concern4civility's Comments (38)

“Obama keeps his smoking quiet. Not a good influence. Having quit myself (many times & finally for good), I would resent your challenge. It is not the best motivator. Can't imagine the stress he is under and quitting involves being able to take some time and thought to change to better habits. Mind your own business on this one.”

“It would be fabulous to have abortion included. The reason it had to be tossed "overboard" is because this is not the time to fight that battle. There is enough acrimony ... and it is threatening to derail healthcare altogether. If Obama pushed to win a battle to include anything with abortion at this juncture..­. there is not a doubt in my mind it would just be another nail in the coffin for defeat of healthcare. Think strategically and take a deep breath.”

“It is in the interests of the producers of drugs/equipment that the use of their drugs/equipment BECOME Stanrdard Protocol. The potential heart issues is ripe with abuse. Once you present with certain symptoms, Docs can't take a chance not to stent you & overmedicate to be on the "safe" side. If they recommend diet & longer term strategy & you have heart attack & die, they are in big trouble. Why not a CONSENT TO GIVE ME ALTERNATIVE ADVICE form.that will pass legal muster. This way I can hold my physician harmless if he advises me about options other than the surgical / BigPharm standard of care.”

“An evening dalliance might be forgive. We are imperfect creatures. Yet this, Alex, is not just about a man having an affair. It's about a man who makes a very big deal about family values that is having an affair. It is about deception & serious irresponsibility on many levels. Sandord's lack of discretion & good judgement are seriously in question & should be exposed. He opened the door for this scrutiny.”

“The only thing that made the Cramer bit overblown was Cramer's astonishing lack of humor. All Stewart did was poke some fun at him... and put the adorably funny puppy thing on while he was talking. We tend to have no sense of history. This allows politicians to outright lie without the public noticing. Glad Stewart is there to catch them.... and do it in a way that is fun.”

“"let them eat cake"... the cake is the dregs left in the often after the baked bread is removed. So, Ariana and readers of HuffPost.. what action should we take today to ensure our tax money in the treasury goes to building infrastructure and not lining the pockets of these selfish, egotistical, care-less human beings.”

“Do you sit up at nights worrying about what the weather will be tomorrow? Wondering what will happen IF it does? Why not just chill and see what unfolds and comment on reality rather than idle speculation. Things are in motion. Try offering smart suggestions instead of unfounded speculation.”

“25 years ago I read your book on compulsive eating and it changed my life. I never needed to go on a "diet" again. Today, your experience losing everything with Madoff scam is going to translate into help untold numbers of people to find hope in the losses they will inevitably experience with the serious downturn/shift in the economy. I've lost everything twice. Both times I was able to bounce back and find value in myself and what I can contribute. Keep up the good work. Retirement isn't the answer. Work with purpose & no expectation of result is considered a great spiritual practice. May you and others benefit by growing stronger, more compassionate and more joyful from this experience.”

“Barack Obama doesn't hate LGBT people. Barack Obama is squeezed by demands from many different factions. Step one may be pushing for equal rights that come from marriage rather than antagonizing a vocal and active force intent on hanging on to their sacred "marriage" moniker. What we've learned is that a push that is too liberal only serves to activate the base and bring the whole house down. I've come to trust in Obama's strategy and think we ought to give him a chance.”

“It's been so long since we've seen a true leader that we know longer get what a leader is. First, Obama is President to a country deeply divided. Should he declare a mandate and proceed to press a progressive agenda, there will be a snap back that will paralyze every effort at progress. God knows our system isn't perfect. If you want to change, start from the ground up--in your own communities. Educate Educate Educate so we don't have an huge percentage of people who cannot discern what is good for the country and what is political posturing. Run for office yourself--or at least get involved with neighborhood meetings, town hall meetings etc. Try not to let your idea of perfection get in the way of making some progress.”

“Well, things have already gone wrong. Terribly wrong. And getting it right is not going to be easy... no matter who is on the team. The kind of pragmatic folks that are coming to the table are not necessarily "enemies". & you can be sure that Obama will consider their positions. He is not out to take his "political capital" and bang it over anyone's head. We have diverse factions in this country. If he did that, there would likely be a snap back that would crush any progress. Let's see what happens and pray that pols will put the country first... I mean really put the country first this time.”

“Curiously, just watched Dry White Season about Afrikaners vicious prosecution of South Africans & how the court colluded w/ prosecutor to allow justice to be trampled. One, brave teacher (Donald Sutherland) risked his career & life to fight for the Truth If anyone has thoughts on how to go after prosecutor for malicious or negligent prosecution or action that would embarrass Regan & help Mrs. Amero-- please speak up.”

“I'm with you on this Madison. The press thrives on controversy--not providing helpful information to help civic engagement.”

“Obama will be a strong President. Obama knows exactly what he is getting with Clinton. The last two years demonstrates that he is no fool. Give it a chance. Don't let your anger over the limitations of our system & ideas of perfection get in the way of movement toward common good.”

“For those commenting on propriety of the topic. You clicked on it, didn't ya? Anyway-- we need a little lighting up-- and let's face it-- it's really great to have a loving, romantic partnership & healthy, smiling first family again. God Bless them all. . . and enjoy.”

“I'm with you on this. It is one thing to give in out of cowardice or position of weakness. Obama is neither a coward--nor is he weak. Throughout the campaign, every bad thing that happened was followed by immediate reactions by everyone--- except Obama. He would let all the pundits give their valuable, though limited, opinions and he would weigh his options. We waited w/ baited breath to hear what he would say. Eventually, he spoke with thoughtfulness, kindness & decisive strength--and the people liked it. We are tired, very tired of pettiness, retribution & partisan deadlocks. Lieberman may be a fool-- but he's Obama's fool. If you were Lieberman, who would you want to please right now?”

“I feel the same way you do about Obama. Noted Harvard Law professor, L. Tribe said he had 5000 students before ... and after Obama. No one like him. Pundits can have all the fun they want creating controversy-- the news thrives on it, but I've learned that with Obama-- its best to hold my tongue for a change.

Wish press would focus their light on rape & pillage going on to agencies regulations & staffing the last days of the Bush Administration. Maybe we can embarrass Legacy Man to behaving like a man who cares about this country for the next two months.”

“Why on earth would you put up scurrilous headlines like this just before election. People who want to believe the worst will take them as truth. They belong in the ONION, not on Huffpost.”

“The idea of taking more meds to solve an anxiety problem instead of getting control of the mind is quite disturbing. Get a grip. A little anxiety is understandable. If news gives you high blood pressure, for God's sake stop reading the news. I can assure you, the world will manage to get along just fine without your oversight. Do the best you can. Make calls to get out the vote, canvass, watch polls --just do the very best you can. We can't control results, just our own actions.”

“Thought-provoking, sensitive insight on the societal effects of "care-less" immigration policies. You touched me with your personal examples of the effects of heavy handed immigration laws on people who provide friendship and service to us in so many ways.”

“The fact is, we are ALL ignorant. We see life through our own lens and have a hard time understanding how & why others could possibly see things differently. Differences are flamed by a mainstream media that survives by getting high ratings rather than by dispersing valuable, and relatively unbiased information. "Spar" "Fight" are the grabbers of attention. Who can resist the allure of the Fox sideshow ( I do, but really understand others love of it). I urge you all to go to YouTube & watch some videos of Marshall B. Rosenberg discussing his culture bridging experiences using NonViolent Communication. If a Jew can go to a meeting in Palestine & spend an hour with a violently angry Palestinian and come out as friends-- his techniques are worth your attention. We have work to do-- and we can do it by being the first to extend our hands in friendship--even to those who think they have good reason to hate us.”

“Joe Biden has a difficult situation. Your comments are worthy of consideration. However, to make a blanket statement that Obama”

“Religion has focused too much on political solutions instead of bringing us back to basic values of respect, cooperation, honesty, selfless service, courage, fortitude and merciful compassion. Unbridled materialism has been the source of decline for many civilizations before us. We are not immune. The United States of America is becoming more and more like what we've labeled a "Third World Country". Without uniting our energy around common values ( not so-called rural values) to bring change that benefits all, we will read the results in "The Rise & Fall of the American Empire".”

“ONE, just ONE match lights up a dark room. Use your money & real estate to point out truths -- like McCain at Republican debate where he stated " I need no on-the-job training I wasn't a mayor for short period of time I wasn't a gov for short period of time" -- Talk about why liberals are the new conservative-- conserving the environment, not squandering our treasury & incurring record breaking debt, protecting traditional freedoms--- & lets talk about sane alternatives to the endless war as proposed by Ret. Colonel Andrew Bacevich (google him).

Let's illuminate those that have minds open enough to let that light in. The die hards will only get aggravated by snarky remarks-- and likely not to change anyone's mind. (btw: Jon Stewart has just the right balance in using humor to bring truth to light. Takes some skill)”

“I'm reminded of the story of a man who gets bumped to the ground, and yells, " What'sa matter, are you blind." Well, in fact the man who knocked him over WAS blind. Other than this *tawdry* affair, everything I am privy to about John Edward's as a political and family man has shown him to be basically a decent human being. We are not talking of a pattern of infidelity here, but an incident in the life of a man who has faced immense losses. Why are we so anxious to pick up stones to throw at him and/ or his wife? A great spiritual teacher advised "Man finds faults in others after bringing his own mind to that level. Does anything ever happen to another if you enumerate his faults? It only injures you...." and "... if you want peace, do not find fault with others. Rather see your own faults. Learn to make the whole world your own...." [this is not intended to ignore repeated, aggregious behavior--so don't overextend it's meaning, please ]”