with or without your support.”

“In addition there is such a thing as environmental causes to some of those same diseases you referenced. Unless you address the quality of the air, water, and the chemicals that are artificially put into the food supply; your solution will only partly solve those health problems. Remember baby steps. Once there is some sort of healthcare reform that at least gets people coverage, gets access to doctors and some wellness care - then maybe the other stuff can be introduced.

But seriously, do you think that there will ever be a time when life style changes will really be addressed? You really think that you will get anywhere with providing incentives to changing the way people live? Really? The only true way to get people (lots of people, a majority of the people) to changes is through education. Get them when they are really young and pound it into their untainted brains until they can't imagine how anyone could eat that poisonous sugar laden, artery hardening, fatty foods. This is more realistic than telling people to throw away their cigarettes, booze, and that yummy fried chicken and you will give them $10.00 or even $100.00.

So, in conclusion, you are right, but you are just right at the wrong time. Please keep up the good work and if I am still around in 10 or 20 years we may be able to compare notes on what worked and what didn't. Until then, don't hold your breath!”

“Ok, I got your point and you are right - though I really hate it when you big brains out there get your calculators out and do that voodoo cost benefit analysis stuff - it makes it appear that if the outcome might be bad then treatment would be withheld. I know that isn't true but it sure appears that way.

Here are a few points that you may have missed (honestly, I lost concentration after the 10th or 11th paragraph but I snapped back for the final ones): healthcare reform in any form is better than none - baby steps, first get us moving in the right direction and then slowly add in lifestyle changes when us little people will be more receptive to change. Right now we can't even get people to understand that "end of life" counseling isn't about "Death Panels" and you want us to understand the complexities of cause and effect. People are going to take what you propose and believe that the government is going to come into their homes and slap the cupcakes right out of their mouths. I know that is stinking thinking but it is what they will think regardless. You will never convince them otherwise and with the other side howling against it, you will never win that battle - right now anyway.

TO BE CONTINUED.­.....”

“Do you really believe that healthcare reform will be worse for America than doing nothing to the current system?

Do you really believe that the current administration is operating against the best wishes and needs of the country?

Do you really believe that the Republicans and the health insurance companies have your best interests at heart?

Do you really think that the current economic crisis will go away on its own and that small businesses can survive and provide health insurance to their employees without help from reform?

Did you ever express your concerns to the previous administration's rampant deficit spending, wasteful spending, excessive use of higher cost contractor programs, or the deregulation of wall street and other financial businesses?

Stop being afraid of change, embrace the fact that the people running the government today have better ideas that will ultimately change (in a good way) the lives of all Americans. Take a deep breath and repeat these words: "Change is a good thing, change is a good thing, President Obama is not the boogeyman.­"”

“Do you plan on prohibiting big Pharma from advertising their prescription drugs on TV and Radio like the do in Canada?”

“Don't be too sure of that - these charges have no statue of limitations so when our president gets his climate, healthcare, economic, and energy inititives passed in Congress, then he will concentrate on righting the wrongs. If he doesn't we can compel him through ACLU and other organizations' lawsuits. Trust me the American people will not tolerate this for very long but I am willing to give this administration time to get the country going in the right direction before focusing on the past.”

“If you can put enough one liners together many believe you don't need facts. Drill baby drill, cost go up for poor people, job loss, economic ruin, working for the people, business as usual in DC, special interests, real Americans, hockey moms, apple pie, only dead fish go with the flow.

Trying to sustain a meaningful debate when one side is countering with catch phrases and sound bites is like a doctor matching skills against a band aid - while a band aid can be helpful against a scratch it won't help as much as a doctor can when you have a bleeding gash!”

“Sweet...ni­ce slap back Mr. Baldwin.”

“You got it right on Baldwin, but why include Palin in the mix? I was not aware that anyone in the liberal sphere were looking down their noses at Palin because of what college she attended or graduated from (there were 5 of them) or even what degree/s she finally obtained. I wouldn't even characterize it is "looking down our noses" it was more of a criticism of her lack of knowledge on key subjects and issues. She didn't know what she should have known if she were to be taken seriously as a Vice Presidential candidate. She lacked the intellectual curiousity to keep current on the issues of the day.”

“I think we will know for sure in the next few days or weeks why she is quitting. There will be some sort of revelation that she or the 1st dude did something either illegal or immoral that she wanted to step down before it was revealed. She is not the kind of person that puts family ahead of ambition or her state above her needs.

Maybe she can see Leavenworth from her porch also.”

“Up front, I am not a Palin appeaser - I don't for a minute feel that she is harmless. The prettier the package, the more vapid the message. But seriously, quoting Newt & Shirley about Ronnie is about as non-important as the shade of lipstick she puts on her pit bull. I am more interested in whether or not she can see North Korea from her backdoor and if she can see what they are up to!
Also.”