Think Progress

ThinkFast: February 21, 2008

By Think Progress on Feb 21st, 2008 at 9:02 am

ThinkFast: February 21, 2008


mccaintp.jpg

In a letter to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) this week, Federal Election Commission Chairman David Mason says the presidential candidate “can’t drop out of the primary election’s public financing system until he answers questions about a loan he obtained to kickstart his once faltering presidential campaign.”

Federal agents are investigating whether former Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) “knowingly played a role in an alleged conspiracy in 2006 to influence a Mississippi judge presiding over a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against” his brother-in-law, “famed plaintiff attorney Richard ‘Dickie’ Scruggs.” In November 2007, Scruggs was indicted for bribing the judge.

Despite recent interest rate cuts, “the Federal Reserve on Wednesday lowered its projection for economic growth this year, citing damage from the double blows of a housing slump and credit crunch. … It said it also expects higher unemployment and inflation.”

In a statement to Parliament, British foreign secretary David Miliband “has admitted two US ‘extraordinary rendition’ flights landed on UK territory in 2002.” Miliband said he was “very sorry” for previous denials from top British officials, who said in 2005, 2006 and 2007 that “there was no evidence that rendition flights had stopped on UK territory.”

An Urban Institute study found “the average number of Americans who lost their insurance each year increased faster during the economic recovery of 2004-2006 than the recession years of 2000-2004.” The study concludes this resulted because the number of Americans receiving coverage from their jobs declined, while wage increases failed to match growing insurance premiums.

A new study concludes that the “supposed ‘global cooling’ consensus among scientists in the 1970s — frequently offered by global-warming skeptics as proof that climatologists can’t make up their minds — is a myth.” An examination of “dozens of peer-reviewed scientific articles from 1965 to 1979″ found that “only seven supported global cooling, while 44 predicted warming.”

The Army has shut down public access to the largest online collection of its doctrinal publications,” a site “popular with researchers for its wealth of field and technical manuals and documents on military operations, education, training and technology.” Open government advocates call it “unnecessary secrecy by a runaway bureaucracy.”

The Pentagon’s disbursement of “roughly $1 billion a year for the past six years” to Pakistan is facing allegations of “disputed expenses and suspicions about overbilling.” Congress has asked the Bush administration “to provide receipts for every Pakistani expense over $1 million,” but has not yet received a response.

And finally: It’s no secret that House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) enjoys golfing. Harper’s, however, reports that in 2007, Boehner “used money from his political funds to pay for food or lodging at least 16 resorts or country clubs. His combined spending between 2005 and 2007 at the Wetherington Golf & Country Club alone came to nearly $60,000,” roughly “equivalent to the median family income (for a three-person family) in Boehner’s home state of Ohio.”

What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.



155 Responses to “ThinkFast: February 21, 2008”

  1. 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda says:

    What’s the REAL Reason to shoot down falling satellite?

    Anybody who thinks the government is telling the truth about shooting down a dead spy satellite–that it’s all about protecting us, and not about testing an anti-satellite weapon–has to be really stupid.

    …They’re claiming they shot this thing down because it’s got a tank with 1000 pounds of hydrazine, a fuel…which is said to be toxic if breathed. But the odds of a tank of hydrazine surviving an 18,000 mph plunge into the atmosphere intact and making it to the ground is basically zero.

    …What this is really all about is the government getting an excuse to violate the international treaty against weapons in space, to test a missile it has that it hopes can “take out” a satellite. The Chinese did this last year to one of their own satellites, to widespread condemnation from other space-faring nations, including the US.

    The only difference between the US and China here is that the Chinese at least have the integrity to violate international law frontally. The US has to do it dishonestly, pretending it is a public service.

    http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/31111

    ** Lets not forget one of the aims of PNAC (Project for a New American Century) is to weaponize and dominate outer space.


  2. 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda says:

    New Bush Policy: Weapons in Space

    (October 24, 2006) — The White House has just released the new US National Space Policy from the Bush administration. The new document makes several policy departures from past space doctrines.

    Calling for the deployment of offensive weapons systems in space to “deter” and “deny” others the “use of space.” This…will give the Pentagon the green light to put anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons in space that would be able to destroy other countries satellites.

    This means that the US is now on record as being totally opposed to the development of an international treaty at the United Nations that would ban all weapons in space. The treaty, annually promoted by Russia, China and Canada… The US and Israel have been blocking such a treaty since during the Clinton years.

    The administration now says that it will no longer be bound by international treaties which would “inhibit” Bush’s ability to strike at any time and any place on the Earth. Space technology, says the military, becomes crucial to US ability to create “full spectrum dominance.”

    …A key reason for America’s desire to kill the UN’s space weapons ban treaty negotiations is that the military-industrial complex views space as a new market. The weapons corporations have been saying for decades that Star Wars will be the largest industrial project in the history of the planet Earth.

    http://www.envirosagainstwar.org/know/read.php?itemid=4798


  3. Dumb_Fox says:

    From the Department of Crazy Fundamentalists…

    Israel’s answer to Pat Robertson blames gays for earthquakes:

    “God says you shake your genitals where you are not supposed to and I will shake my world in order to wake you up”

    http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=89180


  4. Fan of Man says:

    And finally: It’s no secret that House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) enjoys golfing. Harper’s, however, reports that in 2007, Boehner “used money from his political funds to pay for food or lodging at least 16 resorts or country clubs. His combined spending between 2005 and 2007 at the Wetherington Golf & Country Club alone came to nearly $60,000,” roughly “equivalent to the median family income (for a three-person family) in Boehner’s home state of Ohio.”

    fire that goddamn hypocrite for stealing money.


  5. Wayne says:

    Despite recent interest rate cuts, “the Federal Reserve on Wednesday lowered its projection for economic growth this year, citing damage from the double blows of a housing slump and credit crunch. … It said it also expects higher unemployment and inflation.”

    The trolls will be on later to tell us the economy is doing fine, don’t look at the man behind the curtain…..


  6. Jason M. Hendler says:

    You know, Hill’reh was the Achilles Heel of Bubba, and now Michelle is bringing Barack down. Barack had everyone convinced that he and his wife were a new kind of Democrat, that wouldn’t behave as previous Dems did. By revealing her inner “Blame America First” religion, she showed us that they are no different than Bubba and Hill’reh when they first entered the Whitehouse.

    Hill’reh was anti-military, anti-health insurance industry, and so on and so forth, always bashing the very institutions that gave her the life of power and priveledge that she enjoyed. Michelle is no different – she has enjoyed so much, yet vilifies the very institutions that advanced her to the heights of power and priveledge.

    Everyone has a right to their opinions, so I am not saying she shouldn’t feel that way. I am saying that we have all seen how those attitudes play out on the grand stage – Hill’reh Care is the greatest example. Michelle can maintain her beliefs, but we don’t have to vote for her husband.


  7. Wayne says:

    An examination of “dozens of peer-reviewed scientific articles from 1965 to 1979″ found that “only seven supported global cooling, while 44 predicted warming.”

    Ahh, the sound of thousands of neocon trolls banging their heads on their keyboards in unison across the country. LMAO.


  8. barfly says:

    “Michelle can maintain her beliefs, but we don’t have to vote for her husband.”

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler

    Then don’t. Nobody’s twisting your arm. Vote for McCain – and lose.


  9. Jason M. Hendler says:

    You know, first we see a fireball fall over Washington state, then we hear a couple days later that the military shot down the falling satellite on the first attempt – too good to be true?

    I can’t help but feel the satellite fell out of orbit, and the government claims to have destroyed it, so as to not be liable for it hitting land.


  10. Wayne says:

    Hill’reh was anti-military,
    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 9:21 am

    Bwahahahahaha

    If you are going to lie, Hen’liar, at least make it believable. Obviously you have never checked HRC’s Senate voting record.

    Bwahahahahaha
    Hilarious.


  11. bilbobaggins says:

    “can’t drop out of the primary election’s public financing system until he answers questions about a loan he obtained to kickstart his once faltering presidential campaign.”

    That will not bode well for McCain. He tried to scam the system and now it will, hopefully, get more air play.


  12. bilbobaggins says:

    It said it also expects higher unemployment and inflation.”

    The Fed also said he doesn’t expect a recession. We’re in one for christ’s sake. Where does Bush find these people?


  13. missmolly says:

    …A key reason for America’s desire to kill the UN’s space weapons ban treaty negotiations is that the military-industrial complex views space as a new market. The weapons corporations have been saying for decades that Star Wars will be the largest industrial project in the history of the planet Earth.

    http://www.envirosagainstwar.org/know/read.php?itemid=4798

    Comment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda — February 21, 2008 @ 9:04 am

    ———————————————–

    And this is so short-sighted. All putting weapons in space will do is create another arms race that will strain our resources back home. First we load up space with our weapons, then others will feel compelled to install their own weapons PLUS anti-weapons systems against our weapons, then we will counter with more weapons of our own plus anti-weapon systems against their weapons, plus systems to counter their anti-weapon systems. Since space is pretty infinite, a reasonable person can easily see how this will result in lots of guns and no butter — but all the guns are out in space.

    And it will only accomplish two things. 1) It will make the greedheads in the weapons industry richer, and 2) It may eventually obliterate the world if the right trigger is activated.

    I fear we have already opened this pandora’s box, though. Sigh.


  14. Lefty Patriot says:

    Michelle can maintain her beliefs, but we don’t have to vote for her husband.

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 9:21 am

    Ooh, Jason Hitler, those women really do shrivel your tiny balls, don’t they? Why are wingnuts so afraid of women? No wonder they can’t win a war, they’re afraid of everything. Pissy-pants cowards, those rightards.


  15. PatrioticLiberalChristian says:

    Did a chimpanzee finally randomly type a coherent (?) paragraph or does JMH really have enough time to think up such idiotic, fanciful perceptions of reality?

    Maybe if JMH and gg hook up and can find better use of their time , TP and the rest of the world might get a break from drivel.


  16. Lefty Patriot says:

    Nobody’s more anti-military than Bushco, happily sending American parents and reservists off to die for oil profits, without proper armor, weapons or even enough food and water.


  17. bilbobaggins says:

    Congress has asked the Bush administration “to provide receipts for every Pakistani expense over $1 million,” but has not yet received a response.

    They should then cut off funds to Pakistan until such time as Bush cooperates. Congress does have the “power of the purse”. It’s about time they start using it.


  18. Jason M. Hendler says:

    Here is the type of help people can give to Africa that I support:

    http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story;jsessionid=D32D065E88F3A7145C07013746CABFA7?id=51394

    Using micro-financing and low tech, personnalized solutions, you are teaching many individual Africans how to produce their own wealth for themselves. This will lead to the best of those individuals to endevour larger, more sophisticated projects to create more wealth, and improve the living standards for all those living in that area.

    I am very impressed, especially looking at the low-tech windmill that is good enough for the people using it.


  19. Zimzone says:

    House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) enjoys golfing. Harper’s, however, reports that in 2007, Boehner “used money from his political funds to pay for food or lodging at least 16 resorts or country clubs.”

    Boner is just working on his tan. You see, a good tan is far more important that ethics. I mean, what if someone took his picture? You need to look good to legislate good. /snark

    Boner’s only hole in one was with Mark Foley, by the way…


  20. Lefty Patriot says:

    I am very impressed, especially looking at the low-tech windmill that is good enough for the people using it.

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 9:32 am

    Who could possibly care what a racist ignoramus like you thinks? Especially with the attitude that individual wealth is meaningful, what a crock. That is the attitude that has us losing all three wars Bush started; greed and selfishness, racism and hatred. Get a grip, Hitler, you’re time is up. Crawl back under your rock.


  21. missmolly says:

    I am very impressed, especially looking at the low-tech windmill that is good enough for the people using it.

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 9:32 am

    Are you feeling all right this morning, Jas? This was actually a rational post.


  22. tarazan says:

    This brings memory of Gary Hart’s story about his affairs with a young woman.
    Senator Gary Hart denied the story first and what a Miami newpaper wrote. The paper stood by their story…later Gary Hart dropped out of the race…
    Gary Hart was in good shape to take the nomination.

    But alas..


  23. Lefty Patriot says:

    missmolly, you failed to see the underlying racism of Hitler’s posts; the condescending attitude is all bullshit.


  24. bilbobaggins says:

    You know, Hill’reh was the Achilles Heel of Bubba, and now Michelle is bringing Barack down.

    What is the vile troll Jason going to do when Hillary Clinton goes back to being a senator? It’s going to start going after Michelle Obama. What a sick fu(k this person is. I am so looking forward to when Obama takes office. Perhaps this vile person’s head will explode. One can only hope.


  25. Bubs says:

    #12

    That’s pretty anti-military of you to assume that our military can’t shoot down a satellite and that our government, headed by GWB would lie about it. Way to bash the very institution that gives you the life you have. As you feel that Hillary is anti-military and bashes this institution, I assume you will be voting for her.


  26. toasterhead says:

    You know, first we see a fireball fall over Washington state, then we hear a couple days later that the military shot down the falling satellite on the first attempt – too good to be true?

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 9:25 am

    Well, the satellite was at an altitude of about 150 miles when it was hit, so there’s no way it would’ve fallen out of orbit by itself two days ago.

    Also, it is very possible that the hydrazine tank would’ve survived reentry – one of the hydrazine tanks aboard Columbia, of similar size, landed intact in Texas after the orbiter broke up.

    The question of “why now” is a good one, however. The satellite was not going to come down by itself any time soon.


  27. barfly says:

    “That’s pretty anti-military of you to assume that our military can’t shoot down a satellite and that our government, headed by GWB would lie about it. Way to bash the very institution that gives you the life you have. As you feel that Hillary is anti-military and bashes this institution, I assume you will be voting for her.”

    Comment by Bubs

    Is this bad snark?

    Or real?

    I can’t decide.


  28. dim wit says:

    The question of “why now” is a good one, however. The satellite was not going to come down by itself any time soon.

    Comment by toasterhead — February 21, 2008 @ 9:40 am

    I agree. There’s a bunch of independent geek-types whose hobby it is to track spy satellites with nothing more than a pair of binoculars. As of yesterday they noted this satellite was still in orbit.

    As for the shoot down being about safety, I doubt it. This was clearly in response to China’s actions last year. Shit, even Jay Leno joked about it last night.


  29. missmolly says:

    missmolly, you failed to see the underlying racism of Hitler’s posts; the condescending attitude is all bullshit.

    Comment by Lefty Patriot — February 21, 2008 @ 9:37 am

    I was actually looking beyond the usual BS and praising his focus on support for alternative and renewable energy, no matter where it’s going on.

    Yes, Jason can be counted on to presume that all Africans are inferior backward creatures, and he can also be counted on to place an extraordinary emphasis on “building wealth” as if that’s the only thing that matters in the world.

    However, I’m a fan of renewable energy — especially energy that leaves the smallest possible footprint on the earth when used. The linked article has the right idea, and this can be used not only in Cameroon, but in any rural area of the world (including rural areas of the U.S.!) where access to affordable electricity can be a problem.


  30. gummitch says:

    I can’t decide.

    Comment by barfly — February 21, 2008 @ 9:47 am

    I thought it was an obvious snark.


  31. bluefish says:

    The Pentagon’s disbursement of “roughly $1 billion a year for the past six years” to Pakistan is facing allegations of “disputed expenses and suspicions about overbilling.” Congress has asked the Bush administration “to provide receipts for every Pakistani expense over $1 million,” but has not yet received a response.

    What’s a billion here or there among friends? Hell, we can “misplace” that much in Iraq in just a weekend.


  32. gummitch says:

    Comment by missmolly — February 21, 2008 @ 9:48 am

    … and missmolly is one of those people who can see a teeny bit of good in just about anyone, and believes in blowing on the little ember when she does.


  33. barfly says:

    “Way to bash the very institution that gives you the life you have.”

    That reads like your typical clueless righty. If it’s snark, bravo!


  34. Marie says:

    McCain’s story in the news is actually more about influence peddling by lobbyists and the ethically challenged McCain than it is about sex (although sex makes it more salacious).
    McCain’s career was nearly ended by the Keating 5 scandal ten years ago.
    We all know that he has sold his soul to the GOP, so to question his integrity is lelgitimate. It demonstrates that McCain is so much a part of the old school of government – the good ol’ boys club.

    Questions remain about the timing of this. Did the Limbaughs and Coulters of the party play a role? This will occupy the 24/7 news channels for a while.


  35. Bubs says:

    #30 Bad snark. Sorry, my brain’s a little slow to produce good snark yet.


  36. natisman says:

    So much room on the board, but it still had a bout with Hendleritous, I see.

    I wonder why rePUBs want to vote against Hilliary. Could it be because they like the odds or because they just like pulling out the dope on Bill again.

    Got news for you all RePUGs better watch your own flanks, cus it looks like Mc Bush has lots of things in the closet and it’s not Craig coming out, it seem to be some scandals and problems that Mc Bush like the mentioned story and latest press from NYT that says he used to cohabit with a lobby lady.

    So we will will bring on Obama if it happens, if not we will vote for Hillary and see how you RePugs with Hendleritious do with cleaning up the Manchurian Canidate.


  37. Zimzone says:

    missmolly — February 21, 2008 @ 9:48 am
    gummitch — February 21, 2008 @ 9:49 am
    Agreed. gummitch, you summed up missmolly’s rational thought process well.

    I just have to add that missmolly regularly helps me see a beneficial side to an issue that may escape my usual thought process. If we rated posters over time, I’d have to vote missmolly in as #1.


  38. Marie says:

    The rightwingers have their knickers in a twist over an innocently casual remark by Michelle Obama; they’re desperate.
    Many of us have hung our heads in shame over the Bush government’s actions in our name.
    She spoke about feeling proud of America for the first time in her adult life — that goes back to about the Reagan era, when the GOP began their grand plan for America.
    Her complete statement indicated that the interest of the public in government was the reason for her comment, but Cindy McCain and the Limbaugh et al. decided to make hay out of it.
    Cindy McCain has to answer questions of another nature today.


  39. missmolly says:

    What did we miss?

    John McCain just had a press conference this morning where he denied having an inappropriate relationship with a lobbyist in 2000.

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23271556/

    This seems to be just the beginning — I predict all candidates will have every aspect of every action in their lives picked over between now and November.

    So DID McCain act inappropriately with Vicki Iseman? Who knows? I’m just amazed that the first bimbo eruptions of this campaign are coming from the old guy’s camp.


  40. Wayne says:

    Caption Contest: “Where’s the lifeboat?”


  41. bilbobaggins says:

    McCain’s career was nearly ended by the Keating 5 scandal ten years ago.

    And for the life of me, I don’t know how he skated out of that one. It ended the careers of the other 4, how was McCain given a pass?


  42. BearCountry says:

    I am probably behind the times, but I just saw the Australian PM Apology to the First People on C-SPAN. I want him to become an American quickly and run for President. I was really moved by his speech and by his following through on what he promised. This is a leader I could be enthusiastic about.


  43. toasterhead says:

    I agree. There’s a bunch of independent geek-types whose hobby it is to track spy satellites with nothing more than a pair of binoculars. As of yesterday they noted this satellite was still in orbit.

    As for the shoot down being about safety, I doubt it. This was clearly in response to China’s actions last year. Shit, even Jay Leno joked about it last night.

    Comment by dim wit — February 21, 2008 @ 9:47 am

    This is where my space-geek side conflicts with my mistrust-of-authority side.

    There was definitely a public-safety concern with releasing 1000 pounds of hydrazine into the atmosphere – it’s pretty nasty stuff. Most satellites fall out of orbit after 15-20 years in space, and have emptied their hypergolic tanks making course corrections and orbit boosts over that time. This one failed immediately after launch, and was almost completely full.

    And it makes complete sense that it’s still in orbit. The characterization of this as a “shoot down” by the media is a little inaccurate. The objective wasn’t actually to shoot it down – it’ll still be orbiting for a few weeks. The objective was to pop the hydrazine tank and let it disperse in space rather than in the atmosphere. There’s an animation of how it worked on the space.com web site: http://www.space.com/php/video/player.php?video_id=080219-satellite

    Also, this is a bit different than the Chinese example – USA-193 was orbiting well below the ISS and other major satellites, and in a 58 degree orbit. The Chinese satellite was in a polar orbit at 400 miles altitude. That debris field is going to be crossing the path of the ISS and the Hubble and other major satellites for decades.

    Now, do I think the military jumped at the chance to test out a new toy? Absolutely. But I’m not all that suspicious of the motives. Just the timing – it’d seem to make more sense to wait until the orbit degraded more so that the debris field would contact the atmosphere sooner.


  44. barfly says:

    “Cindy McCain has to answer questions of another nature today.”

    Comment by Marie

    Popcorn! Red Hots!

    Getcher ice cold pop right here before the show starts!

    Red Hots!


  45. gummitch says:

    So DID McCain act inappropriately with Vicki Iseman? Who knows? I’m just amazed that the first bimbo eruptions of this campaign are coming from the old guy’s camp.

    Comment by missmolly — February 21, 2008 @ 10:01 am

    Nice photo there of McCain’s comb over. And Cindy’s botox. Ick. Just ick.


  46. Bobwurst says:

    #30 Bad snark. Sorry, my brain’s a little slow to produce good snark yet.

    Comment by Bubs
    More coffee for me- I didn’t get the snark at all. The problem with satire is that sometimes people miss it. Jonathan Swift got a lot of letters of support for his “Modest Proposal” and it freaked him out.


  47. Zimzone says:

    toasterhead,
    Was the impact on the satellite visible by optics or naked eye?

    I never had any coordinates to judge where to point my telescope to try & watch the impact, but I sure enjoyed the Lunar eclipse at 35X.


  48. missmolly says:

    If we rated posters over time, I’d have to vote missmolly in as #1.

    Comment by Zimzone — February 21, 2008 @ 9:58 am

    Why thank you, Zimzone! And I want to thank the Academy for this great honor…

    Seriously, there are many people here who consistently write thoughtful posts explaining complex issues and don’t dissolve into meaningless ad hominems. Just a few I can name — bilbobaggins (I LOVE his stuff), gummitch, Zooey, RUCerious, ralph the wonder llama, Witch1, toasterhead, and you. Plus many more who could challenge me for this crown.

    And yes, I will continue to blow on the embers of worthwhile prose from the other side. When I see reasonableness coming from good_golly, Southern Man, Keltoi, Exley, Captain Mantastic, Jason Hendler, etc., I will do what I can to encourage it (so far I haven’t seen anything worthwhile ever coming from VA Voter, John Kerry, Tracy2, Bert Convy, or Daryll — but you never know).


  49. barfly says:

    I wonder how the McCains will play this: will his wife go on with a facade of denial, will they do a partial hang out, since the elements of the story have already been detailed, or will we get a full-on mea culpa?


  50. toasterhead says:

    Was the impact on the satellite visible by optics or naked eye?

    I never had any coordinates to judge where to point my telescope to try & watch the impact, but I sure enjoyed the Lunar eclipse at 35X.

    Comment by Zimzone — February 21, 2008 @ 10:10 am

    Radar, I think. Trackers went from following a satellite the size of a school bus to a bunch of pieces the size of a football. One report says there was a fireball at the point of impact: http://www.space.com/news/080221-ap-satellite-debris.html

    We missed the eclipse here – it was covered by a pathetic snowstorm.


  51. barfly says:

    “Maybe this is why McCain became such a fan of Bush? Blackmail in the Vicki Iselman situation?”

    Like the thread about Don Seigelman that follows this one, I wouldn’t doubt it, knowing their proclivity for unethical, and immoral behavior.


  52. ralph the wonder llama says:

    “McCain’s career was nearly ended by the Keating 5 scandal ten years ago.”

    And for the life of me, I don’t know how he skated out of that one. It ended the careers of the other 4, how was McCain given a pass?

    Comment by bilbobaggins — February 21, 2008 @ 10:02 am

    Because he’s a “maverick”.

    Or it could be because three of the other four were Democrats and, as we all know, in the GOP, IOKIYAR®.


  53. ralph the wonder llama says:

    I’d like to second the nomination of missmolly. She is a treasure.


  54. Witch1 says:

    We love you Missmolly, thank’s for all your effort’s……Blessings


  55. katy says:

    “Good morning…”

    WE ARE ALL GONNA DIE!


  56. Marie says:

    Looks like we all like to read Miss Molly!


  57. Zimzone says:

    “Good morning…” WE ARE ALL GONNA DIE! -katy

    And it’s 1, 2, 3, 4, who are we fighting for?
    Don’t worry, we don’t give a damn
    Next stop is Viet Nam

    My apologies to Country Joe & the Fish…


  58. katy says:

    late to the party here…

    while reading my google news just now, i see that the satellite
    HAS been destroyed… whew!

    just last evening, on the radio news, it was announced that the
    timing was wrong for that day, high seas would prevent the attempt…

    but they did it anyway… wonder why? … seems maybe they didn’t
    want it known in case it didn’t work… maybe?


  59. rantingraver says:

    The GOP is the party of corporate collusion. The Democrats aren’t much better, but Obama is doing a nice job of running a clean campaign. We need to let our politicians know that we won’t stand for this kind of corporate collusion any longer. Our politicians let corporations get away with anything and everything… check out this article talking about acts of terrorism our corporations and government are committing abroad, we’re not just commiting war crimes by torturing, we’re committing them under the guise of “low intensity conflict” across the globe.


  60. katy says:

    zim – this is different…

    country joe sang “woopie! we’re all gonna die”…
    just so you know…

    i should look up the source of my quote… it’s something i hear on
    randi’s show… from a movie i think…


  61. PollM says:

    Mr. McCain, 71, and the lobbyist, Vicki Iseman, 40, both say they never had a romantic relationship.

    Hmmm..

    Huckabee believes in a miracle..

    Will the Republican party defend John McCain?

    http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=1758


  62. Democrat Soldier says:

    #8 – Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 9:21 am

    I wonder when Cindy McCain will start bringing down her husbands prospects at the Presidency?

    Or does she simply “go down”?

    (I figured that if you were bashing the spouses of the D’s that the spouse of the R is open season.)


  63. katy says:

    that’s funny… but not unexpected…
    someone told hintler that michele obama “vilifies the very institutions that advanced her to the heights of power and priveledge”
    and he believes it…
    AND he brings that bullshite here to try and convince us…

    that’s funny…


  64. fletc3her says:

    Boehner (properly pronounced boner) likes him the golf! Isn’t 60k for golf expenses much more of an outrage than the grooming habits of Democrats? I guess not.


  65. Wayne says:

    We missed the eclipse here – it was covered by a pathetic snowstorm.

    Comment by toasterhead — February 21, 2008 @ 10:18 am

    It was overcast and drizzling last night, so I missed photographing it.


  66. fletc3her says:

    The only thing I didn’t like about Michelle Obama’s handling of the smear was that she should have said she wasn’t proud of America when we violated the Geneva Conventions, when we tortured prisoners at Abu Ghraig, when we went to war on trumped up evidence, when we continued to supply aid to Pakistan long after we knew it was the nuclear supermarket to the world, when we failed to track down and kill Osama bin Laden (a mission that John McCain incredibly says we can’t do without permission, PERMISSION?!, from Pakistan).


  67. katy says:

    I am very impressed, especially looking at the low-tech windmill that is good enough for the people using it.
    @ 9:32 am

    Are you feeling all right this morning, Jas? This was actually a rational post.
    Comment by missmolly — February 21, 2008 @ 9:36 am

    i thought that line was a condescending slap in the face of africans…

    you’ve, we all have, used the term “good enough for who it’s for”
    as a dig, a slight, a putdown of sorts…

    hintler cannot disguise his innate bigotry…


  68. singe_101 says:

    Good call, Jason. How can the American Indians bash the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the very bureaucracy that affords them to… umm… well atl least they are as well off as 70 years ago in the depression… and the government helps them out, other than treaties… hmm.

    What happened to Republicans “contracting” for smaller government and less bloated institutions? Yet any Democrat focusing on healthcare companies or the military is bashing?

    Even pacifists would be fine if DEFENSE were actually defense, forces protecting our domestic sovereignty and if we need to help others use food and medicine, not arms.


  69. katy says:

    aaah… lefty patriot saw it too…
    it’s kinda hard to hide racism…


  70. katy says:

    Comment by missmolly — February 21, 2008 @ 9:48 am

    … and missmolly is one of those people who can see a teeny bit of good in just about anyone, and believes in blowing on the little ember when she does.
    Comment by gummitch — February 21, 2008 @ 9:49 am

    it’s true… good on missmolly…


  71. katy says:

    Her complete statement indicated that the interest of the public in government was the reason for her comment, but Cindy McCain and the Limbaugh et al. decided to make hay out of it. …
    Comment by Marie — February 21, 2008 @ 10:00 am

    and did you know? that complete statement was edited, the audio was
    spliced to leave out the word “really” in some versions – the ones the
    righties have been using to slime michele obama…

    they just HAVE to cheat.


  72. Tstatguy says:

    I agree – in my short time here at TP I mostly just read, not post. missmolly is a gem with her outlook – just sayin’


  73. katy says:

    Nice photo there of McCain’s comb over. And Cindy’s botox. Ick. Just ick.
    Comment by gummitch — February 21, 2008 @ 10:08 am

    i was thinking, some days ago, that mcCREEPY needs to get ont of
    those $300 haircuts… he really needs help…

    and cindy, what’s with the beehive? yes, it looks better “up”, so then
    why did you grow out your hair… it was so cute short… go there, hon…

    see how shallow i am?

    am i still alone in here?
    heh…


  74. Tstatguy says:

    Nope katy, I’m here also.


  75. katy says:

    The only thing I didn’t like about Michelle Obama’s handling of the smear was that she should have said [...]
    Comment by fletc3her — February 21, 2008 @ 10:55 am

    yea… hindsight is always 20/20…
    good point though…


  76. katy says:

    hello, tstatguy…


  77. Tstatguy says:

    hi katy. i must admit i was gone – over reading about rove.


  78. stewarjt says:

    Photo Caption: Out of my way! Lobbyists are after me!


  79. RA says:

    Nice pic of McCain. Can’t believe what he did with Vicki Iseman. Vicki’s pics, bio here:

    http://beertap.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/john-mccain-caught-cheating-on-his-wife/


  80. missmolly says:

    they just HAVE to cheat.

    Comment by katy — February 21, 2008 @ 11:08 am

    They have to cheat, because they have nothing else. Let’s look at their track record so far…

    1) Accusation that Obama has used cocaine. No traction here. Obama has admitted it and wrote about it in an autobiography written long before this campaign.

    2) Accusation that Obama got favors from and did favors for a shady Chicago businessman. Turned out all Obama got was land sale of part of a lot, and a campaign contribution of $11,500. Obama has admitted the land deal was a big mistake (although legal), and gave the $11,500 to charity. No real traction here, either.

    3) Accusation that Obama was educated in a “madrassa”. Thoroughly debunked. The “madrassa” Obama went to was in reality a public school that welcomed Muslim children and all others (furthermore, the word “madrassa” merely means “school”, even though we like to make it mean something more sinister).

    4) Accusation that Obama is a Muslim because his father was. Couple of problems with this — his father was more atheist than Muslim, and his father wasn’t that much of a direct influence on Barack’s life, since his parents divorced when he was quite young. Obama is actually a long-time member of the United Church of Christ.

    5) Accusation that Obama must be treated with suspicion because his middle name is “Hussein” and his last name is only one letter away from “Osama”. This accusation is as silly as it gets. “Hussein” is a rather common name — not only the name of an Iraqi dictator, but also the name of a well-loved Jordanian king who was an ally of the U.S. Even “Osama” is a fairly common name — not just limited to OBL. If we are to be condemned for the names we are given, then we should boycott Coors beer because the company was founded by a guy named Adolph.

    6) Accusation that Obama plagiarizes others. Based on his borrowing some lines from a friend. The friend has no problem with it. Much ado about nothing.

    7) Accusation that Obama is all style and no substance. No traction here. Obama has his substance all over his website, as do most candidates.

    8) Accusation that Obama is a good speaker (implying what? — that because he speaks well, he can’t do anything else well?).

    Yes, it’s a problem finding dirt on Obama to exploit. No wonder people have to make stuff up, or blow minor stuff out of proportion.


  81. Leftside Annie says:

    Wow. The Boner makes John Edwards and his piddly little haircut look like a rank amateur.


  82. DaleW says:

    Wow, all of you whining about shooting down the satellite; it’s darn near impossible for you to find the good in anything this government does, huh? Bet it sucks to realize the SDI naysayers were wrong.


  83. Juan C. says:

    I love Missmolly’s posts, but I still think Toaster is the best poster.


  84. RUCerious says:

    missmolly, thanks for the inclusion, I’d like to nominate katy as a charter member as well.

    And now for something completely different!
    “The Army has shut down public access to the largest online collection of its doctrinal publications,” a site “popular with researchers for its wealth of field and technical manuals and documents on military operations, education, training and technology.” Open government advocates call it “unnecessary secrecy by a runaway bureaucracy.”

    More ‘cost cutting’? Or just more paranoid secrecy, courtesy of Chene/BushitCo?


  85. missmolly says:

    I love Missmolly’s posts, but I still think Toaster is the best poster.

    Comment by Juan C. — February 21, 2008 @ 11:52 am

    I agree that Toasterhead has excellent, thoughtful posts. But are you sure that you’re not just saying that because it’s so cool the way that Toaster and poster rhyme? ;-)


  86. missmolly says:

    I’d like to nominate katy as a charter member as well.

    Comment by RUCerious — February 21, 2008 @ 11:57 am

    Of course — darn it, I just KNEW I would be leaving out some important names…


  87. Jason M. Hendler says:

    Wayne,

    I got to see the eclipse from the balcony of my oceanfront condo. It wasn’t as spectacular as the other full or partial eclipses, because the moon seemed farther away. The most amazing sight is when there are muck fires in Orlando, putting smoke high in the atmosphere, causing the full moon to rise blood red high in the sky – that is stunning. Shooting stars are a close second. Eclipses are kind of slow and boring.


  88. Juan C. says:

    you caught me… :)

    There are wonderful people in here, too tough to make a decision.

    Diplomatic, right? ;)


  89. Jason M. Hendler says:

    Miss Molly,

    Wealth creation is important, because, as animals, humans are wealth consumers – water, air, food, etc. If we aren’t creating more wealth than we consume, then we suffer or die.

    You think of wealth as money, but it is really a value added process by which we convert our environment into things we consume. When we do it with high efficiency, then all that we need is plentiful, and we are wealthy. When we do it inefficiently or wastefully, we are poor.


  90. toasterhead says:

    I love Missmolly’s posts, but I still think Toaster is the best poster.

    Comment by Juan C. — February 21, 2008 @ 11:52 am

    I agree that Toasterhead has excellent, thoughtful posts. But are you sure that you’re not just saying that because it’s so cool the way that Toaster and poster rhyme? ;-)

    Comment by missmolly — February 21, 2008 @ 11:59 am

    Aww, shucks, you guys… :)

    And I’m a big fan of both of your posting styles as well – always an interesting read.


  91. Lefty Patriot says:

    You think of wealth as money, but it is really a value added process by which we convert our environment into things we consume. When we do it with high efficiency, then all that we need is plentiful, and we are wealthy. When we do it inefficiently or wastefully, we are poor.

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 12:04 pm

    Wow, are you deluded and sick. And such a hypocrite.


  92. stewarjt says:

    You think of wealth as money, but it is really a value added process by which we convert our environment into things we consume. When we do it with high efficiency, then all that we need is plentiful, and we are wealthy. When we do it inefficiently or wastefully, we are poor.

    No offense. You don’t know much about value, economics or capitalism if this is your “analysis.”


  93. missmolly says:

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 12:04 pm

    OK — when you use “wealth” as a synonym for “abundance”, I can get on the same page with you. It IS important to work with the earth in the most efficient manner and not squander the “wealth” of it needlessly.

    Using it in that sense is not the same as building material wealth, usually at the expense of others — which, of course, I am opposed to in principle.


  94. Zimzone says:

    In light of the successful downing of the U.S. Spy Satellite last night, we want to inform the public of potential concerns and actions the public can take to minimize any undue exposure or injury relating to the incident. The satellite was successfully destroyed by the U.S. Navy.

    As widely reported in the media this morning, there will be the potential of debris falling from the sky for the next (40) days or so. At this point, best estimates are the pieces are no larger than a “football”. In light of this development we have a few suggestions for your continued safety:

    1. When venturing outside, carry a Kevlar umbrella (they should be available on E-Bay);

    2. Please call your local Casino and let them know the color of your umbrella. (Nationwide, they are all setting a betting pool on which color of umbrella gets hit first., so you can also bet on your favorite color if you choose);

    FINALLY-MOST IMPORTANT!!!

    3. When ever you are outside (at least for the next 40 days) RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN IN A ZIG-ZAG PATTERN WHEREVER YOU GO. This will minimize your chances of becoming a victim.


  95. missmolly says:

    Comment by Zimzone — February 21, 2008 @ 12:19 pm

    Does my insurance cover this?


  96. Zimzone says:

    missmolly,
    Yes, as long as you’re not hurt…


  97. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #103, missmolly,

    You cannot separate wealth from abundance – they are the same thing. All the negative connotations of wealth you have are actually examples of the wasteful consumption of wealth – gas guzzlers, personal jets, limosines, mansions, jewelry, fine clothes (to an extent), and all the other trappings of the “rich”.


  98. gummitch says:

    3. When ever you are outside (at least for the next 40 days) RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN IN A ZIG-ZAG PATTERN WHEREVER YOU GO. This will minimize your chances of becoming a victim.

    Comment by Zimzone — February 21, 2008 @ 12:19 pm

    “Serpentine! Serpentine!”


  99. PatrioticLiberalChristian says:

    Leave JMH alone. He plays with words because he has no friends and no toys to play with.


  100. dim wit says:

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 12:30 pm

    abundance is defined as “the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply”

    wealth is defined as “the value of assets owned minus the value of liabilities owed”

    you appear to choose to be overly semantic when it benefits your arguement.

    your comment :” You think of wealth as money, but it is really a value added process by which we convert our environment into things we consume. When we do it with high efficiency, then all that we need is plentiful, and we are wealthy. When we do it inefficiently or wastefully, we are poor.” is truly nothing more than gobbledygook.


  101. RUCerious says:

    I prefer the Native American definition of wealth. Stay in balance with your planet, put everything you consume to use. Don’t use up more resources than can be replenished.


  102. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #114, dim wit,

    Your definition of wealth is only in a positive asset sense. I use wealth whether the amount is positive or negative. I also tend to speak of wealth creation, as a rate by which you stay ahead of wealth consumption, which mathematically, are derivitives (rates of increase or decrease) of wealth itself, which can also be positive or negative.


  103. ralph the wonder llama says:

    You cannot separate wealth from abundance – they are the same thing.

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 12:30 pm

    RHF and PLC adequately dealt with this bit of moronic sophistry already, but let me just add:

    Jason manHandler has willfully ignored missmolly’s very eloquent and cogent point in order to try to make his argument in favor of greed.

    Now, misstating another’s position in order to establish a dubious proposition is nothing new from JMH — it’s what trolls do.

    But missmolly, as is her way, made an effort to understand ManHandler’s original point and note its merits.

    And manHandler just dumped on her good nature.

    What an a$$hole.


  104. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #115, RUCerious,

    I suppose that is the same as mine, although I don’t condemn the accumulation of wealth, or more rapid consumption of wealth, when it can be done sustainably (no need to live in cave).


  105. ralph the wonder llama says:

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 1:03 pm

    And JMH makes another attempt to explain to us why HIS non-standard definition of “wealth” is the one that we should accept in evaluating his argument in favor of greed.

    No one’s buying what you’re selling.


  106. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #109, republicans hate facts,

    Whether a non-profit gives away wealth or not, they are still creating it, making the recipients more wealthy. It doesn’t matter the monetary reward, if you actually created the wealth.


  107. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #120, rephatefact,

    Wealth creation would be universally good, if we taught everyone how to create their own wealth. You should teach a man to fish, NOT give them a fish.

    Dems don’t want public schools to teach wealth creation, because Dems want people dependent upon government, so that they may control them. No dependence, no control.


  108. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #122, rephatefact,

    Wealth creation can be done sustainably. We CAN ALL be wealthy, without stealing or depleting anyone or anything else.


  109. The Republic of Stupidity says:

    No dependence, no control.

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 1:08 pm

    This is a generalization that can’t be proven or disproven, and therefore, meaningless.

    You really gotta try harder, Hendler.


  110. Jason M. Hendler says:

    Sheeeeeeeeesh, if you are going to reject a concept over semantics, then fine, call it abundance, but the fact remains that public schools won’t teach its students how to create abundance. Dems tell people to vote blindly for them, and they will provide abundance, but it never works – not in the USSR, not in China – nowhere.


  111. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #127, rhf,

    It doesn’t matter what someone with abundance does with their abundance, when individuals can create their own abundance! My money does NOT make you POOR. I can show you how to create your own abundance, so that you NEVER concern yourself with what I do.


  112. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #130, rhf,

    Reps don’t want to defund schools, they want parents to be able to choose where to send their children, through vouchers. I am willing to devote tax dollars, so that you can go to the same private schools that I did.


  113. RUCerious says:

    Here’s a gem from MSNBC just now:
    BREAKING NEWS
    MSNBC News Services
    updated 3 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 out of the building.


  114. RUCerious says:

    Oh, yeah, and the article continues…

    The embassy had been closed in anticipation of the demonstration. A spokesman for the State Department said there are no reports of any injuries to Americans, and only security personnel were present. Police were not protecting the building.


  115. RUCerious says:

    am willing to devote tax dollars, so that you can go to the same private schools that I did.

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 1:18 pm

    And that won’t have the slightest effect on the public school system.

    Why not just abolish all schools and require home schooling from the barefoot pregnant mother?


  116. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #132, rhf,

    I would like to see the data about Dem abundance. I suspect it is through abundance acquisition, not creation. In other words, your trial lawyers take abundance from corporations through attack or defense, then pat yourself on the back as if you did something good.


  117. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #138, rucerious,

    Vouchers help the children, who get the education for which their parents pay taxes. Tax money is not intended to shore up failing institutions like public schools.


  118. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #140, rhf,

    Private schools must receive accreditation like all public schools. Most private schools are often recognized / weighted as higher performance than public schools, which helps in college acceptance.


  119. Democrat Soldier says:

    #141 – “Tax money is not intended to shore up failing institutions like public schools.” Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 1:22 pm

    Or contractors that make shoddy equipment that costs military lives.

    Ooops! Gotta pay-back the people who “bought” the Republicans! My pardon . . . .


  120. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #142, rhf,

    You are looking at former economic powerhouses like CA and NY, and act like they are better performing than TX and FL, but you are not looking at trends. CA and NY are acquiring the wealth of foreign nations, whose goods are taxed through their ports, otherwise, their economies are deflating. TX and FL have been growing for years, especially in population, as people leave CA and NY.


  121. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #148, rhf,

    That is just flat wrong. There are basic accreditation standards that all schools, even home schools must meet. Private schools may teach other things in addition, but all schools have basic requirements to be met.


  122. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #151, rhf,

    If TX and FL are getting blue-er, then that only means predators like trial lawyers are moving in to steal abundance from their creators.


  123. dim wit says:

    Jason M. Hendler,

    How do are public schools not teach the “creation of wealth?”

    It sounds to me like your just another one of those people who want our public schools to teach creationism.


  124. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #153, rhf,

    Of course TX and FL have ports. NY and CA are being shored up by their ports, as they are losing manufacturing jobs and population to TX and FL.


  125. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #156, rhf,

    Typical, you have no facts to support your wild claims, so you demand them from others. No one is running to your rescue on this point, or there would be a dozen posters with links supporting you.


  126. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #159, rhf,

    If CA and NY talent is so smart, then they should be able to extract productivity from their own population, but they know CA and NY regs are anti-business, so they build manufacturing in other states – just a fact.


  127. Juan C. says:

    Creation of Wealth. It just goes puff and no word about the exploitation of workers which is the surplus explained by Marx…

    Jason has bought the whole kit from the Chicago Boys of Friedman…


  128. dim wit says:

    so they build manufacturing in other states – just a fact.

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 1:37 pm

    Actually, I believe they move manufacturing to places like China and Mexico.


  129. Juan C. says:

    Private schools don’t have any regulated standards, and YOU PROVE why that’s a BAD IDEA! YOU ARE HYSTERICAL – MORON!
    Comment by republicans hate facts

    Besides, that is a lie.

    For example, Stanford. They say it is a Private U, because you have to pay a lot of money in order to assist classes, but what the students are paying is only the 20% of Stanford’s whole budget. From where comes the other 80%? From government money in order to pay projects.

    Private but a lot of money from the Government? Whatever.


  130. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #166, dim wit,

    Yes, they move plants to other states and other countries.


  131. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #167, Juan C.

    Stanford, MIT and other TOP RANKED institutions get research money from both private and public sources, NOT for education – for RESEARCH.


  132. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #163, Juan C.,

    If individuals are creating their own abundance, then there is NO exploitation of workers, because you are self employed. Public schools don’t teach self employment, they teach you to go get a union or government job.


  133. dim wit says:

    Public schools don’t teach self employment, they teach you to go get a union or government job.

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 1:46 pm

    Thats such BS. I went to public school (both HS and college) and so did my wife. Neither of us work for a union or the government.

    I am positive this is the case for, literally, millions of people.


  134. Juan C. says:

    Jason, what’s the creation of weath? Explain the process.


  135. Juan C. says:

    Stanford, MIT and other TOP RANKED institutions get research money from both private and public sources, NOT for education – for RESEARCH.
    Comment by Jason M. Hendler

    Which is the money that keeps those institutions running. For example, Northrop could give a multi-million project to say MIT, but in a lot of cases, Northrop was paid by the govt to do that same project. In the vast majority of cases where huge loads of money are moved, it is very likely that some great percentage is of government’s, which is really people’s money. Or do you think Bill Gates risks his own money? Hardly.


  136. Lefty Patriot says:

    If individuals are creating their own abundance, then there is NO exploitation of workers, because you are self employed. Public schools don’t teach self employment, they teach you to go get a union or government job.

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 1:46 pm

    how stupid.


  137. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #172, Juan C.,

    Sorry, went to another blog for a bit ….

    Abundance creation (since too many are having a conniption fit if I continue to use wealth) is achieved by applying a value added process to resources to create something of greater value. For instance, if you take some flour, water, sugar, heat etc., and create a cake, then you have created more abundance.


  138. dim wit says:

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 2:15 pm

    and again, how do public schools not teach this information?


  139. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #178, dim wit,

    The indoctrinate you into liberal mindsets of union and government jobs.


  140. missmolly says:

    Abundance creation (since too many are having a conniption fit if I continue to use wealth) is achieved by applying a value added process to resources to create something of greater value. For instance, if you take some flour, water, sugar, heat etc., and create a cake, then you have created more abundance.

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 2:15 pm

    OK, now you’re talking about productivity. As in GNP. Which can be a factor in abundance or even wealth, but not the only one.


  141. missmolly says:

    The indoctrinate you into liberal mindsets of union and government jobs.

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 2:29 pm

    Really? This is going on in our schools? How did I manage to miss this? How is it that I have never been a member of a union, and the only “government job” I ever had was when I served in the military?

    Anytime I hear the terms “indoctrinate” and “liberal mindset” this close together, I just assume it’s code for “they’re trying to make you think instead of giving you the far-right pap to lap up and absorb mindlessly.”


  142. dim wit says:

    The indoctrinate you into liberal mindsets of union and government jobs.

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 2:29 pm

    thats absolutely ridiculous.

    Do you have a valid argument or are you just going to post nonsense all day long?


  143. ralph the wonder llama says:

    missmolly, you are on fire today. Are you taking vitamin supplements or something?


  144. ralph the wonder llama says:

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 2:29 pm

    Do you have a valid argument or are you just going to post nonsense all day long?

    Comment by dim wit — February 21, 2008 @ 2:41 pm

    I’m pretty sure the answer is B.


  145. missmolly says:

    missmolly, you are on fire today. Are you taking vitamin supplements or something?

    Comment by ralph the wonder llama — February 21, 2008 @ 2:43 pm

    No — and I need some! Plus more caffeine!

    Seriously, it’s been kind of a slow day. Usually I only get to post quickly here and there between work assignments. It will probably pick up in the last hour before my workday ends. It always does.


  146. tombaker says:

    The R’s house of cards is making quite the mess as it topples, no?

    Quite a shameful mess, indeed.


  147. RUCerious says:

    I wonder how many superhighways would get built by individual wealth builders.


  148. RUCerious says:

    BTW, Jason. I went to private school from 4th grade through high school. We didn’t need vouchers, our parents paid a fairly high level of tuition for us to go. It was a great education.
    That’s beside the point that public schools are an institution envisioned by our founding fathers to level the playing field. Where they have fallen down is due to inequitable funding. With an even playing field, the vision of our founding fathers would be working just fine.
    My brothers and sister went to public school, and got a good education as well. In the suburbs where we grew up.
    Had our family not moved out of the urban area where I was born, our public schools would not have been as good, as again, the funding would have been inferior.


  149. missmolly says:

    Public schools don’t teach self employment, they teach you to go get a union or government job.

    Comment by Jason M. Hendler — February 21, 2008 @ 1:46 pm

    That must be news to Junior Achievement, who works with both private and public schools.


  150. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #189, RUCerious,

    Publics schools have way more cash per student than private school, yet do a poorer job of teaching children how to be self sufficient, and not seek a union or government job. If those indoctrinated into liberal views do go on to college, then they pursue wealth / abundance acquiring jobs like being a lawyer, where they take from those who create wealth / abundance.


  151. Jason M. Hendler says:

    #188, RUCerious,

    You’ve never heard of toll roads?


  152. Jason M. Hendler says:

    miss molly,

    Perhaps it is my personal connotation associated with productivity, but I prefer a more tangible “value add”. I’ve seen many organizatons described as productive, without witnessing any value add.


  153. katy says:

    … I’d like to nominate katy as a charter member as well.
    Comment by RUCerious — February 21, 2008 @ 11:57 am

    why, thank you… i’m so sorry i missed that this morning…
    had some running to do, trying to outrun an icestorm…

    just wanted to let you know i found this… and to say thanks… also to missmolly @ 12:00 pm also… quite flattering to be in such good company…

    … i got hooked on TP at the very first day… i think it was while listening
    to al franken that i heard about this blog… so many years ago now…
    so much has happened since those days when AirAmericaRadio first
    started up, giving voice and pushback to the progressive movement
    before the 04 election… christy harvey from CAP would come on al’s show
    and have the best stories about inside politics…

    it may have been too little too late for that election, but i can’t imagine
    where we would be now without all the truth venues available to us,
    to the world! … and, though i’m pretty sure i might be happier being
    “blissfully ignorant”, now that i know what’s been going on and what
    CAN be happening, it’s become a great asset, and hobby, being informed…
    and being able to pass along the truth, sourced, with background…

    and, it’s kinda cool to have gotten “to know” the many people here at
    ThinkProgress… to share and bounce ideas and get feedback…
    and to know i’m not insane – just a little crazy like most…

    thanks to all…


  154. daytripper says:

    citing damage from the double blows of a housing slump and credit crunch

    yet even think progress seems reluctant to spell it out in plain english that both are intimately linked and that neither are accidental. its rare to hear anyone explain that the “credit crunch” is a deliberate restricing of capital outflow from lenders. it is continually portrayed as an accidental symptom of a faltering economy. it is not. banks crunch the credit, end of. and the housing slump? its much the same, prices were accellerated by the opposite of the credit crunch, a “credit hemmorage” so to speak. This lured people into consumer lending that they often didnt need or could afford.

    So once again a scathing critique of modern banking is avoided and economic woes are pinned on the consumers instead of wall street and the fed, who are the architects of this mass scale theft of the wealth of nations.

    If there is one truely progressive cause that should be addressed once and for all it is banking, and the cancerous effects it can have on the people and its nation. they are the only real anti-capitalists in the world today.


  155. batteries says:

    First we load up space with our weapons, then others will feel compelled to install their own weapons PLUS anti-weapons systems against our weapons, then we will counter with more weapons of our own plus anti-weapon systems against their weapons, plus systems to counter their anti-weapon asus silver m3000n battery,asus silver m3000np battery systems. Since space is pretty infinite, a reasonable person can easily see how this will result in lots of guns and no butter — but all the guns are out in space.



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