Howard is first!

Hope there is a valid reason why he can't be at TBA. Maybe it has something to do with this being an election year, ya think? :)

Hi Denise

Barack Obama won the Democrats Abroad global primary in results announced today, giving him 11 straight victories in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/politics/bal-obamaabroad0221,0,1970988.story

12:24 PM EST

http://www.katc.com/global/story.asp?s=7905041

Associated Press - February 21, 2008 12:13 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AP) - Barack Obama is gaining yet more support from organized labor today.

A union official tells The Associated Press that the new Change to Win labor federation will give its first presidential endorsement to Obama. The 6-million member federation is made up of 7 unions, 4 of which have already endorsed the Illinois senator -- including the Teamsters.

...

It's not immediately known what the endorsement means for the United Farm Workers. They are part of Change to Win and have endorsed Hillary Rodham Clinton. It is also unclear what it means for the federation's two uncommitted unions, the Laborers' International Union and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, which had endorsed John Edwards.

The unions in the Change to Win federation broke from the AFL-CIO three years ago.

"A strategy of doing nothing and letting globalization run its course won't result in the imminent collapse of the American economy." .... "But over the long term doing nothing probably means an America very different from the one most of us grew up in. It will mean a nation more stratified economically and socially" ... "It will mean an America in which we continue to mortgage our assets to foreign leaders" .... "an America in which we underinvest in basic scientific research" ... "an America that's more politically polarized " ... "Worst of all it will mean fewer opportunities for younger Americans, a decline in the upward mobility that's been at the heart of this country's promise since it's founding." Barack Obama

Well thank you for the all nice remarks welcoming be back, although I am uncertain about tieing my name in with Bobby O....arrghhh

 So the Iraqi plane remains on the ground well guarded with no people or photographers allowed near it.  I am living in my RV less then a couple miles away.  On the noon news the story from the government changed once again and they have refused to say who was flying the plane.

People here who talked to the pilot and passengers said they were Iraqi.  The Department of Defense says they were US Citizens.  People here were told the plane was brought to the US for repairs.  I can't imagine why it would be brought here for simple repairs...there's more to this then what the government is telling.

 And I am still bothered that this plane crashed landed about thirty minutes before the two US Air Force jets were reported missing and eventually reported crashed.

 All of it coincidence....maybe...but maybe not

 "we have to fight them there or we will have to fight them here" lol

Hi Joan! Bet you're enjoying some nice weather. Still cool and a bit rainy here, but the clouds didn't diminish last night's eclipse too badly.

Just breezing in and out between appts today. We have a visit from a vendor who is bringing lunch so it was worth coming in today. LOL

Pat, got your comment last thread about Pago Pago. It is so cool, all of the places you have lived. When I think of Pago Pago, I think of an old restaurant in downtown Chicago where we used to go to lunch for Polynesian food (cheap!). "One of those days" usually turned into a shout across the office "Pago Pago!"

s m, glad you are safe.

I hate this old McCain old rumor story. In addition to the suspicious timing, it has become another diversion for the media and their ever-present bottom line.

It may also be their excuse not to cover the Democrats' primary. Or be used as an excuse when they lose the general election. Could also be I am a conspiracy theorist:))

Democrats to face off in must-win state for Clinton

Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois will face off in a Democratic presidential debate in Austin Thursday.

The debate, to be held on the campus of the University of Texas, will air live on CNN, CNN International and CNN.com from 8 to 9:30 p.m. ET. The debate will also air in Spanish on Univision at 11:30 p.m. ET.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/21/t...

Here's a quick overview of our newest Web 2.0 widgets:

Cozmo Video Player: Our new Cozmo widget allows you to easily watch different video clips we've posted, including a clip of Al Gore and me at an event together, my speech on global warming at the National Press Club, and a CNN news segment where I talk about climate change with Wolf Blitzer.  You can even embed our Cozmo widget on your own website, where new videos will be posted automatically as we publish them!

Eventful: Through our Eventful widget, you can vote for me to visit your city for an event.  As campaign season heats up, and as the Senate schedule allows, I'll do my best to schedule a visit.  So be sure to vote for your city, and invite other friends to participate as well!

Bridgit: With our Bridgit widget, you can easily "bridge" yourself to my Facebook profile, MySpace page, and a host of other online communities that I'm now a part of. I'm hoping that you'll "friend" me on one or more of these sites that you frequent -- and if you ever forget how to get to one of my online profiles, you can always visit my Bridgit page to "bridge" yourself again.

Invite me to visit your town, watch a few videos, or "bridge" yourself to one of my online social networking profiles.  Click here to visit our Web 2.0 Widget page today!

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These new widgets are a great way to communicate with each other, to show your support for my work, and to invite new people to join our Barbara Boxer.com online community too.  So I hope you’ll check them out!

Help us build our BarbaraBoxer.com online community across MySpace, Facebook, and the blogosphere. Click here to visit our Web 2.0 Widget page now!

Thank you so much for your continued support.  I hope you enjoy these new Web 2.0 widgets!

In Friendship,

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U.S. Senator

P.S.  If you're not familiar with these new Web 2.0 widgets, don't worry:  Take it from this grandmother, they're really fun and easy to use!  I hope you'll take just a minute to click over and check out our new widgets.  I think you'll like what you see

.

Phil Specht
Thu, 02/21/08

Reply to this
"we have to fight them there or we will have to fight them here" lol
==================

really? Seriously folks, we have to fight them in Sweden, which took 30,000 Iraqi refugees. The USA has taken about 150 refugees, so far.

I hate this old McCain old rumor story.

When the Party of Morality decided to dish it out, they should have known they'd have to take it too. 

But the real story is as old as the Keating Five -- McCain selling his office yet again. Whether it was for money or sex makes little difference. 

just as long as it wasn't a black helicopter with UN markings Darrell

Hope Howard Dean is invited to TBA.  One year he wasn't.   I thought that was odd. 

More on the evolution "controversy" in Florida.  It is really embarrassing. 

 Florida "placates" the religious right by adding the word "theory" on the final evolution vote.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1843

There is article after article in the state about how the creationist/intelligent design folks won this round.    They got even playing field for their religious views.  

"The most vocal board members before the vote were Roberto Martinez, a Coral Gables attorney, and Donna Callaway, a retired Tallahassee principal. Both voted "No" -- but for very different reasons. Martinez wanted the standards adopted as written by the experts asked to devise them. He noted the National Academy of Sciences gave its approval to the original version. He said the last-minute option was diluted one created to "placate those people who had concerns about the evolution standards."

funny you should write that........there's a helicopter overhead right now

Wow. thank you for DFA being at the TBA conference this year. I hope they will be a sponsor.

One thing - host a table. Not just of volunteers, but for info. I know Kesh at DC for Democracy will help.

I can't be there for all three days. They moved the date up this year. Used to be in June.

But again, thanks DFA for being there. It is important.

Now how bout some training down here.

Joan wrote "I hate this old McCain old rumor story."

What I like is seeing the circuits of conservatives smoking because now they have the so-called liberal bogeyman of the Times and other media, supposedly deep-sixing the campaign of the so-called straight-talking and liberal leaning John McCain, and are unable to rail against both at once without looking foolish even to themselves.  They're impaled on the horns of a dilemma.

funny you should say that, there's is a helicopter flying overhead right now

Time and Sequence Check

12:46pm

Don't bury me.......on the lone praireee

Obama Wins the Democrats Abroad Primary

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Barack Obama won the Democrats Abroad global primary in results announced Thursday, giving him 11 straight victories in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

...More than 20,000 U.S. citizens living abroad voted in the primary, which ran from Feb. 5 to Feb. 12. Obama won about 65 percent of the vote, according to the results released Thursday.

Voters living in 164 countries cast votes online, while expatriates voted in person in more than 30 countries, at hotels in Australia and Costa Rica, at a pub in Ireland and at a Starbucks in Thailand. The results took about a week to tabulate as local committees around the globe gathered ballots.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community...

I don't watch debates much, they all seem so prepared by and for the media to manipulate an election.

But I do wish they would quit pushing Clinton and ask this one big question of Hillary Clinton which apparently never gets asked of her:

What experience do you have to be president?

Her "experience" is limited to her years in the U S Senate -- far less than that of BO. If Clinton tries to include eight years as first lady, she should be called to task for that. First lady is hardly experience except for keeping the WH clean and neat and controlling the help there.

Then they can ask Barack Obama the same question so viewers can compare and see for themselves.

look over your shoulder for your last post Darrell they don't show up at the bottom and keeep changing number and order

the dollar is going to lose half it's value from it's high against the Euro when that currency hit its low

globalization depends on a reserve currency so not to worry about a new world order Daniel

more like a new world monopoly game with play money

"A strategy of doing nothing and letting globalization run its course won't result in the imminent collapse of the American economy." .... "But over the long term doing nothing probably means an America very different from the one most of us grew up in. It will mean a nation more stratified economically and socially" ... "It will mean an America in which we continue to mortgage our assets to foreign leaders" .... "an America in which we underinvest in basic scientific research" ... "an America that's more politically polarized " ... "Worst of all it will mean fewer opportunities for younger Americans, a decline in the upward mobility that's been at the heart of this country's promise since it's founding." Barack Obama

Compare that to this piece of trash editing posted by LindaNM yesterday........ 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Here's what Obama said in the video, which is from NH..... 

"In one day we have a chance to restore balance to our economy. I believe in the free market. I believe in capitalism. I believe in free trade. I am not worried about us being able to compete with anyone in the world with American workers....."

Then the video cuts abruptly. From the inflections in his speech, it's obvious that his next word was, "But..."

Only it wouldn't  have served the shameful purpose of deception to allow anyone to see it.

well we did find out what the "special" means in special Interest lobbyist to McCain

the so-called liberal bogeyman of the Times and other media, supposedly deep-sixing the campaign of the so-called straight-talking and liberal leaning John McCain

<>First the NYT tried to torpedo his candidacy by endorsing him. When that didn't work, they exposed him.

tic

I hope CNN asks Hillary why she won't release her tax returns. But I have a feeling that Obama will get all the tough questions. Also, watch for Hillary to try to land a real zinger against Obama.

22. (or whatever)

1:08 pm

They're impaled on the horns of a dilemma.

While I agree with what you wrote, the Republicans would have been in the same dilemma with or without this distraction. Now they will have a good excuse as to why they lost the general election -- they can blame it all on a female lobbyist.

BREAKING: SERBIAN PROTETERS BREAK INTO US EMBASSY AND SET IT ON FIRE

Bomb Serbia!

No wait....we already did. 

Fresh from my inbox: (The bold is my addition)

Joan wrote "Now they will have a good excuse as to why they lost the general election -- they can blame it all on a female lobbyist."

They'll still have lost.  I'm less concerned about how they try to explain it.

Terrible news!

Wolves to be removed from species list
By MATTHEW BROWN, Associated Press Writer
56 minutes ago

The loss of federal protection allows the three states to move forward with plans allowing hunters to target the animals, possibly as soon as this fall.

Environmental groups said Thursday they will sue the federal government to keep the animal listed.

"The enduring hostility to wolves still exists," said Earthjustice attorney Doug Honnold, who is preparing the lawsuit. "We're going to have hundreds of wolves killed under state management. It's a sad day for our wolves."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080221/ap_o...

25.  Actually, I think Bush One said it best when he said Hillary has experience with the "klieg lights" which sounded just a like a cock-roach reacting to a flash-light in the kitchen at midnight.

13,

1:47 sitka

Only it wouldn't  have served the shameful purpose of deception to allow anyone to see it.

And deception in what Linda in NM subscribes to when posting truncated versions of Obama's words meant to purposedfully deceive. That fits the description of trolls. Scroll.

I've archived a picture of the plane on Hannah.  Just because covering over markings with a black plastic bag and duct tape seems a bit strange. 

Phil, You've posted this several times.  Is this the piece you indicated you wanted to debate about Obama's stance of the global economy?  

Here's the start  of it.  It's posted again earlier in this thread.

"A strategy of doing nothing and letting globalization run its course won't result in the imminent collapse of the American economy."    ....   

I'm wondering if you think this is insufficient as far as policy goes.  As I recall his writing, he placed an emphasis on educating young people and retraining older people for skills and jobs in the global market place.  

I recall, isn't GM laying off another 17,000 workers in the next few months?  I don't think we'll ever return to the 50s, so in that sense partcularlyI agree with Obama's plan for education and training.

There's an excellent article on education in this week's Time Magazine on how to better prepared teachers.  There's merit pay, but it's not just testing.  The Denver Plan is various and teachers can choose it.  In all the plans mentioned, government and community have to invest in education.

I recall Seashell posting that Obama supports vouchers, but in the article, he clearly does not, though typical of him, he's willing to listen to various plans and investigate them.

What I think is his stance is that we have to educate our people for the 21st century, and that's not happening now.  

I don't know if this addresses the issue for you, but thought I'd attempt it anyway. 

"watch for Hillary to try to land a real zinger against Obama."

mary~ that's a given, but I've not seen Barack lose his cool yet. I suspect McCain's current antics might take a little away from this debate tonight. 

Defenders of Wildlife works hard on behalf of wolves. Send them some $ if so inclined:

http://www.defenders.org/index.php

and if you're short this month, please call and protest:

Take action. Please take a moment right now to call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 1-800-344-WILD (9453) and deliver this simple message:

“My name is [Your Name] and I’m calling from [Your City], [Your State]. I understand that the federal government is expected to remove wolves in the Greater Yellowstone and Central Idaho regions from the list of federally protected threatened and endangered species.

I want your department to know that I strongly oppose the weakening of protections for these wolves and expect you to fulfill your obligation to secure a lasting future in the Northern Rockies for these amazing animals.”

To expedite your call, please select option "3" for endangered species questions and comments when prompted to do so. If you cannot get through, you may also email your comments to the Fish and Wildlife Service at westerngraywolf@fws.gov.

I find this to be hilarious  news:

Sen. Joe Lieberman defended Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Thursday, calling a New York Times story suggesting he favored a lobbyist's clients "outrageously unfair."

This story is pre 9-11, before Lieberman became interested in the Iraq war and siding with the Republicans. How is the world would Lieberman know anything at all about it. What a jerk! Probably good he isn't a Democrat these days.

Probably good he isn't a Democrat these days

~~~~~~~~~

probably???!!!!!

NG!!!! Why is it our fault? Is this a so called proxy war?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23277147/

Protesters break into U.S. embassy in Serbia
Support for Kosovo independence raised tensions with Balkan nation

BREAKING NEWS
NBC News and news services
updated 27 minutes ago
BELGRADE, Serbia - Protesters broke into the U.S. embassy in Belgrade on Thursday and set fires, cheered on by crowds outside rallying against U.S. support for Kosovo's independence.

Doors were ripped off, set on fire and wedged in the embassy windows. Black smoke billowed from the building. Papers and chairs were thrown out of the windows.

37.

Pat in Colorado
Thu, 02/21/08

...I recall Seashell posting that Obama supports vouchers, but in the article, he clearly does not, though typical of him, he's willing to listen to various plans and investigate them...

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

The American People like the idea of vouchers. Just because the right likes it, and religious like it, doesn't mean it cannot be amenable to liberal, if we show some innovative thinking.

Nothing objectively wrong with a voucher system, per se, if there are standards and parameters established involving pay, benefits, and certifications. No reason why teachers working under voucher-supported schools cannot be in the unions.

Democrats and liberals need to define the terms of this issue rather than oppose it, and take action, or we'll run into the same eleventh-hour dilemmas of compromise we had with welfare reform (which never really got reformed, just got deformed and turned into a mandatory employment program)

Just a little something to help  BO supporters know their candidate better and more realistically.  The Clinton bashing going on is very sad and I suspect a bit of projection is at work.   If  your guy is so great, why do you have to keep pushing and selling him so hard?  Attraction, not promotion is the key, but with BO, it's all promotion.  People like me don't want to be inundated with salesmen trying to sell me something.  It's a turn-off.   But carry on.  Free speech 'n all. 

******************************* 

 BREAKING: Obama Says He Will Vote for NAFTA Expansion

Posted October 9, 2007 | 04:58 PM (EST)
Read More: Free Trade, Nafta, Obama, Breaking Politics News


"Obama said he would vote for a Peruvian trade agreement next week, in response to a question from a man in Londonderry, NH who called NAFTA and CAFTA a disaster for American workers. He said he supported the trade agreement with Peru because it contained the labor and environmental standards sought by groups like the AFL-CIO, despite the voter's protests to the contrary. He also affirmed his support for free trade."
 

The voter's "protests to the contrary" are exactly right. The AFL-CIO does not support the bill expanding NAFTA into Peru, and the much-trumpeted labor/environmental standards leave enforcement up to the Bush administration, rather than empowering third parties to enforce them (like corporations have the power to enforce investor rights provisions in these same trade agreements). Leaving enforcement to the Bush administration -- or any administration -- is the biggest loophole possible. It is precisely why corporate lobbyists have bragged to reporters that the standards are not enforceable.

Obama is the first presidential candidate to officially declare his/her support for the NAFTA expansion moving through the Congress. His announcement is not necessarily surprising, considering he was the keynote speaker at the launch of the Hamilton Project -- a Wall Street front group working to drive a wedge between Democrats and organized labor on globalization issues. His announcement comes just days after a Wall Street Journal poll found strong bipartisan opposition to lobbyist-written NAFTA-style trade policies.

Trade has been known to be a huge issue in Iowa (remember Dick Gephardt in 1988), so this announcement could very well ripple through the 2008 primary.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/breaking-obama-says-he-w_b_67780.html 

Fred, I posted an article about what BO said about vouchers.  I wasn't giving my opinion.  Watch how you misinterpret me, please.

#38

The article in Time Magazine has some very creative programs.  My problem with vouchers is when they go to religious institutions.  I want that separation between church and state.  I, on the other, hand, think that schools could offer courses in religions, after school.  It's when the state sanctions a particular religion I have problems.  

I think regular courses in Eastern Philosophy, the Bible, the Koran, the Bagavad Gita, etc. are very legitimate as long as they don't proseltize.

I've wondered why we think secular education is enough for life.  Humans seek wisdom, seek meaning.  In the 70s values education was a no no, and then realistically, people recognized that we carry our values with us, and there's no way we don't demonstrate them in the classroom.  But, there are teachers who do proseltize, and I find that objectionable.  It's a discussion that's needed. 

Sorry, Seashell.  You are right.  It was an article you posted.  My mistake to indicate otherwise.

yes Pat

McCain is so vulnerable to that Michigan quote "those jobs are never coming back" that I don't want to see the Democratic nominee fall into that trap

many of the jobs we lost to the Chinese "competitiveness" were because they were able to manipulate the price of their currency and undercut our products,(and it fit rght into the trick used by bushco to shuck trillions in obligations by letting the dollar fall along with the "bad" Chinese money)

what Barack Obama does in that quote is lay out masterfully an economic attack that would work against both Clinton and McCain, especially in Ohio but he is a little too timid in his solutions.

but on those pages is the kernal of a winning economic strategy

you can't find solutions until you have identified the problem

and does anyone still believe more "job retraining" solves the problem of those lost $20 plus an hour jobs with some service sector paying under $10 even if you index the minimum wage yearly for inflation when $10 is only worth $6 in real dollars and you have lost your healthcare your pension and the equity in your house

Obama is a bright guy so I expect him to lay out more of his economic plans in the days leading up to Ohio where a good answer will win him the nomination

#39 Seashell,

This has come up before.  The Peru treaty essentially favors the US.  That was the reason Obama supported it.  Otherwise, the treaty with Nafta would remain the same.  

These are complex issues, and it's hard to draw a conclusion because someone on the Huffington Post or elsewhere writes an opinion piece.  There's no reason to think that Obama is out to hurt American workers.  Everything in his book and policies indicates he wants to help them.

vouchers and private schools started as an answer to court ordered desegregation

maybe Obama can be the "Nixon goes to China" on that issue as President

what they have done to the public schools of NOLA since Katrina is Republicans' true vision though

My question to BO tonight which won't be asked.

How can you honestly call yourself the anti-war candidate when you always vote to continue the spending to keep our troops in harms way?

If he'd come clean on this, I would like him a lot more.  He could say, "I'm not really the anti-war candidate."....or "I voted to go along to get along" ....something....anything...as it is, he's hedging his bets and poker players, good ones, are sly, manipulative, cunning, and hide their intentions and feelings behind their faces.  They bluff.

It's very helpful to know he's a  poker player.  I'm getting closer to what troubles me so about him.  He has, IMO, a *poker-face* candidacy - never really revealing much on the stump except to infer that he's holding a royal flush of hope and change.

Is he bluffing the populace?  Especially impressionable youth?  I dunno. 

#41, yes, I seem to have read or watched a special, probably read that workers in Louisiana were retrained on computers, and then the computer jobs went overseas. 

I agree. There's got to be more than just retraining.  There should also be a boost for American businesses, and (I think Obama did address this) no more tax breaks for corporations going overseas.

Sounds to me like there needs to be a multi-faceted approach, and this is where an effective leader can bring in talent to create a solution. 

40.

seashell :-)
Thu, 02/21/08

Reply to this

Fred, I posted an article about what BO said about vouchers. I wasn't giving my opinion. Watch how you misinterpret me, please
=====================

Sorry, I haven't read Obama's quote, but would like to, if you give me a link, it would help.

I was just giving my opinion on the subject, which I have long held from the beginning, long before it was considered a "neocon" idea.

Sitka wrote: "A strategy of doing nothing and letting globalization run its course won't result in the imminent collapse of the American economy." .... "But over the long term doing nothing probably means an America very different from the one most of us grew up in. It will mean a nation more stratified economically and socially" ... "It will mean an America in which we continue to mortgage our assets to foreign leaders" .... "an America in which we underinvest in basic scientific research" ... "an America that's more politically polarized " ... "Worst of all it will mean fewer opportunities for younger Americans, a decline in the upward mobility that's been at the heart of this country's promise since it's founding." Barack Obama

Compare that to this piece of trash editing posted by LindaNM yesterday........
2. Linda in NM -- Obama, "I believe in Free Trade"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTfJmz3GW...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's what Obama said in the video, which is from NH.....

"In one day we have a chance to restore balance to our economy. I believe in the free market. I believe in capitalism. I believe in free trade. I am not worried about us being able to compete with anyone in the world with American workers....."

Then the video cuts abruptly. From the inflections in his speech, it's obvious that his next word was, "But..."



________________________________


LOL...I appreciate being thought of that you want to keep reposting, but trying to link a video I posted with another comment Obama made, two totally different remarks is laughable.

But surprising that Joan in Florida buys that and calls me a troll for it.....me thinks someone needs some educating.

I recommend you look and hear and see for yourself. Poor Sitka is so tortured by these realities that Obama spoke, but are attacking Hillary for that he keeps on this this and is desperately trying to spin it.

Please note, Sitka posted the entire paragragph of his speech:

"In one day we have a chance to restore balance to our economy. I believe in the free market. I believe in capitalism. I believe in free trade. I am not worried about us being able to compete with anyone in the world with American workers."

This video was not a short with a cut off of "I believe in Free Trade".


But go ahead and name call, get trashy, smear. That seems to be all you all can do when someone delivers facts and news to you.

Darrell!!! Email me! jjem1999 (at) yahoo.com

#43, Come on Seashell, you don't like the guy at all for any reason. That's okay. 

No matter what the statements or evidence, you always find a way to say he's a phony, not legitimate, not honest, etc.  (My words.).  That's okay.  You don't have to like him, vote for him, or do anything at all.  But the constant criticisms and ignoring anything of merit is really just a waste of time for anyone to try to respond to. 

39.

seashell :-)
Thu, 02/21/08

Seashell, Sirota's article is from Oct 2007.

Here's something from Obama's fact check from Feb 16 of this year:
http://factcheck.barackobama.com/

FEBRUARY 16, 2008
The Clinton campaign is trying to push old, inaccurate quotes that misstated Obama's position on NAFTA. When they tried to push the quotes months ago, we put up the full transcript of the question Obama was asked in 2004, that clearly shows he did not say he supported NAFTA. In fact, Obama has consistently opposed NAFTA-like trade deals and the 2004 the report that the Clinton campaign cites is inaccurate.

Obama Said He Supported "Restructuring NAFTA." "Do you support rolling back NAFTA or GATT?" Obama said, "I would support restructuring NAFTA and GATT to make sure that environmental protections, labor protections and so on are in place. And I also think that we've got to enforce some of these provisions more aggressively, the same way other countries are doing. I use the example of China. If China is devaluing its currency by 40 percent and we are not challenging them on that, then there's not much point of having China in the WTO, if they're not respecting our trademarks and our copyright laws. If we have countries that continue to present barriers to us - non-tariff barriers - to our products getting to market, then those are all issues that I think we've got to challenge these countries on. And that's the responsibility of the Administration. The problem in a lot of our trade agreements is that the Administration tends to negotiate on behalf of multinational companies instead of on behalf of workers and communities. If we had a shift in orientation in terms of who are we negotiating for, then I think you'd see some different outcomes." [Illinois Farm Bureau Transcript, 9/8/04]

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

To summarize - I don't think he's anti-trade, but he's anti-having environmental and labor protections. What I saw of the Sirota article would support that also. My 2 cents.

I think if people haven't yet decided which candidate they are going to support - well... There is enough info out there. This is just getting ludicrous.

2:47 PM EST

http://www.woio.com/global/story.asp?s=7905437

Mayor Jackson Endorses Obama During Michelle Obama Rally

Posted: Feb 21, 2008 01:14 PM EST

CLEVELAND (AP) - Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson says he's backing Barack Obama for president.

Jackson made the announcement before Obama's wife, Michelle, spoke at a rally at Cleveland State University Thursday.

Jackson had said as recently as last week that he had not decided whether to endorse Obama or Hillary Clinton.

...

Jackson's endorsement comes five days before Clinton and Obama are to debate at Cleveland State.

42.

Phil Specht
Thu, 02/21/08

Reply to this

vouchers and private schools started as an answer to court ordered desegregation
=========================

That's your perception. Private and church schools have been existed before public education ever existed, but as quality went down and cost went up, vouchers arouse as an alternative to people paying a "double tax" - tuition for their own child, plus school taxes for other kids.

SSBP

-------

But go ahead and name call, get trashy, smear. That seems to be all you all can do when someone delivers facts and news to you.
--------
Well, I guess that depends on the definition of facts.

2:51 PM EST 

the Clinton lament --

¡Qué narices! (What the heck!);

¡Mis amigos, regresan por favor! (My friends, please come back!):

http://cbs4.com/national/hillary.clinton.president.2.657791.html

Feb 19, 2008 2:23 pm US/Eastern

Hillary's Hispanic Support Eroding

WASHINGTON (CBS4) ― Senator Hillary Clinton's last stand in Texas hinges upon a large number of Hispanics voting for her. This is the same strategy the junior Senator from New York used in California, where support upon Hispanics was large. However, new polling from Gallup shows serious trouble may be on the horizon for Clinton.

The latest Gallup poll shows support for Illinois Senator Barack Obama among Hispanics has grown to a statistically significant lead. A full 50% of those surveyed chose Obama, while 46% supported Clinton. ...Only a month ago, Clinton led Obama by a nearly 2-1 margin with 63% supporting her to Obama's 32%.

...  

Linda in NM -- Obama, "I believe in Free Trade"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTfJmz3GW...  

Linda~ clicked on your link and this is what it says... "The URL contained a malformed video ID."

State Senator Fedor joins Parma Mayor Dean DiPiero,and previously endorsed US OH Rep Stephanie Tubbs Jones, OH Governor Ted Strickland, Lt Governor Fish, Former Cleveland Mayor Campbell and Astronaut/Senator John Glenn, in endorsing Hillary Clinton for President.

2/20/2008
State Senator Teresa Fedor Endorses Clinton
Praises Hillary’s Record of Delivering Real Solutions

COLUMBUS OH- Ohio for Hillary today, announced the endorsement of Ohio State Senator Teresa Fedor. Senator Fedor joins a distinguished list of community leaders and elected officials supporting Hillary in the Buckeye State.

"America faces serious challenges and the demands of these times require real solutions. I see a struggling economy deeply affecting my constituents and I know the time is now to elect a leader with a proven record of improving the lives of all Americans," said Senator Fedor. "Hillary Clinton has the experience, vision and intellect to deliver on the promises of health care for all Americans, restoring our global standing and stimulating sustainable economic growth. I look forward to mobilizing support for Hillary throughout Ohio."

Just a thought but I think it would be prudent to post some pro-Hillary articles rather than anti-Obama articles for a change. There was a good diary at Kos yesterday which showed both their senate records and it had some very strong points for Clinton.

Thanks, Pat, and I also don't believe BO is out to hurt anyone.

You wrote: "I want that separation between church and state.  I, on the other, hand, think that schools could offer courses in religions, after school.  It's when the state sanctions a particular religion I have problems. "

I agree and I like your idea about offering other spiritual points of view.  I would even like them included in the studies program as electives (but maybe not )  But here again is this disturbing quote by BO.  How do you feel about this, Pat?  

Excerpt from a BO speech. 

 "You need to come to church in the first place precisely because you are first of this world, not apart from it. You need to embrace Christ precisely because you have sins to wash away - because you are human and need an ally in this difficult journey.:

I would like to hear him speak of inclusive spiritual practices...of the efficacy of respecting all points of view and I would really love it if he would not use the word religion and start using the word spiritual...and maybe a quote or two from the Koran or Chopra.

If it's true that we live our lives from our inner core of spiritual belief, he's much too conservative and exclusive for me.  I don't want a prez who's a *born again you have to take Jesus  becuz you're sinful*  Christian and he sounds like one.   This is not change...it's  more of the same, or even going backwards.

Again, IMO, he's trying to be all things to all people and that's a serious flaw in  a man who wants to be prez.  It does, however, go along with his compromise and reach across the aisle talk... 

2:55 PM EST

http://www.kansascity.com/445/story/498884.html

Posted on Thu, Feb. 21, 2008 09:17 AM

Hillary Rodham Clinton's defeat in this week's Wisconsin Democratic presidential primary wasn't just any old loss.

Exit polls of voters show it was a serious collapse that saw Barack Obama erode - if not capture - much of the heart of her support. As the two rivals turn their attention to crucial showdowns in Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania, here is a look at what Wisconsin portends for the road ahead.

Q: How bad was Wisconsin for Clinton?

A: Very. Of the types of voters who usually support her, only older people - especially whites over age 65 - remained solidly loyal. She and Obama essentially split the votes of many groups she has carried easily in previous primaries, including white women, whites with no more than high school diplomas, white Democrats and whites earning under $50,000 annually. In one remarkable turnaround, white men without college degrees supported Clinton in previous primaries by a combined 52 percent to 37 percent, but in Wisconsin they backed Obama 60 percent to 38 percent. The Illinois senator also improved his usual healthy margins with the youngest, most liberal and best educated voters.

Q: Does Obama's success in Wisconsin with groups that usually support Clinton mean he will hold onto them in the next big states?

A: No, but it does demonstrate that it's possible. Last year, before voting began, polls showed Clinton had sturdy-looking leads with those voters, so it's clear that Democrats of all stripes are showing a willingness to listen to him - and to abandon her.

...

 There's no reason to think that Obama is out to hurt American workers.  Everything in his book and policies indicates he wants to help them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

There is also no reason to think he is willing to directly confront the multi-nationals who are hurting the workers, unless pressured by the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.

mandating employee health care is a solution

you might not like it if you are business but it is a solution

and you cannot demand reciprocity in a trade agreement if you are not willing to provide it yourself

so when do we stop this global race to the bottom

when America's middle class can no longer afford a loaf of bread because the new middle class in India and China built with our dollars has purchased the world's wheat

I do think of the three candidates Obama is most likely to have a "seat at the table" for America's workers if we demand it.

2:56 PM EST

http://www.htrnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080221/MAN0101/80221130

Posted February 21, 2008

Feingold, Kagen, signal support for Obama

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama picked up the support of Rep. Steve Kagen and the likely backing of Sen. Russ Feingold on Thursday

...

2:57 PM EST

http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/superdelegate-list.html

...

2-20-08 - Moved DNC John Rednour (IL) to Obama from Clinton. His son, also John Rednour, is on Clinton's steering committee
- Added DNC Donald Norcross (NJ) for Obama.
- Switched DNC Dana Redd (NJ) from Clinton to Obama
- Added Rep. Lloyd Doggett (TX) , Rep. Ron Kind (WI) , Rep. Kathy Castor (FL) for Obama
2-21-08 - Added DNC Jason Rae (WI) for Obama.
- Added DNC Margaret Xifaras (MA) for Obama
- Added Rep. Steve Kagen (WI) for Obama

Stay tuned... we'll update this list as we find out more.

2:59 PM EST

looks like delegates are starting to move from Clinton to Obama

56.

Karen

I just reposted the link that Sikta added in his comments...that have been recopied...including from Fred (that was surprising) LOL

Anyhoooo.

This should be the correct link for the FULL video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTfJmz3GW...

linda b, what day(s) are you going to TBA? Anyone else here going? They have a table that we can put DemocracyFest flyers on for free if someone can physiclly put the flyers there. I'd really like to go myself, but it dosn't look good financially.

Pat wrote: #43, Come on Seashell, you don't like the guy at all for any reason. That's okay." 

Actually Pat, it's the constant put-downs of me and others who point out his flaws that I don't much like.   The BO worship is a bit much and I've always been a Socratic thorn.

That said, I like him, OK?  Just not as prez.  Not yet.  He's not quite ready..IMO.  And becuz I point out his flaws does not mean that I don't like him so you shouldn't conflate the two.    I'm sure you point out flaws in your husband or children.  Does that mean you don't like them?  :-)  

59.

Pat in Colorado
Thu, 02/21/08

Reply to this

#38

The article in Time Magazine has some very creative programs. My problem with vouchers is when they go to religious institutions. I want that separation between church and state. I, on the other, hand, think that schools could offer courses in religions, after school. It's when the state sanctions a particular religion I have problems.
====================

That's a legitimate concern. There should be limits on how much of the school day can be dedicated to religious indoctrination. That would definitely be part of any voucher program rules.

We do give money to religious colleges, and it is true that public funds include the taxes paid by parents of a child attending religious schools.

But if vouchers existed you would see more than religious schools spring up.

My daughter goes to a Waldorf school, which is private. I wish we had vouchers so I did not have to be obligated to my Republican brother, who pays her tuition, about $5,000/year.

They teach all religions. They have stories about Paganism, as well as fictitious novels involving people who followed Christ, and what he stood for.

And Karen....you will also notice, there is no "but..." as Sitka claimed. He was done......long pause, no cut off, even gestured of licking of lips. But if anyone really watched it, they would know that.

Thank you mary vb, for being even-handed.

And if BO supports free trade the way he seems to, why can't BO supporters accept that?  Are you sorry you voted for him?   Is it so hard to perhaps be *gasp* wrong about something or somebody or an issue?  We all learning here and my thought today is that we have people posting here who would be much better candidates than the two we have.  

I'm rather pleased at the thought that either one could be prez, but we could have done better IMO. 

#64  As usual, your logic escapes me. 

No, I don't point out flaws in my family.  And, I don't care at all if you like or don't like, appreciate or don't appreciate Obama.  I've just not seen anything substantive that you've posted, and I've noticed that when anyone addresses your posts, you switch to another  fault.  That doesn't seem Socratic to me at all.  Just ornery. 

3:13 PM EST

fyi - new Front thread

71. (or whatever)

mary,

I have watched Hillary Clinton on the  Senate floor for a long, long time. In my memory whe has never initiated anything herself, seldom even sponsoring someone else's bill unless every other Dem was doing so.

Her votes were FOR the war resolution, FOR the Bankruptcy Bill, and FOR the Kyl/Lieberman bill pertaining to Iran. For me that is not the way a true Democrat should be voting or acting even giving some leeway.

Since Sept 2007, she has not voted on many lesser issues, always electing for a No Vote instead.

#55 I wish you'd read his book.  You have quoted this before, but it's selective.  He does appreciate, grew up with, multiple religions.  He chose Christianity for himself.  His mother, as I quoted before, was the "most spritiually enlightened person he's ever known."  She was secular, read to her children from all the great religions.

He grew up with Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism, and animism.  He's not about to impose his Christianity on others.  He's just said that the suits him.

I wish you'd either read someting in its entirety or recognize at least that your quotes are too selective and out of context to be conclusive.

Judging another's spirituality seems to me arrogant at the very least, certainly mistaken, and frankly, it irritates me no end.  That said, I'll stop for today.  You are entittled to your opinions however silly they are, as I am for however silly mine are.   

linda b, what day(s) are you going to TBA? Anyone else here going? They have a table that we can put DemocracyFest flyers on for free if someone can physiclly put the flyers there. I'd really like to go myself, but it dosn't look good financially.

http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/23949...

new one

Terrible news!

Wolves to be removed from species list
By MATTHEW BROWN, Associated Press Writer

And would great news be that they continue to struggle to survive and remain in such low numbers that they remain on the list forever.  They are either endangered by low numbers or they are not.  Here it the analogy, "Thousands taken off welfare roles for making too much money"  Your likely response, "Terrible news!"  The appropriate response should be "great for them!!" 

I don't see any compelling reason to post articles about Hillary except for our general
education. For me to vote for Hillary is not an option, since she is the representative of the DLC faction of the Dem Party, which Howard and we have been working to defang.

On the other hand, it is necessary to question everything about Obama that we think might not come up to our progressive standards. If we don't take advantage of bringing these points up, both in our writings and where possible to him at TBA and other places, then who else is going to try to bring him to our thinking? We can forget it after the election. You can bet the DLC is trying to influence him.

Those on this blog who can't stand anyone to question Obama, are not doing their job. If he is elected, he will be working for us, and we will all be paying his salary. We have a right to expect, not just hope for, the best job possible.

Yeah but how many times do we have to hear the same stuff over and over, especially the religious quote taken out of context?

That's what gets annoying after awhile. New info is always welcome, though.

What is annoying is the constant drone of praise and no questions coming from the O faction. Do your job, don't just criticise someone else for doing it. You could help make him realize that he owes the progressives.

Maybe there are no questions because we just know that anything the 4 or so that post anti Obama stuff is just that -negative dribble that is only the uninformed opinions made up in their own minds.

And they call us naive? LOL

And when there is nothing but good news to report, wouldn't it be dishonest to post it and not have it come out positive?

Barack has been racking up wins - don't blame us "naive" bloggers for that! LOL

The mindsets of some here is just so narrow. Maybe that's why they repeat the same negative stuff over and over (but i doubt that's the real intent).