Very well written.  I hope you post his response, if you get one.

Howard is first.

it is the simple little Howardly acts like LTE such as this excellent example that will take our country back

Joe Biden takes votes directly away from Clinton if he moves up in Iowa, listen on This Week and find out why.

One thing I want to mention in regards to the pulse poll, Gore is not running and people need to realize this and drop this pipe dream now. Support someone who has committed to being in the race.

Joe Biden is uniquely positioned to challenge Hillary Clinton on her Iranian war authorization vote; and he did it effectively talking to George S.

before this nominating process is over that exchange will become important, because Biden destroys Clinton's claim that she has the "experience", when she can't even remember that Bush used similar language to go to war with Iraq

the stop Hillary movement goes through Joe Biden in Iowa and if he finishes higher than she does here it would be a big deal

Biden has a long way to come back to actually get the nomination, first he has to pass Hillary.

Jared some us understand Howard's statement of "You have the power" to mean seize your dreams. Who do you support?

4.

Good for JB.

Joe is my third choice in the pulse poll (Obama first, Edwards second) -- OEB.

And to Jared I would further ask, "Did Vice President Gore tell you personally himself that he is not running?  Or was it someone else?"

5.

To the other JB:

wARNING -- Be ready to be piled on (I hope you ate your Wheaties).

Great, great letter, Jody!  Florida deserves much better.

Bollywood:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071021/ap_po/louisiana_governor

Indian immigrants' son new La. governor

By MELINDA DESLATTE, Associated Press Writer

6 minutes ago

BATON ROUGE, La. - U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal easily defeated 11 opponents and became the state's first nonwhite governor since Reconstruction, decades after his parents moved to the state from India to pursue the American dream.

Jindal, a 36-year-old Republican, will be the nation's youngest governor. He had 53 percent with 625,036 votes with about 92 percent of the vote tallied. It was more than enough to win Saturday's election outright and avoid a Nov. 17 runoff.

...

His nearest competitors: Democrat Walter Boasso with 208,690 votes or 18 percent; Independent John Georges had 167,477 votes or 14 percent; Democrat Foster Campbell had 151,101 or 13 percent. Eight candidates divided the rest.

...

The Oxford-educated Jindal had lost the governor's race four years ago to Gov. Kathleen Blanco. He won a congressional seat in conservative suburban New Orleans a year later but was widely believed to have his eye on the governor's mansion.

Blanco opted not to run for re-election after she was widely blamed for the state's slow response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.

...

If your in Boston today, ya got the Red Sox at 8pm in Fenway Parkand during the day, the Head of the Charles Regatta:

http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2007/10/18/head_of_the_charles_regatta/

By Milva Didomizio  |  October 18, 2007

This 3-mile boat race, started in 1965 by Cambridge Boat Club members, has grown into a local tradition - and the largest regatta in the world. A great place to watch the 55 races of different skill and age levels, or at least a few of them, is Reunion Village, named because of its unofficial function as a college class reunion site.

...

Spectators are encouraged to use public transportation and the Regatta's complimentary shuttle bus service. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Free; Reunion Village $1 daily, located on the Boston side of the Charles between the Weeks and Anderson bridges. Race begins at Boston University, DeWolfe Boathouse, Cambridge, and ends at Artesani Park, Allston. Viewing along the Charles River in Boston and Cambridge. 617-868-6200. hocr.org

Jindal probably would have defeated Blanco, Louisiana voters are a wounded beast after the hurricanes. Bush wouldn't fare any better than Blanco.

Never forget.

Jody, I think on this thread, Howard would hold open the door and request you to precede him. That letter is awesome! Kudos and honorary firsties!

* * *

Al Gore has not said he will not run. All he has said is he has no "plans" to run, which for anyone who has been around the block a few times means his plans are subject to change.

I say, if all-things-equal you would prefer Gore, vote Gore until he explicitly asks us to stop the way he did four years ago.

If your candidate is someone else, then extol that person's virtues rather than admonishing people for voting their hearts and consciences.

-- volney

Gore-Boxer '08

I can't stand how disrespectful of the Iraqi war dead George S. is in that flicker of time for In Memorium.

bbl

The pulse poll is tapping into the hopes and dreams of many of us. Gore is in all probability not going to run. But  I believe  he could be drafted. I'm grateful a space for "others" was offered in the poll. Al Gore has experience, a deeper vision and a hard won wisdom our country and the world desperaly needs. And we need to be reminded again that  "we have the power."      Van Parker

Funny they call Jindal "non-white". When I was growing up we were taught that India was the "asian" in "caucasian" and the "Indo" in "Indo-European" and that Indians were Indo-european, caucasian people.

The longer you live the more confusing life gets. LOL

-- volney

no offense to Monica, but ah,hem some other candidates haven't captured a groundswell across the nation, and are a longer shot as of today than Al Gore

volney 

according to my son Jindal comes across as a really bright capable guy

the Democratic Party should have recruited him a decade ago

LSU pulled out a comeback victory as time ran out

Geaux Tigers

If New Hampshire decides on a December primary they can go first, I'm going to vote to keep Iowa in the DNC rules and stick with our date.

I just feel that if we'rere going to have a pulse poll of candidates let's do it of people who have actually committed to running for the office rather than Monday morning quarterback about who we would love to have run for President, it's not going to happen. Frankly I feel Gore is doing more for the environment and for our world by not committing to the mess we now call running for president. It would be such a distraction for him right and it would take away from the issue he really cares about, the future of our planet.

Phil Specht,

  At least George S is doing something like that for the fallen soliders in Iraq, which is more than a lot of the talking heads are doing about the Iraq War. 

Phil Specht
Sun, 10/21/07
10:02 am

Alas, Donna Brazille this morning has had to kinda admit that the 'states', one official in a state no less, has the power given by the people of the state - not her, her committee, her big mouth, her indignation, her pride, or the DNC.

Donna could not even outshine the pathetic mouth-piece of the R spin machine.

... life is good!

Jared

Who do you support and why?

I voted for Gore because I think it just might be the little kick in the pants that gets him into the race, but I'm prepared to caucus for Edwards here if he doesn't.

... sooooo, why was it again that the DNC decided to disenfranchise voters in states, tho it has no such authority in the Constitution? or do we, here in the ranks of patriots, agree that D.C. based movers and shakers should have power over elected Constitutional officials' decisions?

Like the way things have gone in the States or not, i stand behind the Constitution, the way powers were delegated, the ones reserved to the States, the checks of Congress on the Executive, and even the veto of the President.

We must keep that in focus.

P.S. i still want my country AND my Howard back!!

Gore isn't playing the current nomination process "game", but that doesn't mean he couldn't still win the nomination within Party Rules. It might be just what it takes to see the later primary states loom large in importance again. Some old duffer was complaining to me about West Virginia's choice in 1960 as a HHH fan. lol

If Gore entered the week of the Iowa caucus and came in even third he would have great momentum for California and I would love to see Edwards and Gore debate for the good of the country in March primary states.

deaniac

the Constitution didn't even anticipate political parties

Still waiting to hear who Jared actually supports, and why.

Phil, I agree about Jindal, have always had a very good impression of him.

-- volney

party rules only effect the allocation of delegates to the Nominating Convention

Iowa holds a primary the first Tuesday in June. our National Convention delegates are already elected by name within Party rules by then

Assault on Reason is a roadmap to the White House imho.

On topic: Congressional Democrats vs Bush

4 c's

cower,cringe, collaborate, capitulate

Plus, dis your base, then demand its support.

Wake up sheeple

31 It's an assault on the Democratic Party too!

oops I mis-spoke, we elect our degates at large at our State Convention which is the Saturday in June following the Primary (scheduled to promote party unity) and we use those slots to meet gender and diversity targets

And for people who imagine that all those Gore votes would automatically go to Edwards, in my particular case if Gore said "cease" tomorrow I would re-vote with Bill Richardson as my first choice. And if anything happened to him, then it would be Chris Dodd as my first choice.

John Edwards is a nice guy with way not enough experience for president, especially right now IMO. But I respect his supporters who include some of my nearest and dearest.

-- volney

Gore-Boxer '08

John, Gore doesn't disagree with you about Republicrats.

and recent votes show them to be about 20% of the current Party in Congress so primary fights are in order

Phil Specht
Sun, 10/21/07
10:32 am

Are you saying they didn't understand the concept? Get me up to speed here... didn't the English have the Parliament then? Isn't it predicated on parties?

Maybe, just maybe they left all that to the states on purpose.
They also didn't put the FAA in there... are you surprised at that too?

(oops, once again i'll go cower in the corner. lest my elders backhand me... not)

John Edwards would be a domestic President and there has been way too much rachetting up of talk about WWIII.

I like his priorities like true universal health care and I think a President who sets an agenda of a couple of big achievable goals is often successful.

He is pretty good on global warming too, but even better on rural issues which of course I follow.

But the main inbalance in the world is the advantage China has taken of our "free trade" blinders, and stupid trade agreements and their maipulation of currency values that has lead to the collapse of the dollar, and there is where the rubber really meets the global road, and Edwards gets that too. so surprise, if you actually look after the welfare of the American people as President you seek to right some pretty big wrongs.

I don't in anyway think my support for Gore diminishes my agreement with John Edwards' political goals, and if Edwards becomes President I sure Gore will haver a huge role in setting policy on global warming, which may not be true of other candidates.

bbl

Phil Specht
Sun, 10/21/07
10:39 am


... sounds very very complicated. How about the DNC just support the person who gets the most votes from the States?
Oops, there i go again, supposing the voters should have the power.

I guess since everyone appears to be interested, I'm trying to decide between Richardson, Obama, and Edwards. None of the candidates this year have fired me up like Dean did in 03/04 and I wish they would. IMO I just feel that Gore isn't getting in because he doesn't want to go through it again (I don't blame him) and people need to come to terms with that.

Cenk Uygur: Nancy Pelosi did it again. One more apology on a stack of endless apologies from Democrats. Please stop being so damn weak. It's embarrassing to look at. But I'm long past waiting for the Democratic leaders to do the right thing or realize how badly they're being outplayed at every turn. It's time to start rooting for a new generation of Democratic leaders like Pete Stark and Chris Dodd. If they're ready to do the fighting, I'm ready to stand behind them.

In Canada, the Liberals are following the lead of Pelosi/Reid: caving in to the bullying of a  Prime Minister who, with a minority in Parliament, acts as if he has a majority.

BTW, what the heck was up with that thread from 5p.m. Saturday?

... weird.

Responding to the kind words from the late night Kucinich thread from
floridagal .
Sat, 10/20/07
11:40 pm

Excellent letter and points Jody!

FROM THE NYT

Every now and then, we are tempted to double-check that the Democrats actually won control of Congress last year. It was particularly hard to tell this week. Democratic leaders were cowed, once again, by propaganda from the White House and failed, once again, to modernize the law on electronic spying in a way that permits robust intelligence gathering on terrorists without undermining the Constitution.

Check out Edwards on Bill Maher on Friday night. You decide.

40. None of the candidates this year have fired me up like Dean did in 03/04 and I wish they would.

Don't hold your breath!

floridagal .
Sat, 10/20/07
11:40 pm


"Hey, David and the DLC tell us what you really think"

Well, apparently FLgal has missed my constant holding the DLC and specificly Harold Ford Jr.'s feet in the hot coals of true patriotism.
I am well hated by the 'establishmnet' Dems in this area. Even progressives cringe when the hacks for bluedogs and conservative dems, or the powerful themselves(if brave enough, which Harold wasn't), come near me - oftimes i go to them.

It is very pitiful to see this kind of attack, so very ill informed, especially over what the likes of Donna Brazille has ginned up.

Huron John, I'm not.

Hey Deaniac and other friends of Dean (and welcome Jared)

I'm up in beautiful Vermont just outside of Burlington. I'm here for pleasure this weekend and work until Wednesday. My hostess with the mostest has been our own listener, fervent Deaniac and tour director extraordinnaire!

Yesterday we visited the statehouse in Montpelier. All of the portraits of past govenors were so - well - portraitly. And then there's our Howard, grinning while paddling a boat on Lake Champlain.

OMG how the country would be now with his leadership. But they do have us, forging on to protect what democracy we have left.

It's up to us, folks.

Indy thanks for the Maher heads up so I can catch the rerun.

DOWD ON THE CLINTONS

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/21/opinion/21dowd.html?ref=opinion

Bill Clinton elevated his neuroses into a management style, running a chaotic White House that took its tempo from his adolescent indulgences and from his volatile marriage. The West Wing weather was determined by the Clintons’ strange emotional and political co-dependence.

In her acid flashback of a new book, “For Love of Politics,” Sally Bedell Smith describes how First Lady Hillary routinely unmanned Bill and his aides, and engaged in sharp spurts of temper that sparked his temper.

“Hillary’s anger was bound up in the intricacies of her marital bargain, which engendered rivalry and resentment along with mutual dependence,” Ms. Smith writes. Political power was her reward for his marital infidelity.

When Bill explains why Hillary should be president, his subtext is clear: We owe it to her for all she put up with from me.

At the breakfast, a reporter asked Mr. Penn if the campaign has polled to figure out how to proceed if Bill’s personal foibles once more take Hillaryland hostage.

The pollster who believes that data trumps DNA brushed off the question, complimenting the former president as “a tremendous asset.”

But if you think that Hillary doesn’t have connubial contingency plans in place, you’re disregarding his DNA — and hers.

GONZO REDUX

(And the Dems are falling over each other to confirm him)

Hey Denise!! you are soooo lucky to be in the company of an unyielding patriot, not to mention sweet and smart.

Indeed, Howard is far from being the cookie cutter politician. I miss him soooo much as OUR leader on a day to day basis.
Me thinks that he would speak for us when nearly the whole of the Congress is sooooo of the tracks. WE are his loudspeaker, the DNC his muzzle

... sadly

VAMPIRE ELITES

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_w__chris_071020_extinction_or_the_el.htm

Human civilization is actually see spot run simple to analyze. What science calls "critical variables" are the vampire elites, i.e., the one percent or less of humankind who are the literal Gods and Goddesses of planet Earth.

The problem is what to do about it, since establishment politics (like establishment religion) is ruled absolutely by vampire elites. The "vampire" modifier here is more than poetry, since the elites are literally sucking the life blood out of Mother Nature. Again, the metaphor fits the rape and murder of our bleeding planet by Texas energy corporations.

Take Bill and Hillary Clinton as a case in point. Bill Clinton may have charisma, but he spends so much time licking the jack boots of Daddy Bush, that his tongue must be as black as his conscience. Also, let's never forget he was elected as a liberal who turn coated into a corporate centrist.

And we don't know if the DLC Hillary Clinton Doll even exists! She/it never takes a stand about ANYTHING, so she, like her husband, is an incarnation of those zero change politicians (i.e., fascists) who the elites manipulate like video games.

So, no help from the house-trained Clintons. But also, no help from establishment politics (i.e., our dem/pug ONE party system).

Thus, this brings us back to square one. The supreme evil of human existence is the Have and Have not distinction, i.e., the vampire elites, but how do we get the majority of the planet to realize this? NOTHING could be more self evident, but our planet suffers not only from the pathology of greed, but also, alas, from the pathology of sloth.

Stephen Colbert is on Meet The Press this morning.

Denise
Sun, 10/21/07
11:16 am

Denise, Lucky you are!! How are the colors?

12.

* rdorgan
Sun, 10/21/07
9:44 am


We Need Reed!

http://www.dfalink.com/campaign.php?id=2...


http://www.gildareed.com/Call-To-Action....

NO FREE LUNCH

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_richard__071019_just_how_much_troubl.htm

The US government requires $70 billion a MONTH in capital inflows (borrowed money) to cover its current account deficit (i.e. the money it is spending – in Iraq for instance --  but not collecting in taxes from its citizenry.  Problem is, the key sources for borrowing this money are gradually drying up, as per the recent dumping of a stunning $52 Billion worth of US treasury bonds by Asian investors, just mentioned.  Central banks in Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam have all begun to cut purchases of US bonds of all kinds, or signaled an intent to do so.  Bottom line: These folks are not going to loan our government any more money, and there may be a whole lot of holders of US treasury certificates who will soon join them, as the value of the dollar continues to slide.

Front page headline from a recent issue of the Financial times of London: “Investors Flee U.S. Securities.”  From the article: “Foreign investors slash their holdings of US securities by a record amount as the credit squeeze intensifies.”  In other words, not only are foreigners dumping our treasury certificates, they’re also dumping out stocks, corporate bonds etc.  To wit:

“Foreign investors flee US securities. By Michael Mackenzie in New York. Published: October 16 2007 17:07 | Last updated: October 16 2007 21:16”

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1ed4bb86-7bf8-11dc-be7e-0000779fd2ac.html

 And where are a growing number of US investors putting their investment money?  Answer: outside the US. 

Yale University economist Robert Shiller, who has long predicted this decade's housing market bubble would deflate, said the residential real estate downturn could spiral into "the most severe since the Great Depression" and could well lead to a recession.

sheeez, my spelling this morning has been absolutely horrible.

Well, it's looking more and more like my prediction on Romney will hold up. Now he has been ordained by Bob Jones(and you better bet the fundies will bow to that), as was the boyking. Extremely sadly, these folk are decieved just as their own scriptures predicted.
They have taken the broad path to destruction, and work avidly against the mission of Christ. They forget He fed the poor, healed the sick, and forgave those that varied from his values. The fundies are far far away from those values, they go down Satan's path with the Republican party and it's hypocrits.

FRANK RICH--ARE WE "GOOD GERMANS"?

http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/link.php?id=43801

Our humanity has been compromised by those who use Gestapo tactics in our war. The longer we stand idly by while they do so, the more we resemble those “good Germans” who professed ignorance of their own Gestapo. It’s up to us to wake up our somnambulant Congress...There is nothing left to lose except whatever remains of our country's good name.

gotta run

from Proverbs: "If a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at PEACE with him."

Love ya'll, mean it!!

Kucinich/Feingold '08

MIKE WHITNEY--MORE GOOD ECONOMIC NEWS

http://www.counterpunch.org/whitney10202007.html

Is it really fair to blame one man for destroying the US economy?

Probably not. But Alan Greenspan is still tops on our list. After all, Greenspan "presided over the greatest expansion of speculative finance in history, including a trillion-dollar hedge fund industry, bloated Wall Street-firm balance sheets approaching $2 trillion, and a global derivatives market with notional values surpassing an unfathomable $220 trillion." (Henry Liu, "Why the Subprime Bust will Spread" Asia Times) Greenspan is also responsible for slashing the real Fed Funds Rate so that it was negative for 31 months from 2002 to 2005. That decision flooded the housing market with trillions of dollars in low interest credit creating the largest equity bubble in history.

We are now beginning to see the first signs that the listless housing bubble has sprung a leak and is careening towards earth. This week's news from Southern California confirms that home sales have plummeted a whopping 48.5% from the previous year. This represents the biggest decline in home sales since the industry began keeping records more than 20 years ago. Sales are at a standstill and builders and homeowners have begun slashing prices in desperation. (See you tube "Central California Housing Crash)

The news is only slightly better in the Bay Area where DataQuick reports that "Bay Area home sales plummet amid mortgage woes".

There's a myth that the Fed chief can wave a magic wand and make things better. But that is not the case. Bernanke's decision to cut to the Fed's Fund Rate last month did not affect long term rates and, therefore, did not make it cheaper to buy (or refinance) a home. The rate-cut was really just a gift to the banks that are currently buried under $500 billion in mortgage-backed debt and CDO sludge. The increase in liquidity hasn't made these toxic securities any more sellable or solvent. Nor has it increased the banks willingness to provide new home financing to mortgage applicants. That process has slowed to a crawl. All the Fed's repos have done is buy more time for the banks while they try to wriggle out of reporting their true losses.

Regrettably, Bernanke does not have the tools to fix this problem and he is likely to destroy the currency if he keeps cutting rates. The recent cuts have already sent oil and gold to new highs while the dollar continues to nosedive. (The euro stands at $1.42 per dollar"up 63% since Bush took office) The weak dollar and the persistent credit problems in the markets, has sent foreign investors scampering for the exits. August was the biggest month on record for the withdrawal of foreign capital from US securities and Treasuries---$163 billion in capital flight. (Japan and China led the way) Confidence in US markets, leadership and integrity has never been lower. Investors are voting with their feet. They've had enough.

There is a debate raging on the econo-blogs about whether the country is headed towards hyperinflation or a deflationary cycle. The argument for hyperinflation is compelling since the Fed has already shown that it is prepared to savage the dollar in order to keep the economy running. As a result, we've seen inflation is heating up at a pace not seen in over a decade.(despite the government's mendacious figures) In September gasoline costs rose 4%, heating oil soared 9%, food jumped 5%, and dairy products lurched ahead 7.5%. Everything is up except the greenback which appears to be in its death throes.

Good morning (barely). Interesting thread, although I miss Judy and Seashell on the overnight. Hopefull Seashell is now well enough to be too busy dancing to blog and Judy is off at the fancy spa with her spouse. Denise, glad you are being shown around Vermont by listener and that pix of Howard sounds outstanding in the State House.

18.

volney simmons
Sun, 10/21/07
9:56 am
Funny they call Jindal "non-white". When I was growing up we were taught that India was the "asian" in "caucasian" and the "Indo" in "Indo-European" and that Indians were Indo-european, caucasian people.

The longer you live the more confusing life gets. LOL

---

Yes, Volney I remember late 40's early 50's in third or fourth grade learning about different races and I think we even colored them with crayons red for "Indians" yellow for "Orientals" and so forth. Now 60 years later, I have my DNA tested
https://www3.nationalgeographic.com/geno...
and it turns out ALL of us are from Africa and the notion of race is rather quaint. Living long enough may be the solution to all our issues.

===========================================

Indy I watched the youtube on Edwards -- I'm pretty chilly toward him and he came off very intelligent and at ease which are good qualities. Today I'm still Gore/Dodd/Obama however.

===========================================

I heard on something (prolly CSPAN) that Putz would be hosting Sarkozy at the White House in November (?) with a dinner at Mount Vernon and all. Given how FEW official dinners Shrub has given, he must really like Sarkozy -- or plan to get him as an ally for war with Iran?

===========================================

I watched Russert this morning and found the bits with Colbert mildly funny. Other than that the morning shows were a pretty big yawn.

See y'all later.

Drafting Al Gore in Escondido, California by Dean Nut in Sandy Eigo: http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/22648...

Jared and who agreed that supporters of Al Gore should "drop this pipe dream now", doesn't think very much of people having a part and a say in their politics and democracy, do they?

I don't tell you to drop you you are thinking of supporting, however questionable I think they may be.

You want to make false claims to get us to support someone else? Oh, gee, let me think about that for a minute...uh, NO.


You should be aware that Mr. Gore has said "it is true I have not ruled it out. I have not given a Sherman statement. I don't need to run a 500 day campaign. Others may want to lock it up, but I don't have to play that game".

So, if Mr. Gore hasn't shut the door, why do you try to for him?

If you have followed what Mr. Gore said, then you would also know this is what he is asking for. To see the people partake in their democracy.

Political candidates want to run a one way campaign of 30 sec soundbites, requiring a lot of money to propagandize the elections.

Al suggests the cure for this problem is a well-informed citizenry AND a WELL-CONNECTED citizenry. A well-connected citizenry is made of men and women who debate the issues and ideas--- -who PARTICIPATE in reasoned discussion and who participate in keeping the democracy alive.

If Al is to stand true to his principles, he is not going to raise money from lobbyists so he can flood us with 30 second sound bites during a year of primary propagandizing. He is waiting for responsible citizens to stand up and say they will not continue to put up with the status quo. He suggests in his book that the people of America must themselves reverse the decay and degradation of their democracy and reestablish a healthy functioning self-government. Al encourages the use of the internet (the method of our discourse). He has recently introduced Current TV and Current.com as a means of fostering and promoting conversation.

As Al Gore says, "becoming "part of the new movement to rekindle the true spirit of America." If we rise up in large enough numbers, we can get a real leader with vision and moral courage for our next president".

Al is teaching us that we must WORK to have a real democracy! If we sit idle in front of our TVs, we will continue to get self-promoting, self-aggrandizing "leaders." As Al suggests, we need to debate the issues and become involved in the political process. Al will be more encouraged to run if he sees that there are a lot of people who believe in the importance of a participatory democracy. We're asking him to step up for America! We have to show him that we are willing to step up for America as well.

DFA Pulse Poll

Still in first position!

Al Gore 31.15% as of Sun, 21 Oct 2007 11:57:33 -0400

Dave wrote "Donna Brazille this morning has had to kinda admit that the 'states', one official in a state no less, has the power given by the people of the state - not her, her committee, her big mouth, her indignation, her pride, or the DNC."

I love your inscrutable logic.  A state can have its primary on Halloween if it wants.  Who's stopping it?  If, by any chance, it wants to have delegates seated at a national party convention, however, to participate in the selection of a national party candidate, it may be prudent to act within the rules of the national party.  What do you think?

46.

Indy Steve
Sun, 10/21/07
11:08 am

Howdy Denise.

So lucky are you. I bet a nice walk along the infamous boardwalk would be quite enjoyable in the fall weather.

Have a great time.

Linda wrote "Jared and who agreed that supporters of Al Gore should 'drop this pipe dream now', doesn't think very much of people having a part and a say in their politics and democracy, do they?"

No.  Then again, you have to admit that people who militate in favor of the candidacy of someone who expressly denies his or her interest in either the campaign or the office don't think very much of that person having a say in the decision. 

Regardless of that, I am not locating the quotation you ascribe to Gore.  Do you have a source?  Thanks.

Religious Right Divides Its Vote at Summit

...Christian conservatives ended their two-day summit here Saturday still divided about which of the Republican presidential candidates to marshal their collective might behind....

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/21/us/politics/21values.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin

70. No Tom, I don't have to agree with false statements.

And to the other question...which part are you asking for a quote? From his book, or the 500 day campaign from his interviews on the book tour....which one are you asking for quotes, that you probably already have and are fully aware as you tend to post after you ask these kind of questions?

It is quite humorous and yet pathetic that the Republican "values voters" are still looking for a candidate but have settled for flip-flop Romney who was Pro-Choice, then not, Pro Gay Marriage, then not, Anti gun, then not.

There are few reminders anywhere in any media that Huckabee (the conservatives savior) does not believe in evolution, nor do Brownbeck (gone from race) or Tancredo. Those three can be counted out of the race if they intend to have a real chance of any kind to win a general election.

It is the Dems who have the legitimate and non-discriminatory values the these conservatives now it. Just curious as to who they will choose to lead their third party.

Linda*in*SFNM
Sun, 10/21/07
11:59 am
 

Everyone has the right to support whoever they want. But how long do YOU think folks should wait before deciding that Al Gore has decided NOT to enter the maelstrom of Presidential politics? Should people continue working until the convention hoping against odds to draft him in Novermber? When?

Just asking. Every day is a day longer when he is not in front of the American people and Democratic voters.

Linda wrote  "which part are you asking for a quote?"

"[I]t is true I have not ruled it out. I have not given a Sherman statement. I don't need to run a 500 day campaign. Others may want to lock it up, but I don't have to play that game."

. Those three can be counted out of the race if they intend to have a real chance of any kind to win a general election.

~~~~~~~~

yes Joan but we can hope they get the nomination

. Every day is a day longer when he is not in front of the American people and Democratic voters.

~~~~~~~~~

you gotta be kidding me

He has been so in front of the people that he has sucked the oxygen out of the other race between the announced candidates.

Good Dean oped:

Mr. Dean appears content with his role, talking about the past and the present with a relaxed air of confidence. For more than an hour, over lunch at the St. Paul Grill, he scoops up details about the race, asking questions only a former candidate who spent months in Iowa and New Hampshire might know.

“The only wistful moments I’ve had are at the debates,” said Mr. Dean, who has been seated in the audience for many of them. “I relish the combat and I miss it.”

He avoids mentioning specific names of Democratic candidates

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/21/us/politics/21dean.html?ei=5087&em=&en=6bd9589625812f51&ex=1193112000&pagewanted=print

Indy no need to keep asking the same.

Al Gore's supporters are strong. Their goal is to show support for him to run. They will be there until he declares his candidacy and then they will go from Draft Al Gore, to Al Gore for President.

76. Phil,

I don't believe it matters a bit who they nominate, I think they realize that they will probably lose bigtime to any Dem candidate.

Phil wrote "you gotta be kidding me[.  Gore]  has been so in front of the people that he has sucked the oxygen out of the other race between the announced candidates."

I think we need to be careful about statements like this to maintain perspective.  As someone with no organization who is not running for the office, Gore still becomes a top tier candidate when his name is included in polling, but he does not leap ahead of the main frontrunners in almost any of the polls I've been able to review.  You can check here for an in-depth analysis.  However, you might have seen numbers I haven't.

Huckabee and Ron Paul are the only honest ones in the group

Linda wrote "which one are you asking for quotes, that you probably already have and are fully aware as you tend to post after you ask these kind of questions?"

I won't ask you for a quotation source if I have it.  Do you have one for this statement?

any honest pollster will tell you that Iowa caucus goers can't be polled accurately

                On SALE!  $199.00

If Al Gore wants to run, I will surely support him, but I don't have any expectations of him doing so.

Al has made that pretty clear recently. He has a much bigger calling now and the way the n/s poles are melting I hope he keep fulfilling that job.

To expect him to take on the huge job of restoring this country to a democracy while saving the world from drowning is asking the impossible of even the most able person (which he is).

Tom, you asked for sources.

"When I asked Gore why he hasn’t dismissed all the speculation by issuing a Shermanesque refusal to stand, as he did in 2002, Gore said, "Having spent 30 years as part of the political dialogue, I don’t know why a 600-day campaign is taken as a given, and why people who aren’t in it 600 days out for the convenience of whatever brokers want to close the door and narrow the field and say, ‘This is it, now let’s place your bets’ — If they want to do that, fine. I don’t have to play that game."

http://select.nytimes.com/preview/2007/0...

the only other ref I can't find for you is when he decreased it down to 500 days from when he first said this remark with 600 days, but I think that covers him making those statements.

Hi folks,

Hey, Indie Steve #46, we watched John Edwards on Bill Maher Friday night.  We were impressed with Edwards' comments until he mentioned Howard Dean, then, the snotty part comes out.  Why oh why would he say that comparing Dean's lead to Hillary and Obama's,  there was no guarantee, highlighting the fall.  What a dumkoff statement.  For me, it undid all the smart and strong statements he had made before.

The spotlight in the audience focused on Elizabeth Edwards for a few seconds.  She is beautiful and looked radiant.  I've wondered what she would see in him.  Maybe it was a maternal feeling, to see him in the spotlight and doing well.  I don't know.  Another really trivial thing, a man 50 years old dying his hair?  Somehow that turns me off.

And so we go on.  I am  hoping that Al Gore will step in, will be drafted, but my biggest concern is that the American people are so involved in money, status, power, things, and the power games that they are threatened by someone as intelligent, thoughtful, and honest as Al Gore.  Have to admit that I'm not very proud of the American people these days.

A big snowstorm here in Colorado. 

86.

Susan,

Looks like an empty suit! Lots of those in Congress.

Susan, nice jacket. I can see Jeff Goldblum or Steven Weber in that nicely. :)

A big snowstorm here in Colorado.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We are having a beautiful Indian summer this weekend which in Iowa probably means snow here too. lol If that happened the nations food supply would be at risk, becuase there are many crops left in the fields.

Linda*in*SFNM
Sun, 10/21/07
12:24 pm

You don't win people over by being unconcerned about their questions and being generally confrontive. That just plays to those already committed. I still ask for an answer...apparently you'll stick with him forever.

Romney fits that suit.

88.

Another really trivial thing, a man 50 years old dying his hair?  Somehow that turns me off.

That's a little bit of a sexist remark. Many women dye their hair right through their 90's. I have no problem with that myself.

But I agree with you about the Dean remark. While most of the interview was moderately good, I saw nothing new for Edwards there. I still believe though that he could make a good president if he had good advisers around him, like Dean.

Pat, I watched it live too. I actually was quite disappointed with him. His responses were quite curt and he looked uncomfortable. He didn't seem to give good responses to questions and then resorted to campaign TP like the Dean comment we are hearing a bit too much these days. The best part was in the end when he held out his hand for money, imo, he stood firm that he wasn't askoing to shake his hand, that he would take Bill's money. I don't know if that video is the entire interview or not.

Hi Phil,

 This is supposed to be short lived, stopping by this afternoon.  Hope it doesn't head your way.

We've had one of the most beautiful falls I've ever seen.  Varous cottonwoods are mythical in their glory of gold more gold than gold.  The black branches spreading like fans up to the skies and the halos of gold, I don't think I'll ever forget them. 

Indy Steve

You are the one being confrontational to Linda about a Gore campaign, and I don't think it helps Edwards' cause.

Gore and Edwards view the job description in a very similar light and I don't think a choice between the two should be anything but amicable.

Pat in Colorado
Sun, 10/21/07
12:34 pm

Good luck shoveling snow! Edwards' point about Dean was that polls this far out are relatively meaningless...and that is true. I trust Elizabeth's (and any spouse's) judgement that they make for themselves. The kind of personal mud-slinging that is made here against all the candidates kind of reminds me of those against Dean elsewhere in 03.

We can do better than that.

91.

Phil,

Perhaps Pat lives in a higher elevation. I hope so -- we don't need any higher priced food supplies.

Pat

Our leaves disappointed early but now the golden Bigfoot Aspen mixed in stands of russet oaks make up for the bare maples who just lost their leaves without much show.

weather has a whole lot more to do with food prices than ethanol does

Phil Specht
Sun, 10/21/07
12:42 pm

Just asking questons isn't confrontational. Linda is attacking anyone who asks questions.  And it has nothing to do with Edwards. Sorry you feel that way. This used to be the place where we could discuss things without being attacked.

Hi Joan,

I think you are probably right about the sexist remark, but somehow vanity like that turns me off, for women too.  I look at Nancy Pelosi and I wonder what's wrong with gray hair.  What's wrong with taking ourselves for who we are and how we age, and yet, yet, yet, I understand and share the need to feel attractive.

I was teaching in a middle school in the mid 80s, and I jokingly touched the top of a boy's head and he grew furious.  I understood that I was out of line, that there was a real change in how kids thought of themselves with respect to appearance and hair.  They were not simply 11 years olds, rather they saw themselves as having an image.  It taught me something that I don't think I could ever forget.

Still, so much effort on appearance I feel is a waste of time, trivial, and insecure.  Just my take.

I appreciate your comment, though, Joan.  It gives me something to think about. 

90.

Linda*in*SFNM
Sun, 10/21/07
12:36 pm

It's a nice suit at a very good price.

Executive Year-Round 3-Button Suit-Solids and Stripes
http://www.josbank.com/IWCatProductPage....

92.

Indy Steve



Linda*in*SFNM


You don't win people over by being unconcerned about their questions and being generally confrontive

--->> response:

Indy, now isn't that a nice statement/accusation. You keep making threats, rules, accusations and claims to fit in with your guidelines. And I keep trying to have a conversation with that?

You doing these things, not me.

I did respond, but you didn't like the answer. What more can I do for you Indy, would you like me to ask each supporter of Al Gore to write down a date for you? When will you stop from continuously making these false choices and demands?

Linda wrote "Tom, you asked for sources."

Thanks.  You used quotation marks so I thought it might be an actual quote.  Believe me, it's no issue to me, but it didn't appear to me to be a verbatim statement, and Sitka jumps in my shit when I use brackets, which are universally known as paraphrase indicators inside of quotations, so, the rules for using quotes on this site are inordinately high.

The essence of the parphrase is entirely true, but the context is important.  The article from which you cited states immediately afterwards that:

"A few moments later, he said: 'I’m not issuing a Shermanesque statement because that’s not where I am. I’m not ruling it out for all time. Although I cannot presently foresee any circumstances, such circumstances could emerge.'"

"'And such circumstances could emerge in 2008?'

"'It’s extremely unlikely, but not impossible.'"

103.

Indy Steve
Sun, 10/21/07
12:46 pm



Just asking questons isn't confrontational. Linda is attacking anyone who asks questions

________________________

Proof to the contrary. Which way is it Indy. Do you want me to answer you or not?

I'm done with your constant attacks and accusations.

Just like you going over to the dailykos diary and saying the Gore supporters were manipulating this poll. Who keeps making accusations?

Linda*in*SFNM
Sun, 10/21/07
12:47 pm

It was a suggestion...if you don't want to see it or think about it, that's your choice.

I genuinely would like to know when the last date would be for you. Your answer was rather demeaning as is your response that I shouldn't ask such questions. Too bad.

when the price of wheat doubles (which it has because of weather and crop size) the cost of a box of Wheaties goes up a few pennies a box unless the globe actually runs out of daily bread

none has gone into ethanol

the corn crop is very large, but very susceptible to crop losses

there are many beans still in the field, and once they get snowed on they become very hard to recover

food prices are high because of transportation costs going through the roof with a weak dollar leading to $90 oil

It seems I'm drawing the attacks here, so I will leave you all so it be a better environment.

Have a good day all.




Time for a COOL change,
Gore
2008

Apparently Howard Dean has already been planning his departure from the  DNC and securing promises which probably won't be kept:

While Mr. Dean said he intended to stay on as Democratic chairman until his term expires in 2009, he is slowly preparing to relinquish authority to the party’s nominee. “As long as they continue the 50-state strategy, which they have already agreed to do,” Mr. Dean said, “I see a relatively frictionless takeover.”

This summer, presidential candidates signed an agreement, put forward by state party leaders, pledging their support for continuing the program. While few Democrats argue with trying to bolster the party across the country, several campaign officials say it is too expensive.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/21/us/politics/21dean.html?ei=5087&em=&en=6bd9589625812f51&ex=1193112000&pagewanted=print

I think the week of the Iowa caucus would be "in time" for Gore.

Linda

you are one of the main reasons Gore is leading and drawing all the fire

if he gets the nomination it will be 100 times worse so might as well start the skin thickening now lol

Phil Specht
Sun, 10/21/07
12:55 pm

That would be pretty absurd.....I believe Gore has a responsitility to step up soon and tell voter and America what he intends to do.

are you just trying to play the good guy here?

Hi again,

It's comforting to have friends to talk with on a snowy morning.  I think Maureen Dowd is correct, that people will always look at the personal side of candidates and react.  I loved Eugene McCarthy, his dry wit, his dignity, his intelligence and erudition; whereas I saw Robert Kennedy as pandering to the mobs that idolized him.  Certainly a personal response.

However, I think how the candidate speaks, what he or she does, the reputation for integrity, and the proven ability to be a leader trump that.  I think that Howard Dean is such a leader, and the fact that we are here this morning talking is an example.

And, who was it, one of the candidates quoted Howard saying "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good." recently on NPR, was it a Republican??? Anyway, so many politicos have repeated what Howard has said that I just shake my head.  And, I admit I am sensitive to how Howard is referred to by other candidates.  I do well remember Kucinich and Edwards in their remarks about Howard Dean, and while it wouldn't necessarily influence my vote, I do feel some irritation when they treat him disrespectfully or callously.  

Hey, Linda in SFNM, I appreciate you and your take on things.  I'm an admirer. 

three hundred and sixty five days before the election would have a certain elegance as a day to announce as a way to focus on the real prize which is to win the general election not the nomination

Phil wrote "I think the week of the Iowa caucus would be 'in time' for Gore.  "

Interesting.  Well, everyone is permitted to have an opinion.  Mine would be that the results for any candidate, expecting to enter a presidential nomination campaign in the same week as the season's first caucus, one year after the campaign season was underway, would be negligible.

102.

Still, so much effort on appearance I feel is a waste of time, trivial, and insecure.  Just my take.

Pat,

The problem with appearance these days is so many things, like jobs, are often dependent on it. Then there is the problem of television and the ads for cosmetics and personal products that promote such things relentlessly.

I don't little of the cosmetics since I detest the way the companies abuse and torture animals to test them. But I was born a blonde, have always enjoyed being one, and so I remain one -- for now:))

IMO- people should vote for who they want. If Gore wins this pulse vote, then it's up to DFA to decide  how to handle it or whatever.

I agree with Phil ( and he sure knows more about Iowa than any of us do). Iowa cannot be polled accurately on the caucus. Who would have thought Dean would be 3rd? I know I didn't.

I liked Joe Biden on This Week this morning. He knows what he's talking about & he's saying what he truly believes, IMO.

Romney Looks & acts like a programmed robot. Watch him walk & talk . I hope he gets the Repub. nomination. It would be great for the Democrats.  

Phil wrote "if [Gore] gets the nomination it will be 100 times worse so might as well start the skin thickening now lol"

Ugh.  Good point.

What a funny comment "Gore supporters manipulating this poll"

The truth is we know how to organize and GOTV.

Indy Steve

I am a strong Gore supporter. I am a member of the Iowa State Central Committee. I understand our process and rules.

If Al Gore really does believe that our nominating process must change(and I have no reason to disbelieve his statements) by ending years of campaigning, and wants the people to truly pick their representative then the longer he waits and he still gets the nomination the more change agent he will be, and change agent is what he is.

Still in first.

Al Gore 31.21% as of Sun, 21 Oct 2007 13:06:06 -0400

Hi Joan,

 I understand.  I'm mousy brown and gray, but I admit I look at the advertising for wrinkle creams. I guess everything in proportion.  And who could argue with human need for beauty and appreciation of it in our lives!

Big oil has billions of ill gained profits under Cheney and Bush and has the most to lose under Gore so expect attacks (even here).

Obama Calls for Ouster of Official After Remark

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 — Senator Barack Obama said the leader of the civil rights division of the Justice Department should step down after suggesting that minority voters were not widely disenfranchised by laws requiring photo identification because many members of minorities died before reaching old age....

“Creating problems for elderly persons just is not good under any circumstance,” Mr. Tanner told the National Latino Congreso, according to a video posted on YouTube. “Of course, that also ties into the racial aspect because our society is such that minorities don’t become elderly the way white people do. They die first.”...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/21/us/pol...

I do wish the attacks on Linda NM would stop.

There are plenty of posters on this blog trying to smear -- one by one -- every Democratic candidate running for prez. I don't see much negative response to that, or is it that nobody is reading those smears? I hope it is the latter.

Susan wrote "What a funny comment 'Gore supporters manipulating this poll'

You would think so, but Linda was among the first to cast doubt on the integrity of the poll when she wrote Friday:

"NOVEMBER 5????????? This isn't a poll this is a marketing scheme allowing folks to come on and manipulate the numbers.  I've never seen a 3 WEEK POLL???? Can we be a bit more honest and transparent and complete this? 3 weeks? 3 days are the max I've ever seen on a poll, especially because you allow any mailing address and name to be added. It is not controlled. This is wrong. Please. Complete this if you want it to have any merit." 

actually since we lost the anti-blog, and Fred has reformed, the comity has been remarkable.  The pulsepoll shows we are all over the place in our support

Phil wrote "If Al Gore . . .wants the people to truly pick their representative then the longer he waits and he still gets the nomination the more change agent he will be, and change agent is what he is."

I suppose, but there's a catch.  Tthe longer he waits, the less likely he is to get the nomination.

On Bill Moyer's Journal Friday night, the privatization of the military began in earnest under Bill Clinton.  Jeremy Scahill, the author of the book, Blackwater, presented a very frightening analysis of the privatization of the military and the implications of it.  For instance, even if Blackwater leaves Iraq, they have more imporant and more lucrative contracts elsewhere. 

And Prince is a supporter of Focus on the Family, Gary Bauer, and other right wing evangelicals, and he has all kinds of money connections to the Republicans and the Bush administration.  Not long ago, I read that they were going to acquire an air force.  

We are seeing a world utterly different from the 50's, 60's, and 70's, and much of this change began with Nixon and  his approving the HMOs as health care providers and then Reagan, who weakened the regulations of so many agencies, and then Bill Clinton who went along with everything free market, privatizing, and exploitive.  How so many people in the Democratic Party support and rever eBill Clinton is amazing to me.  If anything, this phenomenon demonstrates that Americans are still mesmerized by charisma, by movie stars and don't think deeply or seriously about the importance of solid, thoughtful, diligent good governance.  

I think that if you wanted to keep the current calendar for another cycle you might get in sooner, but if you wanted to win the late states and go into the convention like the Colorado Rockies got to the Series January would be soon enough as long as volunteers got the signatures to put your name on the ballots.

The Beauty Path

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpNBK9UTW...

Phil wrote "I think that if you wanted to keep the current calendar for another cycle you might get in sooner, but if you wanted to win the late states and go into the convention like the Colorado Rockies got to the Series January would be soon enough as long as volunteers got the signatures to put your name on the ballots."

I think the field dictates the accuracy of this.  I'm keeping my eye on the Fred Thompson campaign for one example.

The very possibility of a Gore campaign keeps the others focused on issues, because he would run to accomplish change, not for any personal reason, so it keeps the race from becoming trivialized.

129. yet the 4 candidates with the most votes combined get 84.84% of the total vote. seems like an odd number for some reason?

gore, edwards, obama, kucinich.

is this the center of the 8 declared and one write-in? are they the prettyist, most experienced, most likable, most...what?

if we compared these 4, what are the points most in common and most uncommon between them? would that measurement represent us?

19.  For shame Phil.  You, of all people should know that the candidate isn't responsible for people being lazy and going with the current flavor.  Putting the onus on candidates to "persuade" or "convince" the voters that they are the answer to everyone's dream is really demeaning to the process.

On August first who would have thought the Rockies would be in the Series?

Gore has as good of odds of winning the nomination as any now in the race if he would be persuaded to enter.

Monica wrote "For shame Phil.  You, of all people should know that the candidate isn't responsible for people being lazy and going with the current flavor."

Phil, how could you?  How embarrassing.

it was a joke Monica

loved your Dodd coverage, and love his hold on FISA changes

Phil wrote "Gore has as good of odds of winning the nomination as any now in the race if he would be persuaded to enter."

He really doesn't, but I agree he would have a chance of winning it.

mprov

they have all repudiated the Iraq war

131.  I think it's a guy thing.  When you tall a guy he's something he's not, he's going to bend over backwards to prove that he's not what you claim.  That's what accounts for young males going out to and screwing around without giving any thought to what's involved for their prey.  That's what happened to Bill Clinton.  They kept accusing him of being anti-military so he let them get away with planning all kinds of stupid stuff.

Well, I gotta get back up the ladder.  Almost done.

Al Gore 31.25% as of Sun, 21 Oct 2007 13:43:29 -0400

119.

I was impressed/unimpressed with Biden/Romney also.

Mike Huckabee has the potential to become the "Jimmy Who?" of the GOP. While he is too conservative on several issues for my taste, at least he is a good, honest and bright person.

I prefer when the lesser evil isn't even really evil. Protects us all.

-- volney

Hi Susan, "133, love d watching The Path of Beauty, also checked out the slow flight of the bumblebee and an extremely close lightning strike.

Off for now.  Enjoyed the discussion. 

Tom I very much appreciate you posting my comment in it's entirity, instead of just pulling a piece out to post.

The entire meaning doesn't get lost. Yes and I still agree, the merit of a polling to have a time frame of which to vote, instead of just leaving it up for such a lenghthy time as this is posted for 3 weeks.

A time frame to get supporters to cast their vote, versus an open and extended online forum of which the longer it stays, the longer it can have a tilted or skewed results? It takes only a few days to get supporters and active members to make their vote, the longer it stays up, the longer external influence is possible.

This voting has occured within only a couple of days of the poll and jives with the membership. AS of now. yesterday showed 27 new members, today 11.

And that is also why I asked DFA think about have a deadline line of days, not 3 weeks. It has more of a chance to be representative of active members.

Pat, Susan, Phil, Joan, et al, thank you for your supportive comments.

Yes, Phi, it's just unfortunate when they are personal attacks to me, making false accusations.

PHI? s/b Phil.

And that is also why I asked DFA think about have a deadline line of days, not 3 weeks. It has more of a chance to be representative of active members.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

part of it might be to add those new members

I would think the hundreds of thousands of Gore supporters at other sites might be tempted to join DFA

One thing I want to mention in regards to the pulse poll, Gore is not running and people need to realize this and drop this pipe dream now. Support someone who has committed to being in the race.

There's always time to settle for second best. 

John Edwards would be a domestic President

Hopefully he can wash dishes and vacuum better than he debated Cheney in 2004. 

I,also, thought the letter sent to Martinez was really well done. He has just resigned from being the head of the RNC in the last few days. I read it was a surprise resignation.

Here's the C&P from this week's Newsweek newsletter:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/57351/?rf=snw...
Papers? I Don’t See Any Papers.
He says he's 'pro-disclosure,' but Bill has kept Hillary's White House files under wraps.

==================================================

Much of the world dismisses Paul as a libertarian crank. But mainstream candidates from Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney have good reason to watch him. That reason's called the New Hampshire primary. Always unpredictable—there's not even a date set for it yet—the primary is more mysterious now because a record 44 percent of voters have registered "undeclared."

Darkest of Horses: Paul may surprise in New Hampshire
It’s Independents’ Day
In New Hampshire even Ron Paul could have a shot.
Oct 29, 2007 Issue

http://www.newsweek.com/id/57350/?rf=snw...

=================================================

THE LAST WORD
Anna Quindlen
Dialing For Dollars
Public financing for election campaigns may not be a panacea, but it's got to be better than what we're doing now.
Oct 29, 2007 Issue

http://www.newsweek.com/id/57336/?rf=snw...
=================================================

CAPITOL LETTER
Eleanor Clift
POLITICS
Lieberman’s Limbo
Neither side fully trusts the 'Independent' senator as he straddles an awkward divide between his former party and his Republican friends.
Oct 19, 2007 | Updated: 7:34 p.m. ET Oct 19, 2007

http://www.newsweek.com/id/57290/?rf=snw...

=================================================

Confessions of a New York Times Liberal
Paul Krugman on his new book and the benefits of Bush bashing
By Daniel Gross | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Oct 19, 2007 | Updated: 2:11 p.m. ET Oct 19, 2007

http://www.newsweek.com/id/57216/?rf=snw...

================================================

THE WORLD FROM WASHINGTON
Michael Hirsh
A Dangerous Game
Condi Rice raises Palestinian hopes—to the Israelis' chagrin.
Oct 18, 2007 | Updated: 10:54 a.m. ET Oct 18, 2007

http://www.newsweek.com/id/56557/?rf=snw...

==============================================

This one's pretty interesting by the son of the author of DELIVERANCE. He compares Cheney to Burt Reynolds's character in the movie:

War and Deliverance
A new DVD of an old movie may offer perspective on American attitudes behind the invasion of Iraq.
Oct 17, 2007 | Updated: 12:44 p.m. ET Oct 17, 2007

http://www.newsweek.com/id/53461/?rf=snw...

they have all repudiated the Iraq war

And those who voted for it have therefor repudiated themselves. 

YES, jodi f, a fanTAStic letter. Thank you for writing and sharing.

Lot of commotion here --

-- but did you notice that the one who started all this, ie. JB (not Joe Biden, Jared Barrett), has left the building ?

from Stephen Crane's poetry

The "pulse" poll is more like a long drawn-out mobilize your forces poll.

Does anyone seriously believe that only 38 new members have joined DFA in the past couple of days? This poll is up all over the Internet, even on the freeper site. We are being freeped.

I'd like clarification from HQ how many new people have "joined" since the poll began. It is NOT a valid count of what DFA members believe. No way to tell.

And those who voted for it have therefor repudiated themselves. 

Is there no forgiveness, at all, ever?

Edwards has repudiated his vote and publicly apologized for it. That should set him (and the others who have done the same) apart from Hillary, who keeps trying to spin her vote into something it wasn't--ditto Kyl-Lieberman

The IPPC summary report is coming out in November and it will raise the alarm as never before .

"Strong worldwide economic growth has accelerated the level of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere to a dangerous threshold scientists had not expected for another decade, according to a leading Australian climate change expert.

Scientist Tim Flannery told Australian Broadcasting Corp. that an upcoming report by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will contain new data showing that the level of climate-changing gases in the atmosphere has already reached critical levels. "

AP
Scientist: Greenhouse Gas Levels Grave
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ji18l...:

161.

HC doesn't feel she has to apologize -- she has Bill.

...keeping in mind that the other candidates continue receive some votes as well.

Patriots just won (again)

now 7-0 in the season

49-28 versus the Dolphins

s/b keeping in mind that the other candidates continue *receiving* some votes as well.

Dry weather and high winds are causing terrible wildfires already, again, in Cali. Now homes, business, schools and mansions all appear threatened in some of the most populated areas, not rural.

Wildfires force students from dorms, shut Pacific Coast Highway
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/21/wildfir...

160

And Steve,

Anyone can vote here on this very "scientific" poll as many times as they want or have time to.

2nd and subsequent votes cancel prior votes.

168.

Joan -

Yep.

I voted once OEB (and not OOO) and that's what I'm sticking with. The PPP asked for top three and that's how I voted, three candidates, not one times three.

I have to congratulate and thank CNN for changing their "CNN" from red to green and leaving the words above it to read World In Peril.

MS should follow suit and acknowledge our global crisis.

steve, seems hillary would be in 1st if we were being freeped as they're counting on her being the candidate to beat???

mprov
Sun, 10/21/07
4:17 pm

Joan, that's right. I'm interested in the results, but it doesn't really mean what DFA is thinking. It's really just a way to get email addresses and have some fun with it.

BTW, MPROV. it's one vote per EMAIL address. If you have more, you can sign up and vote more than once. And I'm sure the devoted will be doing that. 

If they really want to know what DFA members think, then it has to be done scientifically. That's always what's been wrong with the voting for progressive candidates. It just shows who has the most diehard followers and can logon to vote.

* rdorgan
Sun, 10/21/07
4:10 pm
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yeah, so what..........the taping scandal in the first game against the Jets makes me wonder about that team and its supporters....................

169.

mprov,

Nothing indicates that anything so sophisticated as reading a cyber ID on a computer exists on this blog:))

steve, while the opportunity to "cheat" may exist, it doesn't mean that a significant number of people will cheat. remember that the winner has to get 66% to get an endorsement. which one can do that? especially considering that most voters appear to be die hard followers?

Joan* In*Florida
Sun, 10/21/07
4:26 pm

Hey, but we can bend time!!

John Edwards would be a domestic President

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Nonsense..........this country will NEVER have a domestic President until we extricate oursleves from the ME, re-evaluate our alliances there ad basically quit poking our noses in other peoples domestic affairs the world over...........also put a stranglehold on the military.............can you believe it?   a college bowl game is going to be sponsored by the USArmy.................that takes the cake

I think that if DFA were really wanting to make an endorsement, then they should list ONLY declared candidates. Putting 'other' in there was a concession to many who want Gore. They were lobbied to include Gore and this was the "compromise". But Gore is not on the ballot and is undeclared. So it should list only the candidates actually in the race, IMO.

I would support Gore but NOT until he decides to enter. Why is he on the ballot?

It just shows who has the most diehard followers and can logon to vote. 

It also shows that Draftgore.com is a good organization. It was they who alerted the people on their email list to vote for Gore. I'm assuming the others with bigger %s did the same (Hillary's crew obviously don't care about us "rag-tag" reformers at DFA.) Draftgore did it the best.

mprov
Sun, 10/21/07
4:27 pm

Perhaps cheating isn't widespread. But I think non-members have "joined" to vote. I'd like to know how many have just joined. Don't believe that it's only a couple dozen.

Anyway, not worth getting upset about. There isn't going to be an endorsement with this poll.

Why is he on the ballot?

He isn't. His votes are all write-ins.....grassroots. 

There isn't going to be an endorsement with this poll.

That would suit me fine. DFA doesn't need to get into the bandwagon business. 

Sitka
Sun, 10/21/07
4:34 pm

Well, he isn't even running for President. Why have "other" as a choice rather than those who have stepped up to the plate? You con't get "other" on real ballots.

WImpy. For DFA not to endorse as a leading progressive organization, that is just a way for Clinton 2.0 to continue her steamroll.

Three words.....instant runoff voting. That could be done on this poll to get an endorsement.

But people would have to list three separate candidates, not just one. What is the purpose of the 2nd and 3rd choices? Let's use it.

I assume that the purpose of this poll is simply to gauge where people stand -- or want to. And as you pointed out -- to attract interest and new members.

You seemed to be a happy camper when Edwards had the lead. 

WImpy. For DFA not to endorse as a leading progressive organization, that is just a way for Clinton 2.0 to continue her steamroll.

DFA is about grassroots reform. Not having a chair in smoke filled rooms. Or that's at least what I expect and hope of it. 

tee hee!

google

run, Al, run!

and hit "I'm feeling Lucy"

What is the purpose of the 2nd and 3rd choices?

Charles pointed out that it's to show what people think. And that's it's best purpose. Endorsing anyone now would be divisive anyway. 

Sitka
Sun, 10/21/07
4:41 pm

Exactly. And DFA is supposed to be about supporting progressive candidates and first and foremost, a donating PAC. To sit this one out because it doesn't want to provide a way to reach a conclusion (IRV) is wimpy. I would go along with what members wanted if we used runoff voting.

Putting "other" in there just made the poll meaningless, IMO.

My guess is that if Edwards drops to third place, Indy will no longer want DFA to endorse the second place finisher.

Sitka
Sun, 10/21/07
4:43 pm

Oh, my. We wouldn't want to be "divisive" now would we. Unfortunately, that kind of thinking plays right into Clinton's gameplan. Gee, thanks DFA. IRV should be used to determine an endorsement. Sitting this election out isn't an option. We are DFA, not the DNC!

Putting "other" in there just made the poll meaningless, IMO.

It gives the poll more meaning by accurately showing the amount of dissatisfaction with the declared candidates. 

Sitka
Sun, 10/21/07
4:46 pm

LOL. I just wrote I'd go along with the top vote-getter of a fairly designed poll with the declared candidates. That's democracy. Using IRV to get a majority. It can be done.

Oh, my. We wouldn't want to be "divisive" now would we.

How would driving away supporters serve DFA and it's purpose?

You're obviously a loner on this one. 

Gotta go. DFA, be bold. Devise a fair poll with IRV. Endorse a candidate.

We are adults and can live with it.

DFA, be bold. Devise a fair poll with IRV. Endorse a candidate.

There's no need for it. Carry on as you are, DFA. 

yes Joan you can vote as many times as you want but your last vote is erased

just think of it as Iowa's re-alignment period and pactice for Howard's next run

~~~~~~~~

165 rdorgan Brady had one of the best first half performances I have ever seen at QB 

if the Sox catch some of that mojo they will be playing the Rockies next

the repug guy just elected governor of LA just said on cnn: "...if you get an education, work hard, and play by the rules..."

let's see, where have i heard that before...

http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/22648#comment

3834

Al Gore1698631.46%John Edwards1204922.32%

202  Does that mean we are supposed to move?

Couldn't get on the net for almost an hour.  The number I have for Verizon DSL told me it was invalid.  LOL 

I'm thinking 200 comments is enough for any one thread. more of a suggestion

And for a diversion:

the repug guy just elected governor of LA just said on cnn: "...if you get an education, work hard, and play by the rules..."

let's see, where have i heard that before...

Not from Bush. 

206. A Thread this long punishes the dialup people

In an unusual campaign mailing sent to voters in Iowa, Sen. Hillary Clinton defends her vote in favor of the so-called "Lieberman-Kyl" resolution on Iran, calling it a "vote for stepped up diplomacy" and not permission for the Bush Administration to invade the country.

Give us a freakin' break Hillary!

Biden to join Dodd in hold, filibuster on retroactive immunity for the telcos, but Hillary and Obama waver on the sidelines 10/21

They're both swimming in cash from these crooks

Pelosi Never Learns a Lesson. You Support Your Team. You Don't Apologize. You Stare the Republican Slanderers Down. You Stand By Your Own. But Not Nancy, She and Harry are Two Craven "Leaders" Who Always Get Intimidated and Bullied by the Republican Junkyard Dogs: "Speaker Pelosi rebukes fellow Bay area liberal over war comments." Pete Stark, Stand Strong. BuzzFlash Rebukes Pelosi for Enabling Years of Republican Slander and Libel -- and Then Rebuking Stark for Telling the Truth. The Only Way to be Strong and Get the Respect of the American Public is to Stand up to the Schoolyard Bullies. 10/20

Why would Al Gore even consider running for president when he would be saddled with the likes of Pelosi and Reid as congressional "Leaders"

Why would Al Gore even consider running for president when he would be saddled with the likes of Pelosi and Reid as congressional "Leaders"

They seem to like being pushed around. Let Gore do the pushing. 

ok, so then everybody move......

http://blogforamerica.com/view/22648

Frankly, if Al Gore steps in at the Democratic National Convention, that will be all right with me.  I'm sick of the money, the hype, the collusion, the bribery that all this hooha campaigning brings.

Have any of you noticed all the solicitation phone calls for money from the Democratic Party, Human Rights, the Humane Society, the Cancer Society, etc.?  It seems to me out of control.  We must get at least three phone calls a day.  

What ever happened to enoughness?  These organizations are acting on the marketing model of growth, growth, growth, more and more money. I've said to most of them, enough already, and nothing to the Democratic Congress until they show some spine.

And, the more I read about Hillary and Bill, the more I get chills.  I simply don't trust them, and I hope that she isn't the nominee.  I'm thinking more and more that I can't be a Democrat any more. 

213.Even if they manage to maintain control of congress (not a "gimme", given their current unpopularity) they'll continue to capitulate to the bullying of the Republican minority.

Give us a freakin' break Hillary!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

October 10, 2002

"Because bipartisan support for this resolution makes success in the United Nations more likely, and therefore, war less likely, and because a good faith effort by the United States, even if it fails, will bring more allies and legitimacy to our cause, I have concluded, after careful and serious consideration, that a vote for the resolution best serves the security of our nation.....

My vote is not, however, a vote for any new doctrine of pre-emption, or for uni-lateralism, or for the arrogance of American power or purpose -- all of which carry grave dangers for our nation, for the rule of international law and for the peace and security of people throughout the world."

If you want to see fence straddling at its most revolting, read the entire speech. 

Even if they manage to maintain control of congress (not a "gimme", given their current unpopularity) they'll continue to capitulate to the bullying of the Republican minority.

Or rather the DLC minority within the Dem Party -- which amounts to the same thing. But we're still better off with Gore in the WH than any of the others. 

Pat wrote "Frankly, if Al Gore steps in at the Democratic National Convention, that will be all right with me."

That would be plain, old-fashioned awsome.  It would be the first convention worth watching since 1968.  I can't sit through one more soporific like the last one. 

And I won't vote for Hillary Clinton: $800,000 from the HMO's, Murdock's support, the Kyl/Liberman Amendment, the Flag/Burning Amerndment, the Iraq War vote, the refusal to take a principled stand on the Iraq War, etc.  No Way, Hillary, and it makes me sad.  With only 16 percent of Congress as females, there is a terrible imbalance, and I would say that the patriarchy is still very much with us as is prejudice and bigotry.  But, it's not gender or ethnicity; it's character, integrity, and honesty.

Pat in Colorado
Sun, 10/21/07
6:14 pm
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I think Gore has reasoned it out that this country has some MAJOR issues at hand and a man of his talents and ethics is not worth his time............a confused, idiotic media, out of control military industrial complex and corporations, a congress bought and paid for by special foreign interests, half a population that arent worth the effort of trying to make their lives better,a grwoing global and economic crisis/depression on hand............the list goes on......its a surreal task at hand for even the best on intentioned candidte, of which there are only one or two............the rest?      Not even worth mentioning in this post................

Finally, the DLC, Hillary and Bill must think we are all stupid.  I hope they are wrong.

Pat wrote "And I won't vote for Hillary Clinton: $800,000 from the HMO's, Murdock's support, the Kyl/Liberman Amendment, the Flag/Burning Amerndment, the Iraq War vote, the refusal to take a principled stand on the Iraq War, etc."

She is the establishment candidate.  It's a waste to even follow her around in the primary campaign, the same as it would have been for Kerry in 2004.

Having said all that, are you saying you'll support a different candidate if she becomes the Democratic nominee?

Having said all that, are you saying you'll support a different candidate if she becomes the Democratic nominee?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

She will either 1) painnfuly hold her nose and vote 2) stay home or 3) write in a candidate

In addition, you must be aware that Murdoch's support for Clinton doesn't substantively distinguish her from Al Gore, who was quoted this way by Andrew Ross Sorkin and Richard Siklos in the New York Times in July:

"Mr. Murdoch’s potential stewardship of The Journal gained an unlikely endorsement yesterday, given both his and The Journal’s traditionally conservative politics.

"In an interview, former Vice President Al Gore defended Mr. Murdoch as someone who supports independent voices and keeps his word. Mr. Gore was referring to his own experience negotiating a contract to carry Current TV, a cable channel he helped found.

"Mr. Gore, who has spoken out against media consolidation by conglomerates like the News Corporation in the past, said that he was mainly concerned with ownership of broadcast outlets. 'That’s an issue — but on the question of his openness to independent points of view, I want you to know that my experience has been that when he gave his word, he kept his word.'"

Mike wrote "[Pat] will either 1) painnfuly hold her nose and vote 2) stay home or 3) write in a candidate."

You will or Pat will?  I was kind of hoping she wouldn't speak through a spokesperson.

Hi again,

I won't vote for Hillary.  I will not compromise my vote.  No more, not ever again.  I voted for Kerry, whom I thought was weak and not very bright because he was at least better than Bush, but then so was my Lasa Apso, Kiki.  

I will not vote for someone whose integrity I question.  I expect to disagree with a candidate on some issues, but I won't compromise integrity, and I don't think Hillary or Bill has it.  

Obama and Edwards I would still consider. 

Pat wrote "I won't vote for Hillary."

I don't understand.  You will be in the voting both under this hypothesis, with Hillary on the ballot against Giuliani, McCain, Romney or Thompson (or some other buffoon; what a rogue's gallery.)  How are you going to vote?

The Green Party

Tom Bearse
Sun, 10/21/07
6:49 pm
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

pats scenario, Tom, will be replayed countless times next year...........multiply what her and I and probabaly Huron and several others here by several hundred thousand or more and youve got a real voting block of discontented and disillusioned voters......................dont blame us, blame yourseof for putting up with crap time and again................

Pat wrote "The Green Party."

As is your perfect right, but before you do, I'd like to open this to discussion.  The House SCHIP bill was vetoed by Bush and the vote to override the veto failed 273-156.  There are 233 House Democrats.  229 voted to override.  In other words, The Democrats got 44 Republicans to break ranks on the vote, and still fell 13 votes short of an override.

This, to me, illustrates the utterly crucial need for a Democratic President because no Democrat in the Oval Office would ever, under any circumstances, waver even momentarily on a bill of this importance to Democrats, meaning there would never have been a veto for which the House would have to face such daunting odds in mustering an override.  I know Mike doesn't appreciate this sort of analysis, but you are a thoughtful person with strong reasoning ability.  Do you see the way in which having a marginally progressive Democrat as president outstrips the value of a protest vote for even the most ideologically impressive, radically left-leaning third party candidate?

Hi Tom,

I understand your argument, but I'm not sure that because someone says she/he is a democrat that we can rely on that.  First of all, I'm not sure that the SCHIP bill was a good one.  When you can get the government insurance and be making $83,000.00 a year, was it that this bill was inflated?  Further, according to one of our friends who is very active in the Democratic Party, the bill was simply a block grant to states without regulation, accountability, or checks.  So, I'm not at all sure this was a good bill in the first place.  There was a time when legistlation took time, took scrutinizing.

Under Bill Clinton, labor unions continued to lose influence, outsourcing expanded, corporate influence increased, privatizing made a huge expansion, NAFTA and other free trade practices cost people jobs and neither protections with respect to the work place, the job, or safety were put in place, not to mention the environment.  We lived in Inner Mongolia for a year, and I came back with asthma.  We couldn't drink the water unless it was boiled.  The number one cause of death was respiratory disease, and it still is.

So, tell me, Tom, do we reallly benefit from a Democrat who purports to uphold principles that will benefit the people of this country, but doesn't?  How do we work our way through this? And, I do think all the money, influence, and collusion in the system is corrupting, and the Clintons are very much a part of this.

Here, Mark Fiore on Spinocrat, though I think it may have been posted a couple of days ago. 

Let's explore this a little further.  Gore is denied the election in 2000 because of the complicity of a bare majority of Supreme Court justices willing to issue a decision lacking any juridical rigor and with no precedential value to halt a state court ordered recount on the strength of an equal rights argument purporting to favor the rights of a state to count votes. 

After that deplorable decision, two justices are added to the Court, Roberts and Aulito.  Obviously, they are well qualified nominees, just politically ally driven ideologues in the mold of Scalia.  Any Democratic President, from Clinton on down, would be in the position to fill at least one court vacancy and probably more.  A Green Party vote in the presidential election, however, does for Democrats what Nader did in 2000.  Gore received waves of criticism that year as a stiff, establishment candidate beholden to corporations, all poorly founded, but certainly convincing enough to persuade an ultimately significant number of Florida voters to vote for Nader instead.  Are we better off now as a result?

Tom Bearse
Sun, 10/21/07
7:27 pm
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lets explore this even further than further.............Im writing in "Iggy"

No, we aren't better off, but would someone without integrity have changed this? 

We have a crazy group of people in this country who would have been laughed at forty years ago for their beliefs, their prejudice, their ideological insanity, but instead we have Rush Limbaugh with 20 million listeners, Ann Coulter is who is a monster, Fox News, Cal Thomas, a percentage of our population that would make this country into a theocracy, would just as soon see the poor, the unfortuante, the incapacitated tossed onto a garbage heap and piously invoke the name of Jesus as they were doing this.

 We can't compromise with these people, which Pelosi, Reid, and most democrats don't seem to recognize.  Thus we get Democrats who are Republicans.  

I don't have an answer, Tom, and I understand your argument and passion to somehow extricate this country from the crazies.  But, by allowing a corrupt system to compromise principles, are we not still doing damage? 

The Poetry Half Hour is on the radio, so will bbl.

It's a dilemma and one I don't really have a satisfactory answer for, but I'm working on it. 

This is just tangential, but Pat wrote "When you can get the government insurance and be making $83,000.00 a year, was it that this bill was inflated?"

Here are excerpts of a brief explanation of this characterization of the bill from Think Progress:

"One of most egregious canards being propogated by the White House about the SCHIP expansion is that it will provide health insurance for the wealthy. President Bush claimed at a press conference last week that Congress “made a decision to expand the eligibility up to $80,000. He repeated it in his Saturday radio address:

"BUSH: Their proposal would result in taking a program meant to help poor children and turning it into one that covers children in some households with incomes of up to $83,000 a year.

" . . . .

"However, no such proposal exists.  The $83,000 figure comes from a request from New York to cover children in some slightly higher-income households because of the state’s high cost of living, but the final Congressional agreement put the poorest children "first in line" for benefits.

"    . . . .

"Angered by the White House’s false spin, Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) fired back

"The president’s understanding of our bill is wrong,' Grassley said, his voice rising with anger. 'I urge him to reconsider his veto message based on a bill we might pass, not something someone on his staff told him wrongly is in my bill.'"

Bravo Pat...well said!!!

Mike wrote "Lets explore this even further than further."

I'm waiting.

baseball football hockey and basketball all tonight and I'm blogging?

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version

SS Bajwa suffered serious head injuries when he fell from the first-floor terrace of his home on Saturday morning trying to fight off the monkeys.

The city has long struggled to counter its plague of monkeys, which invade government complexes and temples, snatch food and scare passers-by.

The High Court demanded the city find an answer to the problem last year.

Solution elusive

One approach has been to train bands of larger, more ferocious langur monkeys to go after the smaller groups of Rhesus macaques.

let's blame those that nominated a candidate that progressives refuse to vote for if it happens not those living their values

Phil wrote "let's blame those that nominated a candidate that progressives refuse to vote for if it happens not those living their values."

I'm blaming progressives if they refuse to vote for Gore when Bush is on the other side of the ballot.    

Once every four years every citizen gets to have a real say. Gore won so that election no one was too blame but the Supremes.

If Democrats can't nominate someone to really excite the base and bring in progressives next time they deserve to lose. the voters showed their clear preference for that direction in the last election

One approach has been to train bands of larger, more ferocious langur monkeys

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

anyone else think this might backfire?

Good evening!

How rude of me to blog and run earlier this afternoon. I should have said I'd be back later.

Indy the colors are spectacular and still very vibrant. The background of Lake Champlain is amazing. The sunsets are incredibly beautiful.

I spent the afternoon with listener and her hubby. Had a lovely stroll along the lake, then some yummy crepes for lunch. Then a leisurely stroll down the main drag (Charles Street, if memory serves me correctly). I love it here!

We stopped at Ben & Jerry's for a scoop and listener bought me this really cool pink hat with cows on the inside of the brim, and one lone one stiched on the bill. And the best part is I'm here until Wednesday!

Wish you could all be here with me. Tomorrow I'm going to try to head over to HQ, so look out guys and gals. I know where you live! LOL

Edwards is increasing his lead over Obama.

leaves were nice here too today Denise

football beckons so bbl

http://www.wfmu.org/playlists/shows/24832

 Title: The Animals - The Black Plague lyrics

http://www.lyrics007.com/The%20Animals%20Lyrics/The%20Black%20Plague%20Lyrics.html

http://www.wfmu.org/playlists/shows/24945

Phil wrote "If Democrats can't nominate someone to really excite the base and bring in progressives next time they deserve to lose."

Especially after Dean went through all the trouble to debate Nader, it is somewhat frustrating to come to this site to read this sort of philosophy.  Is it really that hard to go back in time and reprise the arguments?  For example,  "Gore is nothing but a handmaiden of the large corporations.  Look how he obliterated Perot with his pro-NASFTA arguments.  The Clinton administration made sure big business got every concession they sought, from the broadcast spectrum fire sale to the death of the Kyoto accord. 

"I'm not voting for someone who shakes down Buddhist monks for campaign funds. One party takes money from big business and does favors for them, while the other party takes money from big business and does favors for them, but says it's wrong."

Where is your irony sensor? 

Who will be the best friend of Labor?

robert plant & alison kraus  rich woman   raising sand      *   1:47:55 (Real | MP3 | Pop‑up)http://www.wfmu.org/playlists/shows/24933

Plant and Kraus!!

Thanks paine :)

The best friend of labor is an epidural.

Or a C-section?

Large l, not small l.

http://www.wfmu.org/playlists/shows/24871

Sex Pistols  God Save The Queen live at Winterland Jan 14 1978           1978    0:38:35 (Real | MP3 | Pop‑up)

thar's a new-un!

http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/22647...

Winterland!

RIP Bill Graham

Speaking of queen - I saw the Cate Blanchett version of Elizabeth, the Golden Age this afternoon. Wow what a performance - quite different than Helen Mirren but just as good. It focused on a different time in her reign. See if they had movies like this back in high school I would have paid attention to World History. But we did have a cool biology nun that would run old Jack Lemmon movies when she didn't feel like teaching. Under the Yum Yum Tree - hey at least it had the word "tree" in its title.

Isaw my first World Series when the principle nun at Catholic Elementary allowed our class to watch.  !967 Red Sox against some other team.  Was better than getting your palms swatted with a ruler.

235.

Pat in Colorado

Well said.

______________________

241. Phil, agreed

______________________

And might I add how nice it was to see the excitement of folks being able to add their voice for their prefered candidate.

And Al Gore is getting the support from the people, with no help from HQ, not listing of his name anywhere on the ballot, no letter being emailed out to members asking for votes, and no posting of a letter from the candidate on the blog.

And we have every darn right to be happy about Al Gore getting such support, particularly as a write in, instead of some coming here to find a way to complain with attacks or false accusations and their rules, because their preferred candidate is not getting their post up at the right time of day, or that "other" was offered.


Superman wears Al Gore pajamas.