3:04 PM EDT

I'm going to use the F-word twice to describe how I feel about Howard --

first

&

foremost.

I had dinner last night with a very good friend who's on one heck of a spiritual path.  An amazing woman.

Anyway, she said that people in her spiritual circles are all going for BO and if you read "What's Up On Planet Earth" Karen, who channels unseen forces, says the same thing.  Some of you may not believe in channeling (magical thinking stuff) but now that you know the "spirit" is for BO, will you change your minds?  LOL 

I take it if he's the nominee, and I don't see how he can't be, the protesting in Denver will not occur, is that right?  That there will be bloodshed only if HC is the nominee?  What if no one is?

This 68 thing is troubling.

sorry, rdorgan, I was second and now Dean is first.

Pat, please leave me alone.  I did not write that "racial slur."  It was part of a diary or article and there was a link.  If you can't tell the difference, well, what can I say? 

Your displaced anger needs to be addressed.  Check out your family of origin.

Now take your judgment and displaced anger of me and leave me alone, please.  Thank you.

Anni, Madam Butterfly?

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080425/NEWS0502/80425056

They've been told that Obama is in the building.  Waiting for editorial interview in Indianapolis.  They agreed that everyone would stand when he comes in.  Here we go.Shaking everyone's hand and asking names.  Thanks everybody and getting a wire on.  Two weeks in Indiana. 

We started campaign with premises

Bring country together

Be honest

Change from bottom up

Change politics as well as policies

Not yet voted off the island.

Indiana similar to Illinois--cities doing well but town struggling.  How do we create broad-based economic development?  Infrastructure, research, education.

Indiana is going to get lots of attention.

Why trust in a rookie?   In public service longer than Clinton.  Biden beats McCain.  LOL

Going through his resume.  Working with people to produce results.  open up government so people have influence and know what's going on.

Policy differences with Senator Clinton hard to define because they get blurred.

Middle class tax cuts--adopted by Clinton

most debated is health care--optional government plan that people can buy into.

He emphasises costs.  Doesn't believe in mandate on citizens.

What ails Washington?  Need to reduce influence of special interests and tone down conflict. 

"Target Dean" 2004...Target Obama 2008?? The shameful media role.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/2030

An article from 2004 by Peter Hart about how the media targeted Dean.   And how they are targeting Obama.

A good but sad statement from the end:

 "When the 2004 campaign is finished, some might look back and marvel at the trajectory of the Dean campaign. Time's Karen Tumulty (8/11/03) might have inadvertently captured the mood of reporters toward Dean:

"Look back at nearly every campaign trail to the White House, and you will find embedded in the asphalt the flattened form of a once-captivating outsider. The story line plays out as follows: He seizes the imagination with a compelling message and personality; he upsets the dynamic of the race; the media lavish attention and praise on him (there is talk that he has created a phenomenon that will change politics); he makes a rookie mistake or two under the TV lights; the reporters turn on him; his fanatical legions realize he wasn't the guy they thought he was; and finally his demise becomes part of the winner's heroic backstory."

in favor of paygo--closing tax breaks to fund middle class.

electric services are being cut off and families have lost income in last decades.

root out waste in federal spending

be tighter with a nickle if you're progressive

Isn't it counter-productive to shut off communications with difficult people?

Distinguish between states and groups like Hamas which is an influential but terroristic organization.

Preparations but not pre-conditions.

Direct talks with countries good. 

Bush has done a good job on AIDS world-wide.  Money is getting on the ground.  CDC is doing good job.

Bush made promise and followed through.

Cartoonist has present--ears good.

national journal calls him most liberal for calling for ethics committee--which was resisted by Dems as well as Repubs.  Votes are structured to polarize debate.  Need to build consensus.

Seem to have lost feed. 

Feed from Indy Star is back -- no telling for how long.

Excellent interview with Obama.

Click on Monica's link

Seashell I also thought it was a comment you made. Sometimes it's not easy to differentiate, especially when lots of paragraphs are posted (and this does not pertain to only you)

Don't look at WHO is addressing you, look at WHAT is being addressed.

Your attitude here is part of the problem. From what I've seen the past few months, you seem to feel (on any given day, pick one);

Picked on
Misunderstood
That we need to be different than how we are
That you think we are saying YOU need to be different than how you are (we are not, at least not me)
Hopeless
Negative
A bit paranoid about the ways of the world
Ambivalent, and in the same moment, very concerned

We are all adults here aren't we? I know you're not Catholic so I won't say you're a martyr :)

And for goodness sakes QUIT telling people they need to look at their family history, lest you want personal stuff thrown your way. That was pretty rude for someone who feigns to be so sensitive.

Sound is back.   lots of potential for common ground.

What do we do for cities like Gary or East St. louis?

Off-set payroll tax.  Invest in education to climb out of poverty.  Apprenticeship programs.  Infrastructure for cities, rail, broadband, green jobs and technology.  Renew manufacturing.   

Screeching interference will tear your eardrums out, particularly if you have earplugs as I do.

Probably sniper fire from the Clinton camp.

the payroll tax is killing people

we give tools to climb out of poverty

early childhood, childred born at risk

after school and summer school, apprentiships

cities need infrastructure

if we don't improve our school systems companies will just not locate in our cities

if our kids aren't infused with a love of learning it is not going to make a difference

it starts in the school system

floridagal

Not this time!

We already have seen the habits of the corporate media and know them well.

we need to make it fair and transparent whether it is tax breaks or spending

Barack Obama just ticked off the whole list of "indisputable" problems with trade with China. I love it when a candidate "gets it".

Searchable database to reform earmarking.

Capital planning budget.  Tax breaks total a trillion dollars.  Much bigger drain than earmarks.

What to do about China?  Who will be responsible and whom do their interact with.  

Nuclear non-proliferation highest authority.

U.S. hasn't been negotiating well. 

hard to talk back to your banker

have to get our fiscal house in order

so we have a stronger posture in our relationship with China

He is right on the mark. what a candidate

Obama has agreed to help out the Chairman with a fundraising arrangement between his campaign and the DNC, according to Mark Halperin in his blog at Time.  Here are some key graphs:

"After a series of discussions, the Obama campaign and the Democratic National Committee have decided to file papers with the Federal Election Commission establishing a 'joint fundraising agreement.' Under the law, such a committee can accept up to $28,500 from individuals, most of which would go to the DNC.

" . . . .

"Sources say the DNC has also held talks with Hillary Clinton’s campaign about forming a separate vehicle with her, but that no deal has been struck.

"The fact that the Obama campaign is moving forward and Clinton is not at this time reflects certain important realities: Obama’s team is more confident that he will win the nomination than is Clinton’s — and Obama’s campaign has the necessity and luxury of thinking about and planning for the general election to come."

Wow!

Terrific Live interview just ended of Obama by about ten reporters of the IndyStar. Perhaps C-span will have it to replay.

#23, Tom.  Great news.  Lifts my spirits.

Is this petition only for those who live in PA or attend Penn State?

I wonder if the students sell they're own union made clothing?

Goin' to supper, Gilmore Girls, drugstore, etc but Flagal I have been thinking too that they are Howardizing Obama and that Tumulty quote really says it doesn't it. To make myself feel better, I must say Barack has made it a lot farther than Howard - Howard won one state - Vermont -- Barack has won a ton of states including Iowa and Kansas. Also, that defecting Hillraiser we can only hope will get some press - everyone remember to watch Moyers at 9. Seashell -- I thought Butterfly too but the answer is Girl of the Golden West.

If Obama gets the nomination and I'm starting to think he MUST get the nomination for the sake of America, well, he's got the South wrapped up if the black folk just vote and I think I don't want to be in the way when they go to vote that's for sure.

It's too D bad the MSM Stephanopoulis, eg, can't talk about Obama's bracelet he wears for a fallen soldier instead of his lack of a flag pin.

ttfn

Regarding Penn State--

The country is full of public officials who have a difficult time understanding that they are public servants and the public facilities belong to the public.  The administrators of state univeristies, in particular, seem to think that even though they are charged with managing an educational institutiion, they somehow partake of the law enforcement authority and go so far as to condition the delivery of the services they are tasked with providing on the "good" behavior of the recipients of what are clearly entitlements.

Their attitude is probably colored by the fact that the recipients of the educational services don't, for the most part, pay the full freight.  But, that doesn't change the fact that the faciliities belong to the people/public and that the people/public are entitled to determine how they are used.  It's understandable that public officials claim jurisdiction over what they consider their domain, but the fact is that it's not.  So, they need to be disabused of their mistaken impression.  Signing the petition is a good start.

Penn State is a public institution and, to the extent that it relies on federal dollars to support its programs and research activities, is being funded by all of us.  There's really no excuse for the Administration not knowing that.  State Universities all over the country have made efforts to secure some autonomy for themselves by setting up "private" foundations which bring in dollars that they can utilize without having to make a public accounting.  

Off to sign the petition. 

I just read that yesterday Tweety called Rev. Wright Obama's *Iraq war vote* or some such nonsense. This is the most ridiculous thing to ever come out of his big mouth. To equate Clinton's authorization for war which led to thousands dying and gravely injured Americans and Iraqis to Barack's pastor making some inflammatory remarks is just insane.

s/b injuries

I meant injuring. My son is talking in one ear to me. Time to head off to lacrosse.

Bye all.

The Barack Obama and National Committee arrangement is creative and indicates that Obama knows he'll be the nominee.  That Hillary Clinton hasn't agreed indicates, according to my prescient husband, that she knows she won't win.

When the person who called me from the national committee asked for funds, I told him that I would donate again just as soon as Obama was the nominee, that Clinton would get nothing from me.  I'm wondering if that message has been repeated often enough so that Obama and Dean are acutely aware of why the funds are not coming in.  If nothing else, and there's lot more, Howard and Barack are listening, are in tune with the people.  

Very encouraging news.

Peace to you, Seashell.  I'm not attacking you, just wondering why you would post such a slur.  Maybe it was a late night accident.  I certainly have said things I regret.  

And now for a nap.  The leaves are coming out, small yellow flowers on the dry ground, spring is a renewal. 

Thank you for your assessment, Denise. :-) 

To not resolve anger at original family ends up being thrown at others.  Bush is a great example.

**************************************

It sounds like Gore and Edwards are greatly influencing BO.  I'm feeling very good about this.

We shall see............. 

I believe it was mary who began the "Quote of the Day" selections:

This is today's Quote of the Day written by Annilow:

It's too D bad the MSM Stephanopoulis, eg, can't talk about Obama's bracelet he wears for a fallen soldier instead of his lack of a flag pin.

Stephanopoulis and the rest of his likes of him are the dregs of the airways, the worst of the MSM.

OK, here's the full article that had Denise, Pat and maybe rae too confused.  I placed the link in the middle by mistake. 

What is so terrible about the last paragraph he wrote?  Good grief. He was attempting humor and asking a good question?

******************************* 

 The war in Iraq is an unpopular as ever, gas prices just hit a record of $3.51, stores are running out of food ("and I ain't lyin"*), so you would think that the candidate of the party that's been in power during this fiasco would be losing by 15 points or so in the polls right now, even if were a decorated war hero. But in fact, John McCain runs neck and neck in the polls with the Democrats, maybe even slightly better against Barack Obama.

Here's what an unnamed GOP strategist told the Politico's Roger Simon tonight:

    The Republican shook his head. “You’re missing the most important one,” he said. “Race. McCain runs against Barack Obama and the race vote is worth maybe 15 percent to McCain.”

Simon says that, sadly, a new AP poll suggests he may be right:

     How big is that percentage? An AP-Yahoo poll conducted April 2-14 found that “about 8 percent of whites would be uncomfortable voting for a black for president.”

    I don’t know if 8 percent sounds high or low to you, but I was amazed that 8 percent of respondents were willing to admit this to a pollster. And I figure that the true figure is much higher.

    The same poll, by the way, found that 15 percent of voters think Obama is a Muslim. He is, in fact, a Christian. But thinking a person is a Muslim probably does not encourage you to vote for him in America today.

    I'm more optimistic -- the way I interpret those numbers, that means that 7 percent of Americans would consider voting for a black Muslim for president...just kidding. The sad truth is that some racism in America is going to be with us for a long time. The interesting question is whether political strategists are talking about "the race vote" because it exists, or because they plan to foment it.


http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/attytood/McCains_15_percent_solution.html

Just in case you didn't get or missed this message this morning.

---

Subject: Please tell Senator McCain to Stop insulting women

Dear bfa folks,

On Wednesday, Senate Republicans filibustered the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a law that would have overturned an appalling Supreme Court decision that practically abolished remedies for gender-based compensation discrimination in the workplace. In opposing this legislation, Senator John McCain said that if women want better-paying jobs, they just need more "education and training." Then, he didn't even show up for the vote.

Let's tell Senator McCain that should stop blocking an up or down vote on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act if he wants to ensure equal rights for women under the law.

Please have a look and take action.

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/mcca...

Thanks!

---Susan

 OK, for the record, this is the article I posted.  I put the link, by mistake, in the middle.  Even so, the guy asks a good question and admits he joking.

**************************

The war in Iraq is an unpopular as ever, gas prices just hit a record of $3.51, stores are running out of food ("and I ain't lyin"*), so you would think that the candidate of the party that's been in power during this fiasco would be losing by 15 points or so in the polls right now, even if were a decorated war hero. But in fact, John McCain runs neck and neck in the polls with the Democrats, maybe even slightly better against Barack Obama.

Here's what an unnamed GOP strategist told the Politico's Roger Simon tonight:

    The Republican shook his head. “You’re missing the most important one,” he said. “Race. McCain runs against Barack Obama and the race vote is worth maybe 15 percent to McCain.”

Simon says that, sadly, a new AP poll suggests he may be right:

     How big is that percentage? An AP-Yahoo poll conducted April 2-14 found that “about 8 percent of whites would be uncomfortable voting for a black for president.”

    I don’t know if 8 percent sounds high or low to you, but I was amazed that 8 percent of respondents were willing to admit this to a pollster. And I figure that the true figure is much higher.

    The same poll, by the way, found that 15 percent of voters think Obama is a Muslim. He is, in fact, a Christian. But thinking a person is a Muslim probably does not encourage you to vote for him in America today.

     I'm more optimistic -- the way I interpret those numbers, that means that 7 percent of Americans would consider voting for a black Muslim for president...just kidding. The sad truth is that some racism in America is going to be with us for a long time. The interesting question is whether political strategists are talking about "the race vote" because it exists, or because they plan to foment it.


http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/attytood/McCains_15_percent_solution.html

OK, here's the full article that had Denise, Pat and maybe rae too confused.  I placed the link in the middle by mistake. 

What is so terrible about the last paragraph he wrote?  Good grief. He was attempting humor and asking a good question?

******************************* 

 The war in Iraq is an unpopular as ever, gas prices just hit a record of $3.51, stores are running out of food ("and I ain't lyin"*), so you would think that the candidate of the party that's been in power during this fiasco would be losing by 15 points or so in the polls right now, even if were a decorated war hero. But in fact, John McCain runs neck and neck in the polls with the Democrats, maybe even slightly better against Barack Obama.

Here's what an unnamed GOP strategist told the Politico's Roger Simon tonight:

    The Republican shook his head. “You’re missing the most important one,” he said. “Race. McCain runs against Barack Obama and the race vote is worth maybe 15 percent to McCain.”

Simon says that, sadly, a new AP poll suggests he may be right:

     How big is that percentage? An AP-Yahoo poll conducted April 2-14 found that “about 8 percent of whites would be uncomfortable voting for a black for president.”

    I don’t know if 8 percent sounds high or low to you, but I was amazed that 8 percent of respondents were willing to admit this to a pollster. And I figure that the true figure is much higher.

    The same poll, by the way, found that 15 percent of voters think Obama is a Muslim. He is, in fact, a Christian. But thinking a person is a Muslim probably does not encourage you to vote for him in America today.

    I'm more optimistic -- the way I interpret those numbers, that means that 7 percent of Americans would consider voting for a black Muslim for president...just kidding. The sad truth is that some racism in America is going to be with us for a long time. The interesting question is whether political strategists are talking about "the race vote" because it exists, or because they plan to foment it.

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/attytood/McCains_15_percent_solution.html

 

Link at 25 doesn't work.  The second time I post the article, it did.

Well, the numbers have changed...link works.

blog drives me crazy..........

bye for now 

seashell, sorry I jumped to conclusions.