ThinkFast: April 16, 2008
ThinkFast: April 16, 2008
A day of mourning on Virginia Tech’s campus began at midnight Wednesday, “exactly one year after the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history left 32 people and the gunman dead.” Among the commemorative ceremonies taking place today, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine has “ordered state flags flown at half-staff” and “a moment of silence at noon.” A candle lit on campus “at midnight will burn there for 24 hours.”
At 2:45 ET today, President Bush will give a speech outlining “goals for limiting” greenhouse gas emissions, a first for a White House that has dragged its feet “in addressing the problem of climate change.” Though Bush will “talk about a strategy for a way forward and principles for dealing with the problems,” Press Secretary Dana Perino said, “[t]his speech is not going to lay out a specific proposal.”
Freedom’s Watch has allegedly “coordinated its advertising” with the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), which is illegal under federal election laws. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee plans to file a complaint with the Federal Election Commission today charging that a Freedom’s Watch script for a television ad in Louisiana originated with the NRCC.
Yesterday, Justice Department Inspector General Glenn Fine told lawmakers that the FBI “might have committed as many as 6,400 intelligence violations in the course of its use of national security letters,” which allow investigators to obtain people’s personal information without first obtaining a warrant. A recent report by Fine found that “the FBI issued 49,425 national security letters in 2006 alone.”
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) may give a keynote address at the Republican National Convention in September “on behalf of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)” “If Sen. McCain, who I support so strongly, asked me to do it, if he thinks it will help him, I will,” Lieberman told The Hill. Though McCain has yet to ask, “a Lieberman aide” says “it is a ‘likely possibility’ he will address the Republican audience in some form.”
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) “was less than forthcoming” about his “rogue-state rollback” policy yesterday saying that it involves only “efforts to modify the behavior of other nations” which does not include “declar[ing] war.” But in 2000, McCain said he would “arm, train, equip, both from without and from within, forces that would eventually overthrow the governments and install free and democratically- elected governments.”
“In my administration, there will be no more subsidies for special pleaders, no more corporate welfare,” McCain said in a speech on the economy yesterday. Yet “much of what he detailed was a corporate special pleader’s dream: a cut in the corporate income tax rate, from 35 percent to 25 percent, a proposal to allow businesses to write off the cost of new equipment and technology from their taxes…and a permanent tax credit for research and development.”
“Dangling the popular highway funding bill as his hostage,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) “struck a deal Tuesday night with Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to dislodge a handful of President Bush’s stalled appellate court nominees.” The plan will advance at least three outstanding appointments before Memorial Day.
“A company of Iraqi soldiers abandoned their positions on Tuesday night in Sadr City, defying American soldiers who implored them to hold the line against Shiite militias. The retreat left a crucial stretch of road on the front lines undefended for hours.”
And finally: The Academy Awards planned to announce its 2009 Oscar nominees on Jan. 20. But it has moved the ceremony to Jan. 22, since the presidential inauguration will also be on Jan. 20. Andrew Malcolm of the Los Angeles Times writes, “It isn’t enough that the country must endure about 24 months of political blather and rhetorical positioning to choose the next leader of the free world. … But now the world must wait an extra 48 hours — 48! — to learn who’s been nominated to receive an Oscar. The outrage.”
What did we miss? let us know in the comments section.
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Food Riots Set to Explode in 40 Countries!
Rising Food Prices Greater Threat to Security than Currency Crisis
UNITED NATIONS - As food prices continue to escalate worldwide, some of the poorest nations in the developing world are in danger of social and political upheavals. The unrest, which is likely to spread to nearly 40 countries, has been triggered largely by a sharp increase in the prices of staples including wheat, rice, maize and soybeans, according to the U.N.
Information edited from:
April 16th, 2008 at 9:02 amhttp://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/15/8310/
Press Secretary Dana Perino said, “[t]his speech is not going to lay out a specific proposal (to address global warming).”
____________________________________________
Of course not. Bush is merely going to make a little noise, and it’s back to business as usual — maintaining the flow of money to his oil buddies and government contractors.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:04 amwhat did we miss?
McCain convinced of need for war with Iran
GOP lawmaker wants no barrier between nation and God
both stories available at http://www.rawstory.com
April 16th, 2008 at 9:06 amWhat did we miss?
(ahem) I’m missing a couple of features from the comments section. ;)
April 16th, 2008 at 9:07 amA company of Iraqi soldiers abandoned their positions on Tuesday night in Sadr City, defying American soldiers who implored them to hold the line against Shiite militias.
A few “isolated incidents” - or an emerging trend?
April 16th, 2008 at 9:10 amThough Bush will “talk about a strategy for a way forward and principles for dealing with the problems,” Press Secretary Dana Perino said, “[t]his speech is not going to lay out a specific proposal.”
In other words, this is all a PR stunt to try to convince the Sheeple that the Republicans really do care about global warming. I don’t think the public is going to buy it, though.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:13 amLooks like the big corporations have done their job at aborting any real homeowner relief. They’ve managed to lobby enough to have the Senate bill allow them many tax breaks, reimbursements and other non-mortgage related perks.
Meanwhile, hedge fund CEOs are making out like bandits. (Actually, they are our modern day bandits.) For example, Paulson, according the this morning’s NYT, made $3 Billion in ‘07. $3 Billion! That’s the equivalent of over $8 Million per day.
Think about that. $333,333/hour, 24/7.
America hasn’t seen this kind of salary disparity since 1928 & 1929, just before the stock market crash & ensuing depression.
The USA is flirting with disaster on several fronts. Wall Street literally rolls in dough while Main Street is having to decide between fuel & food.
What the Hell happened to our Democracy?
April 16th, 2008 at 9:14 amThe Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee plans to file a complaint with the Federal Election Commission today charging that a Freedom’s Watch script for a television ad in Louisiana originated with the NRCC.
Good luck with that one. I think it is obvious to everyone that these Federal Election laws are toothless. Just like the campaign finance complaint the Democrats have filed to a board that is missing so many members they can’t even vote on whether John McCain is violating public financing laws.
Hold on to your hats folks. The next seven months before the election is going to make the wild west look tame.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:16 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
In other words, this is all a PR stunt to try to convince the Sheeple that the Republicans really do care about global warming. I don’t think the public is going to buy it, though.
But but but, global warming is a liberal plot to increase taxes! Mars is warm! Does this mean that Bush is a commie?
April 16th, 2008 at 9:16 amIsn’t it time to get out from under Joe LIEberman’s blackmail and strip him of his leadership positions?
April 16th, 2008 at 9:16 amYesterday, Justice Department Inspector General Glenn Fine told lawmakers that the FBI “might have committed as many as 6,400 intelligence violations in the course of its use of national security letters,”
Bush Admin response: “So, and what are you going to do about it”.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:17 amThe incredible shrinking city
Youngstown, Ohio, has long been on the decline and now is being hit by the foreclosure crisis. Its answer: Razing abandoned buildings and tearing up streets.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (CNNMoney.com) — Youngstown, Ohio, has seen its population shrink by more than half over the past 40 years, leaving behind huge swaths of empty homes, streets and neighborhoods.
Now, in a radical move, the city - which has suffered since the steel industry left town and jobs dried up - is bulldozing abandoned buildings, tearing up blighted streets and converting entire blocks into open green spaces. More than 1,000 structures have been demolished so far.
http://money.cnn.com/ 2008/ 04/ 08/ real_estate/ radical_city_plan/ index.htm?cnn=yes
The bright side of economic downturn? Dana P. might say so..Excellent lead story 2mil. All the warning alarms have sounded. Anyone listening?
April 16th, 2008 at 9:17 amWill Lieberman lose if Democrats win?
At this point, Democrats everywhere are pretty familiar with the Senate caucus’ “Lieberman Problem.” Aside from his problematic votes and rhetoric, Joe Lieberman wants, apparently more than just about everything, to be the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. If Harry Reid denied him the gavel, Lieberman would leave the party, and create a 50-50 split in the chamber.
Of course, if Senate Democrats have a good year, and it appears that they will, that won’t be a problem come 2009. Bob Novak reports that Lieberman may lose big if Democrats win big.
Sen. Joseph Lieberman’s friends are certain that if Democrats expand their one-vote Senate edge in this year’s elections, they will kick him out of the Senate Democratic caucus and, therefore, oust him as Homeland Security Committee chairman.
Lieberman risked the usual punishment of ejection from the party caucus when he endorsed Republican Sen. John McCain for president and actively campaigned for him. But with Democrats in a Senate majority of only 51 to 49, they would lose control if Lieberman defected to the Republicans.
Lieberman has already defected in my opinion. The fact that he will probably give a keynote speech at the RNC convention is a very good indication where his loyalties are. So much for being an independent. He has an agenda and it is to further the Republican party’s issues. I’m curious Joe, how much is your soul worth? Or better yet, do you have one??
April 16th, 2008 at 9:17 amBut in 2000, McCain said he would “arm, train, equip, both from without and from within, forces that would eventually overthrow the governments and install free and democratically- elected governments at the point of a gun.”
April 16th, 2008 at 9:18 amSen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) may give a keynote address at the Republican National Convention in September “on behalf of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)”
Isn’t it about time for the Democratic Leadership to strip this Republican-in-reality of any Committee assignments?
April 16th, 2008 at 9:18 amIf the Republicans want him on any Committees, let them use one of their slots.
Dangling the popular highway funding bill as his hostage,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) “struck a deal Tuesday night with Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to dislodge a handful of President Bush’s stalled appellate court nominees.”
Harry Reid caves again. I certainly hope that the Democrats kick him to the curb after the next election. He is totally useless. All he needed to do was to go on National TV and tell the public that McConnell was trying to hold up a bill for badly needed highway repairs to get Bush sycophants appointed to the courts. I’m pretty sure you are going to see much more of this in the next seven months because Bush knows that the Democrats are going to win and he desperately wants to get as many of his neoCON judges appointed as he can.
Can someone explain to me why, when the Republicans were the majority, they could decide unequivocally what bills went forward and what bills didn’t. What powers did they have that Harry Reid doesn’t?
April 16th, 2008 at 9:22 amWill Jesus watch over the Pope & the President today?
Will the Pope again tell the President Iraq is an illegal war?
Will Bush genuflect before shaking hands?
What a great diversion from reality for the Right House!
April 16th, 2008 at 9:23 amIsn’t it about time for the Democratic Leadership to strip this Republican-in-reality of any Committee assignments?
If the Republicans want him on any Committees, let them use one of their slots.
As a republican, Leiberman is politically worthless. It’s the “bipartisan” label that they most desire from him. They hope independents will be fooled into believing the scam.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:24 amThe retreat left a crucial stretch of road on the front lines undefended for hours.”
The retreat left American soldiers much more vulnerable to attack. I wonder if any American was killed because of the cowardice of the Iraqi military.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:24 amMake Lieberman sit next to specter, maybe he’s contagious.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:24 amAnd yes, I’m aware that it’s not nice to make fun of cancer victims, but specter has done as much as anyone in the senate over the last 7 years to help bush hurt, maim and kill people that any pain and suffering he and his endure is justice.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:25 amhttp://www.boston.com/ news/ politics/ politicalintelligence/ 2008/ 04/ bill_clinton_ol.html
Bill really doesn’t know when to quit. If you are in a hole, quit digging. It only gets you further into the hole.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:26 amWhat powers did they have that Harry Reid doesn’t?
The Veto-er in Chief. If you’re talking about the Clinton Years, they used “Bimbo Judo.” Or Wag the Dog, if you will, or what was in essence the Arkansas Project, Part 2.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:28 amZimzone Says:
What the Hell happened to our Democracy?
The Lobbyist, Corrupt CEO’s, and Republicans have destroyed so many American Dreams. This administration has walked all over our Bill of Rights and used it like a doormat.
Those CEO’s should not get large bonuses for taking American Families to the cleaners. They should have to pay back every single dime they swindled. Instead they are rewarded for their ingenuity in finding new ways to steal money from hard working middle-class people. All of them should be in jail if I had my way.
The Republicans keep bailing them out everytime. Come election time the voters need to remember how little these politicians did to help them out. Send a loud message that echos through the Halls Of Congress, we are not going to take it anymore.
Great post Zimzone!
April 16th, 2008 at 9:30 amAs we remember the Virginia Tech victims of a year ago, I hope we also reflect on what needs to be done to reduce the likelihood of this happening again.
1) Pay more attention to those around us who are at the edge, and get help for them before disaster strikes. They aren’t just “someone else’s problem.”
2) Find better ways of keeping mentally unstable people and firearms separated. A man with a history of mental problem should not be legally able to buy a gun as easily as he can buy a box of Cheerios.
3) Improve emergency communication around campuses, places of business, and other venues where large numbers of people spend their time.
A year ago, when these things were at the forefront of everyone’s mind, progress was made in these areas. A year later, our attention has become focused on other things, but that doesn’t make this issue less important.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:31 amhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/ wp-dyn/ content/ article/ 2008/ 04/ 15/ AR2008041503586.html?hpid=topnews
April 16th, 2008 at 9:33 amGOP lawmaker wants no barrier between nation and God
both stories available at http://www.rawstory.com
The interesting thing about his “god” issue is the press hasn’t covered anything about his faith. We don’t know if he attends church, what his faith is, who is his pastor, etc. We know all these things about Obama and Clinton since the press has deemed them important. So, why is McBush’s religious profile also not important?
April 16th, 2008 at 9:36 amAnd the beat goes on Says:
The bright side of economic downturn? Dana P. might say so..Excellent lead story 2mil. All the warning alarms have sounded. Anyone listening?
April 16th, 2008 at 9:17 am
—————————
I urge everyone to read, as a companion piece to the article I highlighted in post #1, this article:
Credit Crunch? The Real Crisis Is Global Hunger. And If You Care, Eat Less Meat. A food recession is under way.
Biofuels are a crime against humanity, but - take it from a flesh eater - flesh eating is worse
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/15/8302/
** Until we see all these stories (oil wars, renewable energy, biofuels, meat-consumption, industrial agriculture, GM crops etc.) as interrelated we’re not going to solve this problem.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:36 amI respect HRC’s dogged determination, but, that’s about it.
What does she think she’s accomplishing by dragging this out?
It’s not recognition. She had many times more name recognition than Obama from the get go.
Hillary, let go. You’re ruining your own party, reputation and any chance at another shot at the White House.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:39 am(ahem) I’m missing a couple of features from the comments section. ;)
Amen to that. I found this place intolerable yesterday due to the troll infestation.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:40 amTime to revisit…
From Battlefields in the Middle East: Depleted Uranium Measured in British Atmosphere
The Queen’s Death StarThe Sunday Times Online, February 19, 2006, reported on a shocking scientific study authored by British scientists Dr. Chris Busby and Saoirse Morgan: “Did the use of Uranium weapons in Gulf War 2 result in contamination of Europe? Evidence from the measurements of the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), Aldermaston, Berkshire, UK”. The highest levels of depleted uranium ever measured in the atmosphere in Britain, were transported on air currents from the Middle East and Central Asia; of special significance were those from the Tora Bora bombing in Afghanistan in 2001, and the “Shock & Awe” bombing during Gulf War II in Iraq in 2003. Out of concern for the public, the official British government air monitoring facility, known as the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), at Aldermaston was established years ago, to measure radioactive emissions from British nuclear power plants and atomic weapons facilities.
In addition to depleted uranium data gathered in previous studies on Kosovo and Bosnia by Dr. Busby, the Aldermaston air monitoring data provided a continuous record of depleted uranium levels in Britain from the other recent wars. Extensive video news footage of the 2003 Iraq war, including Fallujah in 2004, provided irrefutable documented evidence that the US has unethically and illegally used depleted uranium munitions on cities and other civilian populations. These military actions are in direct violation of not only the international conventions, but also violate US military law because the US is a signatory to The Hague and Geneva Conventions and the 1925 Geneva Gas Protocol. Depleted uranium weaponry meets the definition of a Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD) in two out of three categories under US Code TITLE 50, CHAPTER 40 Sec. 2302. After action mandates have also been violated such as US Army Regulation AR 700-48 and TB 9-1300-278 which requires treatment of radiation poisoning for all casualties, including enemy soldiers and civilians, and remediation. Dr. Busby’s request for this data through Halliburton from AWE, and subsequently provided by the Defence Procurement Agency, was necessary to establish verification of Iraq’s 2003 depleted uranium levels in the atmosphere. These facts demonstrate why Halliburton (AWE) refused to release the 2003 data to him, and it obviously establishes that weaponized depleted uranium is an indiscriminate weapon being distributed all over the world in a very short period of time, immediately after its use.
http://globalresearch.ca/ index.php?context=viewArticle&code=MOR20060302&articleId=2058
**can’t find any evidence that this has been resolved. We don’t need to put out any nuclear options. We already have and it’s working.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:43 amRegarding Harry Reid’s cave-in on the appointment of bush’s judges, I received an email from People for the American Way. Here’s a portion of the email. They are urging people to sign a petition to certain Senators:
“About 300 of Bush’s nominated judges have already been confirmed. And they’ve been confirmed at much higher rates than President Clinton’s nominees. These jurists will be his real legacy. Decades from now, no matter what happens in Iraq, and after several more economic cycles have come and gone, many Bush judges will still be on the bench, and will still be interpreting the law in a way that is hostile to individual rights.
Repairing the damage to our Constitution and our standing in the world will take years, but RIGHT NOW certain senators can stop more of President Bush’s dangerous judicial nominees from getting lifetime seats on the federal courts.
It’s urgent that we get as many people as possible to add their name to this fight via our petition at http://www.pfaw.org/go/StopBadJudges.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:43 amMcCain apparently still has the same fantasy he had in 2000 of going around the world installing democratic governments wherever they are lacking. He fails to grasp some fundamental realities of this objective:
1) Democracy can’t be forced on people. They have to want it badly enough to assist in its development.
2) Meddling in the affairs of other governments is costly. We really can’t even afford what we’re doing in Iraq and Afghanistan. How can we take on the whole world?
3) He claims his objective doesn’t “include declaring war.” Yeah, right. That would probably happen anyway. Is he willing to commit political suicide by reinstating the draft to staff all the wars that would result from his foreign policy?
And finally…
4) Hasn’t he learned that puppet dictatorships are far easier to work with than democracies?
April 16th, 2008 at 9:45 amBut with Democrats in a Senate majority of only 51 to 49, they would lose control if Lieberman defected to the Republicans.
Ok, I’m confused as to why this would make a difference. LIEberman isn’t voting with the Democrats anyway. The Democrats aren’t getting any meaningful legislation passed anyway, thanks to Republican obstruction and Bush vetoes.
I really don’t think the Senate will be a different place if LIEberman was kicked to the curb. A more honest place, yes…different, no.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:45 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
Amen to that. I found this place intolerable yesterday due to the troll infestation.
Agreed, Bilbo. It occurs to me that the Bugman, Tom DeLay, could most likely use some work.
TP, would you consider using him to root out this Troll infestation? What’s that? He only kills Democrat pests?
OK, can we at least get our ‘report abuse’ & ‘recommend’ flags back?
April 16th, 2008 at 9:46 amahem) I’m missing a couple of features from the comments section. ;)
Amen to that. I found this place intolerable yesterday due to the troll infestation.
I agree. Many of us work hard to keep the truth out there as well. Affirmation is an important part of the process. Sometimes I feel like I am screaming from the mountaintop and I am all alone. TP needs to bring back the flags!
April 16th, 2008 at 9:46 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
But in 2000, McCain said he would “arm, train, equip, both from without and from within, forces that would eventually overthrow the governments and install free and democratically- elected governments at the point of a gun.”
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Lemme guess - by taking away their jobs and making them bitter God-toting gun-clingers?
April 16th, 2008 at 9:47 ambarfly Says:
The Veto-er in Chief. If you’re talking about the Clinton Years, they used “Bimbo Judo.” Or Wag the Dog, if you will, or what was in essence the Arkansas Project, Part 2.
No, I’m talking about the Bush years. If the Republicans didn’t want something to come up for a vote, it didn’t come up for a vote. If the Democrats wanted to introduce a bill, they were denied the right to do so. If the Democrats wanted to hold a hearing, they were put in the basement. So why did the Republicans have that kind of control, but the Democrats don’t. What secret powers did they have?
April 16th, 2008 at 9:48 amTP needs to bring back the flags!
Does anyone know if it is intentional or is it just another glitch because they once again “upgraded” their comments?
April 16th, 2008 at 9:50 amBilbo says: ‘What secret powers did they have?’
Well, for starters, they had warantless wiretaps on anyone they cared to spy on, including their own party memebers.
Their’s that…
April 16th, 2008 at 9:51 amRegarding TP’s new feature to post a “featured post” at the top of many threads. I think it would be great if this was an automatic thing and it was based on the number of “recommends” a post gets. The first time it would pop up after two recommends. Then if someone got three, it would automatically change to that post, and so on and so on.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:52 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says
April 16th, 2008 at 9:36 am
The interesting thing about his (McCain’s) “god” issue is the press hasn’t covered anything about his faith. We don’t know if he attends church, what his faith is, who is his pastor, etc. We know all these things about Obama and Clinton since the press has deemed them important. So, why is McBush’s religious profile also not important?
________________________________________
His religious profile isn’t important because Huckabee is no longer in the race. If the GOP race had become a McCain-Huckabee slugfest, McCain would be jumping through hoops to appear more pious than Huck, and the media would all be keeping track.
However, McCain stands alone on the GOP side and is all but ignored while the media spends their time feeding and hyping the Clinton-Obama battle. This results in his religion being unimportant — as well as his foreign policy, his economic knowledge, his gaffes, etc.
Hopefully more spotlight will be shown on McCain and all his flaws after the conventions.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:52 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
TP needs to bring back the flags!
Does anyone know if it is intentional or is it just another glitch because they once again “upgraded” their comments?
They said it was a technical problem that they’d be resolving. I can’t imagine a scenario where they would willfully contaminate their own blog with trolldung, but who knows?
One could dream that it was a temporary glitch because they’re actually improving the blog security . . .
April 16th, 2008 at 9:53 am3) He claims his objective doesn’t “include declaring war.” Yeah, right. That would probably happen anyway. Is he willing to commit political suicide by reinstating the draft to staff all the wars that would result from his foreign policy?
He doesn’t have to “declare war”. He learned from his mentor Bush that you can start a war without declaring war. You decide to do it and you just do it and ignore Congress completely.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:54 amI support Bilbo’s idea of a ‘featured post’ as a header, rotating by the number of ‘recommend’ hits.
Of course, this is impossible WITH NO ‘RECOMMEND’ FLAGS HERE.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:55 amCan we all agree now that the ‘Bush tax cuts’ have been the sole cause of the economic downturn?
April 16th, 2008 at 9:57 amSo Reid is going to cave again, thinking that in an election year when the GOP is wheezing that at risk members of the GOP won’t vote for the popular transportation bill. What a joke. Let them stall it. Who cares. I swear, Reid is an absolute idiot with no conception of WHY W was put in the WH to begin with.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:57 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
Regarding TP’s new feature to post a “featured post” at the top of many threads. I think it would be great if this was an automatic thing and it was based on the number of “recommends” a post gets. The first time it would pop up after two recommends. Then if someone got three, it would automatically change to that post, and so on and so on.
_____
In theory, I agree. However, it would just invite the conservatrolls to use their 200 accounts to vote up their own worthless blather.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:58 amOf course, this is impossible WITH NO ‘RECOMMEND’ FLAGS HERE.
I am also thinking it may be beyond TP’s technical expertise. They can’t seem to figure out how to ban trolls by IP address (or maybe they chose not to), so they may not know how to have an automatic update feature.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:58 amIn theory, I agree. However, it would just invite the conservatrolls to use their 200 accounts to vote up their own worthless blather.
If TP brings back the flagging feature and resumes banning useless trolls, that really wouldn’t be a problem. Didn’t you notice how remarkably troll free this site was for the couple of weeks before this recent upgrade? My theory is that because of the fact that TP was featured in national news, they decided to clean up the troll infestation here. I would like to see them do it again.
April 16th, 2008 at 10:00 amGreat idea. Of course, it would require that we be able to “Recommend” a post again in order for it to work.
I’ve long suspected that TP doesn’t mind a troll or two, maybe even encourage them, as I’m sure everybody’s noticed that a stubborn and obtuse troll will drive up the comment count on a thread. Presumably this would indicate a spike in traffic as well.
Crazy? Yeah, crazy like a …
April 16th, 2008 at 10:04 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says
April 16th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Regarding TP’s new feature to post a “featured post” at the top of many threads. I think it would be great if this was an automatic thing and it was based on the number of “recommends” a post gets. The first time it would pop up after two recommends. Then if someone got three, it would automatically change to that post, and so on and so on.
_________________________________________________
I like the idea of the posters deciding what comments are most important, but of course this will never fly. Even if TP did have such a feature, it would be deep-sixed as soon as a comment of “how come we never hear anything about Hillary?” got the most recommends.
I also agree with Toasterhead that the trolls would use it to further promote their own crapola, so a little oversight would be necessary.
April 16th, 2008 at 10:18 am#52 ralph the wonder llama Says:
My comment is awaiting moderation, this happen yesterday to RUC and he was mad. His was about polls. And it never appeared.
Mine is about Chemicals in Plastics, is it showing up! Just curious. Because RUC’c showed up on his monitor but didn’t show up on the website. Hence my question..
April 16th, 2008 at 10:18 amAnyone else having a problem seeing the comment ratings? They seem to not be showing on my screen.
April 16th, 2008 at 10:19 amrobertoroberto Says:
Anyone else having a problem seeing the comment ratings? They seem to not be showing on my screen.
TP is still updating and having technical problems. None of us have them yet.
April 16th, 2008 at 10:25 amrobertoroberto Says
April 16th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Anyone else having a problem seeing the comment ratings? They seem to not be showing on my screen.
_____________________________________________
Good morning, roberto2. The “recommend” and “report abuse” buttons have been down since day before yesterday. TP promises they will be restored. In the meantime, since conjecture rushes in wherever real information is lacking, we have been speculating on what TP is doing to enhance the site. You are invited to submit your guesses as well.
April 16th, 2008 at 10:27 amLie-berman, for God’s sake, please just become the Republican we all know you are. Stop even pretending to ‘caucus with the Democrats.’ We don’t want you anywhere near us anymore.
April 16th, 2008 at 10:29 amWhat did we miss?
‘Sick Around the World’ ran on Frontline, PBS, last night.
It studied 5 democratic countries’ health care systems, including Taiwan, Japan, Switzerland, Germany & the UK.
It was a real eye opener, folks. 3 of those 5 pay no health premiums whatsoever. Experts from these countries explained that governments decided long ago health care could not be left up to a ‘free market’. (Free market; what an oxymoron. It should be know as an ‘uncontrolled market’.)
Bottom line was; none of these citizens wait long periods of time for care. An MRI in Japan costs $15.00. The most advanced MRI would cost you $90.00.
America is being raped by insurance carriers, who are trying to take ‘the risk’ out of a business that started by covering risk.
It’s not only insane to keep this going, it should be illegal.
April 16th, 2008 at 10:35 amOn this sad anniversary, I’d like to bring up a controversial (from both sides) subject, but I’ve never shied away from controversy.
Gun Control.
Or, should I say, better Gun Control.
One needs only to look at Australia a week or so ago. Where 2 students, branding machetes, entered a school and attacked. Yes, some were injured, a few seriously, but the attackers were subdued, and there were no fatalities, no parents burying their own children.
April 16th, 2008 at 10:37 amYes, strict gun control does work.
I don’t know how to resolve these issues regarding gun control, and even though I am not a hunter, I agree with their rights to own shotguns, whether for sport, or food. But handguns? What purpose do they attain?
Recently, here in southwest Michigan, a child, thinking his father’s handgun was not loaded, accidentally shot and killed his best friend. I believe handguns do more harm than good (protect). And automatic reloading weapons? What purpose, besides causing death. The students of Virginia Tech may have had a chance if the firing student was only able to obtain a shotgun.
My two cents. I expect to be heavily debated (again, from the left and the right), but I do feel, within deep of my heart, something drastic needs to be done, so children and young adults never have to fear for the lives while attaining an education. EVER!
Let us not forget that the Democrats have much of the burden to bear for letting the national security letters have power. Let’s strive to elect progressive Democrats and weed out those so-called Democrats who would join with others to weaken our cherished rights, hold down hard working wage earners, spill the blood of our youths watonly, and drain our national treasury!
April 16th, 2008 at 10:37 amWhat did Hillary have for breakfast? Duck Omelet?
April 16th, 2008 at 10:38 ammisshusseinmolly Says:
A year ago, when these things were at the forefront of everyone’s mind, progress was made in these areas. A year later, our attention has become focused on other things, but that doesn’t make this issue less important.
It is a very important issue, so that students are more secure. I don’t know if the solution is stricter gun policies. They are too accessible on the streets. It’s truly sad that students have got to worry about this. I miss the days when I went to school and the worse thing that could possible happen is that a fight would break out in back of the school.
Great Post MissMolly!!
April 16th, 2008 at 10:40 amHere’s a tidbit you seemed to have missed:
WASHINGTON After addressing the journalists gathered at the annual Associated Press luncheon in Washington, D.C., today, Sen. Barack Obama, standing at the podium, took a few questions. The last one from the audience, delivered via AP chairman W. Dean Singleton, was related to Afghanistan, our troops in Iraq and the threat posed by, as Singleton put it, “Obama bin Laden.”
Obama quickly corrected Singleton. “That’s Osama bin Laden,” he said. The crowd laughed a bit. “If I did that, I am so sorry,” Singleton replied.
Then Obama said, “This is part of what I have been going through for the past months, which is why it is impressive that I am still standing here.”
Can you imaging how Senator John Sidney McCain III would have responded to such an insult? Or the other Democratic candidate?
April 16th, 2008 at 10:52 amI am terribly worried that Bush’s new found environmental laws will be a cynical attempt to put in the least restrictive laws possible. Alternate possibility that they will be so stupid (fight greenhouse emmissions by using red paint) that they will tie up any real attempts to do anything for the next decade.
April 16th, 2008 at 11:01 amRUCerious Says
April 16th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Can you imaging how Senator John Sidney McCain III would have responded to such an insult? Or the other Democratic candidate?
____________________________________________
No matter what one thinks about Obama’s political experience, his stance on issues, or his plans for America, one has to admire his ability to show grace under pressure. This is a welcome relief from the tantrums and tirades we get from the other candidates.
Obama stays on message despite all the feces being flung at him. He quietly acknowledges the hits and political dirty tricks without throwing a fit. He admits and apologizes for his own gaffes and moves on, while opponents use them to make political hay. Yet when Hillary missteps and misspeaks, Obama continues to stay on message. We saw no Obama ads pointing out Hillary’s statement about being under fire in Bosnia.
April 16th, 2008 at 11:17 amDRxJ Says:
April 16th, 2008 at 10:37 am
I’m 100% with you in the gun control issue, but it will be very difficult to implement in your country, as I highlighted yesterday:
Gun rights, gun deaths divide Pa. voters
http://news.yahoo.com/ s/ ap/ 20080415/ ap_on_el_pr/ pennsylvania_primary_guns
Gun control arouses deep emotions here. Deadly shootings have earned the state’s largest city the ominous nickname: “Killadelphia.” One of the strongest antigun control groups, the National Rifle Association, has 250,000 members in Pennsylvania, more than in any other state. This month the Pennsylvania House soundly defeated a bill to require handgun owners to report the theft or loss of their guns to police.
I mean, so bad is to notify the police your weapon has been stolen or lost? And this is a “soft approach”. Just imagine these people if they have their “right” to buy a load of handgunds and assault weapons stripped, or even bruised.
April 16th, 2008 at 11:28 amAh, kabuki never goes out of style in DC. Why on earth file a complain with only the FCC against Freedom’s Watch? The FCC won’t be in action for this election cycle. Since Freedom’s Watch has filed as a 501(c)4 non-profit, wouldn’t filing a complaint with the IRS in tandem with the FCC make more sense and get faster results?
April 16th, 2008 at 11:41 amI’ve got nothing to say until TP brings back the abuse link, the trolls have destroyed this site.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:07 pmHey Buckie, you got juice, man! Links are restored. Nice shot.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:11 pmTHE BUTTONS ARE BACK!
April 16th, 2008 at 12:12 pmTHANKS, TP.
“A company of Iraqi soldiers abandoned their positions on Tuesday night in Sadr City, defying American soldiers who implored them to hold the line against Shiite militias. The retreat left a crucial stretch of road on the front lines undefended for hours.”
“As Iraqi’s stand up, americans stand d… hey, wait a second, where’d they go?”
April 16th, 2008 at 12:22 pmI’ve long suspected that TP doesn’t mind a troll or two, maybe even encourage them, as I’m sure everybody’s noticed that a stubborn and obtuse troll will drive up the comment count on a thread. Presumably this would indicate a spike in traffic as well.
If TP would recognize IP addresses, and allow only one “recommend” per IP address, trolls could not run up the recommendations on their own posts. Then again, if they would just ban the trolls by IP addresses, their work would be so much easier.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:29 pm#66 miss molly
April 16th, 2008 at 12:54 pmI agree entirely — we want a president who is able to remain calm under pressure, who can take the punches and return them without wallowing in the mud. We want a president who is thoughtful, pragmatic and listens to various points of view.
Perhaps because of his more humble upbringing, and that of hsi wife; perhaps because his liberal philosophy causes him to see things broadly, perhaps because he has been a college teacher (of the Constitution), he brings an entirely different set of values to the white house as opposed to those of GWB.
BUTTONS!! GLORIOUS BUTTONS!
April 16th, 2008 at 1:23 pm>4) Hasn’t he learned that puppet dictatorships are far >easier to work with than democracies?
Right.. the only arab democracy in the middle east, Turkey, would let us Invade iraq directly from thier soil.. go figure… boy, and I cant even imagine the western nightmare if Saudi Arabia became a democracy…they might democraticaally send all their oil to china and russia and sell it in euros..
April 16th, 2008 at 4:33 pmIf it wasn’t so horrible, it would be amusing how hypocrite Bush said today “all life is sacred”. This from a man who started a war of choice that has killed hundreds of thousands. From my point of view George Bush and all of the enablers of his Iraq policy are mass murderers.
April 16th, 2008 at 8:11 pm