Thinkingclearly's Comments (40)

“All right!

I've been wishing a national movement like this would get going -- I've belonged to 2 credit unions -- they're great. I have a nice line of credit and pay only pennies if I have to borrow money for a couple days. My interest rates are 8.88% and 9.99% on my credit cards and I have more than enough credit available on those two cards to take care of my needs.

I'm done with AMEX, Citi, and the rest of them and their 25% rates. Move your money, cut up your credit cards. Cancel them only if they have annual fees so you don't hurt your credit score.”

“Thank you Michael Moore. You speak truth and sanity. There is no question that this is a war by the military/industrial complex, for the military/industrial complex and of the military/industrial complex.

We are not fighting the poorest nation in the world "for our freedom". We are fighting it because each soldier represents $1,000,000 -- breaking down to $30,000-50,000 for the soldier -- and probably $750,000 + for KBR, Halliburton, and all their subsidiaries -- who are represented daily on Fox by Liz Cheney and her KeepAmericaSafe.orgg" front organization.

If Obama was presenting a plan where we were sending in schools and vocational training, doing microloans (like Pres. Obama's mother started in Indonesia), drilling wells, and helping Afghanistan develop their natural resources and start to help this country become self-sufficient and move ahead --now that would be a plan I could support. I read that China is going in to develop copper mines (and probably exploiting the local population as they've done all over Africa). They're smarter than us -- they're actually going to get something out of this while America racks up debt on this venture.

But you can't fight a religion with soldiers -- it doesn't have a finite number of "soldiers" -- it is a belief system. And we're not fighting Bin Laden either. Joe Biden is right -- kind of like the kid who spoke up and said "the emporer has no clothes" -- we are in the wrong country and we're not fighting them for the”

“You're right. But there was one time during the campaign that Hannity was interviewing her and she was going round and round -- and he couldn't get a word in -- and his own face looked a little dazed and confused and bored even. And I had to laugh -- because basically she was giving him a little of the same type of tripe that he usually dished out -- it just felt different for him since he had to actually LISTEN to the crap instead of spew it.”

“Excellent analysis.

And yes -- it is something to fear. The only thing that gives me a little bit of hope is that the under-30 crowd -- with the exception of a few evangelicals -- doesn't buy her stuff. On the other end of the spectrum -- the over 50 Republicans are completely spellbound. And then you add in 3 years of Fox promoting her.

The only hope we have that people will wake up is if they get to hear her speak ad nauseum because you can tell from the inflections in her voice when she's lying and it's hard to hide her ignorance on subjects -- most of what she says sounds like warmed up leftovers of last night's Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck shows.

Unfortunately, she's cut the media out of any of her public speeches -- and made it a condition of her appearances. So much for freedom of the press.”

“If a bullet is fired that hits your house but has lost so much velocity that it BOUNCES off instead of penetrating VINYL -- then it's a case of someone who aimed a deer or something on the horizon and missed -- from quite a distance. That bullet will continue to travel and drop unless it hits something. The distance and the drop depends on the rifle.

One of the first rules of hunting my dad taught me -- never aim at the horizon, because it'll travel and you never know what's over there.

And as Sarah Palin would say "to those of you in the media....QUIT MAKIN' STUFF UP!" That includes you Lou.

I'm sure the local hunters and NRA wouldn't like if out of concern for Lou they posted the area against hunting.”

“No way!!

Joe is a thinker -- and instead of making grand pronoucements, he thinks out loud. Good grief -- why are you looking for drama?

What really needs to happen in Afghanistan is economic development and education. You can't kill a religious based opposition -- you have to provide an alternative to life that works. That's why we made progress when we built clinics and schools. But we can't have too many people in uniforms there. We need NGO's and civilians and allow Afghanistan the right of self-determination.

Our objective needs to be peace. I wish Greg Mortenson (3 Cups of Tea) was at the table discussing the future of Afghanistan with Joe Biden and Pres. Obama. Because peace will not be in guns -- it's in development. Schools, wells, electricity, manufacturing, and agriculture. Get the younger generation involved in doing something for their future -- and that will be a victory in Afghanistan. Those are the things that will be game changers in Afganistan.”

“I would copy and paste this and send it to Glenn Beck, but I don't think that's right to do -- so would you please consider sending it to his website? Excellent quotes.”

“This is why America needs to see her nightly on her own talk show... because if they listened to her -- unedited -- they'll catch on. Of course Rupert and Roger might see it as 3 years to groom her into something that would pass for presidential, but I think she'd turn off independents and clear thinking GOP and the fantasy of "Sarah will save us" will dissapate.”

“Also--President Reagan didn't play a major role in the overthrow of the communist countries--Russia--that all took place without any major statements by us--frankly it was a huge surprise. Romania, and the others--those countries became free because the people were ready to do it--and with a lot less violence (and cost) than what happened when we "liberated" Iraq. We in America didn't become free because France decided to hang the English king and then give us a timeline to come up with a constitution.

Fox and Friends and their pundits are absolute dunderheads when it comes to cultural and political sensitivity.”

“Geez -- I almost took you seriously -- it took till I got to the comment about Charles K. that I caught on.

Obama needs to refresh people's (and in some cases educate them for the first time) about the history of Iran and American politics. 1953, 1979--it's all a long time ago.

Also, Al Qaeda hates Iran and would just love to see us jump in and help destablize things. Though it's certainly not great now for Iranians at least they're not dealing with the bombings and bloodshed that Al Qaeda will inflict on them if given an opening. I'm afraid the bombing at the mosque today was done by them to see if they can get the Iranians to turn on each other. Just like they did in Iraq -- the Shiites and Sunnis had a lot of restraint initially when Al Qaeda under Zarqawi tried to set them against each other.

I don't know what is the best way out of the quagmire that is happening over there. Perhaps their parliament can call for a new election? Is there anyone within the Iranian government or parliament that can act as an honest broker between both sides?

The last thing the Iranians need is the kind of mess Iraq became when Al Qaeda turned the country against each other (and our own actions certainly contributed).

I support them, but there is wisdom in our restraint. Obama takes the long view--he just needs to communicate the "why" a little”

“Someone -- please get this man an interview with Rahm Emmanuel and Gates and Obama. Please.

I heard that Emannuel told Brett Bair that he watches Fox every night. Well, too much of it twists your thinking.

Obama got elected because he DIDN'T think like Roger Ailes and the rest of them on Fox. So, why is he trying to appease the bullies instead of doing the right thing.

Since the last 2 commanders at Gitmo said that over 50% of those detainees were innocent, he needs to come up with a plan to sort them out, give some of them mental health care and support, and come up with a plan to transition them back to their country in a humane way.”

“As much as people want to call this a war - it was not. It was an invasion of a people whose army folded within a week, whose president disappeared on the night of the invasion.

World War II was a real war -- the bombs didn't just drop for a week -- and it wasn't one-sided. Soldiers didn't have the benefit of the high tech gear they have today and they fought everywhere. But in that war -- though the Nazis tortured and set up death camps, America did not.

Here in Montana, German POWs--soldiers who we DEFINITELY knew where fighting against Americans were kept in a camp, fed well and were subjected only to picking beets alongside other farm workers.

America didn't have the stain on them that they do now. Karl Rove has been using that spin "well, gee if we do - we're like a 'banana republic'" Baloney!

Did we torture in Korea? Did we torture in Vietnam? No.

Two different commanders at Gitmo said that they felt over 50% of those people were innocent. If they were guilty, surely after 8 years, there would have been enough evidence to convict them.

Frankly, they do need to be sorted out. And sadly , some of them are going to need mental health services for the rest of their life (not that they'll get them).”

“Fox News cares about Deranged people.

I had an ex-boyfriend tell me one time that if a guy tells you "I'm not trying to take you to bed" the opposite is really true--he wants to take you to bed.

Fox spends half of their newscast -- regardless of who the anchors are-- repeating over and over that FOX and ONLY FOX is "fair and balanced". And it works. I just got off the phone with my mom and sister and they're totally convinced by them.

Thank God for the HuffPo.”

“Unfortunately, it looks like the Clintons are entitled to a third term -- they own the transition team and it looks like they eliminated their "judas". Hillary and Bill have just as many questionable ties. See Destiny USA for a situation similar to Richardson's.

Hearing about Hillary being named SOS about killed it for me. If Bill was able to put together a cabinet and a staff on his own - without digging up Carter's staff, why oh why, couldn't Obama have done the same.

We're not going to have better relations with the world. Bill is the one with the charm in that duo, and Hillary's going to put on her hawk face and the one that lets you know that despite the plastic smile, she's looking down on and patronizing you.

I think Barack is way too trusting and is letting himself be led around.”

“It's time for Americans to WAKE UP!!

Russia has had warships docked in Cuba, done war exercises with them, taken a warship through the Panama Canal.

Thanks to some 60 year olds in Florida who can change their calendar every year--yet still be stuck in 1961 when it comes to Cuba, we're in a terrible position right now.

Connect the dots, people. If Iran decides to get involved against Israel, the US stands up, and wants to attack Iran. Russia speaks up and says, "not so fast"--and they have missiles pointed at us from Cuba.

Our only hope of not being in that position is bringing Fidel Castro and the Kennedys and President Obama together to bury the past, lift the embargo and start bringing that change that is about 40 years overdue.

Unless you think Cuba should be our 51st state, they have the right to run their country exactly as they want. So, please start supporting normalization of relations with Cuba. Communist China became a lot more free than it was 20 years ago--not by trade embargos and arrogant pre-conditions--but by trade and cultural exchanges. It's not our job to change the world into our image--but to have peaceful and respectful and productive relationships.

Keeping the status quo with Cuba accomplishes none of that.”

“Then remove the embargo, send trade delegations, set up cultural exchanges--music, dance, and sports--soccer and baseball. Encourage tourism and investment from America.

Cuba doesn't want charity, they want respect and deserve it. I'm more than tired of arrogant cold-war generation politicians thinking it's America's duty to "save the world from communism" and beat up on Fidel and Raul (who is doing a good job) and blithely doing everything they can to give away trade deals to COMMUNIST China without "making them have 'free and fair elections' or meet pre-conditions".

President Obama needs to be the first to pick up the phone. Then he can send Joe Biden and Hillary. If,
as SOS, if Hillary goes and takes a LISTENING TOUR of Cuba--rather than showing up with her list of demands and "pre-conditions" for talking to President Obama, peace might have a chance and the world might know that we will be different. I think it'd be too easy for Hillary to put on the same haughty pose as Condi Rice--and come off as the strict schoolmarm. But if she goes to them with openness--on a LISTENING and LEARNING tour to Cuba--use her charm and interest in people--and show the same respect for Castro that she does to the Chinese leaders--who have a great deal more repression than Castro has in his background, then we might have a chance.”

“If Obama is serious about change and intelligence and respect for others shaping our foreign policy, he will initiate the call himself with Raul Castro.

How can the US say that we should have any credibility in urging the Palestinians and Israelis to make peace when we're still punishing a country for what happened 47 years ago--for something that was resolved without American bloodshed. How can we tell Sunnis and Shiites to get along and forgive what's been taking place in their country when we're still refusing to trade with Cuba or even allow them to own a car that was made in the last decade? The blood is still fresh in the Middle East and it's extremely hypocritical to say we're going to bring them together when there's much less to forgive of Cuba (and frankly, they've suffered for nearly 50 years from our embargo--so I'd say we need a little forgiveness too).

The most striking statement I could see Obama making would be for him and Ted Kennedy to stand with Fidel and Raul and shake hands and pronouce the chapter of the 60's closed, and this century as a new chapter--where we accept each other for who we are. Communist or not--Cuba has been a peaceful neighbor for 45 years. How many know that they've been allowing Christian missionaries in their country for the last 10 years?”

“Wouldn't it be wonderful if "Hannity and nobody's" audience discovered Rachel? I'd love to see a debate moderated between Hannity and Maddow. She'd clean his clock and wake up some people and bring more Americans over to her show.

How about bringing her on in some of those Meet the Press wrapups with journalists.”

“Right on!!

I think Lincoln might have regretted his "team of rivals" idea. Seward continually tried to undermine him, there's a theory that Edwin Stanton--his Secretary of War--was even involved in the assassination of Lincoln.

Right now, the most underreported story is the fact that Cuba and Venzuela are more and more under Russia's influence. In the past 4 months, Russia has done military exercises with Venzuela, announced that they are going to work on college classes teaching socialism (the real thing--not the Sarah/"Scare-yah" Palin brand), announced they will be training Cuban military, building a "space station" in Cuba, and helping them develop their oil reserves.

We need someone like Hagel at the helm, not Hillary who tends to come off with the same old arrogant attitude that has been used for 47 years with Cuba. If not, we're going to be watching military exercises off the coast of Miami. (Pay attention--Peter the Great--the largest nuclear ship in the world was in the Carribean already this summer--the first time Russia has done these exercises in the western hemisphere).”

“I believe that the genie is out of the bottle. Rupert Murdoch and Fox Talk Radio and Fox TV are the source of a lot of the hatred. I would put Sean Hannity at the very top of the list for the non-stop Obama-bashing. Then add Rush and Michael Savage. Then add in those mysterious emails that started in the primaries and continued through the general election -- our country has been set against itself.

Every day I put up with a new nasty joke about Barack from my two redneck (though college-educated) roommates.

At church, people give me curious looks and two came out and said they couldn't believe I would support Obama.

Where do we go to get America back? People who believe themselves to be Christians don't think twice about forwarding the latest mysterious email filled with lies and slander.

Outside of Abraham Lincoln, I can't think of any president who had to deal with so much slander and opposition just to get the office--but with our media, it's going to be such an uphill grind.”

“This column should be posted as a guest column in every newspaper in the nation. Hey people--let's get this in the printed newspapers!

Excellent, excellent column--I'm forwarding it to everyone I know, and I just called our local paper about it and suggested they run it.

(I only pray that there like Lincoln, we don't have a civil war after this election with all the scary rhetoric that's been thrown out there). Please be careful everyone.”

“Sean Hannity--more than any other person has led the charge on hate and manipulation by his never-ending litany on his radio and tv shows. I hear so many people repeating the same stuff from his mouth--and they are all such obvious talking points for their pundits.

Hannity set the bar so low--and Newt Gingrich, Castellanos, Morris, etc--simply acted as props in his campaign against Barack. If the man didn't have a $100 million multi-year contract with Fox, and was simply walking the streets repeating his crap over and over, he'd be committed. He led off, Glenn Beck and the other talk shows followed.

Then you add in Limbaugh and Ingraham as well as Sean referring to Obama as "messiah" knowing it would frighten Christians and Jewish voters hearing that term used for a leader, followed up by the "The One (aka anti-christ) ads of the McCain campaign.

Our country has a lot to recover from--and so on top of all these other problems, the powers that be have set the working class against each other--and will raise their glasses on Election day when they and Diebold toast a McCain victory. (Not that he'll really be in charge once he's in--and with Palin as VP?) Heaven help us.”

“I really want to believe you -- and mostly likely the way the voters will cast their votes that way.

But -- after reading about voters having their votes flipped already in West Virginia and talking to someone who knows a retired Diebold programmer who admitted he programmed machines to flip votes in Florida, I fear that these newspapers will be running headlines that say,

"STUNNING UPSET!! McCain/Palin win "by a nose"!

The pundits will have to discuss "the Bradley effect" and wonder about all those millions who donated, volunteered, what impact this will have on younger voters who believed and trusted in America, and what the response of the rest of the world will be.

And then we will usher in the most incompetent pair--an ex-pilot and Senator who can't point to any legislative accomplishments except a campaign finance bill that was about making things fair for politicians running for office--with almost no impact on the voters since the lobbyists own him.

Cheney won't even have to clean out his desk, Rove's disciple, Steve Schmidt will become Chief of Staff, and the shadow govt we've had will continue on.

Hope will die.”

“I think we need to keep our eye on SLIM PICKENS -- the guy who financed the Swiftboat attacks. He's been working to get a million people on his side on the energy issue. And his ads were convincing -- looking at those ads, you think, gee! What a nice guy and willing to be honest about energy -- and the natural gas vehicles does make sense.

But he's met with John and Sarah and Barack --- and he needs to get together with Joe Biden.

My bet? One week before the election, he will come out and endorse John McCain on energy -- make a very nice straight forward pitch -- and independents and disaffected Republicans will get in line.

Wish someone would warn the Obama campaign to pay attention -- and get Joe Biden an appointment with the guy. After each presidential debate, he's been doing e-chats with people. Now really--these debates haven't all been about energy--but he's really trying to get people politically involved--and I'm betting it hasn't been all noble intentions.

More of a "submarine" than a swiftboat attack, this time. I could be wrong -- but keep your eyes open!!”

“I've had it since March!!

And what if this ends in a 269-269 TIE!! And it goes on until JANUARY 6? And there's fight between if the House which only gets 1 vote per state--and a state goes for McCain, but the Dems control the caucus? What if they're pressured into voting for McCain? And then the Senate votes for Biden--because no one could vote for Palin?

The tie situation is pretty easy to see--if NV and NH goes for McCain. And Diebold gets Florida and Ohio to go McCain's way.”