February in Review

Mike,

Some day even the Neo-Cons will wake up.

I recorded and section by section watched most of the CSPAN broadcast of the summit.

McCain and his buddies each used the same two tired slogans 6 to -20 times each during the day.

"Start Over" and "Step by Step."

The one House GOP big mouth declared that while he accepted Congressional Budget Office numbers as accurate and politically neutral on all other matters and had done so for years -- he refuses to accept CBO numbers on the Health Care Reform Bill passed by the house.

Hypocrisy at the outer limits.

Meanwhile, insurors in eleven states announced huge increases in health care policy premiums -- 50% in one case for healthy young adults.

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

By the way, saw the Neo-Cons Boogie Man on CNN this afternoon.

Aside from being a multi-billionaire who left Hungary after WWII, worked to pay for a top education at the London School of Economics, and coming to the U.S. flat broke to build one of the great personal fortunes of our era.

--He has donated more than $500-Million to charity in 120+ countries, personally donated the maximum of $50,000 to the Obama inauguration program.

-- He strongly disagrees with the bank bail out, saying since the American Taxpayers were basically recapitalizing these banks, the administration should have done as several other countries have and Nationalize those banks.

"That would have stopped these criminal bonuses to managers who recklessly and willfully risked their stockholders' equity in the pursuit of personal profit."

He laughed at the idea of China's COMMUNIST regime.

They have state controlled capitalism on steroids and unless we get our act together, we can get in trouble.

His final point, President Obama has made a start on rebuilding U.S. prestige abroad by sitting and discussing ideas and problems with other leaders.

The world's leaders were totally sick of irrational lectures from Bush and Cheney.

Obama's biggest weakness -- "He believes in the power of logic and reason to bridge differences."

"The problem is with today's Republicans and many of the world's dictators, logc and reason are not within their understanding.

The final concept -- ELIMINATE INCOME TAX, CAPITAL GAINS and many other taxes, with a national value added tax of 5-14%. Apparently including business expenses.

Farmer buys equipment -- he pays VAT.

Factory buys parts -- pays VAT.

Sounded like the typical Billionaire willing for working people to pay the same tax as rich folks. The only problem -- most of the working folks' purchases are daily necessities, which take most of their income.

The rich man's necessities consume a tiny percentage of his income.

With VAT,he can take most of his income, buy an estate on a tropical island, buy boats, airplanes, food, clothing, 20-year-old Scotch, 100 year old French wines -- and pay no VAT.

This fellow does not strike me as a very good Socialist as some claim.

You know that picture you always post with hankherndon? It always gives me a laugh because it always reminds me that you don't have the first clue as to what socialism is and that's why you think Obama is a socialist. For the love of all that is good Obama's not even a liberal.

Umm, no he is not but thanks for proving my point that you know nothing of what socialism actually is.

When this blog inevitably turns into mud slinging and name calling, I would encourage Mike to go back through and make an honest attempt to discover that he was indeed the first to throw stones here (again).

An opinion posed by hankherndon continues to be attacked on a personal level by the author, evidently only on the basis of disagreement.

It is truly no wonder how these blogs get so out of control when the author continues to attack those who disagree.

I guess hankherndon is fortunate that Mike doesn't know his true identity. It would be a shame if it were put in print in a local paper as an effort to destroy his credibility. (Unless, of course, your real name is Hank Herndon) Apple must not fall far...

Backassward Hank,

I listened to an old Northern Plains pharmacist explain his concept for "Work required to receive any public assistance."

Made sense in 1959 and makes sense today.

That man was the only member of the U.S. Congress with a proven, diverse track record:

--As a successful small town businessman in the midst of the 30s depression;

--Left the business to his siblings and worked his way through graduate school in the South;

--The absolute favorite professor at a small college in the north country;

--The successful reform mayor of what had been one of the most corrupt cities in the nation's history;

-- A long-term leader of change in the congress; -- An effective Vice President and;

-- The sacrificial lamb for the Presidency.

He retired with his senate pension and the small home he bought while teaching. Did not seek a fortune as a dinner speaker.

He believed absolutely in the concept that all who were capable of "doing anything" -- "stuffing water bills into envelopes with their teeth if necessary," or mowing the cemetery and parks, sweeping streets, or cleaning toilets in the schools -- should work to receive public assistance.

Food credits for the month for 40 hours work, rent and utilities money for 80 hours work, medical services for 20 hours work, clothes/gas/etc. for 20 hours work.

With 4.3 weeks per month, that meant every quarter of 13 weeks, every public assistance recipient would get his $2.00-$5.00 pay for one week to spend as he pleased.

But to get public assistance -- EVERYONE WORKS.

That was the attitude of the man constantly accused of being a "flaming liberal."

He strongly believed every young person should devote two years to public service in the military, in teaching in poor communities, helping in public clinics and hospitals, home care for the poor elderly, building trails and park facilities in local, state and national parks.

He believed that no generation should have a free ride into the benefits of freedom and democracy.

That made him a "flaming liberal."

He developed the entire concept for the Peace Corps, with JFK was happy to take credit for starting.

No one every heard him complain that he had done the work and JFK grabbed the glory.

The important thing was that the Peace Corps has been our most effective method of spreading the Gospel of Freedom, Democracy and the value of basic education, community health programs, public hygiene and community service.

Remember, Everett Dirksen of Pekin, Ill moved enough Senate Republicans to support of LBJ's Civil Rights Bill to secure passage.

Some claim Dirksen did so because LBJ assured him the Dirksen name would go down in history for making the bill passage happen.

At least Kansas' Nancy carries on her father's legacy -- although it is doubtful she consumes 1% of his bourbon sampling.

You guys that think I was throwing insults at hankherndon on this post are going to have to enlighten me. All I said in my original post was that I thought it was funny that his avatar was calling Obama a socialist when he is in fact not one. Then hankherndon claimed that he was to which I replied that hankherndon knew nothing of what socialism is. That's not insulting and should not have been taken as such.

Joe, the first comment on here was from HerndonHank and it wasn't taking me to task.

Husker at what point did I actually do any name-calling and mudslinging? All I did was point out the truth that Obama was not a socialist. How in the world do you consider that an attack? You complain about me attacking and then you turn right around and attack me and father. Maybe, just maybe, instead of pointing out what you consider to be others shortcomings in attacking others you should look at yourself. Not an attack mind you just an observation.

I'd like to know what name-calling I have done. I really would. It's not like I've called a political ideology a religion or called those who disagree with un-American or evil. I don't go around calling people who disagree with me stupid. I certainly never called the sitting president, President Bozo. I don't even refer to people that belong to the tea party as teabaggers though to be fair they came up with the name.

So what name-callings exactly am I guilty of slinging?

I wonder, though, going back to the blog if Senator Bunning even realizes (or probably more accurately even cares) that by filibustering the extenstion to the unemployment benefits because it needs to be paid for that it's actually going to cost more federal money. Not to mention that he effectively, by himself, cut off money to 400,000 people that have no jobs. So basically while he, and other Republicans, are claiming that they care about the working people and they need to get them jobs at the same time they are saying to those people that have no jobs and only have any money because of unemployment, tough?

Mike,

Go back and read the blogs...with an open mind. You write an opinion...hankherndon replies to the topic. He replies to the piece...you reply to his intellect...that he "knows nothing of socialism". He was on topic and you attack his knowledge...get it?

It doesn't bother me in the least that you do this, except that I do sense a little hypocrisy in you at times. When one of your blogs gets out of hand, it isn't unusual for you to interject with something like: sorry for contributing...let's get back on topic. There is always a beginning to the mud slinging and you seem to have trouble recognizing that in yourself.

As the author of the blog, you need to hold yourself at a higher standard and control the reactionary responses.

In my humble view, a more appropriate response would have been to rebut the comment in a more constructive way...perhaps defining socialist (in your view) rather than "you don't have the first clue as to what socialism is" or "you know nothing of what socialism actually is". If you are going to author a blog, and enlighten us with your esteemed opinions...then you have an obligation to back them up without (what I consider) personal, demeaning attacks.

If my comment about your father upset you, I apologize. Perhaps it was a little over the line. My point was only to show the similarity in the way you go on the offensive with those in disagreement.

Mike,

What is the nuclear option? To be honest your blog here is the only place I've seen anyone railing against this issue, I haven't heard it discussed elsewhere. If you've explained it before I apologize for asking, if you could point me to where you explained it I'll look there, I just don't want to have to read through all the muck to find an answer.

So because you have confused what socialism and liberalism are if I call you out on it I am being derogatory towards you? Wow that's going to disappoint a lot of people who simply want people to know the facts before they comment.

Watch out teachers according to hankherndon here if you dare correct a student when they are wrong you are being derogatory towards them. This could change the profession again. Heck we are already grading papers in blue ink instead of red ink because of the negativity associated with red ink.

But of course you love using derogatory in your responses. If you didn't you wouldn't have much to say now would you?

Joe, thanks for proving my point that you and those that believe as you do can be as derogatory as you want to be but look out if someone who disagrees with you uses the same tact. You'll start. But you have yet to point out exactly what name-calling I am guilty of. Last time I checked I have always called you Joe or Joe Buck but you have followed hankherndon's lead (who you actually criticize) in calling me little mike (which as I have stated doesn't really bother me).

I really hope no one is in a flood plain this spring, because if there is a flood and your house is ruined as it stands right now your insurance will not cover it. This is yet another of the consequences of Jim Bunning's filibuster of the extension of unemployment benefits.

Because of Bunning's filibuster 1000s of federal employees are not working right now, millions of Americans are not getting the ONLY income that is keeping them afloat right now.

Once again a case of Republicans telling America that they only they care about them but when it comes down to actually voting that way they couldn't care less about Americans only their own self interest.

Remember, this is the same group of people that threatened to call anyone who dared to filibuster military spending as anti-American and helping the terrorists only to turn around and filibuster a military spending bill. Better pull your pant legs up, the hypocrisy is really deep this year.

Republicans threatened to use the nuclear option in 2005 to end Democratic filibusters on judicial nominees. It's been around since at least the 50s. Essentially it's a point of order issued in the Senate and calls into question the constitutionality of the filibuster.

To date it has never been used because if invoked it would completely ban the use of filibuster in the Senate.

Republicans and their pundits have been calling the Democrats plan to use reconciliation as the nuclear option. The continually say that the two are the exact same thing when in fact they are not remotely close to being identical.

Okay my response to hankherndon's original response is this: hankherndon you are taking out of context what a very few amount of people are actually doing with money they receive from the federal government. Your idea seems to be instead of trying to fix the system do completely away with it because of a minority therefor punishing the majority of the people that use federal money responsibly.

My response to your critique of me, Husker, of telling hankherndon that he knows nothing of Socialism if he believes Obama to be a socialist is that I stand by that statement. I have no belief in what socialism is because there aren't (in my opinion) any other ways to look at socialism. As with history it is what it is. Karl Marx wrote it out quite extensively what socialism is and I don't have enough space or time or the want to tell people who are only simply restating the inaccuracies and slams on a president because they like it how they are mistaken.

In the end it won't matter because people that truly believe that Obama is a socialist will always believe that no matter how many facts they are countered with.

But I stand by my original statement, if you think Obama is a socialist then you know nothing of socialism.

I'm sorry that you all have taken it as name-calling and mud-slinging because it is not. If I wanted to name call I would have told hankherndon that he knew nothing or was an idiot. But I don't do that and I never have, that's the sole property of other posters on this site. I say that he knows nothing of socialism because I really believe that he doesn't have a basic understanding of what socialism is. Maybe if I would have stated it that way you all wouldn't have gotten all in a tither.

It is interesting though that in a misunderstanding that I was name-calling and mud-slinging you all just jumped all over me like it had never been done before and yet when your fellow posters that you agree with do the same your oddly silent.

I have tried to keep decorum on this blog. I have tried extremely hard. This is my blog and I have ownership over it and it is my responsibility. Unfortunately people are allowed to come onto this site and break every term of service available and nothing happens.

Some like to shout that their freedom of speech is being violated but it isn't. When you signed up to post on this site you agreed to the terms of service. If you choose to break those terms you need be prepared to have your comments removed. Unfortunately, again, because people shout that their rights are being violated nothing happens. Until the terms of service are actually enforced there is little I can do to weed out the flamers that come to this site solely to cause problems.

But I agree with you Husker, I should hold myself to a higher standard but when I see a poster blatantly lying or misrepresenting something I have said or something that has gone on I will respond.

One of the most used lines that came out of this blow-up that still has legs almost a month later is if you don't like what is being said then don't write for the site or the paper anymore. I have one response to that, if you don't like what I write in my blog, if you don't like how I respond to the flamers and the liars, then don't read my blog.

However, I am not going to stop you from saying your peace but don't expect if in saying your peace you lie or are just outright offensive about what you say to be called on it. I expect no different from you as well

I would love for this blog to be a blog where ideas are exchanged and differences vetted out. But as long as the flamers are allowed to do what they do it won't be. You can call me out all you want for my supposed name-calling and mud-slinging but if you are only calling me out and letting the flamers continue what they are doing then your attempts are futile.

Husker I realize that I went on a rant based on what you said and the entirety was not directed towards you but everyone on this blog both those that agree with me and those that don't.

Reformedrightwinger,

I appreciate your links but I must not have made my question clear, I know what reconciliation is, in a general sense but I was confused by Mike's claim that Republicans were incorrectly calling it the "nuclear option" I wanted to know what he considers the "nuclear option" to be. Personally I think calling anything a "nuclear option" is more than a bit silly but I have no control over it.

Mike,

Thanks for answering my question but where did you get the information, where has the procedure to end all filibusters been called the "nuclear option"?

Speaking of reconciliation what are your views on its use and any concerns it leads towards the ever popular tyranny of the majority.

Mike,

I would also like to address your post a couple back about name-calling, blog etiquette, etc. Why are you so defensive that you feel it is necessary to respond to every idiotic post that is made on this board? You say you want good discussion and idea exchange but you never seem to be able to do what you say you want. I have an idea for you which is in line with your advice to you detractors. If you don't like it, stop reading thier posts. I rarely read the posts by Hank because they are so long winded and rambling that it isn't worth my time to do so. Instead of engaging in stupid *******-matches ignore those inane posts. However, you seem very touchy about the whole thing and refuse to let anything be.

You also spend a great deal of time calling others liars and questioning thier knowledge. Does it not occur to you that others can reach different conclusions without anyone lying or being mis-informed. If hankherndon doesn't have the same view of socialism that you do it doesn't mean either of you are right nor does it mean either of you are lying. You're both entitled to your opinions.

Trent Lott called the option to completely do away with the filibuster nuclear in 2005, thus it became the nuclear option.

Joe the bill will NOT pass in time and has not. The benefits ended at the end of February and this is now March. He says he wants it paid for. That's fine and dandy but the longer the filibuster lasts the more money has to be put in to actually pay for it and to recoup money that people are losing now.

The question has been asked and I will ask it again. Why is he only NOW concerned about where the money comes from. He has never cared until the very last minute. WHY?

Again hank, what is this Democrat Party you keep referring too. Also you blame the Democratic Party solely for printing and borrowing money. What about the Republicans in the 80s, late 90s and 2000s. They printed and borrowed as well so why is all your hate only directed in one direction.

Mike,

I hate too bee too picky (sarcasm intended), but why do you always feel it necessary to call out people in what I can only assume is an attempt to belittle them for saying Democrat Party instead of Democratic Party? I find it amusing and were I you, I would probably call you a hypocrite for criticizing a person for misspeaking or mistyping when you mistype in the same sentence. Let it go, or are you really so stupid that you don't understand the group to which hank was referring?

one of my personal favorites is mike whining about civil discussion and titles his tome "Liars, Hypocrites and Cowards". But then again, that must not be name-calling.

p.s. that was dated 02/03/10

Backasswards Hank, Jose, et al:

Socialism was where this country was headed when FDR started dragging the U.S. out of the depression about 1934.

The measures used for six more years were too gradual and cautious to be fully effective.

So by Dec. 1941, a nation of well under 200-Million people had more than 5-million men working in "make work" programs.

Eleanor Roosevelt insisted to her husband that men who received public money without working for it would have their character destroyed and might never recover.

Reviewing February, 2009 through February 2010, it is obvious President Obama studied the 1930s, FDR, Eleanor, Harold Ickes and the entire New Deal.

He very pragmatically moved to shore up CAPITALISM.

A lot of us objected strongly to our taxes going to prop up lying, thieving, self-centered bankers who had gambled with depositors' and stockholders money and lives.

It still burns my backside, as a matter of principal.

But, it played a huge role in stabilizing the economy and dragging us back from total disaster.

The bank and auto maker bailout was created by Paulson, Bernake and Greenspan of the DubYah Bush admininistration.

Fortunately, two of these guys were the qualified replacements brought in to straighten up the mess created by a government, mostly designed by Shotgun Cheney.

Paulson and Bernake in particular were effective.

The first bailouts for the banks, auto makers and AIG during late 2008 had a single structural flaw in not imposing tight restrictions upon the executives responsible for the mess.

Probably 10% of the total original bailout was siphoned off for enormous bonuses for the "hired hand" managers.

There is good reason to believe some of those people seriously violated state and federal law in generating those bonuses for themselves.

Certainly, several agencies are moving in that direction now.

Even though Paulson, Bernake and Greenspan and their colleagues created the bail out programs, when Obama came in he had already decided to continue, with tighter controls as he and congress could provide them.

It still was propping up CAPITALISM.

Even while recapitalizing most of the major banks, there was no attempt to gain control.

This was George Soros' complaint on CNN a week or so ago. From the perspective of a billionaire investor, Soros would benefit from Nationalized Banks, because historically Nationalization prevents the banks from speculative investing.

That leaves that field open for Soros and his private funds, Hedge Funds and other activities -- which are all highly speculative.

He stated, "I always buy 'bubbles' and I always buy at the bottom of cycles. Yes, I've been buying everything of quality, which is at the bottom of the cycle now. My funds may triple in value again in my lifetime."

No remorse, no political philosophy, just pragmatic business decisions, primarily taking maximum advantage of others losses.

That's the way the free market works.

That is what President Obama devoted his first year to achieving, while refusing to consider the one move the billionaire [Several of you claim absolutely controls Obama] wanted most.

To those who scream non-stop that Obama is wrong about everything -- NATO forces; including Marines as the sharp, hard tip of the spear; are now in control of the major heroin poppy growing region of Southern Afghanistan. This is the region which had major U.S. aid and influence going back to the 1950s and 60s. The Taliban, prior to the DDD Iraq adventure had minimal influence in Southern Afghanistan. DDD allowed the Taliban to take over those US-created irrigation project areas and produce heroin. That's over now. What DDD allowed for six years, has been corrected since the L-O-N-G decision-making process ended in December.

Even while the decision was being crafted, better equipment was in production. The decision, effective strategy, equipment design and production were all complete at the same time.

What don't the non-stop critics understand about that.

Our casualties in this fight were less than daily losses elsewhere from IED attacks.

Another Taliban stronghold will be cleaned out very soon. Then another, and another and another.

Until the Taliban cannot control a major Afghan center.

With loss of ability to produce the heroin which has been financing their armies, they must either accept political solutions or starve in the high mountains.

There chiefs' hideouts in Pakistan are being removed, along with several of the Pushtan tribal leaders.

Within two years of taking office, seven years of mismanagement will have been reversed and two conflicts gotten under control.

Does that mean it is over.

NO!!!

Al Qaeda is still part of the Pakistan Taliban situation -- and they want Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. They want those warheads to use on severa enemies, including the U.S.

President Obama has a task force working on securing and adequately protecting U.S. container terminal seaports.

Something which was not started under DDD.

He is also using effective, proven technology to close the Mexican border. Basically ending the DDD Boeing border fence boondoogle. $3-Billion wasted.

These and a few other small details required the President's attention through mid-January.

That was when he personally became involved with completing the Health Care Reform campaign.

It appears obvious, the Democrats will adopt legal procedures primarily created by the Republicans and used by them for decades.

It is equally obvious, the Republicans will object bitterly.

They don't like losing -- and losing all those nice donations to their election funds.

Tough!!!

Will this legislation be near perfect?

No Way!!

Will it be revised?

Probably for no more than the next 200 years.

Our children and grandchildren and their children and grandchildren will continue trying to get it right.

Will it ever be perfect?

Just as soon as God has perfected man.

Will Jose, Backasswards, Mrs. Smith, Kilroy, and company still complain and criticize?

As long as any of them are drawing breath, they will never stop negative whining.

It is the nature of the critter.

You will continue screaming Socialism even while an annual convention of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce gives President Obama a standing ovation.

You want to know why and how that could happen?

Because he has used many of the top committee leaders and members of the U.S. CofC to design the programs for each area.

He has asked businessmen to do what politicians will never be qualified to achieve.

Just another Socialst trick.

In that particular blog doodle bug I was referring to only politicians not particular people on this website, so I ask again when have I have called anyone on this site any names? I think it's a simple question yet all I continue to get is glittering generalities and not real answers.

But you know it's fine I understand, you can do all the name-calling you want, those that agree with you can do all the name-calling they want but god forbid if someone that is liberal or moderate do it and then and only then is it a problem for you.

It's pretty simple Joe why I do not call him out on his "con-bot" names. He is referring in general to people who automatically regurgitate the daily talking points memo and he's the only one that I've seen refer to the extreme right. The term "Democrat Party" refers to an entire group of people that are in the Democratic Party. It's meant as an insult but I wasn't taking it that way just simply correcting the man by stating, properly, that there is no such thing as the Democrat Party in the United States. Maybe you all could start it and call it the Democrat Tea Party. I don't know just throwing out ideas.

It must be wonderful to simplify workers not being able to go to work because of one man as paid days off as you just did Joe.

SwNebr, first of all thank you for inferring that I am too stupid to realize something. I did not realize I would actually have to spell this out but yes I know exactly what group hank is referring to, it's called tongue in cheek. Call it what you want (your term was belittling) but the man who continues to refer to the Democrat Party (a term only used by Republicans attempting to disrespect the other party)is the same man who believes that Obama is a socialist that has been held back by American politics.

hank I can't believe I missed the first time but in your comment posted on Mar 2, 2010, at 11:55 AM are you actually saying that there is liberal bias on the McCook Gazette? Seriously? I don't believe for a second that the Gazette took down your Obama clown face socialist avatar. It disappears from you then reappears then is replaced by Obama in a jester hat. I'm sorry I'm not buying that one at all.

I don't know what the policy on avatars is and I frankly don't care. I don't use avatars, I really don't get the point of them, I didn't flag hankherndon's avatar (because clearly flagging does absolutely nothing on this site), I say use whatever you want.

I just love the take that Republicans are taking towards unemployment benefits that it really isn't going to hurt all that bad and everybody will be fine. Tell that to the family who's only source of income right now is those benefits because no one is hiring. But then again this is the theme of the Republican Party only care when you have to but when it comes to voting don't dare vote to help people out.

I keep hearing about the deficits on this site that are being run up so I ask you if you are so worried about the deficits being run why were you silent when seven Republicans who initially signed onto legislation that would have created a bipartisan panel to address the deficit suddenly change their minds and vote down what they had sponsored? I know this comment is going to be seen as a blame Bush comment but it isn't but why are you now only concerned about the deficit where were when the deficit was at it's highest under Bush? What is your answer then as well that all these bills that are going to skyrocket the deficit are actually a very small percentage of the deficit?

For the record I have never criticized general name-calling I have only criticized direct name-calling and I know you all think that me telling someone that they know nothing of socialism is name calling but it's not, I'm sorry but it isn't. Had I called hankherndon a know nothing (which was the original complaint) you would have a point, but I was simply pointing out (correctly) that if hankherndon or anyone for that matter thinks that Obama is a socialist then they know nothing of what socialism is.

Chances are pretty good that those that call Obama a socialist have heard it somewhere else and instead of looking into to see if it was true made it their own.

Can you say hypocrite yet?

http://www.breitbart.tv/obama-american-agenda-flashback-dems-should-not-pass-hea...

Mike,

I didn't infer you were stupid, I implied that you were if you thought whomever said "Democrat Party" didn't mean Democrats. I made my own inference as to your intelligence level years ago.

Can some Democrat other than Mike tell me why "Democrat Party" is an insult? I guess I don't see how it could be insulting. But then again I suppose all of the "clever" ways people nickname the handles on this site are also insulting to some people, I find it juvenile and pointless.

Mike, do you think being a socialist is a bad thing?

I'm also a little confused by your stance on name calling. Let me see if I have it straight: Bad behavior is ok when applied to someone you aren't having a direct conversation with? It seems pretty clear to me that sort of behavior should be avoided in all cases. If you can't make a point without inflamatory language used to evoke an emotional response or shift attention from your argument, you probably need to give more thought to your argument.

Joe,

Well I took your advice and Googled "Democrat Party" and the first hit was for the Democratic Party's website. Further down was an entry on wikipedia that confirmed it is supposed to be insulting. I thought people were just lazy typists. In that case I apologize to Mike, I didn't realize you were so insulted when people said Democrat. Does that make members of the Democratic Party, Democratics or Democrats I'm a little confused.

I still don't see how that is insulting but if it is meant to be so I would enjoin people to stop childish pseudo-slurs.

ss/dd

Jose,

There were some of us who fought to keep DDD from the Iraqi invasion.

As for Afghanistan --

REMEMBER 9/11?

BIN LADEN's AL QAEDA headquarters and 99% of the AQ training camps were in Afghanistan.

The Taliban were his sponsors and protectors.

Next door, a functional NUCLEAR ARSENAL in Pakistan.

All of you Knee-Jerk Neo-Cons are cordially invited to volunteer your back yard -- or even your nearest public park or school -- as the best spot for Al Qaeda to deliver their first "NUKE."

Why is the U.S. in Afghanistan?

More than 150 nations realized the why and gave their unrestricted support in 2002, before and during the military campaign against Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Guarantee -- every last one of you Obama Haters was 190% in favor of that military operation.

I did not personally know a single U.S. citizen, or illegal immigrant who was opposed.

The disaster came when DubYah and the Draft Dodgers (aka DDD) pulled most of the U.S. forces and got Tony Blair to withdraw most of England's forces out of Afghanistan to launch the Iraqi invasion.

Real genius -- remove the TENTH MOUNTAIN DIVISION from the mountains of Eastern Afghanistan (Tora Bora) and send them to Iraq's desert.

His real reason -- Members of his White House staff at that time have said and written that DubYah was obsessed with "...going after Sadaam from the earliest campaign days and from his first day in the White House."

What don't you understand?

The ill-conceived and mis-managed Iraq invasion was a personal vendetta, based on two things.

Sadaam was an early client of Poppa Bush's years as CIA director, his vice-presidency and presidency. Sadaam had threatened those wonderful Bush Family friends -- The Saudi Royal Family and their bosom buddies, the Bin Laden family.

The full Taliban military force was organized, equipped (including Stinger missiles and land mines by the hundreds of thousands) and trained by CIA operatives.

Get real.

If President Obama before Jan. 30, 2009 had done what some of you geniuses are now demanding -- and ordered all U.S. military out of Iraq -- 99.9999% of you uber-conservatives would have demanded his immediate impeachment.

Beginning in November, even during the campaign, Candidate Obama routinely met with active and retired military professional leaders to consult and advise him about the situation in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Anyone reading any print news, listening to radio news and watching TV news was well aware our people were dying in thin-skinned Hummers and light WWII style trucks.

Even many of the high-speed armored personnel carriers were easy pickings for IEDs in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

The Muslim, Irish Republican Army and other terrorists have been using "buried-in-roadway" Improvised Explosive Devices for decades.

Yet, because the Auto Makers were fully tooled and accustomed to high profits producing "thin skin" vehicles -- the politicians and military procurement officers saw no reason to change.

We had civilian-type big rigs trucking supplies from Kuwait City throughout Iraq, from Basrah to Tikrit with regularly scheduled convoys.

Dozens of vehicles rolling in long lines.

The only thing lacking was painting a ten-foot bullseye on each vehicle.

THOUSANDS OF OUR PEOPLE and tens of thousands of Iraqis died as a result.

The "inexperienced" Candidate Obama and just sworn-in (twice) President Obama could see we were getting thousands of people killed and maimed by IEDs.

He moved immediately for a rapid change and production of enough IED-proof vehicles

to re-equip our forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Look at this last campaign -- total fatalities among U.S., NATO and Afghanistan Army and Police forces were less than fifty. Total wounded were less than 100 more.

Look at the numbers.

As usual the Taliban hid within civilians and scores of those civilians died and more were wounded.

Like all wars, it is a dirty war.

Did President Obama personally plan the tactics. NO -- He left the professional soldiering to the professionals.

He publicly outlined the policy [FULLY SUPPORTED BY THE MILITARY LEADERS] after months of careful study and review.

Every single agency and experienced leader was heard, debating his position with the entire group, in those months of planning discussions while the Republicans and uber-conservatives railed against "indecision."

This first offensive and the totally positive outcome are the result of his "indecision."

The highly effective Predator strikes in Afghanistan and Pakistan are the result of his seeking and valuing professional military thinking.

Unlike Korea, where Ike "got us out" without victory.

Unlike Viet Nam where constant political interference helped create chaos -- and we got our butts handed to us -- in spades on rooftops scrambling for choppers.

Unlike Somali where a GOP president got us out with heavy casualties, leaving the country in chaos as the breeding nest for modern pirates-- and with our butts handed to us.

Unlike Persian Gulf War I, where we left without eliminating the root cause -- some nut named Sadaam. We won the combat handily, but in the final analysis, we got our butts handed to us.

Unlike Seven Years of a mis-managed Afghanistan war and nearly six years of a mis-managed second invasion of Iraq --

WITHIN ONE YEAR, President Obama has reversed both disasters, we are leaving Iraq with honest opportunity to build their own future.

WITHIN ONE YEAR, President Obama has provided NATO and Afghanistan and U.S. forces with effective new equipment and weapons -- AND left the management of combat operations to qualified professionals.

That's a full year in anyone's book.

Guess what, he also organized the turn around in an existing complete economic collapse.

"Bail out banks" are rapidly repaying their debts from booming profits.

G.M. and Chrysler are producing vehicles with hundreds of thousands of jobs saved.

He is moving resources to "jobs creation."

The GOP refused to help, as usual, so he launched the Budget Reduction and Control Commission with Conservative Republican Allan Simpson of Wyoming and Erskine Bowles of North Carolina.

Two men from known hotbeds for liberal extremism.

Despite TOTAL G.O.P. opposition, a Health Care Reform bill will pass after 100 years of efforts.

By the way, virtually all of you Neo-Con "clowns" who insist upon using "DEMOCRAT PARTY" -- have objected to me following "TEA PARTY' members' example and referring to that group as "Tea Baggers."

That's the ENORMOUS grass roots movement which had 600 or so in Nashville to pay Miz Sary $125,000 to tell her best "hockey mom" jokes and share her moose burger recipes.

[Say 600 diners at $300 per chair = $180,000.

Each meal $20 -- $6,000, leaving $174,000.

Miz Sary's fee - $125,000.

$49,000 to help pay for the convention and nothing left to finance the ENORMOUS MOVEMENT.

But, why didn't she roll her tanning bed onstage while picking up her check?

Just think -- the tanning bed could have been rolled out, opened up to reveal Alaska's "First Almost Son-in-Law, grandchild's father" in his best totally nude PLAYGIRL pose.

Dadburn -- what a missed opportunity for glory.

Senior,

"I am in the center, with some extremely radical views I won't even think of going into on here"

ROFLMAO

Does this strike anyone else as an oxymoron? I also find it funny that most people in the extreme think that they are in the center.

Senior,

Surely you must be a much more extremely interesing person that I am, why else would you feel the need to insult others? I'm glad to make you happy. I just have trouble reconciling the center position you claim while simultaneously claiming to be radical. I would also think someone "in the center" would have complaints against the left as well as the right.

Reformedrightwinger,

Just curious and you don't have to answer if you don't want to. I have often wondered when you were a right winger and what reformed you? Also do you now see yourself as a centrist or a left winger?

Reformedrightwinger,

I don't take your answer in any wrong way, I am just curious. I'm sorry for asking something again, I just didn't want to take the time to search through all the drivel for an answer. Mostly I was wondering if there was some epiphany which opened your eyes. For my part I don't consider myself an extremist of any sort (which by my logic probably just proves I am one). I generally try to avoid engaging in discussions with extremists as they are not interested in any true debate, which is why I would suggest not responding to Joe or hankherdon except in cases where they actually make valid points.

Senior,

If you insist you mean no insult to anyone then I must apologize. Unlike others I try to avoid putting words in other's mouths. However I do have the courage to speak plainly and honestly about what I think and to be honest when I am criticizing people specifically. That said I don't believe you honestly mean no insult. I am not insulted because I wouldn't consider myself one of your Con-Bots, therefore I have no reason to be insulted you haven't yet insulted me.

At risk of sounding insulting towards you, am I wrong in assuming English is not your first language? After reading some of your posts I almost expect to be directed to a Nigerian bank acount with millions of dollars waiting for me to get my share of by helping you retrieve it.

Sound advice reformedrightwinger, the only annoying part of that is when someone new or not so new pops up you have to give them the benefit of the doubt before you learn enough to ignore them.

Nice arguments there Joe and hankherndon, why should it matter to you if Senior Loud and HerndonHank drool over photos of Todd Palin? Those types of sophomoric gay jokes stopped being funny after junior high.

How would I know what? If you are addressing me that is.

Backassward Henri,

Still raving about Democratic office holders and their spending.

What is it about Reagan/Bush leaving us with the S&L mess, farm auctions {Gave Willie a great reason for Farm Aid], massive home foreclosures, total economic collapse for all the western state's primary industries, almost non-stop military adventures -- and a greater increase in national debt than all previous president's combined?

Just an added $3.5-TRILLION! THAT'S ALL.

What is there about Clinton/Gore slashing federal payroll, red tape and expenditures, actually eliminating the annual deficit and reducing the debt by Half a Trillion annually, that you cannot wrap your immense cranial cavity around?

They secured more peace agreements around the world and did not start a single war.

What is there about DubYah and and the Draft Dodgers leaving this nation and the world with a complete economic collapse, millions of foreclosed homes, their inept bank/auto maker and AIG bail-outs, two totally mis-managed wars which allowed Al Qaeda and the Taliban to rebuild totally -- and turned the Taliban into the world's leading heroin growers and supplier, that you don't understand.

What is there about dumping the economic policies Clinton/Gore left to get this nation totally out of debt in 2010 -- this year.

Instead, Bush/Cheney again more than doubled the national debt, piling up more debt than all previous presidents combined -- including Poppa Bush - leaving the country on the brink of a total depression and $11-TRILLION in debt.

After getting the critical situations under control and reversing DDD's screw-ups in two wars, President Obama is being blamed for causing this mess.

Of course, the GOP is strangely silent with attacks against Wyoming's Allan Simpson for agreeing to co-chair the federal spending cut commission. They know he plans to cut a lot of their pork barrell items.

But the Republicans are royally outraged that the Democrats are planning to use the Republican tactic of "reconciliation" to pass the Health Care Reform bill.

They seem to have forgotten, they used the same reconciliation manuever to pass DubYah's tax cuts for his fat-cat millionaire and billionaire oil patch buddies.

Another case of -- "It's all right for us to do what works for us -- but don't you other guys dare do the same."

How does the Neo-Con/Con-Bot with such awesome originality for blog handles spell "GOP hypocrisy?"

Ah now I get it, I would know because I am well advanced from junior high. I do agree with you in some regard hankherndon, I am unsure of where the styrofoam idiom comes from but I can infer what he meant.

HerndonHank,

Was Reconciliation the right move to pass the Bush tax cuts?

Well it was nice chatting with you Senior, but if this is the level of you debate, have fun talking with Joe and herndonhank. Sorry about hurting your self esteem earlier.

Backassward Henri,

Since I am just out of Kindergarten, I can't possibly understand how for the past three-quarters of a century to my certain knowledge and personal experience:

Uber-conservatives, conservatives, Neo-Cons, Con-Bots, professional politicians, newspaper opinion writers, magazine columnists, TV and Radio pundits -- in short, the entire Western World as opposed to the inscrutable Asian world, uses Liberal as another word for the Democratic Party.

With REAGAN/BUSH responsible for more federal debt that all presidential administrations before them.

With BUSH/CHENEY responsible for DOUBLING even that massive waste and spending record.

With CLINTON/GORE actually eliminating the federal debt and reducing the deficit more than 10%.

I find myself wondering just where you find justification for your irrational claims about liberal tax and spend.

Clearly -- three conservative Republican administrations within the 30 years have been keyed to spend, cut taxes for rich folks, and go deeper into debt.

All $12-TRILLION-plus OF the current federal debt is directly attributable to that brilliant conservative DubYah and His Draft Dodgers.

And the current conservative Republican tantrum is about the same parliamentary procedure used to cram through DubYah's "Rich Buddies' Tax Cuts" now being used to complete legislation which has already passed both houses with full filibuster-proof majorities.

THE HUGE DIFFERENCE -- the professional Congressional Budget Office declares this Health Care Reform major will reduce federal spending, cut nearly ONE TRILLION in FRAUD and WASTE, and save more hundreds of billions with streamlined medical records.

The Congressional Budget Office did show the "Rich Buddies' Tax Cuts" would create massive federal debt.

Who were the wildly misguided wastrels?

The conservative Republicans who voted unbalanced tax cuts for their best buddies:

OR

The Liberal/Progressive Democrats who are passing an effective Health Care Reform measure which will reduce the 12% share of GNP now spent on Health Care to a livable 8% -- and reduce the bite on taxpayers in the process.

Along with a few other factors -- such as saving Medicare, largely by stopping the massive GOP-Years fraud.

I have been called every derogatory name possible on these two GAZETTE political blogs --

Socialist, Communist, diaper-filling old dodderer, fool, idiot, etc.

But strange thing -- Backasswards Henri -- Not one of you Neo-Cons, Con-Bots, uber-conservatives or Tea Bagging Partiers has been able to counter the reality of GOP presidents spend and debt record for three decades.

There has not been a single peep of intelligent defense of Shotgun Cheney's pushing HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS into his old Halliburton/KBR crowd's hands.

If that corrupt Wyoming Jackalope is one of your revered leaders -- why aren't the Neo-Con masses standing up to justify his "No-Bid Contract" thievery?

Your bunch on here screams that Obama lied about getting out of Iraq by Jan. 31, 2009.

How about screaming about the two mis-managed wars where three Draft Dodging incompetents replaced professional military leaders' planning with their own hare-brained schemes.

Clearly we are out of Iraq combat operations.

We are clearly taking control of Afghanistan and somehow that terrible Socialist/NAZI/Communist President Obama has clearly moved the Pakistan leadership to taking action against the Afghan Taliban leadership which has been staying in Pakistan for six years.

What is you don't understand -- about $11-TRILLION of increased federal debt during 20 years of conservative GOP control?

Military adventures in a dozen places, full wars twice in Iraq and ongoing in Afghanistan?

The Bush's have created at least 16 years of wars in those two locations.

That is longer than the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II and Korea combined.

Oh yes, huge setbacks in human rights, with massive abuses of the Patriot Act's excessive provisions and near total disregard for the Constitution. [Even the FBI has finally admitted they deliberately violated Constitutional rights to privacy at Bush/Cheney direction.

With Clinton/Gore we had PEACE, progress in bringing peace to the Israel situation, PROSPERITY, reduction in federal payroll, monumental slashing of redundant federal regulations and bureaucracy, a balanced federal budget and reduction of the Reagan/Bush $4-Trillion debt by Half a Trillion.

Plus major advances in Human Rights programs, educations and technology -- including energy savings.

Where are those "Tax and Spend" Liberals in this history?

Pulling the nation out of two Bush created recessions, ending "No-Bid Back Door Dealings," and resolving two wars, while dealing with DubYah's massive debts to China -- that's where!!

Senor Loud,

I spoke out against my dad's youngest brother's rampant racism before I was 14 and caught Hell for it.

At 20, arriving home on leave after basic (With unit orders for Korea) drove into the ranch with a my pup-tent mate, who happened to be a black guy.

My uncle and his sons came charging from the Sunday afternoon family get-together under the trees, declaring I was going to be thrown out of my own home for "..bringing that **************."

Wrong, hugely grinning aunt Sally drove off in their pickup with the three of them stacked in the bed.

He never changed - died some years ago bitterly denouncing "***************************************************."

But his sons grew to have some intelligence about treating people as people.

Maybe someone is reading these blogs who has not reached the point of no return.

It is about like cockle-burrs, pull them out by the roots before they get a foot tall and prevent thousands of the darn things five years down the road.

Help one person understand the concept of considering all the facts and then deciding.

We may prevent one emotionally-driven, irrational loudmouth in 2020, and possibly 1,000 of them in 2200.

I hope everyone doesn't start thinking as I do.

I also pray all people will look at real facts and not empty claims of "wealthy entertainers" subsidized by special interests.

But then we know how much some people hate the concept of "Hope and Change."

Just wish they would consider what a miserable future we would have to offer our grandkids without "Hope and Change."

Herndon Hank

I'm glad you aren't racist and that your Aunt Sally wasn't, but what does that story have to do with anything that had been discussed? Did I mis a big racist rant earlier?

Also you may have missed my question or chose to ignore it, do you feel the Republicans using Budget Reconciliation to pass the Bush era tax cuts was right and/or appropriate?

""..even if Mr. President Bozo has the presses working overtime!-- Posted by Joe Buck on Wed, Mar 3, 2010, at 9:32 AM"

Backasswards Henri:

January, 2009 -- Last month for the DDDs.

700,000-Plus U.S. workers lost their jobs.

February, 2010 -- End of full year with an intelligent president -- 37,000 U.S. workers lost their jobs.

Remove both shoes and do the math.

Continuing with the Bush/Cheney job losses rate -- and we would have lost another 10-Million jobs.

How do you pronounce DOUBLE THE PAIN.

Borrow some toes and fingers from Jose, Chunky, Mrs. Smith, Candy, Leo, even Sam -- Do the Math.

By the way, did you notice today.

"KARACHI, Pakistan (March 7) -- The American-born spokesman for al-Qaida has been arrested by Pakistani intelligence officers in the southern city of Karachi, two officers and a government official said Sunday, the same day Adam Gadahn appeared in a video calling for Muslim violence.

"The arrest of Gadahn is a major victory in the U.S.-led battle against al-Qaida and is a clear sign that Pakistan is cooperating more fully with Washington. It follows the recent detentions of several Afghan Taliban commanders in Karachi.

"Gadahn - who has often appeared in al-Qaida videos - was arrested in the sprawling southern metropolis in recent days, two officers who took part in the operation said. A senior government official also confirmed the arrest."

The DDD bombast and B.S. style from 2001 to 2009 never came close to capturing ANY Taliban or Al Qaeda leaders.

Already this year, in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and Somalia -- more than two dozen of the top leaders have been captured or killed.

Some directly by U.S. and NATO forces, most by the national security forces of nations who recognize that they can rely upon this U.S. President and become active against our common enemies.

Do any of you nice folks on the WAY RIGHT even once consider that this U.S. President is much more effective than a Texas clown in a pressure suit?"

More than two dozen of the top bad guys bagged within two months after his first year getting part of DubYah's huge messes cleared -- against virtually none in six and a half years for DDD.

The major consideration -- The local governments are doing a lot of the heavy lifting now, instead of sitting around for DubYah and Shotgun's latest orders.

Amazing what happens when an American president sits down with people to discuss mutual problems and listens to their ideas and respects their experience -- INSTEAD OF LECTURING them about what a sorry bunch of incompetents they are.

I wonder how Michael feels about former POTUS Clinton paving the way for massive outsourcing of US service jobs to asia? Where is the compassion there? I would think a true liberal would be for empowering the common man but apparently that means non US types.

Is Micheal going to make a living blogging? I don't see that happening unless he can get the remaining gainfully employed citizens to pay his way.

This small town buried a hero today.

Josiah, the fun-loving boy everyone knew as "Biker Joe" came home the final time.

From the Interstate, along the state highway, along the narrow Main Street, all traffic stopped for the six miles to the cemetery. Seemingly every U.S. flag in two states was visible.

Every deputy sheriff and reserve deputy, every police officer and reserve , every cadet for six departments in the area was either in the funeral procession or posted at an intersection.

Every full-time and volunteer fireman, on-duty and off duty alike, were ranked in full uniform before the fire station.

All Post Office employees were at attention, in uniform.

Four scout troops lined the courthouse square, each scout presenting the flag.

Ranked behind, greying members of the VFW, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans.

City hall and courthouse staffs were at attention, Judges in robes, bailiffs in uniform, overweight men and women in business dress -- everyone at attention.

The funeral procession was preceded by single motorcycle officers from the six departments , two county Sheriff's departments and the State Police, followed by the hearse bearing a small town's Hero.

Behind the hearse, at least one hundred of "Biker Joe's" cycling buddies, his brother leading the group with Joe's favorite dirt bike.

Behind from the biggest and most loaded Harleys down to stripped down motocross racers.

Then the procession of autos, the white stretch limos with the family and three miles of Joe's friends.

Joe came home to be with his family and friends, Americans all..