Edit Preferences
Logout
pbziegler's Comments (53)
View Comments:
Sort:
1 - 25 of 53
Leadership, Obama Style, and the Looming Losses in 2010: Pretty Speeches, Compromised Values, and the Quest for the Lowest Common Denominator
Commented Dec 22, 2009 at 10:33:08 in Politics
“I consider myself a progressive but I am not expecting a radical agenda from the Democrats, just a coherent set of guiding principals that tip toward progressive values and philosophy AND then some fierceness on occasion to fight for legislation consistent with those values and philosophy. Otherwise why should I give money and work for them. I was hoping that Obama would use his election to talk to the American people about why a progressive agenda is the best hope for the future of our nation and the world. Instead he remains quiet as the corporate pigs continue to run our government for their profit. At the end of the day Sarah Palin has the support of the right wing nuts and Obama had the support of the progressives and moderates but when it comes to who they know butters their bread its the same butterers--the corporations.”
Leadership, Obama Style, and the Looming Losses in 2010: Pretty Speeches, Compromised Values, and the Quest for the Lowest Common Denominator
Commented Dec 22, 2009 at 10:26:50 in Politics
“It was obvious to me that corporate power used the values issues to get right wing Americans to vote for pro-corporate Republican candidates. But I didn't get it that Obama and the Democrats use "progressive" language to marshall the progressive voters but they, like the Republicans, have been bought and sold by the same corporate interests. A pox on both their houses. Wellstone was the last politician who wasn't bought.”
Leadership, Obama Style, and the Looming Losses in 2010: Pretty Speeches, Compromised Values, and the Quest for the Lowest Common Denominator
Commented Dec 22, 2009 at 10:11:30 in Politics
“Well said. The bloom is off the rose. I was hoping against hope that Obama would lead the country by educating the American people about why a progressive agenda is better for our future than the pathetic, small minded, no-nothing offering of the right-wing. Instead he has bend over backwards to win the right-wing over and has nothing to show for it other than the loss of support of progressives like myself. Sad state of affairs watching the dying days of the Great Experiment of government by the people that grew out of the Enlightenment.”
alibeamish replied on Dec 22, 2009 at 10:21:16
“And the right still hate him. Fox liked the content of his Afghanastan speech but still denigrated him.
I also turn off the radio when I hear his voice and other comments agree”
I also turn off the radio when I hear his voice and other comments agree”
HuffPost's Roy Sekoff Grades The Grade Obama Gave Himself
Commented Dec 14, 2009 at 21:38:44 in Politics
“I worked for Obama and gave a lot of money to help get him elected. I've been a loyal Democrat all my life and thought finally I would see a progressive agenda after the disaster of Bush. No such luck. So I want to make it public. I am no longer a Democrat. I grew up when the Democrats had the Dixiecrats to contend with. Now its just a weak, cowardly party that has no real agenda. Keeping my money for better things.”
cnick replied on Dec 14, 2009 at 23:11:52
“So what are you now?? Who is your candidate. You give up fast, must be difficult being so impatient.”
jade7243 replied on Dec 14, 2009 at 22:08:48
“Toodle-loo!!!!!”
MrWebster replied on Dec 14, 2009 at 22:02:51
“When Obama came to Oregon for the primaries he had a huge crowd...on
KarenT replied on Dec 14, 2009 at 21:41:37
“Then who will you be voting for?”
It's a Helluva State
Commented Dec 05, 2009 at 10:46:44 in New York
“Now this was an uplifting article even in a time I am continually disappointed in our leaders.”
Cosatjockomo replied on Dec 05, 2009 at 13:31:11
“Not sure I understand. Disappointed in the gay leaders who continually overstate their public support and repeatedly push for doomed legislation in an untimely manner, thereby sabotaging the very cause they seek to promote? Or our national and state leaders, who in fact have been more supportive of gay rights than the general public and who've been over-ridden by the public every time they've attempted to pass gay marriage legislation?”
Arianna On The Problems Posed By Tea Party Activists In 2010 Elections (VIDEO)
Commented Dec 05, 2009 at 10:42:44 in Media
“I agree with you ohio. The Tea Party is the current incarnation of a long tradition of ignorance, prejudice, arrogance, fear and demagoguery that keeps rearing its ugly head. Its come close to taking over the reigns of power in this great nation but its never quite made it. But the tradition carries on, always finding someone or something to bring you all together. My thought is we should reinstitute the draft and get you guys in the anti-war movement. I will be happy to help paint signs.”
Arianna On The Problems Posed By Tea Party Activists In 2010 Elections (VIDEO)
Commented Dec 05, 2009 at 10:37:29 in Media
“This is the way it goes in history. We started out with great ideals and have certainly come a long way. But the forces of history--the need to continue fighting senseless wars to protect resources and control areas of the globe far from home eventually saps the resources, finances and vitality of a nation. Its not hopeless but it sure doesn't look like generative vision and courage will trump greed as America the corporation destroys America the citizen.”
A Different Kind Of Tears For Obama
Commented Dec 01, 2009 at 13:35:53 in World
“If we reinstitute the draft and the middle class instead of the poor face having to go over and kill and be killed things might take a different direction. I say bring back the draft and create an anti war movement that stops the war machine and keeps Obama honest.”
A Different Kind Of Tears For Obama
Commented Dec 01, 2009 at 13:33:43 in World
“You said a mouthful Greenwald. Obama is the current Lyndon Johnson--great ideas for social change and justice destroyed on the rocks of a stupid, misguided war. Health care, social justice, schools, infrastructure, restoration of American ideals. Forget it.”
momcat4obama replied on Dec 01, 2009 at 14:04:52
“Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, don't forget that. All is not lost.”
Afghanistan: Obama Drops The Other Shoe
Commented Nov 30, 2009 at 16:09:27 in Politics
“Let's reinstitute the draft and see how popular this war is. No student deferments and put uniforms on all the children of the middle class and see how much enthusiasm there is for this stupid war.”
violettefemme replied on Nov 30, 2009 at 16:30:58
“Don't you mean "put uniforms on all the children of the upper class"? It's the children of the middle and lower who are already **volunteering** ---not so much the wealthy though, huh?
And notably, it's the wealthy who are profiting from these wars.”
And notably, it's the wealthy who are profiting from these wars.”
Afghanistan: Obama Drops The Other Shoe
Commented Nov 30, 2009 at 16:07:54 in Politics
“Keep reading the NYT to get your understanding of what's going on. The NYT was a big fan of the Vietnam war and Bush's invasion of Iraq--offering the educated Americans reasons for supporting our policies. Nonetheless we were fed lies and illusions about why we were there and what the costs were. Now its all about Pakistan. In Korea and Vietnam it was to prevent a communist takeover of Southeast Asia. We can spend a lot of money and kill a lot of people but at the end of the day American can't control every part of the world and every vital resource. If you have faith in Obama's choice I wonder if you would feel the same confidence if you or your children or your siblings and friends were going to be drafted and sent over there to fight and die.”
An Open Letter To President Obama On Afghanistan
Commented Nov 30, 2009 at 10:45:15 in World
“Its time we admit it. Obama is just another politician. Looks different, and talked different. But in the end he will take us to war, protect the wealthy and the corporations, and cut into our civil liberties. Some will keep overlooking what he's really doing forever but some of us, along the way, are seeing that we was fooled by his intelligence, style and promises. And by the fact that he wasn't Bush.”
AnotherMcIntosh replied on Nov 30, 2009 at 11:49:54
“Some of us weren't just fooled by the things that you mentioned.
Some of us were fooled by the various leaders in the Democratic Party who endorsed him and who will not now act in a responsible way.
Senator Durbin, for one, endorsed Obama. Now he won't even hold Obama to be accountable for his campaign promises. Nor will he convey the same type of responsible thoughts as Michael Moore.
Ask yourself:
-- What are the Democratic leaders in your area doing?
-- Why shouldn't they be held accountable?”
Some of us were fooled by the various leaders in the Democratic Party who endorsed him and who will not now act in a responsible way.
Senator Durbin, for one, endorsed Obama. Now he won't even hold Obama to be accountable for his campaign promises. Nor will he convey the same type of responsible thoughts as Michael Moore.
Ask yourself:
-- What are the Democratic leaders in your area doing?
-- Why shouldn't they be held accountable?”
Goldman Sachs: It's Time to Put Country Before Company
Commented Nov 16, 2009 at 17:16:51 in Business
“You da' man Andy”
Marine Commandant Defies White House on Gay Troops
Commented Nov 02, 2009 at 16:24:50 in Politics
“Fire this insubordinate Homophobe.”
There's No Such Thing As A Republican Filibuster: It's Time to Deliver
Commented Oct 26, 2009 at 19:14:31 in Politics
“If the labor movement had been as pathetically weak as this Democratic majority, American workers would be making $2 an hour and working 48 hour weeks. If only the Democratic Party had what SEIU has-vision, courage, and conviction--there's be some real changes around Washington. Great statement Andy”
HuffPost Editor Roy Sekoff On Senate Dems Reaction To Public Option Loss (VIDEO)
Commented Sep 30, 2009 at 10:57:05 in Politics
“No public option? Anything less will just be a giveaway to the insurance companies. Business as usual in Washington. Democrats and Republicans depend on corporate money to keep their jobs. I give up. There's really no such thing as an honest politician--its an oxymoron.”
DocGreen replied on Sep 30, 2009 at 11:21:17
“It is truly depressing. According to Robert Reich and others, Obama never intended to support a public option. He cut a deal with big pharma and the insurance companies. What a phony.”
Will Spirituality Ever Be Serious?
Commented Sep 30, 2009 at 09:15:06 in Living
“Give me a break. One can be compassionate, conscious, mature, and committed to personal growth without "spirituality" figuring in. Its one thing to say someone is spirited--meaning lively, passionate, etc. And another to say human beings have souls that transcend death, reincarnate or sit beside Jesus in heaven. Even to say "I am spiritual but not religious" is an odd thing to say. its like saying I don't go to church but I believe in Zeus and Athena and angels.”
badjuggler replied on Sep 30, 2009 at 10:31:14
“Nicely said. Man created his gods to help explain the unexplainable (at the time). We now have science to explain the unexplainable, so gods are no longer needed.”
What Doctors Don't Know About Marshmallows And Happiness
Commented Sep 21, 2009 at 10:55:03 in Living
“MJT--can't argue with what you say about tormented self-restraint but the middle path between impulsive and compulsive behavior and tormented self-restraint might be called reasonable or gentle restraint. For chronic overeaters there is this middle ground that has to be cultivated and practiced. Just like in yoga you can push too hard and injure yourself or you can avoid the point where the pose begins to make a difference--that sweet spot in all things. Following one's desires when one is chronically overeating and obese doesn't seem to me great advice. Reconnecting with one's body wisdom is one thing, eating whatever appeals to you whenever you get an urge to eat is quite another.”
What Doctors Don't Know About Marshmallows And Happiness
Commented Sep 20, 2009 at 11:58:39 in Living
“Think this author missed the point. A latter study done by Bandura showed that when children who had a hard time delaying gratification (ate the marshmallow right away) saw a adult using strategies to deflect attention away from the marshmallow they learned immediately skills that helped them delay gratification. The point of these studies was not to show that following rules gets you more but that (1) some people have a harder time delaying gratification, (2) people who are able to employ skills that help them delay gratification tend to do better in life in all sorts of ways--work, relationships, health, etc. and (3) people who tend to be more impulsive can learn effective ways to develop their delaying gratification muscles.
As a chronic overeater and mental health professional who specializes in working with chronic overeaters and weight management I see this research in a very different light that the woman who wrote this piece.”
As a chronic overeater and mental health professional who specializes in working with chronic overeaters and weight management I see this research in a very different light that the woman who wrote this piece.”
mjt96 replied on Sep 20, 2009 at 18:38:48
“I see your point. Patterns of mindless, instant gratification can lead to overeating. But the key here is mindlessness rather than mindfulness. Following one's desires can also be mindful, as the author suggests.
When it comes to overeating, tormented self-restraint may limit consumption in the short term, but often gives way to even more substantial overeating when attention lapses. It's kind of like focusing on the rock at the side of the road while driving. With all that directed focus, it's difficult not to hit the rock. Yoga is a great help in developing the kind of sustained awareness and attention to what your body needs, so that restraint is no longer the fixation.”
When it comes to overeating, tormented self-restraint may limit consumption in the short term, but often gives way to even more substantial overeating when attention lapses. It's kind of like focusing on the rock at the side of the road while driving. With all that directed focus, it's difficult not to hit the rock. Yoga is a great help in developing the kind of sustained awareness and attention to what your body needs, so that restraint is no longer the fixation.”
The Goldstone Report: Three Strikes and You're Out!
Commented Sep 19, 2009 at 14:15:36 in World
“Suppose we asked the Israelis to list 5 things they have done for which they would ask forgiveness from the Palestinians and asked the Palestinians to list 5 things they have done for which they would ask forgiveness from the Palestinians. If either can't list 5 things and/or doesn't believe they should seek forgiveness they have to move to Texas and start all over. They would be surrounded by other nationalist religious zealots like themselves. And, they would have oil.”
BubbaC33 replied on Sep 20, 2009 at 00:05:31
“Forcing anyone to move to Texas is indeed a crime against humanity.”
Huckabee Offers Palestinians State "Some Place Else"
Commented Aug 18, 2009 at 23:29:30 in World
“How about moving Israel to Texas. That way there would be peace in the Middle East and the Israelis would have oil. It would raise the average intelligence of Texas as a bonus.”
yellowdoggie replied on Aug 19, 2009 at 06:51:57
“There is plenty of desert land out in west Texas. Lots of oil too, or there used to be. That's a really good option. And there's even a town called Palestine, Texas. It's in the eastern part, though. But Texans are obviously predisposed to like Palestinians.”
Sessions Uses Sotomayor as a Pawn in His Lifelong Crusade Against Civil Rights
Commented Jul 09, 2009 at 12:24:05 in Politics
“How about letting Sessions secede from the Union. Give him a Reb flag and send him packing.”
The Iquitarod!: Sarah Palin's Latest Arctic Sport
Commented Jul 06, 2009 at 15:50:54 in Politics
“To those of you who think Palin is just some dumb dame I've got news for you. If you think that she's smarter than you are. Hillary got more mileage out of that tearful gesture than all the smart talk. Palin knows how to play her people and now she's got the victim card working--poor woman has been harassed and driven to the brink of bankruptcy by unfounded ethics investigations. And so she had to step down as governor. Even the Repo talking heads fail to get her. She is a dangerous demagogue who instinctively knows how to insight a certain element of our society. And they are a sleeping giant--they elected Bush twice in case you didn't notice.”
mvonkroeker replied on Jul 06, 2009 at 16:33:05
“If it wasn't for her looks, this over-hyped trailer-park-trash wouldn't be given the time of day. Just shows how ignorant, shallow, ridiculously moronic her base is. I feel sorry for the educated, enlightened America that has to endure this right now.”
BushIsAWarCriminal replied on Jul 06, 2009 at 16:20:32
“They are sleeping lunatics. No one but the 20% who thought Bush was a Good President on his last day in office will vote for her. In case YOU didn't notice.
And enough people's lives have been ruined by Bush's moronic policies to reduce any possibility that she'll get a vote outside that 20%.
We all noticed. You just misunderstand the implications.”
And enough people's lives have been ruined by Bush's moronic policies to reduce any possibility that she'll get a vote outside that 20%.
We all noticed. You just misunderstand the implications.”
Suzanne525 replied on Jul 06, 2009 at 16:05:19
“Do not confuse "smart" with manipulative, which is a more accurate description for Palin.”
SamFreedom replied on Jul 06, 2009 at 16:02:23
“Good points, just keep in mind that the only people who can learn from them, or even consider them properly, are people who are moderate left to moderate right. The extremists are locked into their own death struggle and can't see the forest for the trees.
By the way, Palin, in my opinion, didn't step down for all the speculative reasons assigned to her. Because she really meant, "not the same politics as usual", she said what she meant which is why most people didn't understand it, or even hear it.
Simply, she's $500k in the hole from unethical ethics complaints.
So, she works the talking and book circuit, interacts with the public on a closer level and creates a more likeable, affable image for herself like former Gov. Huckabee is doing with his own show on FOX. This will also be good exploration for a 2012 run but right now, she needs to replenish her personal coffers and allow Alaska to get out from under the tabloid spotlights because of the liberal media hatred for her.
Nothing complex, or coward, about any of this...”
By the way, Palin, in my opinion, didn't step down for all the speculative reasons assigned to her. Because she really meant, "not the same politics as usual", she said what she meant which is why most people didn't understand it, or even hear it.
Simply, she's $500k in the hole from unethical ethics complaints.
So, she works the talking and book circuit, interacts with the public on a closer level and creates a more likeable, affable image for herself like former Gov. Huckabee is doing with his own show on FOX. This will also be good exploration for a 2012 run but right now, she needs to replenish her personal coffers and allow Alaska to get out from under the tabloid spotlights because of the liberal media hatred for her.
Nothing complex, or coward, about any of this...”
celloswiss replied on Jul 06, 2009 at 15:58:01
“Yeah, but that still makes her still a dumb dame - at least to me!”
The Bible's Vindication of Obama's Middle East Strategy
Commented Jun 09, 2009 at 09:01:24 in World
“God didn't say anything. There is no god. It continues to amaze me how much violence can be done in the name of some fantasized creation. And the idea that god should bless America makes me wonder what century we are living in.”
Brillig replied on Jun 09, 2009 at 10:54:18
“"The FOOL hath said in his heart :'There is no GOD'"”
To Arkansas State Senator Kim Hendren's Grandchilden
Commented May 19, 2009 at 09:32:32 in Politics
“I'm one of those Jewish Americans. The way we support Israel is good for the guys who make and sell weapons. Not so good for the people in the MIddle East on all sides.”
LiarLiarIraqsOnFire replied on May 24, 2009 at 16:18:30
“Too true.”
Lavina replied on May 19, 2009 at 12:34:02
“To pbziegler; Thank you for speaking out on this issue. I want to provide sources of information on this issue: http://www
1 - 25 of 53
