May 20, 2008
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runswithscissors
Recent comments by this user
It's Our Turn Now
Don't even need to increase the tax rate, just who pays it. Any income over $90,000 isn't taxed for SS. Increase that to $200,000 and it creates an almost inexhaustable surplus. posted 05/19/2008 at 02:53:18
While I agree with what you're saying, I can't see a third party getting much of the vote. The public has been conned into voting against candidates instead of for them. This almost guarantees that 95-98% of the votes cast will go to the Republicrats. You saw the hell Nader caught for having the nerve to try and make a change. People are still pissed at him. Only way it'll happen is a single-issue candidate with a sizable bank account (e.g. Perot). posted 05/19/2008 at 02:50:23
Disagree. Bush's no-bid contracts eliminate all competition, thus removing the only advantage of the private sector. The result is the same lack of efficiency as government programs combined with the same bottom-line-above-all-else focus of the private sector...the worst of both worlds. Bush's administration has created the one situation where big government programs (your words) may actually be cheaper and more efficient.
Regulation isn't a dirty word. If the private sector is to be involved in government affairs, it needs to be accountable. In addition, it's profits must hinge upon performance.
Those countries you named did elect conservative governments by their standards, but they would be leftist by US standards. They will NEVER institute Bush type corporatism (Friedmanism I guess would be the best way to describe it) in those nations. Because that ideology has failed in every instance (Chile, Argentina, and Russia all come to mind). posted 05/19/2008 at 02:40:23
Regulation isn't a dirty word. If the private sector is to be involved in government affairs, it needs to be accountable. In addition, it's profits must hinge upon performance.
Those countries you named did elect conservative governments by their standards, but they would be leftist by US standards. They will NEVER institute Bush type corporatism (Friedmanism I guess would be the best way to describe it) in those nations. Because that ideology has failed in every instance (Chile, Argentina, and Russia all come to mind). posted 05/19/2008 at 02:40:23
Post Traumatic Oil Price Disorder
"Deny benefits by simply "rebranding" PTSD as "Adjustment disorder." "
That's about par for the course. The government's aim is always to downplay the devastating effect war has on the mind of soldiers. In the first World War, PTSD was referred to by its original name...shell shock. Then it became battle fatigue, then a few slight variations in Korea and Vietnam. The name Post Traumatic Stress Disorder evolved because it sounds less distressing than Shell Shock..almost makes it seem like war isn't even a prerequisite. Adjustment disorder is just another step...THAT sounds like something a kid would suffer after changing schools. Give it a decade and PTSD will be an archaic way of saying "adjustment disorder", much like shell shock seems archaic now. posted 05/19/2008 at 03:21:55
That's about par for the course. The government's aim is always to downplay the devastating effect war has on the mind of soldiers. In the first World War, PTSD was referred to by its original name...shell shock. Then it became battle fatigue, then a few slight variations in Korea and Vietnam. The name Post Traumatic Stress Disorder evolved because it sounds less distressing than Shell Shock..almost makes it seem like war isn't even a prerequisite. Adjustment disorder is just another step...THAT sounds like something a kid would suffer after changing schools. Give it a decade and PTSD will be an archaic way of saying "adjustment disorder", much like shell shock seems archaic now. posted 05/19/2008 at 03:21:55
Republicans Are on a Different Planet, Posing Problems Into 2009
You're "misunderestimating" the stupidity of the GOP base. They will be whipped into a frenzy over this, for no other reason than the fact that they're being told to do so. posted 05/12/2008 at 22:23:12
Rand and the Bush Tax Rebate
Rand and Friedman should have been permanently locked in a room and forced to listen to each other spout off ridiculous theories backed up by nonsense math. You hear nothing but praise for them, but there isn't a single example of their wild ideas actually working in the real world. posted 05/13/2008 at 03:15:18
The Bipartisanship Scam
It only takes 60 votes if you're a complete coward. Notice that the Repugs never need 60 votes to push their agenda through. Hell, with this sorry group of Democrats they don't even need 50... posted 05/13/2008 at 02:08:25
It's called imperialism.
And looking at it from a right-winger point of view (i.e. how does this affect ME and my money), those other powers aren't just going to sit and take it. They'll ally with each other and hit back.
"ethanol is the new thing"
Really? You see the entire world converting to ethanol overnight?
Even if the US did (which isn't happening), it wouldn't change a thing. The oil itself isn't the prize...it's the actual control of it. With that control comes power. Combine control of vital resources with an array of military bases all over the world and a monopoly on the militarization of space, you've got one nation holding the planet hostage. posted 05/13/2008 at 01:59:47
And looking at it from a right-winger point of view (i.e. how does this affect ME and my money), those other powers aren't just going to sit and take it. They'll ally with each other and hit back.
"ethanol is the new thing"
Really? You see the entire world converting to ethanol overnight?
Even if the US did (which isn't happening), it wouldn't change a thing. The oil itself isn't the prize...it's the actual control of it. With that control comes power. Combine control of vital resources with an array of military bases all over the world and a monopoly on the militarization of space, you've got one nation holding the planet hostage. posted 05/13/2008 at 01:59:47
Setting gridlock as the major concern also gives them power even in the minority. All they need to do is slow the process as much as possible, then in 2010 blame Democratic leadership for failing to address this "crucial" problem. Dems need to clear this up, but succinctly. Say that gridlock is inevitable when you actually think through the problems (which is why the GOP is able to avoid it). posted 05/13/2008 at 01:35:48
It's a complicated situation because winning in Iraq GUARANTEES that Iran will be invaded next. That was the strategy from the beginning...invade Iraq for their oil, then go after Iran to gain control of the Straits of Hormuz. Then, with an iron grip on the global oil trade, the neocons can do what they please. There would be no opposition from other major powers like China, Russia, or EU because they'd be fully dependent on the US controlled oil. posted 05/12/2008 at 22:05:18
You mean roughly half of the people that bother to show up for the meaningless, quadrennial popularity contests that pit two well-to-do Ivy Leaguers against each other? I'd say it ends up about half because the two parties are pretty much identical on major issues, differring only when the GOP has to please the church.
The real issue here is that people define themselves by a political party, and only have two legitimate options. When both parties agree on everything, the media likes to call it bipartisanship. Let's start calling it what it really is...single-party rule under the Republicratic Party. posted 05/12/2008 at 21:48:18
The real issue here is that people define themselves by a political party, and only have two legitimate options. When both parties agree on everything, the media likes to call it bipartisanship. Let's start calling it what it really is...single-party rule under the Republicratic Party. posted 05/12/2008 at 21:48:18
Why Won't FOX Denounce Rush Limbaugh?
Half his listeners have to be tuning in for laughs. This guy makes Bush look like Isaac Newton. posted 05/13/2008 at 02:58:50
That he must have been working for the white guy is a compliment??? Wow... posted 05/13/2008 at 02:54:02
Obama Islam Smear Changes Stripes
So history is irrelevant?
As a side note, by the logic you've used Jews don't need to stone anyone now because they have Apache helicopters to bomb non-jewish Israelis from the sky. Are you ready to admit that religion plays a role there as well, or is it time to change the subject? posted 05/12/2008 at 21:22:49
As a side note, by the logic you've used Jews don't need to stone anyone now because they have Apache helicopters to bomb non-jewish Israelis from the sky. Are you ready to admit that religion plays a role there as well, or is it time to change the subject? posted 05/12/2008 at 21:22:49
A Toxic Media Environment
Government regulations of how much of the media market one source can own, and disclosure of sources with a blatent conflict of interest. This has nothing to do with government control of the actual news. The military industrial complex IS force feeding us their line, through the "free market" (the concept of which is the biggest sham out there by the way). Allowing corporate media to push the corporate agenda is probably the largest problem we face as a nation. Just about every problem can be traced back to a single concept: whatever benefits our corporate nobility over the masses will come to be; whatever benefits the masses must be struck down immediately. posted 05/10/2008 at 01:08:08
McCain Calls for 700+ New Nuclear Plants (and 7 Yucca Mountains) Costing $4 Trillion
"The truth is, our skies and waterways are cleaner than they were 50 years ago."
Debatable. Regardless, global pollution is set to grow exponentially with China's rapid industrialization coupled with their practically nonexistent environmental protections. India isn't far behind them. That's 2 BILLION people...roughly 7 times the US population. Being part of the solution means staying ahead of the curve, and quite frankly there's no way that oil can sustain those two countries (plus the ones already dependent) without utterly destroying the environment.
Drilling in ANWR isn't going to do a damn thing about the real problem: dependence on fossil fuels. In fact, it would do more damage than good because it would enable us (as a planet) to continue current energy policy. That's been the cycle...talking about getting away from oil, then finding a new reserve and drilling, and going on living the same exact way. It's pretty obvious that as long as we have access to oil (and leaders that are in bed with oil companies), nothing is going to change. Why prolong this any further? posted 05/05/2008 at 01:32:58
Debatable. Regardless, global pollution is set to grow exponentially with China's rapid industrialization coupled with their practically nonexistent environmental protections. India isn't far behind them. That's 2 BILLION people...roughly 7 times the US population. Being part of the solution means staying ahead of the curve, and quite frankly there's no way that oil can sustain those two countries (plus the ones already dependent) without utterly destroying the environment.
Drilling in ANWR isn't going to do a damn thing about the real problem: dependence on fossil fuels. In fact, it would do more damage than good because it would enable us (as a planet) to continue current energy policy. That's been the cycle...talking about getting away from oil, then finding a new reserve and drilling, and going on living the same exact way. It's pretty obvious that as long as we have access to oil (and leaders that are in bed with oil companies), nothing is going to change. Why prolong this any further? posted 05/05/2008 at 01:32:58
For far less money than that we could perfect fusion technology and develop truly environmentally friendly plants. But McCain there aren't any no-bid contract opportunities in that, so I guess we're getting new nuke plants. And also more tax cuts...I'd love to her him explain how THAT'S going to work.
As a side note, why isn't anyone discussing wind power as an option? With two of the longest coastlines in the world, we could generate a considerable amount of energy. posted 05/05/2008 at 01:11:03
As a side note, why isn't anyone discussing wind power as an option? With two of the longest coastlines in the world, we could generate a considerable amount of energy. posted 05/05/2008 at 01:11:03
My Friend's Son Killed in Iraq: By Contractors and U.S. Agency?
It's newsworthy in that deregulation and cronyism are BushCo trademarks. KBR is a subsidiary of Halliburton, which is why they're getting all the contracts. And there is absolutely no oversight of KBR projects. When you consider that KBR is using these same tactics on thousands of building sites here in the US (they were probably the biggest winner from Katrina), it becomes very newsworthy. For their line of business, this is the equivilent of Firestone selling faulty tires...an event that everyone agreed was newsworthy. posted 05/05/2008 at 02:08:48
I think the point was that rampant, no-bid government outsourcing to completely unsupervised companies poses a legitimate threat to US soldiers. But what do I know. I guess I'm just buying the liberal propaganda posted 05/05/2008 at 02:01:22
The Simple Arithmetic of John McCain's Bogus Claims of Energy Independence
(continued)
This war is about imperialism, 21st century style. And it's bipartisan. Zbigniew Brzezinski, who served on Jimmy Carter's cabinet and advises Obama on foreign policy, champions this type of policy. Cheney and Rummy obviously support it as well. To think that anything will change by electing a new president is naive. For anything to change, we need to stop buying these bogus claims that the war is about energy, democracy, or anything else they come up with. It's about the same two things that every imperial war in history have been about...money and power. posted 05/05/2008 at 03:09:44
This war is about imperialism, 21st century style. And it's bipartisan. Zbigniew Brzezinski, who served on Jimmy Carter's cabinet and advises Obama on foreign policy, champions this type of policy. Cheney and Rummy obviously support it as well. To think that anything will change by electing a new president is naive. For anything to change, we need to stop buying these bogus claims that the war is about energy, democracy, or anything else they come up with. It's about the same two things that every imperial war in history have been about...money and power. posted 05/05/2008 at 03:09:44
It's not the oil itself that the US is after...it's control of the oil fields. That we don't typically use oil from the ME makes that area even more appealling in a geopolitical sense. Controlling ME oil fields would give the US control over much of the world's energy supply, and ME producers couldn't cut off oil exports as a deterrent because we don't use their oil anyway. Iraq was targeted for their massive oil reserves. Iran will be targeted for their strategic positioning, specifically easy access to the Straits of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia could then be controlled by denying access to the Straits if they do not cooperate. This would give the US government considerable leverage against the EU, China, Russia, and any other possible competitor.
That the Iraq War isn't going as planned could be a blessing in disguise (though I have a very hard time attaching the word "blessing" to a tragedy). No one in our government (with maybe a half dozen exceptions in Congress) has seriously contested the war, just the manner in which the war is being fought. Had it been successful, we would very likely be in Iran already. And at some point, the other large powers would make moves of their own. They're not going to sit idly and watch the US take control of their livelihood.
(continued) posted 05/05/2008 at 03:08:42
That the Iraq War isn't going as planned could be a blessing in disguise (though I have a very hard time attaching the word "blessing" to a tragedy). No one in our government (with maybe a half dozen exceptions in Congress) has seriously contested the war, just the manner in which the war is being fought. Had it been successful, we would very likely be in Iran already. And at some point, the other large powers would make moves of their own. They're not going to sit idly and watch the US take control of their livelihood.
(continued) posted 05/05/2008 at 03:08:42
The Dummies' Guide to Stupid Leaders and Misleading Numbers
Yeah, without strict regulation (which ain't happening as long as Bush/Cheney are still around) the oil companies will leverage it to their advantage any way they can. This is the issue that McCain & Clinton are dodging... posted 05/04/2008 at 00:42:19
Those numbers also fail to include the two million plus sitting in prison (highest per capita in the world). Makes you wonder if the reason we lock up nonviolent, petty criminals for years on end is just to hide the fact that our economic system is completely broken (that would also explain the fanatical push to cut the already meager benefits offered to the unemployed) posted 05/04/2008 at 00:34:55
Shameful Days: Why Won't The Media Pursue the Pentagon Propaganda Scandal?
That's a start, but all of us need to get in on this. The MSM is not going to air this one no matter how many letters or E-Mails they get. So why not bypass them entirely? We can hammer the conservative blogs, bring it up throughout the day with anyone who will listen, hang banners, and outright trash the MSM at every opportunity. Call in on radio shows, get past the screeners by pretending to be outraged by Rev. Wright (or whatever trivial event is getting airplay), and grill the hosts on their lack of coverage. Let's hit them where it hurts...demand Conngress repeal Reagan's media deregulation laws. Openly boycott their sponsors. Cancel newspaper subscriptions if they fail to cover such vital news as this. There's a lot we can all do... posted 04/30/2008 at 22:53:42
Yeah I've been trying to push hard on this one too. People are actually pretty responsive...when you can get them to put down their iPhone for a couple minutes. posted 04/30/2008 at 22:43:10
Yeah, and FOX is the funniest channel on TV. We've fallen down the rabbit hole for sure. posted 04/30/2008 at 22:39:28
"Why is it that despite the fact that their ideology is so discredited they still continue to manipulate the dissemination of the news? Well the answer as it appears to me is that there is no leadership in the liberal media."
That plays a part for sure. But the biggest factor is that right-wing ideology is strictly a pyramid scheme to enrich the corporate elite, and it is this same corporate elite that runs the media. posted 04/30/2008 at 22:37:45
That plays a part for sure. But the biggest factor is that right-wing ideology is strictly a pyramid scheme to enrich the corporate elite, and it is this same corporate elite that runs the media. posted 04/30/2008 at 22:37:45
The McCain Health Plan: Millions Lose Coverage, Health Costs Worsen, and Insurance and Drug Industries Win
Not a surprise. Way too much money is going to the good of the people, when that money rightfully belongs to their corporate masters. At least that's what Ronald Reagan and Milton Friedman would have said, and they can't ever be wrong. Otherwise...the terrorists win. posted 04/30/2008 at 22:06:37
Is the Corporate Media Deciding This Election For Us?
Agreed. If the best candidates were actually allowed to make it this far we'd be debating Paul vs. Kucinich, and we'd FINALLY have an election where policy was the focus. posted 04/30/2008 at 21:56:17
Seen lots of Rev. Wright, the "bitter" speech, and that Obama isn't "black enough" on NBC and affiliates. Only thing remotely negative I've heard about McCain in MSM is that he's old. Nothing about his flip-flopping act on torture, his 100 more years of Iraq policy, his desire to extend Bush's economic policies, or his lunatic supporters in Hagee and Falwell (both of whom routinely say things that anyone with more than 3 functioning brain cells find far more offensive even than Wright's taken-out-of-context statements). posted 04/30/2008 at 21:51:18
A Little Love for Big Oil
Wright has become the pefect distraction from a spring/summer that should be providing the final nail in the Republicans' coffin: record high gas prices, a dollar worth less than toilet paper, escalating violence in Iraq (proving that the old media chorus of "the surge is working" was a lie), Petreaus getting the promotion that I'm sure he was promised for saying all the right things, proof of Pentagon interference in war reporting, a struggling economy, credit and housing crises, a string of billion dollar buyouts approved by supposed "free-market conservatives", the continued insistance that Iran is a threat (when EVERY report has said otherwise), a candidate that says 100 more years in Iraq is tolerable, reports showing a DECREASE in median income from the previous year, and a President who, after all of this, still stands by EVERY SINGLE ONE of his actions. posted 04/29/2008 at 16:30:22
Is the Supreme Court Picking Another President?
Far worse is already in the works. Biometric visas with radio frequency identification chips are the next step.
"The plan is to create information dossiers on all persons entering the United States, to store these dossiers for one hundred years, and to link individuals' biometric data to a web of databases, encompassing more than twenty US federal government databases as well as US commercial databases. Moreover, there is evidence that US-VISIT will eventually be linked to other programs - so that the web of databases that dossiers are compiled from could be even wider and have a global reach." - Maureen Webb, "Illusions of Security: Global Surveillance and Democracy in the Post-9/11 World"
And of course the point of being able to connect to other global programs would be to obtain information on US citizens. If this information is obtained through an outside agency, it provides a loophole; namely that the government wasn't spying on citizens, it just happened to find this information while conducting routine foreign surveillance. posted 04/30/2008 at 03:05:47
"The plan is to create information dossiers on all persons entering the United States, to store these dossiers for one hundred years, and to link individuals' biometric data to a web of databases, encompassing more than twenty US federal government databases as well as US commercial databases. Moreover, there is evidence that US-VISIT will eventually be linked to other programs - so that the web of databases that dossiers are compiled from could be even wider and have a global reach." - Maureen Webb, "Illusions of Security: Global Surveillance and Democracy in the Post-9/11 World"
And of course the point of being able to connect to other global programs would be to obtain information on US citizens. If this information is obtained through an outside agency, it provides a loophole; namely that the government wasn't spying on citizens, it just happened to find this information while conducting routine foreign surveillance. posted 04/30/2008 at 03:05:47
Pelosi Hearts Bush!
What makes me sick is how she keeps pretending like there was nothing Congress could do to stop Bush. They were voted in to put a stop to Bush's near dictatorial whims and they have failed in every aspect. As speaker, and as the one who took impeachment off the table, Pelosi is as much to blame as the rest. Time for her to find a new day job. posted 04/30/2008 at 02:46:49
Six Degrees of Barack Obama
It wasn't a KKK pastor, it was a lunatic (Hagee) who said that God sent Katrina to flood New Orleans because they hosted a gay pride pararde. That's the guy McCain is dealing with. And we haven't heard a peep about his role in the SNL scandal of the 80s either. It's crazy, Republicans get every break but they still think they're being picked on.
BTW, what has Wright said (IN CONTEXT!!!!!) that is that objectionable? posted 04/30/2008 at 03:42:41
BTW, what has Wright said (IN CONTEXT!!!!!) that is that objectionable? posted 04/30/2008 at 03:42:41
Wright is right
Agree on every point. Two aspects I've noticed about suburban neighborhoods: the overwhelming (yet completely irrational) sense of fear that seems to control the lives of its residents, and a belligerent self-righteousness used as a weapon against outsiders (mainly urbanites). These are of course generalizations that don't always apply, but I personally feel like its a pretty accurate assessment. It's also a pretty accurate description of our foreign policy. Could it be that politicians are playing on the fears of the HUGE suburban populace in order to get what they want overseas? Or is it that suburbanites are victims of the corporate elite, who in turn use that position of dominance to influence the suburban vote? I think it is a combination of the two, and basically plays out in a "grass is always greener" type manner. posted 04/28/2008 at 20:51:19
The Veepstakes: Four Rules
Rule five should be never alienate probable voters. I knew quite a few would-be Gore voters who backed Nader in 2000 just because they hated Lieberman. posted 04/28/2008 at 19:55:01
Memo to the Superdelegates: If You Want to Win
This brings to mind the two possible nightmare scenarios of November. Obama continues to struggle in big states, and the small ones that supported him go back to McCain. Or Clinton basically replays the 2000 and 2004 election results and McCain squeaks by. posted 04/29/2008 at 04:42:41
Senator Clinton's Nuke Iran Comment
For one, Iran doesn't even have nuclear weapons. By answering the question, she gives credibility to the Bush fairy tale that Iran has, and wants to use, these weapons. Furthermore, why is it automatically assumed that Iran would be the aggressor in a conflict between the two? Israel has shown FAR more willingness to attack other nations based on dubious claims about security. posted 04/29/2008 at 04:57:49
Are Clinton and Obama Communists?
The game that conservatives love to play is to pretend that creating and maintaining any type of social programs at all will automatically lead us into a rigid, Soviet style economy. The nations of Western Eurpoe are in fact far more capitalist than socialist, but they do assilimate some of the better ideas of socialism into their systems. Five to six weeks paid vacation, early retirement, and often 35 hour work weeks, and their economies are doing a hell of a lot better than ours. Plus the average citizen gets to spend some time with their family instead of working extra to compensate for the insulting wage disparity we live with. Seems like if the Repugs were truly the party of family values like they claim to be, they'd support this type of economic system. posted 04/20/2008 at 22:49:18
IT IS WHAT ABC DIDN'T CARRY THAT MAKES ME NUTS
"the liberal media's"
This is an oxymoron, and it drives me nuts to hear it. And btw I agree with you that Obama has been babied quite a bit, but only when compared to Clinton. The only thing conservatives hate more than a Democrat is a Clinton. The real free ride has gone to McCain, and it will continue to be that way because despite what O'Reilly and his parrots say, our media is NOT the slightest bit liberal. posted 04/20/2008 at 23:22:38
This is an oxymoron, and it drives me nuts to hear it. And btw I agree with you that Obama has been babied quite a bit, but only when compared to Clinton. The only thing conservatives hate more than a Democrat is a Clinton. The real free ride has gone to McCain, and it will continue to be that way because despite what O'Reilly and his parrots say, our media is NOT the slightest bit liberal. posted 04/20/2008 at 23:22:38
Keeping Students Awake ... and More Productive ...
That $1.2 million expense looks even cheaper when you consider that a single cruise missile costs about $1.4 million. Fire one less cruise missile a day, and in it's place upgrade an entire school. Seems like a decent trade to me. posted 04/20/2008 at 09:58:17
The Pentagon's Corrupt Sock Puppet "Military Analysts" Exposed
Nice to finally have documentation of what we knew all along. Independent media has to push hard on this, because the MSM is going to do everything in their power to kill this as quickly as possible. posted 04/20/2008 at 09:52:57
Sunday Roundup
But McCain continues to accept support from Falwell, who said that the US deserved the 9/11 attacks, and it's NEVER been brought up. Must be that pesky liberal bias again... posted 04/20/2008 at 10:35:01
"Crying & whining about a few questions (lightweight in nature compared to those the Republican candidates always get)"
I'd love to hear a few of these "tough" questions. posted 04/20/2008 at 10:29:50
I'd love to hear a few of these "tough" questions. posted 04/20/2008 at 10:29:50
It wouldn't be a problem if it was just Fox. The problem is that the GOP has entirely sold itself to the corporate machine, the same corporate machine that owns every major media outlet in the US. This makes them partners. If Obama does somehow overcome the imminent slew of attacks and wins, one of two things will happen. Either the corporate slime will successfully lobby to get Obama and his administration on board with their agenda, or they'll fail and spend the next four years exaggerating every minor mistake and paint him as a complete failure as president, regardless of actual accomplishments. posted 04/20/2008 at 10:25:41
You Don't Need a Weatherman to Know Which Way the Wind Blows at ABC News
Someone should ask McCain if the reason for staying in Iraq for 100 years is because that's how long it'll take to ensure that there are no survivors. And since 4000 Americans have been killed over 5 years, and he claims that we're doing well, does that mean that 80,000 more deaths would be acceptable to him? Or we can rehash the people HE was associating with during the S&L scandal. Or how he can say torture is wrong as a Senator, say that it's okay during the GOP primary, and then say that it's wrong again once he's locked up the nomination?
He'd be fairly easy to stump by simply demanding specifics on how he plans to continue an unsustainable war, cut taxes further, increase military spending, and somehow fix the economy. He can be exposed for the dinosaur that he is by focusing on his idea that nuclear power is the magic fix to our energy problems. And he'd be easy to trap by making him make a statement strong enough so that he couldn't backtrack on it later (which has been his strategy for this election in particular and really his political career overall). Only problem is that people don't pay attention to policy, consistency, and logic. Image is everything and the election is simply a popularity contest. Unfortunately, McCain has been sold to the public as a straight talker and a centrist when really he is neither. THIS is where he needs to be attacked. posted 04/19/2008 at 22:59:36
He'd be fairly easy to stump by simply demanding specifics on how he plans to continue an unsustainable war, cut taxes further, increase military spending, and somehow fix the economy. He can be exposed for the dinosaur that he is by focusing on his idea that nuclear power is the magic fix to our energy problems. And he'd be easy to trap by making him make a statement strong enough so that he couldn't backtrack on it later (which has been his strategy for this election in particular and really his political career overall). Only problem is that people don't pay attention to policy, consistency, and logic. Image is everything and the election is simply a popularity contest. Unfortunately, McCain has been sold to the public as a straight talker and a centrist when really he is neither. THIS is where he needs to be attacked. posted 04/19/2008 at 22:59:36
A Tsunami of Hunger: Food Riots Hit Countries in Africa, Asia and Haiti
I thought Hitler was dead...didn't realize that he just changed his name to Atticus. posted 04/19/2008 at 22:29:09
Clinton Slams Democratic Activists At Private Fundraiser
I'm no Clinton supporter, but that article is pure BS. FOX has been making stuff up about the Clinton family for over a decade (like when they said that Bill supposedly had over 40 people killed just because he felt like it). Their "news" on the Clintons is typically too far off the mark for even the tabloids to pick up. I didn't think anyone even paid attention to them anymore. posted 04/19/2008 at 22:12:56
Sexpelled: No Intercourse Allowed
LOL...genius. posted 04/18/2008 at 16:32:39
Obama: New Yorkers Cling to Style and Fashion Because they are Bitter at Their Superficial, Vacuous Lives
An accurate, well thought out observation. But it will be totally lost on the the majority of the small town crowd. posted 04/18/2008 at 16:28:21
A Climate of Opportunity for Democrats
Another case of Bush trying to salvage a legacy without disrupting the business of his corporate masters. If he cared the slightest bit about the issue he wouldn't have made matters worse for seven and a half years.
As a side note, I think the Beijing Olympics could be a great opportunity to expose just how big a problem we're facing. The pollution is so bad that several endurance events could very well be cancelled. This is the type of visual evidence that could convince skeptics that the environment is in trouble. posted 04/18/2008 at 16:45:01
As a side note, I think the Beijing Olympics could be a great opportunity to expose just how big a problem we're facing. The pollution is so bad that several endurance events could very well be cancelled. This is the type of visual evidence that could convince skeptics that the environment is in trouble. posted 04/18/2008 at 16:45:01
"Universal Health Care" Is None Of The Above
Rising costs are a product of the privitized system, which is why we spend more than twice as much per person than countries with universal health care. Heavy demand ALWAYS leads to a rise in costs in private enterprise. Errors and adverse outcomes are part of the business no matter who pays, but with insurance companies pulling the strings as they do now, it is much more difficult for those negatively affected to be compensated. Shrinking access is the very reason that we need universal health care...come on you really need clarification on that one? Personnel shortages are due to underfunding. Easy fix, especially since eliminating the massive billing departments would save hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that Taiwan and/or Japan don't spend half a trillion dollars a year on "defense" and tens of billions more on other "defense" related projects. Lack of adequate health care kills more Americans than any foreign power could ever dream of. If the government had any interest at all in defending the lives of US citizens, they would meet this problem head on. Military spending could be halved and we'd still thoroughly outspend the rest of the world, plus we'd have the world's leading healthcare system. posted 04/18/2008 at 17:28:11
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that Taiwan and/or Japan don't spend half a trillion dollars a year on "defense" and tens of billions more on other "defense" related projects. Lack of adequate health care kills more Americans than any foreign power could ever dream of. If the government had any interest at all in defending the lives of US citizens, they would meet this problem head on. Military spending could be halved and we'd still thoroughly outspend the rest of the world, plus we'd have the world's leading healthcare system. posted 04/18/2008 at 17:28:11
Which insurance company pays your salary?
Semantics are the refuge of someone with absolutely no argument. There is no "signing up" as you put it. You're a citizen, and you need medical attention, you get it. Period.
Of course people will still exhibit unhealthy behavior. No one is trying to equate universal health care with universal health except for those with an obvious stake in the current system.
To be continued... posted 04/18/2008 at 17:28:00
Semantics are the refuge of someone with absolutely no argument. There is no "signing up" as you put it. You're a citizen, and you need medical attention, you get it. Period.
Of course people will still exhibit unhealthy behavior. No one is trying to equate universal health care with universal health except for those with an obvious stake in the current system.
To be continued... posted 04/18/2008 at 17:28:00
Look Back In Anger, Look Ahead In Dread
Just wait until the borders close and our already world leading prison population skyrockets. Does anyone really believe that KBR is building all those new prisons for illegal immigrants? Those mass raids that the Feds organized last year (FALCON) were just a practice run for the real police state were moving toward. The raid on the Polygamist camp this past week even used military vehicles, in direct violation of Posse Comitatus. I could even see debtors prisons making a comeback. A decade ago I would have called someone insane at the thought, but we can no longer take ANYTHING for granted. posted 04/16/2008 at 18:45:05
Blue-Collar Workers = The Taliban: John McCain's "Elitism" Problem
The two parties have been collaborating, against the will of the people, behind the scenes for quite some time. It's a shame that this rare opportunity to expose both parties for the frauds that they really are will probably slip by as standard political bickering. posted 04/16/2008 at 18:32:15
Confessions of an Elitist
"The conservative press really wants us to believe that the world is made up of the caring rich (Bush, and McCain) and the happy poor, so that nobody does anything to alter the way things are."
This is it right here. The greatest fear of the megarich is that the rest of us will realize how useless they really are and stop funding them. All of their wealth is based on the work of others. Simply stop supporting them (working for their companies, voting for their candidates, fighting their wars, repeating their slogans, etc.) and they fall from their pedestals immediately. Of course this type of organizing is MUCH easier said than done, but a political candidate actually willing to speak in these terms shows tremendous courage. Obama won me over with this so-called blunder. It may be hard to swallow for some people, but he spoke the truth. If the American people can't accept a hard truth and would instead vote for yet another corporate marionette (be it McCain or Clinton), then we deserve what we get, which would almost certainly be a continuation of the last decade plus. posted 04/16/2008 at 00:32:29
This is it right here. The greatest fear of the megarich is that the rest of us will realize how useless they really are and stop funding them. All of their wealth is based on the work of others. Simply stop supporting them (working for their companies, voting for their candidates, fighting their wars, repeating their slogans, etc.) and they fall from their pedestals immediately. Of course this type of organizing is MUCH easier said than done, but a political candidate actually willing to speak in these terms shows tremendous courage. Obama won me over with this so-called blunder. It may be hard to swallow for some people, but he spoke the truth. If the American people can't accept a hard truth and would instead vote for yet another corporate marionette (be it McCain or Clinton), then we deserve what we get, which would almost certainly be a continuation of the last decade plus. posted 04/16/2008 at 00:32:29
Who's Really Out of Touch Here?
Couldn't agree more. This so called "mistake" has been the most necessary statement by a politician in a LONG time. posted 04/13/2008 at 01:32:12
Judging by your response, I'm amazed you were even able to read the original post. posted 04/13/2008 at 01:26:57
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