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obama should say he is not a democrat he work for the new world order and all middle class are screwww
never wil i ever votes for him again same as BUSH reagan bush sr clinton NO CHANGE OBAMA ALL TRAISON!!!
Pig thrusting sounds like a strange form of animal husbandry to me.
Maxrot, I think a lot of people make blog posts, thinking that they're commenting on the day's show.
No Mathboy you're not commenting too much, trouble is, there are so few making comments here in the first place. What happened to all the people that were on here a few years ago? Hope the new campaign season brings back some of the commentators this blog used to have.
N
I knew this was going to happen. Like many, I've got Cassandra's Curse, the ability to see things coming a long way off. On the upside, it got me started in the computer industry in 1976 when I was 15 years old, found me my spouse, and moved me into information security in 1996 - but on the downside people like me can see BAD stuff coming too, and we're helpless to stop it.
I wrote 'Wage Peace,' which was published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, because I saw this all coming. It was clear that we were going to take military action against someone, and that it wasn't going to matter much who we targeted. At the time I didn't know about the Project for a New American Century (PNAC) and their plans for empire, or I might even have guessed where we'd go. But I knew America was on the verge of making a huge, tragic mistake.
It was my hope with 'Wage Peace' to contribute to deflecting our national rage in a productive direction. Of course I knew it was hopeless, but one must do what one can.
I read it now and wonder what might have been, had we turned our weapons to construction rather than destruction.
How many people that really want to tune into the Football game really wants to watch a Presidential speech anyway? On top of that, who really watches the pre-game show for the sake of watching the pre-game show, most viewers are just killing time until the game starts. I think the way Obama timed his speech is perfect. Those that want to hear him will tune in, and if they like what their hearing they'll stay tuned in, if not, they'll switch to the pre-game. The Republican'ts aren't even going to bother with a counter argument, they're actually going to let his speech gel for a night before refuting this or that. The average uninformed voter isn't going to bother to listen to the punditry after show, so Obama is going to get a speech out to the public with little push back.
Tis a pity Obama is not likely to say anything that's the least bit controversial, what a prefect time to make a speech that would really challenge the right.
N
Not only is Obama turning out to be a woos, he is also an economic moron. Big business would have to spend money on labor (jobs) and equipment (more jobs) and materials (yet more jobs) in order to follow the new EPA regulations. What did Obama do? He suspended the EPA regulations! He just does not get it. Cutting costs for big business does NOT create jobs. It destroys jobs!
I contributed to Obama's 2008 campaign starting in 2007. This year he can go to the Koch brothers for contributions. Fat chance that one!
Given sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine.
Am I commenting too much? ;)
Pres. Obama's speech starts at 7:00 EST, and NBC's pre-game show starts at 7:45 EST.
A wise man surrounds himself with wise counsellors, a foolish man ignores their advice.
A proverb by leighmf
Well - the only good news on this one is that has revealed to be an inside job - but that is not ok to say but......
Sen. David Vitter would have trouble rendezvousing with the DC madam at this point, since she killed herself a few years ago. But he might be able to find some other prostitute willing to diaper him.
It's been determined recently that there are three archetypes of gut flora, and doctors are starting to recognize that medical conditions can be cured by rectifying a lack or overabundance of some bacteria. One person was actually cured of a bowel disorder by a fecal transplant. You read that right. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20048681
Well if the Republican't congress was populated with rational members, such an argument is quite persuasive, however, as seen with the debt ceiling debacle, the Republican't's are anything but rational. There seems to be enough Republican't congress members that don't want to do anything the President proposes that it even stymies the Republican't leadership policies. Though on the other hand, Obama has shown that he's reluctant to say anything substantial or confrontational in campaigning or in the Oval Office, so the whole campaign season is probably going to be a year long trial of frustration for the typical American Progressive. The Republican'ts will continue to propose insane policies, get support from the talking heads, and Obama will propose vague phrases that are designed to make voters feel good. However, this time around, there isn't as much faith in Obama as there was in 2008.
N
People get to vote because they all have the ability to suffer (which is one reason why corporations shouldn't get to vote). Vadum says that including the poor in the electorate gives them power to vote themselves money, but not letting them vote would allow others to drive them into destitution without their permission. Which is worse?
Promote purple thumbs abroad but cut off the thumbs here? Does Matthew Vadum also believe that corporate welfare queens shouldn't be able to vote (donate money) either?
My head hurts from trying to figure out why President Obama has chosen to NOT be a progressive Democrat. Am I naive to think that the evil and sinister Republicans can be stopped from bulldozing over the Constitution and wiping out the Middle Class and the American Dream? I've never felt so helpless and so scared in my life.
Would a sitting President ever sit down for a lengthy interview to answer why they're doing what they're doing? Why they've done what they've done? Why they haven't done what they haven't done?
I would give my right arm as well as my left arm if Obama would somehow transform himself into FDR. In fact I'll throw in my left leg too. But he won't.....it just won't happen. I so wish I could say I felt optimistic about the future of this country and the future for my children and grand children...but I don't...and why would I? Without a shred of real evidence to imply the future looks good....
Thom, it's "fait accompli" /fay-tah-kom-plee/, not "fiat accompli". "Fiat" is Latin (I think it means "it becomes"), whereas "fait accompli" is French for "accomplished feat".
David,
Good post. The bottom line is people are not motivated by ideology. These beliefs are the justification for doing what they want to do anyway. We humans gravitate to belief systems that support our pesonal agendas. If we watch what someone does, we'll know who they are. Do they really believe in free markets, religion, etc? If it gets them power and money, it must be true. We cling to beliefs that seem to work for us. I'm sure Bachman really believes god wants her to be pres., but that is because she wants that, and so she simply maps her god belief on to her own wishes.
Finally, I've noticed that people who do what is obviously good for others don't need to justify it with ideology. People who are cynical and self-serving always have an ideology to defend what they do when they hurt others. Think about fascism, communism, libertarianism. All of these "philopsophies" are justifications for human greed, fear and ego. I'm sure Mitch McConnel would make a great Mullah, (he probably agrees with 'em on most issues) but that's not where the money is in the USA.
Thanks,
Can Thom explain how it is possible to "stimulate the economy" and "re-boot strong job growth" when, as he knows, we are already suffering the effects of peak oil, making economic growth impossible? In fact, can Thom explain why he seems so reluctant to talk about peak oil in the economic context lately?
Remember that video series you introduced earlier his year, Thom -- "Peak Oil and a Changing Climate"? Have yours views changed since then?
Uncertainty????
Let's not let them get away with using this as a reason that corporations are not investing the trillions they are sitting on....What was more uncertain that the recent economic meltdown?....caused by lack of regulations!!!!
Ask then what is their source for this uncertainty? How did they measure this and come to the conclusion that business is uncertain? Can't be because they are not making enough money.
This is NOT rocket science, people! Go about this in a systematic way of thinking. Money and greed are rampant is the U.S.. This will continue to be the modus operandi and the complete downfall of the nation - because no penalities are in place to discourage or prevent national, self destructive behavior. The few (Goldman Sachs, etc.) will simply collect their fortunes and then retire elsewhere. The government is theoretically supposed to be for the people, but it's only for a few. Elsewhere when this happens, there are huge protests and collective action from the beneficiaries of the bad behavior of government officials. If you want to continue to lose your homes, have no jobs, live with your adult children, etc.....keep doing what you're doing! Everyone can complain and then complain some more, but this behavior will not change anything. The U.S. is a capitalistic society, which by definition, means that money and the ability to accrue money (in fair ways or not) is the rule. Take a look at other countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark) that have managed to recouperate from the U.S. economic disaster. And, before you scream "Oh, no! Not socialism!", ask yourself some hard questions. You will notice as you look around..a conspicuous absense of RELIGION based focus in these nations. They make the actual taking care of its citizens and the ethical adminstration of law the focus. And, yes, everyone has a right and access to health care. Again, not rocket science...look around at what's working and make the comparisions for yourself.
The ONLY way this country has a chance to survive 4 more years of either party, is for the house, senate and Prez - to be all the same party! That way there wont be bickering. Dems should be trying to take the house back - not worry about Obama. If they succeed at that, Obama will be swept in. It is a brilliant strategy - one that involves mobilizes the true base in the USA. And - logically - it is our only way out as a country - if we intend to stay the USA. By the way Read This: The Untied States of America. - did you catch the typo? well, thats what we have. We need a united governement first - then we can re-set the rules and laws - as Jon hinted at yesterday. Otherwise, we bicker until we die.