jerrypenguin

"McCain subsequently said Obama must explain why he wants to talk with rogue leaders."
- AP | MIKE GLOVER | May 16, 2008 at 02:13 PM

Obama and any US citizen "must explain" absolutely nothing to McCain. Let McCain stick to his $10,000 photo ops and $33,100 per person "victory diners." Keep McCain with his own kind of people. Get him, his kind, and his demands away from ordinary plebeians. posted 05/16/2008 at 16:36:28

"...strong legs and butts." Amen!!! This certainly applies to those who work the ships. They also can hold their liquor and have a sense of humor. Russian, Eastern European, Bulgarian, Greek, etc. are far more woman than those brat twits that inhabit North American shopping malls. posted 05/16/2008 at 16:23:13

I couldn't be more in agreement. Have him occupy a gitmo cage and provide a steady aspartame diet.

Gitmo and aspartame are among Rumsefeld's many crime. Rumsfeld was on President Reagan's transition team and a day after taking office appointed Hayes. No FDA Commissioner in the previous sixteen years had allowed aspartame on the market.

http://www.newswithviews.com/NWVexclusive/exclusive15.htm

Is there no end to these so called "people?" posted 05/13/2008 at 21:05:02

"Remember you had your glory days, let us (18-45) have ours!"

Glory days my ass. It was simply an interesting ride. posted 05/11/2008 at 21:36:40

it's delightful to see super patriots focused upon the flag burning amendment and the lapel pin issue. Let's ignore the state of the banking system, internal rot and corruption, war, death, pollution, medical care, education, ultra wealth concentration, desecration of the US constitution, mercenary armies, US prisons, torture, debt, climate change, statistical malpractice, mass media mind bending, etc., etc., etc.

Keep up the good work noble, lapel pin wearing, patriot. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!! posted 05/11/2008 at 18:12:51

The site makes reference to an A & P grocery list. There is an interesting aspect to A & P. In 1979, it was sold to a German entrepreneur who shortly thereafter "restructured" its employee pension plan, making $400 million in the process. The company served as an excellent example of "free enterprise." Even some of the A & P executives attempted to block the company's bankruptcy thorough legal means. They claimed that the "over funded" pension plan belonged to the employees. Unfortunately, the "entrepreneurs" got their slimy hands on the "over funded" employee pension money.

How much longer are citizens of the USA and the world going to humbly accept this brutal "free enterprise" and Wall Street / Washington DC crap? Look at your situation over time. Follow the money! Remember! Look at the boards of directors. Look at our powerful oligarchs and families. Sui Bono? posted 05/11/2008 at 17:46:05

Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin an emotionless, muscular, tyrannical, soviet-style politician and former KGB agent. I have to admire the guy. He has a intellect and he doesn't suffer from the Russian disease (alcoholism). Low tolerance for bushit is admirable. Furthermore, I have worked aboard large ships and have a shirt and jacket similar to that in the article's Putin photograph. Furthermore, my facial expression and eye color are similar. posted 05/09/2008 at 02:14:20

"You just don't fly an airplane with 200 or more passengers, thousands of miles when you have a landing gear problem. "

As a passenger, I was on a flight from New York City to Salt Lake City. There was a loud thump during take-off. This was followed by a burning rubber smell. My thoughts were that we were in big trouble. Nothing was announced.

Upon our destination approach, the pilot announced that the aircraft had blown out a nose wheel tire or tires during departure. We were then provided landing instructions. Fire trucks accompanied the plane as it landed. The plane bounced and shook, several cabin panels fell, the plane filled with dust and other strange stuff. There was a lot of noise. Some people started screaming.

This was a very exciting landing. It seemed like something from the movies. posted 05/09/2008 at 01:52:12

With the exception of a much longer trip; The same impressions apply to me. Mine was via bicycle starting in the Pacific Northwest, to Florida, and ending in Washington DC. The walled "upper social class" communities and the malling of the continent abounds. I observed the "upper social class" communities from Idaho to Harpers Ferry, VA. Florida is a massive mall. The people who occupy these environments move from hermetically sealed air craft, to SUV cocoon, to sealed mall, restaurant, golf course, condo, entertainment, "culture," services, etc. In Montana, I inquired who inhabited one of these communities. The local person started to list various high government officials, celebrities, capitalists, etc.

Some areas, such as Chicago, retained a level of comfort. This is not to say that there are not significant barriers between people. The elevated sealed high rise building walkways have been referred to as "honkey tubes." At some of the city high rise hotels, I have observed the most popular political candidates with massive high speed, escort propelled into the luxury hotels . Concurrently, the street was occupied by normal working people, bums, junkies, etc.

With the massive unending concentration of global wealth, expect to see more blast walled communities, private "security services (mercenaries)," private utilities, education facilities, parks, gardens, services, and best of everything for the very few. Could this be a step backwards for the evolution of society? Is this the neocon agenda? posted 05/05/2008 at 00:53:01

One can only imagine the "final outcome" of the "privatization" of US military and police "services." It is obvious that "military privatization" means no accountability, control, or responsibility by the US government.

I am getting the same feelings in the US that I had during visits to neighboring countries south of the US border. I had experiences of being in the wrong place, wrong crowd, wrong time. This meant looking at the receiving end of a heavy machine gun and assorted weapons. Such incidents invoked a primitive emotional response.

Seeing the security guards within the Washington DC area gives me the same feeling. I'm sure many of these highly armed individuals were "private contractors". I believe they can be appropriately labeled mercenaries. Many mercenaries are deployed within the US. These mercenaries will follow the orders of their employers. Those orders are not necessarily in my best interest. posted 05/04/2008 at 15:08:45

"The fools won't even know what hit them." - Reio2288

Be it the US or any county throughout the globe, hitting the "fools" is referred to as the shock doctrine. The shock could be war, loss of employment, depletion of resources, corruption of currency, famine, 9/11 type event, natural disaster, medical crisis, or more. The "profits" that result are calculated and concentrated. The "profits" are beyond the bounds of avarice.

In many cases, the results are passively accepted by the "fools." The reasons for acceptance range from profound helplessness to skillful application of propaganda. The "fools" may even be provided with crumbs such as an economic stimulus package.

The awakening of the "fools" may result in a bloody blow back. Those who demand and receive the homage and resources of the world will have more than their teacups rattled. posted 05/02/2008 at 10:23:13

""President Bush is well aware that the banner should have been much more specific and said `mission accomplished' for these sailors who are on this ship on their mission," White House press secretary Dana Perino said...."

The above quote is rewriting the bush-centric history. A valid historic event of monumental proportions would be the national decider admitting to being an asshole. posted 05/01/2008 at 00:52:05

Isn't it amazing that those nasty Iranians are "meddling" in the Middle East? Why would this rogue state do such a thing?

This US administration is beyond the boundaries of the absurd. If there was not so much theft and death, the situation would almost be comical. The next "reminder" to the Iranians may be the deployment of the aircraft carrier George H. W. Bush (CVN-77). posted 04/30/2008 at 15:39:51

Ancient peoples recognized fundamental elements as earth, air, fire, and water. One ancient group called the Greeks had folks, referred to as philosophers, that wrote about these topics.

In our contemporary times, all of these elements have been tamed to serve American suburbanites. The taming has been done by scientists, engineers, politicians, and "developers."

Since earth, air, fire, and water have been so thoroughly tamed; The scientists, engineers, politicians, "developers," and suburbanites have earned unlimited bragging rights. The ancient ones called these bragging rights hubris. The ancient Greeks wrote much about human hubris.

Let's get out there and reconquer this land! Validate your ownership. Expand the suburbs. Have a home for your SUV's. Make your demands and take total control of earth, air, fire, and water. Earn your bragging rights! posted 04/28/2008 at 15:10:53

What has Hamas taken from, or done to, the average US citizen? Did they request a US government sponsored bailout? Have their munitions been detonated within the US? Are they against reasonable medical care, education, etc? Have they helped themselves to any US retirement? Did they initiate the "sub-prime crisis? Do they want to kill Social Security? How well are their executives compensated? Do their elected officials own a half dozen "homes"? Are they poisoning US food products? Do they have corporate jets? Are they attending paid golf outings? Did they render government protection of US citizens null and void? Who are these people and what have they done?

Perhaps, the "crime" of Hamas is they are not part of the "acceptable" power structure.? posted 04/25/2008 at 22:16:48

"Instead of Mrs. I've become "counselor.""

Counselor, you can be assured of one thing. That is, for most men, the male bonding right of family court is a genuine turn off. posted 04/25/2008 at 22:39:18

The front and profile photographs of Larry Craig are excellent. I'm looking forward to seeing the same type of photos of the current Washington, DC and Wall Street leadership. It would be appreciated if all of the photos are properly numbered. posted 04/24/2008 at 14:55:58

GOOD FOR STEPHEN A. SCHWARZMAN! This is far better than a US president purchasing (at taxpayer expense) an aircraft carrier (CVN-77) for his dad. posted 04/23/2008 at 16:02:09

Sorry chery, in this situation I must side with the "capitalists." I have years, experience, and have been on more than one side. The workers signed a contract. They must have integrity and maintain their side of the contract.

One of my late teen work experiences included steel mill labor. At the time, some idiots set off firecrackers in the mill. The idiots received a suspension. Some workers declared a wildcat strike in support of the suspended workers. I refused to join. The union did not support the suspended workers.

I have also worked in maritime and construction environments. Occasionally, workers would be terminated and banned from the industry for being strung out on drugs or alcohol. Their substance abuse was especially noticed when an "accident" occurred. Often, the "accident" involved operation of heavy equipment and crashing with around a hundred thousand pounds of stuff. In these cases, I cannot support the idiots. The idiots have agreed not to use recreational narcotics. They agreed to support their fellow employees and preserve property of their employer.

I see no difference between situations of my experience and a signed no smoking contract. If these employees receive the benefit and cannot support their side of the agreement, they can go straight to hell. posted 04/23/2008 at 15:55:53

He wasn't called Neutron Jack for nothing. Of course, this is standard for US corporate "leadership." Get rid of employees, sell assets, ship physical plant out of the US, collect a billion bucks and retain access to the corporate jet. These people are the winners. Their motto seems to be "I got mine suckers." posted 04/17/2008 at 10:58:03

Alberto is an individual over forty years of age, highly educated, and unemployed. Under the Bush administration he may not even qualify for worker retraining. His prospects seem bleak. posted 04/13/2008 at 11:12:48

How will implementation of this voting proposal change anything? The answer is not at all. This proposal and discussion is a waste of effort.

"The richest one percent of U.S. households now owns 34.3 percent of the nation's private wealth, more than the combined wealth of the bottom 90 percent."
Source: http://www.demos.org/inequality/numbers.cfm

The answer lies within the dull statistics and charts. Follow the money, people, and power. Check out the boards of directors. Look at powerful families over a period of decades. Sui bono? posted 04/13/2008 at 11:25:32

"...It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide...." Abraham Lincoln - Address Before the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois (January 27, 1838)

We, citizens of the United States, have no requirement for additional remote and exotic enemies. The US national administration continues to conjure up beasts by loudly beating the war drums. Then, resources, human and material, are consumed in the administration's ventures.

Yet, there is no recognition of internal decay. All is focused upon "enemies." There is less for health, housing, education, science, sound economics, infrastructure, law, etc. No concern exist for future generations. There is only unlimited avarice and power for a few.

The Lincoln quote above uses the term "lyceum." This was from a time when public discourse was encouraged. The most complex issues were discussed by an enlightened populace. Now, all that exist is the cute trite blaring of mass media. It is no wonder why Americans so easily accept fabrications, lies, and terminological inexactitudes. The illogical and absurd is common.

Awaken people! Do you think? Do you see any contradictions? Is not an expanded protracted war serious? Where is your involvement? If you have no thoughts and vision, you have passive silence and acceptance. This can only result in your self-destruction and suicide. posted 04/12/2008 at 15:29:46

Not all people are riding along in a hermetically sealed happy cocoon. For those in a happy cocoon, reality may not even rattle their tea cups. Some people exist and experience within reality's blood and guts. Such experiences may not make a person happy. However, the person may acquire some wisdom. posted 04/06/2008 at 11:35:23

I was present at a hotel hosting a Hillary speaking engagement. She arrived with a large motorcade. They made a high speed entry into the hotel garage. The door slammed shut behind them.

The hotel was a hermetically sealed environment with no relationship to the surrounding streets. Populating the streets were normal people, bums, prostitutes, substance abusers, etc.

More hermetically sealed environments were observed during a multi-month, cross country trip. This trip was made on the surface via bicycle and Amtrak. Through Idaho, Montana, Virginia, to the Potomac; I observed gated communities consisting four thousand-plus square foot "homes." Some of these communities were located on what was Montana ranches and farms of Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Many were "vacation homes."

In Montana, I asked a local about the ownership one community. He rattled off the names of various high government officials, celebrities, businessmen, etc. Here is where secure community members hunt, hobnob, relax, play golf, etc. There a significant social distance between between the surrounding community members and the hermetically sealed gated environments.

I see no relationship between me and any political celebrity. I may be available for their photo-op or to serve them in some minor capacity. However, I can't comprehend these people breathing the same air as me. The political celebrities may posture and pontificate. They may shout slogans and make promises. However, they remain loyal to their powerful and privileged community. I remain on the street and the surrounding environs. posted 04/05/2008 at 12:18:17

If people weren't dying this would be hilarious. I eagerly look forward to how the bushie news-mouths respond to this event. posted 04/03/2008 at 23:59:56

"This is clearly a health care success story!" - tkondaks 06:32 PM on 04/02/2008

You're right! This is a "health care success story" within the perversion of money driven US health care. The money driven tactic is subrogation. If you happen to be injured, watch out! The insurance companies and your employer will come after you. This is their "legal" right. It is not unusual for insurance company and employers to issue cash demands that exceed the amount of a settlement received by the injured party. This means subrogation is wonderful for the corporate "bottom line."

However, for the "insured" and those related to the "insured," the outcome is much different. Although, the injured person is declared to be "made whole," the results of an injury are anything but pleasant.

Wake up! How can anyone accept the comments of Wal-Mart communications director, Daphne Moore? Read what is said. Can't anyone comprehend the vileness of Wal-Mart and corporate USA? Who is making the deals? Who benefits? Who is on the same golf outing? Who uses the corporate jet? It is not, under any circumstances, the injured party and their families. The subrogation is not "done out of fairness to everyone." Follow the money. Look at the boards of directors. Check out the executives. Understand who defines "the system." Sui bono? posted 04/03/2008 at 07:02:07

In Hawaii the missionaries wound up owning most of the territory.

http://www.burningcross.net/crusades/christian-missionary-atrocities.html

During some of my travels to Central America, I heard one Indian tribe choose death over baptism. The tribe feared that there may be Christians in heaven. Another tribe eagerly embraced Christianity. They believed Christianity was powerful medicine if the religion gave the white man access to heaven.
I have been unable to verify this story. posted 03/28/2008 at 21:34:00

Finally! Bush has some empathy with some of the less privileged segments of American society!

Violence is as American as apple pie. - H. Rap Brown posted 03/28/2008 at 21:42:15

It's only the National Decider that is spiraling. When will he be placed in five point restraint? posted 03/27/2008 at 21:50:49

Four thousand is an interesting number. The important aspect is how one arrives at the number. For example, If an IED strikes a vehicle and kills five, this may be considered five killed in combat action. If the vehicle struck by the IED is followed by a vehicle that drives off a cliff, the victims of driving off a cliff could be counted as a traffic accident. Obviously, the current national administration wants any counting to reflect favorably on the administration. The counting methodology problem has existed for a long time. For example, if a trooper was wounded in the Battle of Gettysburg, went home, and died four months later; Should this be considered a battle casualty? posted 03/23/2008 at 23:14:25

The Lake Sammamish kokanee may be gone. A mere fish has be displaced by the almighty human "developer" and resident urban yuppie. The new species represents the apotheosis of "human" evolution. This new species has brought to Lake Sammamish up-scale subdivisions, shopping centers, SUV's, sea planes, high powered ski and cigar boats, and jet skis. How long long will this new species last? posted 03/23/2008 at 13:48:12

These "yachts," if not used for pleasure, could be called ships. They have over a half dozen decks. The size of the "yacht" is much larger than the average fishing vessel. They are larger than the fish processing ships. Somehow, these "yachts" can accommodate a few trees and grass. It's almost like Captain Bligh of MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY or Captain Morton of MR. ROBERTS. Captain Bligh had breadfruit and Captain Morton his palm tree. I don't know how; but, the "yachts" can have trees and a lawn. posted 03/23/2008 at 22:49:53

I've been on board a yacht that had on the stern main deck a smaller 42' yacht and a little submarine. The owner's master cabin had a lot of glass for viewing and a deck with small trees and a bit of grass. The owner enjoyed fishing. There was an enormous cabin containing fishing and diving gear that would have put many pedestrian sport shops to shame.

One thing I found very amusing was the number of young woman who attempted to board the yacht. A very well disciplined crew minimized this possibility.

The owners were not in any way like yuppies. They seemed like decent folks who were very much in charge. That is, they were quietly assertive and not offensive to the crew or public. posted 03/22/2008 at 15:48:16

Falling behind even includes yachts of US manufacture. Not all US imports are containers of toys or appliances. The imports include completely manufactured yachts carried on the decks multi-use cargo ships. Part of the import "surge" started after a luxury tax was applied to US manufactured yachts. Although there has been hardship among US yacht producers; I have not been able to find hard facts and numbers. posted 03/22/2008 at 14:39:27

"...Unlike men Curtis's age, she isn't balding, hunched over, paunchy and soft....".
This may be the stereotype for men and women over the age of fifty. However, the situation is not true for all men and women. A lot of "elderly" can swim, hike, climb, bicycle, work heavy labor, and more. By this, I mean intense physical exertion. This is physical exertion where one sweats buckets and loses three or more pounds in one day. As an example consider real mountain climbing or double century cycling. It is possible to identify a lot of these people by their physical attributes. These attributes are their posture, walk, legs, complexion, etc. posted 03/22/2008 at 17:37:53

Perhaps Hillary took Chelsea to the annual TAKE YOUR DAUGHTER TO WAR DAY.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CqpEacxdS0 posted 03/24/2008 at 02:53:29

"...turn over their testicles to their wives..." - Merlin7 9:52 AM on 03/22/2008.
Let's not forget the sisterhood of family court. The organization empowers the sisters of the court..
On a slightly different tangent, engagement with married women makes you part of the game. My participation in this game ended decades ago. posted 03/22/2008 at 15:17:18

1974!!! That's ancient history. The current US National Administration need not concern themselves with an ancient law code. The make up laws as they continue to roll along. posted 03/21/2008 at 22:45:50

"....that last year it was just a "trainee" who accessed ...." jsinclair 9:35 PM on 03/21/2008

This was my immediate conclusion upon reading the article. Blame the lowest person within the organization and make promises regarding a full investigation. Condi Rice, with all of her credentials, should do better.

The full investigation may prove to be similar to the Maj. Gen. Antonio M. Taguba Report on prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib. The scope of the investigation was limited to the grunt level. This is the typical tactic of the current US National Leadership (?). Obviously, Condi Rice is a major player within the US National Administration. posted 03/21/2008 at 22:40:01