tropicartisan

"More Americans are dying monthly in Afghanistan than Iraq, after all, but the region remains grossly under-manned and under-resourced, thanks to the mess in Iraq"

Undermanned for what exactly? This is the problem with Obama's idea to concentrate on Afghanistan. Assessment remains on the level of kindergarden. Far better questions for the candidates should be more like....

Why are we there? and Why have we been there, off and on, for the last 20 or 50 years? What exactly are we doing there? Whose side are we on and why? How successful has it been to try to "imperialize" this country and the entire middle east? It has less to do with terrorism than with controlling other countries resources. The leaders all know this, including Obama. Why the farce? posted 07/08/2008 at 15:19:32

He is gay, ok. No doubt.

Floridians are proud to have many gays in the state (we know who they are) and in the gov't. No problem. What we won't do anymore is provide cover for republican gays who go against GLBT's in legislation, votes, the environment, health care or any other issue that affects gays. It's a small world, and an even smaller one for gays, especially here in Florida.

Good luck, Crist (hee hee). Should be fun to watch. posted 07/07/2008 at 11:32:01

Its NOT a moot point to vote for Nader. What about your personal conscience? Do you HAVE to follow some "pack" to be legit? Your vote is a statement about what is right and what is wrong. See where political voting has got us? Get off the bandwagon of failure. Try voting your conscience for once. It feels really good. posted 07/04/2008 at 09:49:50

Sure he might win, but win what? Another set of disappointing positions. The brand is turning out not to be worth fighting for.

Let the Republicans have it again. At least we won't be upset at a Democratic president (which, I hope you realize is what Obama will get from the left, given his stances).

Think of what it is going to be like when we have to attack Obama on his positions, which we will have to do. If the country is not ready, better to keep a Republican, its less embarassing overall. posted 07/03/2008 at 13:48:53

Best thing Arianna EVER did.

Obama has even succeeded in scaring me by his move toward the middle corporatists. Fear is all around. posted 07/03/2008 at 13:28:06

Has anyone else noticed that as Obama moves toward the center that his actual physical appearance is being altered before our eyes? He's starting to look like a skinnier, drawn and uptight. Is that a military haircut? It looks weird and more severe each time you look at it. And the choice of suits is getting more undertaker instead of comforting. His eyes are bulging and the natural smile is gone. And that "patriotic" pin looks bigger and bigger every time you look at it. Its funny how sometimes you can't hide what's going on inside. It looks distorted somehow. posted 07/01/2008 at 20:35:12

Why is this a Hufpo pick? Who cares? This blog is heavily censored and I don't think anyone who blogs here cares what Hufpo "thinks". Just post fairly. If you want to "pick" then sign your name so we know who you are and can judge accordingly. posted 07/02/2008 at 15:28:12

"Looking back, I'm certain the depiction of trauma and loss suffered by Iraq veterans, as documented by so many fine photographers, will be recognized as playing a critical role in galvanizing the American public against an otherwise fundamentally sanitized war..."

Oh really? I watched Vandenheuvel (Nation) whine on this morning about how the minority of do-gooders in the Senate and House will "rise up (soon!) to smash the evil occupation.... blah blah blah. Buchanan just looked at her and reminded her that its her OWN PARTY preventing change in ANYTHING. What a mess.

When will the photographic depictions play a role? Not anytime soon by Congress or the Senate. They seem to be immune from actual human feelings. Even Obama who went to see them the other day, hid that fact, didn't comment... I don't see anyone even paying attention to be quite honest. And the American people are on too many prescription drugs to even care about gas prices. They're ZOMBIES--Just look at them! What a disgusting mess. posted 06/30/2008 at 15:07:09

If you think ANYONE will be prosecuted CRIMINALLY for anything like this then you missed out on what has happened to the justice system.
We have war crimes, torture and street murder of civilans in NYC that aren't being prosecuted, and we have prosecutors putting decent governors in jail.
How can you come to this blog with such ignorance? posted 06/30/2008 at 10:42:02

I could never vote for Hillary, but I am stunned.
You mean to tell me that we have been beating up on this woman, about her Iraq vote, when it is now CLEAR that Obama would have voted the same way?
The audacity of this is amazing. All you have to do is watch C-Span to realize that BOTH the real left and the real right (not the middle corporatists) HATED FISA and for good reason.
What Obama has to do is get OUT OF THE MIDDLE and realize the grassroots on BOTH SIDES. We're the ones defending the Constitution. But he won't, I realize that now. I am really stunned at the NERVY STUNT of accusing Hillary regarding the war, and very, very hurt to find out he is just the same.
He may get elected but there won't be anyone there to defend him WHEN THEY TEAR HIM A NEW ONE DURING HIS FIRST TERM and he may lose the 2nd and, most of all, will lose all our respect.
I don't think there is any coming back from this road and it will get worse.
#53 on "Obama's Answers" is how to get off his incessant email list. posted 06/30/2008 at 10:36:21

Help is here... Here are my TOP TEN REASONS NOT TO VOTE FOR OBAMA this election.

1. The country will know, that there ARE American people who care about right from wrong.
2. The country will know that the Republican party, not the Democrats, if they end up in power again, are the BAD party.
3. We will finally come to grips with the fact that we ARE AND WILL BE MARGINALIZED until we can educate the rest of us, which we have NOT done. Then we can live and act like the marginalized revolutionaries we SHOULD BE.
4. We CAN accomplish TRUE CAPAIGN FINANCE REFORM. For example... You stab the Constitution in the back, the next day you get no money... Try it, it feels good.
5. The hillbillies might trust the Democrats again, maybe someday.
6. Reality will really set in, FOR REAL. Americans might finally stop being prescription drug zombies and worry about basic survival.
7. Realization will set in that there are so many more important things going on IN AMERICA than Michelle and Barak, and we will REALLY STOP watching the MSM.
8. It will be cut and dried to impeach this time, as many of the Blue Dogs will be shaken up or gone.
9. Someone like McCain will implode in the White House and it will be fun to watch.
10. It will be a cold day in hell when the Democrats try this sh** again, and it could happen in our lifetime. posted 06/30/2008 at 15:49:34

Lou Dobbs is PUTTING THE LIBERALS TO SHAME with his stance against Nafta, Homeland security, poisoned food, poisoned toys, tainted childhood vaccines, and so on... and the true suffering of the middle class. No one can really point to why they say he is wrong. Talk about taking points!

What I want to know is, when did the Democrats start supporting slave labor, filthy food, open borders that NO European country would tolerate for one minute? I don't get it. Oh yes, I get it.

C-O-M-P-L-I-C-I-T posted 06/21/2008 at 18:59:08

Try to absorb this once and for all...

The Dems are not weak. Pelosi and the Gang will protect the president on things like this, the war, torture and other stuff because they are also PROTECTING THEMSELVES.

If you listen carefully, you will hear this from the Republicans clearly. If you hold the president guilty you must also hold the OVERSIGHT committees guilty. They gave the president the green light back then.

Are you ready to impeach the Congressional and Senate leadership also? Thats the reality and they all know it. There's still plenty of time until November to do it. posted 06/20/2008 at 13:58:41

Read this article and tell me if you are proud of America and the Democrats.

Next they will attack Obama, just wait. The party is useless now.

Why the Democrats Won't Stop the War...
http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/3691/ posted 06/20/2008 at 10:17:58

This "Fiduciary Responsibility to the Shareholders" is WHY the oil companies and the health insurance companies will NEVER change and have the full legal right as any corporation does to PUT MONEY (for some) BEFORE THE LIFE AND DEATH WELFARE (of many). Our repubs and dems gave that to them not too long ago.

This greedy little author's thinking is A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHY some things like the internet, health care, energy should ALL BE PUBLICLY CONTROLLED, NOT-FOR-PROFIT corporations.

When there's profit in these vital industries, people will suffer and things will never be reformed (a la Obama and others). There is NO REASON for profit in these industries, "Profits" should be put back into new technology and medical cures. Its one or the other, profits OR discovery and invention. Its not working.

We have Clinton and Bush to thank for these many changes to corporate law. Thomas Jefferson is on record as vehemently disagreeing with this philosophy of profits first. posted 06/15/2008 at 11:31:57

DEAR OBAMA-

This is the problem with oil companies AND health insurance companies. As long as they are private you cannot restrict their profit-making. It goes against our laws now. Thats why the oil companies are winning their arguments before Congress, shareholders rule.

You can't have it both ways. Public-private deals are just a way to funnel hard-earned tax money to the private sector (ripoffs always happen).

If its VITAL to our HEALTH, SECURITY and WELFARE, it must go public. You cannot put profit restrictions on private companies. And you shouldn't be MAKING profits from these vital services.

If its good enough for Social Security, the Post Office, and so on, its good enough for health care and energy.

It won't happen with the private sector and you can't regulate them anymore. posted 06/10/2008 at 13:23:48

Listening to Barak Obama right now on television i realize that his health care plan can not work.

I believe that it is now impossible, if not illegal, to force private, for-profit companies (heath care) to lose money by putting undue restrictions on their ability to make a profit. That is what they are in business for. We may not like it but these are the "rights" that have been given to corporations by recent presidents, including Clinton.

You can't have it both ways. If it is best for social security, it is best for health insurance.

In my opinion the only way he saved this part of his speech today is to mention Elizabeth Edwards,
who must KNOW Obama's health care approach is more of the same and will NOT WORK.

This is a problem that should be cleared up as soon as possible, as much as I love BO. The hillbillies' instincts may not have been wrong. posted 06/09/2008 at 13:44:21

Two areas he is VERY vulnerable:

1. In some ways the Appalachians are right about him, instinctively feeling the weaknesses in Obamas health plan and specifics for the economy and middle class crisis. They have heard it all before from Democrats. Hillary ran with Edwards' winning platform and the Appalachians voted in response both to her and some still for Edwards. Obama is seen as resisting real help for the middle class.

2. Obama will not win ignoring legitimate complaints regarding illegal (emphasis on illegal) immigration and lack of border security. I don't know of any Democrat that can help him with this, but it directly relates to the economy and and he will need a decent and fair policy. Perhaps this is an area where his Republican friends can help him. posted 06/08/2008 at 13:08:02