ThinkFast: June 4, 2008
ThinkFast: June 4, 2008
A new report finds that “U.S. companies’ planned layoffs rose 15 percent in May from April to the highest monthly total since December 2005. … May’s total was 46 percent higher than the 71,115 planned layoffs in the same month last year.”
Speaking at AIPAC yesterday, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice “escalated the Bush administration’s anti-Iran rhetoric.” “We would be willing to meet with them but not while they continue to inch toward nuclear weapons under the cover of talks,” she said. “The real question isn’t why won’t the Bush administration talk to Iran. The real question is why won’t Iran talk to us.”
More than five years since the United States invaded Iraq, the U.S. government has finally “opened its first permanent office [in Iraq] for Iraqi refugees seeking to settle in the United States, responding to criticism that the Bush administration has failed to help thousands of Iraqis whose lives are in danger because of their work with American organizations.”
63 percent: The share of Americans who say “the government should not regulate whether gays and lesbians can marry the people they choose,” according to a USA Today/Gallup Poll. In the same poll, 33 percent said the government has the right “to prohibit or allow” such marriages while 4 percent had no opinion.
Opponents of teaching evolution in school have adopted a new strategy. Instead of pushing for “intelligent design” curriculum, they are seeking to require that the “strengths and weaknesses” of evolution be taught in public schools. While the phrase sounds benign, critics say it is an effort to “undermine the teaching of evolution” and to push “religious objections under the heading of scientific discourse.”
The U.S. will tell the G8 nations at July’s climate conference that it will not be able to meet large cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Despite the European Union’s pledge to cut emissions by 30 percent by 2020, the chief climate negotiator for the U.S. told Reuters, “It’s frankly not do-able for us.”
Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) declared yesterday that cost overruns for Pentagon weapons had “reached crisis proportions.” Levin has proposed “an independent office at the Defense Department that would attempt to ensure the accuracy of cost estimates used in defense contracts.”
Economists say “[p]rices have been soaring long enough and fast enough” that “the nation is at risk of a self-reinforcing cycle of inflation like that experienced in the 1970s.” Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke highlighted the risk yesterday saying the rapid price escalation, if sustained, “might lead the public to expect higher long-term inflation rates, an expectation that ultimately could become self-confirming.”
An analysis by Taxpayers for Common Sense found that clients of a Jack Abramoff associate – Kevin Ring — received more than $16 million in earmarks in the fiscal 2004 transportation spending bill.
And finally: Comic book publisher Marvel is revamping UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s “dull-as-dishwater image.” In a new comic, “Captain Britain and MI13,” Brown is depicted staving off “an attack of evil, green-skinned aliens” who have managed to infiltrate the British Cabinet. The writer of the comic, Paul Cornell, admitted that in real life, he does “admire the prime minister.”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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strong>Obama claims Democratic victory
He was speaking to a cheering crowd on the last day of the primary season, after receiving the support of enough delegates to clinch the nomination. Of the states that voted, Montana was won by Mr Obama and South Dakota by his rival Hillary Clinton.
If confirmed, Mr Obama would be the first black candidate to represent a major party in a US presidential poll. In her own speech to supporters, Mrs Clinton refused to concede and said she would make a final decision later. BBC North America editor Justin Webb says a fabulously well-planned and executed campaign helped give him the edge over his rival.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7434791.stm
I know everyone already knows this; it is hardly a news flash. The reason I have posted this is because, it is time for a new beginning. We have been outraged and angry for 7 ½ years. As a society we have grown more cynical, with good cause, that the leadership of this once great country will ever be held accountable for not only the wartime atrocities but for ruining our reputation abroad. Now we have hope for a better tomorrow.
I was not born to witness John F Kennedy in office, but have read and watched many films about him. He inspired us, with his words and his vision of the future. “And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” He stirred something inside us to be better than who we are. I see that in Obama, in his challenge to us. “It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get to where we are today, but we have just begun. Today we begin in earnest the work of making sure that the world we leave our children is just a little bit better than the one we inhabit today.” He has invigorated so many people to let their voices be heard by motivating them to come out in droves to vote. To new beginnings, may the best of our past be the worst of our future, with healthcare for all, world peace, and a prosperous economy once again one day at a time.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:01 amObama claims Democratic victory
For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:02 am‘They Can go 40 miles for a Dollar,’ if Cars Get Made
Edward Furia says the electric car technology his Bellevue-based firm, AFS Trinity Power Corp., has developed could end the United States’ dependence on oil.
AFS Trinity’s prototype sport utility vehicles can go 40 miles on a single charge from a standard electric outlet, at which point a gas-powered engine takes over. The SUVs reach top speeds of 90 mph on the highway — and accelerate without a hitch, as Furia demonstrated while speeding Monday on Westlake Avenue North. “They can go 40 miles for a dollar, for a dollar,” Furia shouted, referring to the cost of power.
One problem, though: No automaker has agreed yet to license AFS Trinity’s technology, so it isn’t commercially available. Still, he said, there is a “lot of institutional resistance” in the U.S. After all, to choose just one example, he said, an electric car would need little maintenance — a big moneymaker for car manufacturers.
http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/2008/6/3/they_can_go_40_miles_for.htm
Of course, there is resistance by the US Automakers. They are trying to keep us dependent on oil. I’m so sick and tired of it.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:03 amC’mon, Think Progress! Obama clinched the Democratic nomination last night and all I hear from you is the sound of crickets chirping? I know you’re Hillary fans and all that, but could you at least acknowledge reality?
June 4th, 2008 at 9:05 amOBAMA WINS DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION
Just in case anyone was interested in the future of our country
June 4th, 2008 at 9:06 amAs a Feminist, I’ve tried hard to be courteous to Hillary Clinton, because she is the first viable female presidential candidate… But that contentious, divisive and self-centered speech she made last night that failed to even acknowledge Obama’s historical achievement really pissed me off. I probably cost herself the VP slot.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:06 amInstead of pushing for “intelligent design” curriculum, they are seeking to require that the “strengths and weaknesses” of evolution be taught in public schools.
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Also in that science course will be a section about the “strengths and weaknesses” of gravity…
June 4th, 2008 at 9:07 amCanada’s parliament votes to grant asylum to US war resisters
Parliament on Tuesday voted to allow US resisters of the Iraq war who fled to Canada to stay in this country, thus avoiding military court-martial in the United States. The non-binding motion passed 137 to 110, with support from all three opposition parties, which hold a majority of seats in the House. It urged the government to allow conscientious objectors “who have refused or left military service related to a war not sanctioned by the United Nations” to stay in Canada.
“Canada has always been a place which has welcomed those who seek peace and who seek freedom,” opposition Liberal MP Bob Rae told reporters. “This country should continue to recognize conscientious objectors, particularly to a war which international law has held to be illegal and which this country chose by an act of deliberate policy, chose not to join,” he said
http://rawstory.com/news/afp/Canada_s_parliament_votes_to_grant__06032008.html
Canada is that one great constant in the universe.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:08 amFace it, TP, every thread will be about the great Obama victory last night.
THAT is what we ALL want to celebrate today (except for RHF, who was apparently a closet McCain supporter all along)
Why not at least acknowledge the facts of last night’s historic victory?
June 4th, 2008 at 9:08 amCondi says: “The real question isn’t why won’t the Bush administration talk to Iran. The real question is why won’t Iran talk to us.”
Ummmm, ‘axis of evil’, refusing their help in Afghanistan, taunting their elected leader like schoolyard bullies, claiming nuclear weapons knowing the NIE assessment said just the opposite, blaming Iran for deaths in Iraq, claiming AQ is operating training facilities in Iran…just to name a few, Madam Secretary.
Any other questions?
June 4th, 2008 at 9:09 amToday, I am proud to be an American.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:09 amToday, Senator Obama becomes the first non Caucasian person to lead his party to be president.
I never thought, in my life time, we would see this.
Although this country is still divided (politics and unfortunately, race), we are seeing progress.
Good friends of ours in Minnesota (husband-Republican, wife-Democrat) were at the Obama rally in St.Paul. Both are encouraged by his campaign. Both will vote for him in November. That’s a pretty big feat for the husband, who has voted (R) the last 2 presidential elections!
Again, today, I am proud!
Being a Secretary of State who does not support diplomcay is even worse than havng been a National Security Advisor who was a “Ja Sager”!
June 4th, 2008 at 9:10 amWhy does Think Progress think that Obama’s Victory last night is unworthy of any official comment? Hillary has lost. It’s time to move forward or we’ll all be stuck with mcbush for the next 4 years.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:11 amThis is great! Still no mention of Obama by TP.
Let’s hijack this thread! IOKIYNAT (”it’s okay if you’re not a troll”).
June 4th, 2008 at 9:11 amJust as a matter of plain fact, while we may have a presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, we won’t have a nominee until the convention formalizes its choice.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:12 amEconomists say “[p]rices have been soaring long enough and fast enough” that “the nation is at risk of a self-reinforcing cycle of inflation like that experienced in the 1970s.”
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Oh joy. I remember those days, and the markers are all there this time around. Wanna bet the Democrats will get blamed?
June 4th, 2008 at 9:12 amIf McCain’s “speech” last night was any indication of what the Presidential race will be like, he’s in for a butt-kicking of epic proportions.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:12 amAlso in the news:
OBAMA MAKES HISTORY, becoming the first person with African-American lineage to become the nominee and likely next President of the United States.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:13 amAt least post a story about Hillary’s non-concession speech. After all, she is the most popular person in America, just ask her.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:14 amWTF is with Hillary?
She stood there last night, referring to herself in third person like some kind of rapper or star athlete, still trying to manipulate the truth.
That’s the main reason I could never support her. I’ve listened to both Bush’s manipulate truth for far too many years, and I’ll be damned if I’ll support anyone bent on exaggerating or stretching facts to feather their own nest.
Hillary, it was all there on a platter for you last night. Your decision to continue playing coy & basking in false worship is going to haunt you political career for the rest of your life.
Happy now?
June 4th, 2008 at 9:14 amHistoric and colossal, that it what Barack Obama has done and will continue to do for our country.He has just started a TAKE BACK AMERICA program that will set us free from BUSHCO and his crime family…
June 4th, 2008 at 9:14 amSpeaking of RHF (aka VVGFU, btruthful),
You do know he(?) is just spouting $hit to get a response.
I’ve learned long ago to ignore him(?) with his improper profanities and childish ridicules of the mentally challenged.
Just not worth the effort to debate/discuss, but it is humorous to watch his meltdown every time Zooey posts.
…and just for the record, had Hillary won the delegates, I would not have acted like a spoiled child and declared “I’m not voting! So there!”. I would have still voted for her, as I feel her politics would be better for this country than McSame (oops, I mean McCain).
June 4th, 2008 at 9:15 amCountry (and others) before self.
’nuff said!
Biggest news of the day and TP is silent.
If you want an international perspective, go to the Zoo:
http://tpzoo.wordpress.com/
It truly is a momentous day in history.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:16 amMyabe Think Progress is waiting for someone to RFK Obama so Hillary can ride in on a “White” horse and save the day.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:16 amAnd to think our fearless leader Dictator Bush says everything is just hunky dory! Yeah right, sure it is.
JT
June 4th, 2008 at 9:17 amIs your ISP watching?
Opponents of teaching evolution in school have adopted a new strategy. Instead of pushing for “intelligent design” curriculum, they are seeking to require that the “strengths and weaknesses” of evolution be taught in public schools.
It’ll be hilarious to hear what they think the ‘weaknesses’ of evolution are. There are such minor gaps in Evolutionary Theory at this point in time that any genuine lecture on its ‘weaknesses’ would last half a class period, at most.
There are NO credible Scientists who refute the facts of evolution.
P.S. For the brain-dead trolls: “theory” in Science simply means “explanation of the facts”, not what you try to imply it means.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:18 amMeanwhile, BARACK OBAMA BECOMES THE PRESUMPTIVE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
Jesus, TP, this is simply shameful. I thought this blog stood for a progressive agenda? What a koinkidink!! SO DOES OBAMA!!! Have the courage of your convictions and acknowledge this man’s candidacy.
For the first time, I’m a little ashamed to call this my favorite blog.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:18 am“She did everything but offer Obama the vice presidency”
June 4th, 2008 at 9:18 am– GOP strategist Alex Castellanos (CNN)
Clinton’s Refusal To Concede “Deranged Narcissism”
The folks over at The Hotline put together a roundup of other pundits’ reaction to Clinton’s speech in New York City tonight:
“Well whatever that was, it wasn’t a concession speech.” — FNC’s Hume
“Clearly, she’s trying to position herself, keep her options open.” — NBC’s Russert, on HRC’s speech (MSNBC).
“If I were Barack Obama, if I heard that speech, I would not be very happy. … They are living in parallel universes right now.” — CNN’s Borger.
“This was a defiant speech, against all the kind of advice that [heavyweights] within the Democratic Party gave her” — Ex-WH adviser David Gergen, on whether he was surprised by Clinton’s speech (CNN).
“She did everything but offer Obama the vice presidency” — GOP strategist Alex Castellanos (CNN)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/03/jeffrey-toobin-clintons-r_n_105051.html
It is truly sad she could not concede with grace.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:18 amrogers Says:
Thingprogress is right…the superdelegate tally is still completely artificall, I won’t be suprised if half don’t vote as publicly suggested..and there’s still uncertainy about florda/michigan, obama’s just as likely the nominee as a week ago.
Well there you go Think Progress, you’ve won the endorsement of the trolls. …
June 4th, 2008 at 9:19 amLast night Hillary said “stay the course” in her speech in reference to herself. How did her speech writers let that one through?
June 4th, 2008 at 9:20 amwhy won’t Iran talk to us?
Gee, might it be that the Bush administration demands that Iran submits to unconditonal surrender to their demands BEFORE sitting down for talks have anything to do with it?
Ya think?
June 4th, 2008 at 9:20 amMark Halperin is reporting at The Page that Andrea Mitchell said this on MSNBC tonight:
Clinton advisers are telling me that she wants to sit down very quickly with Barack Obama, and she wants to do this in a private way.
She doesn’t want to concede or embrace him until she’s had a chance to sit down with him and explore what’s on his mind, and her mind.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/03/clinton-wants-private-mee_n_105040.html
June 4th, 2008 at 9:20 am‘They Can go 40 miles for a Dollar,’ if Cars Get Made
Edward Furia says the electric car technology his Bellevue-based firm, AFS Trinity Power Corp., has developed could end the United States’ dependence on oil.
AFS Trinity’s prototype sport utility vehicles can go 40 miles on a single charge from a standard electric outlet, at which point a gas-powered engine takes over. The SUVs reach top speeds of 90 mph on the highway — and accelerate without a hitch, as Furia demonstrated while speeding Monday on Westlake Avenue North. “They can go 40 miles for a dollar, for a dollar,” Furia shouted, referring to the cost of power.
One problem, though: No automaker has agreed yet to license AFS Trinity’s technology, so it isn’t commercially available. Still, he said, there is a “lot of institutional resistance” in the U.S. After all, to choose just one example, he said, an electric car would need little maintenance — a big moneymaker for car manufacturers.
http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/ news/ 2008/ 6/ 3/ they_can_go_40_miles_for.htm
Of course, there is resistance by the US Automakers. They are trying to keep us dependent on oil. I’m so sick and tired of it.
*******************************************************
Unfortunately, the auto makers and oil companies may not be the only ones who are resistant to this. The American consumer may be to blame as well. Granted, spiraling oil prices may causes this resistance to diminish as time goes on — but one of the reservations which American consumers have reportedly had in the past with regard to electric cars is the distance which they can go on one charge. Despite the fact that the majority of Americans don’t make trips of more than an hour on even a semi-regular basis, they’re reticent to consider buying a car which they couldn’t potentially drive for long distances on a single charge. It’s irrational, yes — but then again, most human beings (let alone most Americans) aren’t particularly rational a lot of the time.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:21 amrogers Says: Thingprogress is right…the superdelegate tally is still completely artificall, I won’t be suprised if half don’t vote as publicly suggested..and there’s still uncertainy about florda/michigan, obama’s just as likely the nominee as a week ago.
LOL! You’re scared of the half black man aren’t you?
You should be. He’s going to marginalize you neocons.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:23 amZimzone Says
June 4th, 2008 at 9:14 am
WTF is with Hillary?
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I suspect that Hillary’s problem is two-fold. First, she’s up to her eyeballs in debt, and dropping out of the race would preclude her from raising any more funds. In fact, she’s going to have a hard time raising any more funds while still IN the race because her chances of getting the Dem nom are virtually nil at this point. But that’s not going to stop her from trying, which is why she still feels she has to sound like a viable candidate in her speeches.
Second, I suspect she just has a hard time letting go. After being told she is the “inevitable” nominee for so long, she appears to be having difficulty with the reality she won’t be.
She figures her best hope at this point is the veep slot, and she’s probably piling all her chips on that square. There are two ways to go about that — one, she could extend an olive branch and be all about uniting the party. Or two, she could adopt a strong “I’d BETTER be on that ticket…or else!” stance. Judging from her self-serving speech last night, I suspect it will be the latter.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:24 amBushco: “Hey, hey, hey….our REAL problem is IRAN, IRAN, IRAN, IRAN….the economy?” “Why, I don’t have time to worry about that because I’m the Commander and IRAN, IRAN, IRAN is going to get the bomb and blow up your house.”
June 4th, 2008 at 9:31 amCongrats to Obama.
Once upon a time, I could have supported Hillary, but her antics in the campaign pissed me off…royally. The lie about landing in the Balkans under sniper fire, and planting a “reporter” in the crowd in one of her rallies to lob softball questions-(a Bush tactic) among others.
I expected better of her than that.
NO way would I want to see Hitlery, er, Hillary get the #2 spot. I would much rather see Kucinich, Edwards, or Richardson in the VP slot.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:31 amBobwurst Says
June 4th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Myabe Think Progress is waiting for someone to RFK Obama so Hillary can ride in on a “White” horse and save the day.
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That’s just plain awful, although I realize you’re saying it not to stir up trouble, but because threats against Obama have been real.
If Hillary (or Think Progress) is counting on this to happen, that’s not only ghoulish, it’s just plain sick.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:31 amEconomic depression in America: Evidence of a withering economy is everywhere
Look around. The evidence of a withering economy is everywhere. In “good times” consumers shun the canned meat aisle altogether, but no more. Today, Spam sales are soaring; grocery stores can’t keep it on the shelves. Everyone is looking for cheaper ways to feed their families. The Labor Dept. assures us that core-inflation is only 4 per cent, but everybody knows it’s load of malarkey. Food prices are going through the roof. White bread is up 13 percent, bacon is up 7 percent and peanut butter is up 9 percent. Inflation is rampant and there’s no end in sight. The dollar is closing in on the peso and working people are struggling just to get by. The bottom line is that more and more people in “the richest country on earth” are now surviving on processed pig-meat. That says it all.
snip
The pundits on the business channel are telling us that the “worst is over”; that the Force 5 hurricane in the financial markets has weakened to a squall. Don’t believe it. The corporate bond market is still frozen, housing is in free fall, and the banking system is buckling from the overload of bad investments. The FDIC is even trying to lure former employees out of retirement to deal with the tsunami of bank failures set to touch down later in 2008. Corporate defaults are on the rise and and commercial real estate is crashing.
http://blacklistednews.com/view.asp?ID=6807
**Iraq and the economy MUST be President Obama’s first priority. Read this entire article. It doesn’t even sound like we were once a world leader with a strong economy helping out others letter fortunate throughout the world. Instead we have a “Misery loves company” economy that is well on it’s way taking the developed world down with us.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:33 amObama wrapped up the Democratic nomination last night, and his speech was inspiring. I thought he was especially gracious toward Hillary as well. She, on the other hand, remains as narcissistic as ever, and may now be trying to blackmail him into offering her the VP spot. Ridiculous woman.
On an amusing note, McCain only garnered 22% of the vote in Montana last night. Both Romney and Ron Paul came in ahead of him.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:34 amPolygamist case price tag: $7 million
Removing 460 children from a polygamist sect compound and then reuniting them with their families will cost Texas $7 million, according to the state Department of Family and Protective Services. The price tag includes costs from fighting a court battle to retain custody of the children, attempting to determine their parentage through DNA testing and reuniting the children with their parents.
The $7 million does not include more than $500,000 in estimated costs incurred by local governments whose law enforcement agencies were involved in the April 3 ranch raid, according to a budgetary presentation given to Texas lawmakers last month.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/03/flds.price/index.html?eref=rss_latest
OMG-$7 Million dollars that is incredible.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:34 amElectric Mini Cooper capable of 900 miles on a charge, 0-60 in 4 seconds, and a top speed of 150mph:
The only reason we don’t have them now is major US auto-manufacturers are addicted to the maintenance money they get.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:35 am#41 letter=less can’[t we get a preview button!!!
June 4th, 2008 at 9:35 ammisshusseinmolly says:I suspect that Hillary’s problem is two-fold…
June 4th, 2008 at 9:36 amI agree, but trying to ‘power’ a VP slot or elongate the race further isn’t helping the Party at all.
‘It’s still about me’…Hillary’s new campaign slogan.
And, oh by the way, did someone get enough pledged delegates to garner the Democratic nomination yet?
Ohhhh, it happened last night? And the presumptive nominee gave a rousing speech that spoke to the very best of what makes us Americans?
And its not on TP?
Hmmm, I wonder why?
June 4th, 2008 at 9:37 amYet another thread hijacked last night by Chucky RHF, I can see.
Two candidates ran, one won. Obama ran a great campaign and would make a great president. Clinton, too, would have made a great president, but ran a shoddy campaign.
I would like to thank progressive posters here, for starters, for making possible a diverse democratic candidate. This black, 46-year-old father of two and devoted husband, and an ivy-league educated upstanding member of our society will make for a well-respected president. His collaboration and listening abilities will serve him well in the White House.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:38 amObama/Edwards ‘08
Obama/Richardson ‘08
Obama/Biden ‘08
Just no Clinton, please. Not that I have anything against Sen. Clinton (despite her campaign). I just know she will inspire LOTS of right wing nutballs that have been trained by the AM radio over the last 16 years to hate any and all things Clinton. She will simply bring too many right wingers to the polls, hurting our chances on down-ticket races.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:39 amunbelievable Says
June 4th, 2008 at 9:12 am
If McCain’s “speech” last night was any indication of what the Presidential race will be like, he’s in for a butt-kicking of epic proportions.
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I heard that speech last night (it was on all the cable news channels, and I couldn’t escape it), and I was truly amazed at his chutzpah. He had the nerve to paint Obama as a “tax and spend” Democrat, while his own party has gone through money like they were flushing it down a massive sewer line. He had the nerve to paint Obama as not caring about Iraq or the troops, when he is doing his best to shoot down Webb’s GI Bill. And he’s claiming that he will bring more change to Washington than Obama will, despite his obvious efforts to morph his old “maverick” self into a Bush clone.
I am amazed that he’s making it this easy for Obama to wipe the floor with him.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:39 am#35 Bluestocking Says:
Unfortunately, the auto makers and oil companies may not be the only ones who are resistant to this. The American consumer may be to blame as well. Granted, spiraling oil prices may causes this resistance to diminish as time goes on — but one of the reservations which American consumers have reportedly had in the past with regard to electric cars is the distance which they can go on one charge. Despite the fact that the majority of Americans don’t make trips of more than an hour on even a semi-regular basis, they’re reticent to consider buying a car which they couldn’t potentially drive for long distances on a single charge. It’s irrational, yes — but then again, most human beings (let alone most Americans) aren’t particularly rational a lot of the time.
One thing people need to think about is, if they are going to take a long trip rent a vehicle. It is fairly inexpensive now. Most people only go out of town on vacation once a year anyways. I know that is always the excuse I hear.
Good Morning and have a good day Bluestocking!
June 4th, 2008 at 9:41 amYou’re right MissMolly, what I said was awful. It was awful when Hillary said it. It was awful when ThinkProgress ignored it. It’s awful that ThinkProgress, the blog I turn to first every morning is continuing to support a particular candidate instead of progress. Maybe they should change their name to “ThinkHIllary”.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:42 amIn other news today, Barak Obama snatched victory from the jaws of Hillary in one swell foop, using the same building the Republics will use to anoint their geriatric candidate in 2008.
See, TP? That isn’t so difficult.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:44 ampsst, Obama clinched the Democratic Nomination last night, pass it on
June 4th, 2008 at 9:44 amOne caller on Colmes’ last night suggested that Hillary may only suspend her campaign, hope for a “bombshell” to drop on Obama during the summer, then carry her backpack of delegates to the convention and hope the supers would change their minds.
President aside, I’m not too crazy about the VP slot in Hillary’s name, for fear that she may seek to overshadow Obama as president and try to talk him out of leaving after one term.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:47 amOkay, I’m not an apologist for TP, but wasn’t it sometime back that one of it’s founders left to join Hillary’s campaign?
June 4th, 2008 at 9:51 amObviously, TP is pro Hillary, and is “hurting” right now due to the loss.
Hey, I understand. Monday night, I thought the Red Wings had the Stanley Cup won, only to lose the damn game in 3 overtimes. I really didn’t want to discuss hockey yesterday, at all.
TP is in the same boat. Except, Obama has already raised the Cup in triumph!
TP will acknowledge soon enough. They have to. They are just suffering post defeat hangover, and are silent. I too will be the same way if Detroit loses game 7 Saturday night. But eventually, I would break my silence and acknowledge that the Wings were beat by a better team. TP will also.
#39 Uncle Ho Says:
Congrats to Obama.
Once upon a time, I could have supported Hillary, but her antics in the campaign pissed me off…royally. The lie about landing in the Balkans under sniper fire, and planting a “reporter” in the crowd in one of her rallies to lob softball questions-(a Bush tactic) among others.
I expected better of her than that.
NO way would I want to see Hitlery, er, Hillary get the #2 spot. I would much rather see Kucinich, Edwards, or Richardson in the VP slot.
I agree Uncle Ho. I would love to see Kucinich, but Edwards and Richardson probably have a better chance. Kucinich is in my home state and I’m proud of what he has done. But the Media is just evil to him. Calling him a extreme liberal, like he has a terrible disease or that he is radical. Poor guy, he has some great ideas. Have a good day Uncle Ho!
June 4th, 2008 at 9:52 am#55 correction — *talk him into leaving
June 4th, 2008 at 9:53 amZimzone Says:
misshusseinmolly says:I suspect that Hillary’s problem is two-fold…
I agree, but trying to ‘power’ a VP slot or elongate the race further isn’t helping the Party at all.
‘It’s still about me’…Hillary’s new campaign slogan.
**That has been the first thing I noticed after my original candidate (Edwards) suspended his campaign, I was like someone lost in the “wilderness.” Obama really captured me with his message. Obama is all about how WE can change and reminds me of JFK’s “ask not what your country…” I don’t want anyone in office ramming their agenda down my throat. I want someone who is inclusive and listens to the people they represent.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:55 amAgreed, FR. Good morning!
Dennis Kucinich needs more power. He IS a great American.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:55 am#6 unbelievable says:
As a Feminist, I’ve tried hard to be courteous to Hillary Clinton, because she is the first viable female presidential candidate… But that contentious, divisive and self-centered speech she made last night that failed to even acknowledge Obama’s historical achievement really pissed me off.
I am with you, and I agree 100%.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:56 amI have found it very hard to maintain good feelings toward Clinton, despite my support for Obama. At various points in the campaign, I even felt sympathetic toward her and acknowledged her most positive traits.
Last night, however, I could find no compassion for her, try as I might. She was classless where Obama was pure class. She was ungracious, where he was graceful and gracious. She was defiant as he was magnaminous. She still wants to make a deal, without conceding anything.
Her speech was all about her – his was all about us.
I am disappointed in the first woman to carry the banner for all women; I am disappointed that her attitude of “you owe this to me” has permeated her campaign and her supporters — instead of taking a grand opportunity to begin reconciliation; she stubbornly chose to continue that which has divided them. My disappointment has not brought me to anger against her – I want to get past that – my disappointment in her has brought me to tears. I believe she let women down.
Hiya Reb!
missmolly @9:39
June 4th, 2008 at 9:58 amcareful! you might piss the old coot off. heh, heh
63 percent: The share of Americans who say “the government should not regulate whether gays and lesbians can marry the people they choose,” according to a USA Today/Gallup Poll. In the same poll, 33 percent said the government has the right “to prohibit or allow” such marriages while 4 percent had no opinion.
As much as I hate to say it, even though this is encouraging, I have to wonder about the demographics of this poll. The fact that several states have successfully passed legislation officially banning gay marriage and/or defining marriage as man-woman only doesn’t seem to support what the poll found. I suppose you have to factor in the possibility that gay-marriage initiatives in these states may have encouraged a large number of conservatives who don’t make a habit of voting to come out in support — but if so, one could also think that their progressive counterparts might well have done the same in opposition. As someone who majored in psychology in college, I know very well that it’s actually not all that hard to skew the results of a poll or study — sometimes without even realizing it — so I’m inclined to wonder whether the poll represented all segments of the population equally.
Opponents of teaching evolution in school have adopted a new strategy. Instead of pushing for “intelligent design” curriculum, they are seeking to require that the “strengths and weaknesses” of evolution be taught in public schools. While the phrase sounds benign, critics say it is an effort to “undermine the the teaching of evolution” and to push “religious objections under the heading of scientific discourse.”
And are they willing to discuss the “strengths and weaknesses” of intelligent design as well? Uh, huh…that’s what I thought. What exactly are the strengths of creationism or “intelligent design” anyway? What actual empirical proof is there for the existence of a Supreme Being? None as far as I know. Why is it that so many of these people demand that proponents of climate change prove conclusively — which isn’t even possible — that what they say is true even though they themselves can supply no empirical data to support the theory of the existence of their deity?
The U.S. will tell the G8 nations at July’s climate conference that it will not be able to meet large cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Despite the European Union’s pledge to cut emissions by 30 percent by 2020, the chief climate negotiator for the U.S. told Reuters, “It’s frankly not do-able for us.”
I don’t know about anyone else…but at least according to my own experience and observations, at least as often as not, what “I can’t” really means is “I won’t/don’t want to.” Strictly speaking, can’t implies a complete lack of ability or feasbility — as in, “I can’t pick up a two-ton weight with my bare hands” — but a lot of people use it as a disguise for lack of will or interest — “I can’t go out with you because I have too much work to do.” Frankly, I think our government potentially does have the ability to make the targeted cuts in greenhouse gases — if they wanted to. That’s the problem — I don’t think they want to, because I don’t think that they believe that cutting greenhouse gases is important enough to make the sacrifices they would probably have to make in order to do it.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:00 amrogers Says
June 4th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Thingprogress is right…the superdelegate tally is still completely artificall, I won’t be suprised if half don’t vote as publicly suggested..and there’s still uncertainy about florda/michigan, obama’s just as likely the nominee as a week ago.
______________________________________
You have a somewhat valid point about the superdelegate votes, in that they can vote any way they wish, regardless of how they have publicly pledged (in fact, some superdelegates have already changed their minds once or twice). Furthermore, even the PLEDGED delegates can change their mind and vote for a candidate other than the one they are pledged to. So theoretically, Hillary could still be nominated in Denver if enough delegates change their minds (theoretically, Republican delegates could all mysteriously change their minds and vote for Huckabee, denying McCain the nomination, but this is also unlikely). In this regard, ALL delegate votes are “artificial” until they actually cast them at the convention.
But keep in mind that more superdelegates who are changing their minds are changing them in favor of Obama — not the other way around.
And there is no more “uncertainty” about Michigan and Florida — the DNC has taken care of that. Hillary may still protest, but she’s not going to get very far.
Obama has met all the requirements to be legitimately considered the presumptive nominee. And that’s how the press is referring to him.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:01 am#60 McWars Says:
Agreed, FR. Good morning!
Dennis Kucinich needs more power. He IS a great American.
Good Morning McWars, good to see you!.
Dennis is one of the few that practices what he preaches, so to speak. Whatever he stands behind, he does in his daily life. From conservation, to energy efficient cars. I hope in the future people take him more serious. I agree, he is a great American..
June 4th, 2008 at 10:06 amIraqi Parliamentarians Against Permanent Occupation
Now this is really starting to get interesting. Tomorrow at 2 p.m., for the first time, Congress is going to receive testimony from two Iraqi parliamentarians opposed to the impending Bush-Maliki long-term-occupation deal. (Perhaps we should rename it the John McCain 100-Or-Maybe-Make-It-1000-Years Deal.)
Live from the Rayburn building, Rep. Bill Delahunt’s (D-MA) Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight will hear from Sheikh Khalaf al-Ulayyan of the Sunni Accordance Front and Nadim al-Jaberi of the Shiite (and anti-Moqtada, anti-Maliki) Fadhila Party. Both men oppose an open-ended U.S. troop presence, which is a rather popular position among the Iraqi people. Last fall, Maliki’s own mouthpiece told me that the Iraqi parliament would have to approve any open-ended troop presence deal, so it’s possible that Ulayyan and Jaberi’s perspective might actually matter. That, of course, would contrast starkly to that of our own Congress, since President Bush decided long ago that he can commit the U.S. to an indefinite war no matter what Congress thinks.
http://washingtonindependent.com/view/iraqi
June 4th, 2008 at 10:07 am**It will be interesting hearing “their side of the story.” Trying to find out if this will be streamed on CSPAN.
#66 This should have included Spencer Ackerman’s byline. Sorry Spencer.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:08 am“The real question isn’t why won’t the Bush administration talk to Iran. The real question is why won’t Iran talk to us.”
No, Condi, the real question is why do you still have a job?
Hey, Unbelievable, nice to see you! :)
June 4th, 2008 at 10:14 amNote to our community of commenters:
We’re not trying to hide the fact that Obama is now the Democratic nominee. It’s news you can learn anywhere. It’s just not the type of thing we cover – never have. I challenge you to find where we did a post on John McCain becoming the GOP nominee.
Contrary to some peoples’ opinions, TP is not an advocacy arm for or against any particular candidate. We’re happy to promote agendas that we agree with, and criticize those we disagree with. That’s our mission.
Because of our tax status issues, we’ve avoided taking sides in the primary contest. You can go to any number of sites to find political coverage, but hopefully you’ll come to us for the substantive coverage that many of the mainstream outlets aren’t doing.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:18 amWow, 2 more posts by TP about a republican hack, and none about the progressive presidential nominee. Maybe they should rethink their name….
June 4th, 2008 at 10:18 amAmanda, as I asked Faiz in another thread, we see plenty of criticism of McCain – do you not see anything in Obama’s agenda worth promoting?
June 4th, 2008 at 10:21 amTP, you guys need to get over your excuses. You are dropping the “progressive” ball.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:22 am#68 Jane E. Schneider Says:
“The real question isn’t why won’t the Bush administration talk to Iran. The real question is why won’t Iran talk to us.”
No, Condi, the real question is why do you still have a job?</em>
Well put Jane, I have been wondering the same thing. Her incompetence must be giving her job security. You have to admit she is not surrounded by mental giants.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:25 amTP apparently agrees with the trolls on the “Great Obama Victory Blackout”
Acknowledging the victory of Obama is hardly supporting one candidate over another. It is just acknowledging the fact that there is only ONE POTUS candidate now for the Democrats.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:25 amAmanda Says:
Note to our community of commenters:
Because of our tax status issues, we’ve avoided taking sides in the primary contest.
I kind of figured TP had to watch the tax status and avoid publicly endorsing a candidate because of it.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:25 amThanks Amanda
P.S. – The primaries are over, Obama wins. You can end the blackout now.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:27 amReporting the news does not equal endorsing a candidate.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:27 amAn interesting post over at the Democratic Underground site…
“So what I suspected all along is true. Thom Hartmann mentioned getting freeper-like disruptive posts on his show’s message board, trashing anything being discussed from a leftist POV. His people traced one of the posters to another RW board who bragged about getting paid 10 cents a post to spread disruptive messages with RW talking points straight out of conservative talk shows like Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly by some RW organizations. He didn’t mention who paid them.
It seems to me that a lot of the Hillary bashing and Obama bashing posts might be from these posters. There is a certain difference between stating that you have concerns about some things about the candidates than out and out calling them names and accusing them of things that aren’t even remotely true. Maybe we should be alert for these kind of posters and alert the mods when the BS gets too much.”
You can find it at http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2847829&mesg_id=2847829
June 4th, 2008 at 10:28 am“America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past. Our time to bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for the country we love.
The journey will be difficult. The road will be long. I face this challenge with profound humility, and knowledge of my own limitations. But I also face it with limitless faith in the capacity of the American people. Because if we are willing to work for it, and fight for it, and believe in it, then I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick and good jobs to the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal; this was the moment when we ended a war and secured our nation and restored our image as the last, best hope on Earth. This was the moment – this was the time – when we came together to remake this great nation so that it may always reflect our very best selves, and our highest ideals. Thank you, God Bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.”
~ PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
Just sayin. ;o)
~ A
Crikey. Does that “President Barack Obama” thing make me sound like Darryll…? :o/
June 4th, 2008 at 10:35 amSo TP, are you going to wait until the convention to start covering the presidential race between Obama and McCain.
This is getting childish, almost as childish as Clinton supporters saying they will vote for John McCain if Clinton loses, fair and square.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:36 amThanks, Amanda.
TP has NEVER supported one candidate. They support issues. They bring issues to light.
This is not a For or Against site. There are probably millions of those.
Please let TP do what they do so very well, bring the issues to us (and let us b!tch about them! :-) )
June 4th, 2008 at 10:37 amp.s. Amanda – that ‘tax exempt’ thing doesn’t seem to stop wingnut pastors like Hagee et. al from weighing in politically…yanno?
News is news – and Barack Obama is NEWS.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:38 amBilbo, that’s exactly what they should do.
Until the convention, there is no candidate…only a presumptive one.
Hillary has not conceded or suspended yet.
Whether it’s what we want or not, it hasn’t happened.
I don’t want to read about the dem politics here…I want to read about ISSUES.
But that’s just me. :)
June 4th, 2008 at 10:39 amAmanda@69,
Thank you for addressing our concerns. My objection stems not from the fact that TP has avoided an endorsement of a candidate per se; Obama’s delegate count is news, and therefore can and should be reported as such.
If news reporting creates a situation in which non-profit status is threatened, then consider me duly chastened.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:39 amunbelievable Says:
Obama claims Democratic victory
For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:02 am
______
Much as I’d like to agree, I’m holding off on this type of pride until November. Until he wins the general election, I’m afraid it’s only hubris.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:40 amJebus, we are not asking TP to support anyone. I thought this was a place to receive political news, though. There is a difference. If anyone here thinks no news about presidential candidates = progressive neutrality, you’re way off.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:41 amOh C’mon! A docudrama based on McClellan’s book is supporting issues?
June 4th, 2008 at 10:42 amMcCain’s speech was awful. I watched the whole thing and felt sorry for the old coot. Obama is going to slaughter him. The cadence was so choppy that by the time he got to the phony grin and chuckle at the end of the punch line, you forgot what the hell he was trying to say.
And rogers, you are so full of shit. Last night Obama stepped over the threshold and will be the Democratic nomine, and unless Cheney’s floor freezes over, will be the next POTUS.
Now let’s move forward as a united country and clean up the Chimp feces left by the current squatter.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:42 am“Now let’s move forward as a united country and clean up the Chimp feces left by the current squatter.”
Nicely put, nanlichi!
June 4th, 2008 at 10:44 amMANY GOOD posts on this thread this morn. Kudos to all.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:44 amPay attention rogers, he clinched the nomination with enough delegates. OBAMA ‘08, get used to it.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:45 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
So TP, are you going to wait until the convention to start covering the presidential race between Obama and McCain.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:36 am
_______
I don’t see what you’re talking about – this site has covered the ongoing hypocrisies in the coverage of Obama and McCain on such issues as angry preachers and flag pins and talking with Iran and undisclosed campaign advisors and whatnot. That’s covering the campaigns, isn’t it? I like that this site doesn’t do the usual horserace crap that’s on every 24-hour news channel with airtime to fill. TP covering the fact that Barack Obama clinched the nomination is kind of like them covering the fact that the sun rose this morning.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:48 amMcWars Says:
Agreed, FR. Good morning!
Dennis Kucinich needs more power. He IS a great American.
I was a Kucinich supporter in the beginning. Right now I am very disappointed in him. As of last night, he still had not pledged as a super delegate. I don’t know if he did so last night, but I was very disappointed in the fact that he hadn’t done so by last night.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:49 am“Kudos to all.”
Including yourself, Uncle Ho–you had two highly recommended comments, both of which I completely agree with.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:50 amOkay, how about this?
Upper right on this site there’s a box titled, “What We’re Fighting For” and the first item is:
Social and Economic Justice
Can we discuss how Barack’s agenda differs from McCain’s in that context?
June 4th, 2008 at 10:51 amThanks Jane. Where you been? I don’t read you here much.
It is hard to contain the hope that Obama may really be a uniter, especially when I listened to his speech last night with my two sons ages of 23 and 21 and watch their enthusiasm.
They, and their friends have become disillusioned with politics, and pretty cynical. KKKarl’s politics of division have helped the Repugs but at a real cost to the country.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:53 amRed Pill Says:
Thank you for addressing our concerns. My objection stems not from the fact that TP has avoided an endorsement of a candidate per se; Obama’s delegate count is news, and therefore can and should be reported as such.
The problem is if they report anything as news, they are giving us a forum to discuss what was posted. They are trying to avoid allowing us to discuss Hillary and her scorched earth campaign. The fact that TP refuses to recognize the reality of this presidential race discredits this site greatly.
I only stop by in the morning to read thinkfast. Then I go to sites that report all the news, not just the news they want their readers to have. If I wanted that, I would go to one of the conservative blogs.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:53 amBilbo – I wonder if Kucinich avoided going public to avoid his pledge being used against whoever he decided to pledge.
Remember that he scored highly in that November poll in which people were asked who would they NEVER vote for. Mind you, Hillary scored the highest at about 49%
June 4th, 2008 at 10:57 amw o w … what a disappointment, though not surprised after all…
i am here late… already 2 threads past the FAST…
AND NO OBAMA IS DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE
shame on you, TP. SHAME ON YOU.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:58 am.
63 percent: The share of Americans who say “the government should not regulate whether gays and lesbians can marry the people they choose,” according to a USA Today/Gallup Poll.
bit doesn’t think this stat means what TP wants it to mean.
bitblt doesn’t understand the quoted stat to mean that sixty-three percent of the population believes that same-same gender people can be married. The question asked about government regulating marriage, not about government creating marriage.
While the government may exercise limited regulation of marriage – minimum ages and health regulations, government neither created marriage nor permits men and women to marry. Therefore, asking whether the government should regulate same-same gender marriage seems rather ludicrous to bit.
So, by what authority are two same-same gender people “married?” Surely that authority can’t be the government which never instituted natural(man-woman) marriage in the first place.
In other words bit’s objection is that the question presupposes that two same-same gender people can be married.
This presupposition exists in the minds of some people, but bit thinks the number is very small.
The government cannot make a same-same gender sexual relation a marriage.
The stat would be meaningful if the sixty-three percent were asked what does it take for people to be married.
There are some indicators that so-called same-same gender marriage is truly a non-issue – even among homosexuals.
Since Mass started issuing so-called same-same gender marriage license, it is reported that about 3,000 same-same gender couples have gotten these licenses.
Three thousand couples are 6,000 people. The 2006 population of Mass is 6,437,193. This number represents about 0.09% of the total population. Assuming three percent of the population of Mass are self describe homosexuals, then the 3,000 same-same gender couples represent about 3% of the homosexuals. So, it would seem that the issue of so called same-same gender marriage is a non-issue for even those self describe persons who might be qualified for this type of license.
Further assuming that the numbers in Mass are representative of the entire nation, it seems to bit that putting the nation at risk for 0.09% of the population is one of two things, perhaps both.
It’s stupid, or it rebellious.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:02 amCome Hellary or high water, Barak Hussein Obama is now in position to win the Presidency.
Watch the wingnut rhetoric hit max load on the talking heads.
Enjoy it, folks, it may be their last hurrah.
Note the lies, innuendo & ‘I heard’ stories multiply like Republics at a National convention.
Watch George Suff&nonsense ignore reality. Again.
Watch Tim Russturd make claims & bring out old documents.
Observe that damn liberal media question everything from Obama’s underwear to Michelle’s shopping habits.
Watch David Brooks make a complete ass of himself. Again.
Watch Grampy McSame try to complete a thought without a teleprompter.
But most important, be glad you’re a part of an historic race that just may save our Country from thieves & religious extremists!
June 4th, 2008 at 11:02 amas for mcCREEPY – his “speech” last night was near torturous…
and green is definitely not his color…
C&L – which, by the way, put up an OBAMA thread last night:
Barack Obama : The Next President Of The United States
, has a new thread about mcSAME’s speech and “…the DNC has done a little fact checking on McCain’s speech–they were able to hang through the whole thing, more power to them– and found it remarkably fact free:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/06/04/mccains-more-of-the-same/
June 4th, 2008 at 11:03 amThe theory of Evolution
The only science that needs government protection.
Not everyone believes natural selection and random mutation tells the whole story.
http://www.pssiinternational.com/
http://www.dissentfromdarwin.org/
BTW, tell bit again, what good is the theory of evolution?
June 4th, 2008 at 11:05 amrogers Says
June 4th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Obama picked up a few more delegates, thats ALL.
________________________________________________
And that touchdown the New York Giants scored in the final two minutes of the Super Bowl was only a few points, that’s ALL.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:06 amamanda @69 – no one (that i’ve read so far) is saying that TP is
“trying to hide the fact that Obama is now the Democratic nominee.”
but why the hell aren’t you even reporting it?!?!?!!!?
how much more of an “agenda” does it need to be?
June 4th, 2008 at 11:09 amResponse to #95:
Perhaps Kucinich is a little gun shy?
Here are a couple of articles to read in chronological sequence and then reassure yourself that they were purely coincidental. After all, you wouldn’t want any trolls to accuse you of being a tinfoil hat conspiracy theorist, right?
For those of you who don’t have time to check out the links, the first is dated December 11, 2007, and details a rally at Reno, Nevada and includes mention in the headline that Kucinich was putting the finishing touches to articles of impeachment of George W. Bush. The second article, dated December 19, 2007, described Kucinich being devastated by his youngest brother’s sudden death earlier that day.
Members of the Christian Reich might say that this is just God’s way of punishing anyone who might have the audacity to question the actions of His favorite dictator, George W. Bush.
The links:
http://www.newsandcurrents.com/news/2007/12/kucinich-putting-finishing-touches-to-articles-of.html
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2007/12/dennis_kucinich_devasted_by_yo.html
June 4th, 2008 at 11:14 ambitblt, Perhaps you may wish to ask the Pope. Biological evolution is accepted as the mechanism of the Catholic god by the church
June 4th, 2008 at 11:14 amOpponents of teaching evolution in school have adopted a new strategy. Instead of pushing for “intelligent design” curriculum, they are seeking to require that the “strengths and weaknesses” of evolution be taught in public schools.
This is not any change for the creationists. Their whole ID theory is “God Did It.” When you ask them to go deeper into their scientific theory behind it they resort to attacking the weaknesses of “Darwarnism.”
Nice theory you got there.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:19 amI’d like to push dimwit bitblt out of an airplane at angels 10 so it can confirm the uselessness of the theory of gravity.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:20 amnanlichi Says:
Thanks Jane. Where you been? I don’t read you here much.
Most days, by the time I get here and read through all of the comments, I usually find that someone has already made much the same comment that I would have. (Either that or everyone’s gone to bed!) Lately I’ve just been clicking ‘recommend’ on a few comments and leaving it at that. There’s plenty of good posters here, many of whom manage to express my views better than I can.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:23 amPefect Saint Augustine, bitethebullet could test two hypothesis in the span of a few minutes. One; whether this silly gravity theory holds water, and two; whether he ends up singing in the choir for eternity or is just fertilizer for that field he hits.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:24 am“…it seems to bit that putting the nation at risk for 0.09% of the population…”
June 4th, 2008 at 11:02 am
WTF? “at risk”??! It seems to me that bit is a bit short of a full deck.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:28 ammurdoch’s intentions already… i can’t go there; perhaps
someone will be able to fact check this:
The Obama We Don’t Know
June 4th, 2008 at 11:36 amWall Street Journal – 2 hours ago
With Barack Obama clinching the Democratic Party nomination, it is worth noting what an extraordinary moment this is. Democrats are nominating a freshman Senator barely three years out of the Illinois legislature whom most of America still hardly knows …
bitwit Says:
63 percent: The share of Americans who say “the government should not regulate whether gays and lesbians can marry the people they choose,” according to a USA Today/Gallup Poll.
bit doesn’t think…
this is when I stopped reading, because nothing more needs be said!!!
June 4th, 2008 at 11:37 amKaty,
I was already hearing that disgusting meme last week. “We just don’t know him!”
Oooh, be afraid of the scary black man!
June 4th, 2008 at 11:39 ambitwit,
I have one question for you, if you are so inclined to discuss:
Is the earth only 3000 years old? If so, what proof do you have?
thanks in advance for you response to this pertinent question.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:40 amOr, should I say, DRxJ appreciates the fact that your answer would entertain DRxJ.
PatriotricLiberalChristian has a pastor that intends to sermonize about creationism and against evolution this summer. PatriotricLiberalChristian disagrees with his pastor’s theology in this regard. Nonetheless, PatriotricLiberalChristian respects his pastor’s right to preach as he sees fit. PatriotricLiberalChristian understands that he can choose to not attend the worship services this summer if he wishes. PatriotricLiberalChristian has no such respect for having the theological view of creationism taught in secular schools. PatriotricLiberalChristian understands that children are compelled to attend school. PatriotricLiberalChristian also understands that teaching a theological position in school may be violating one of the Ten Commandments, “honor thy mother and father”.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:40 am#108 curmudgeon Says:
Response to #95:
Perhaps Kucinich is a little gun shy?
Here are a couple of articles to read in chronological sequence and then reassure yourself that they were purely coincidental. After all, you wouldn’t want any trolls to accuse you of being a tinfoil hat conspiracy theorist, right?
**Thank you curmudgeon. I agree-they (the press) ignored him during his run by picturing him as a “nut job” and continues to ignore him. I hope he presses hard on impeachment and his Universal Health Plan. Kucinich was the ONLY candidate with true universal health for all.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:41 amPLC
June 4th, 2008 at 11:48 amAgreed with post #119, even with the heavy bitwit sarcasm! Creationism and Evolution can co exist, but need be taught at different venues.
Church should teach creationism based on belief, but not deny evolution.
Schools should teach evolution based on fact, and although I believe should not deny creationism, should also not interject ID to meet certain bible thumping school board requirements.
Yes, the talking morons on TV are trying to “talk” the economy into a better place. Talk has lost much of its value lately as well. (not like it had much to begin with).
Gas keeps going up, every time I go to refill, its more. All menu items at restaurants are up 2-3 dollars each. 10 dollars for a decent 6 pack of beer.
Time for all the greedy and powerful to back off on the “throttle” a bit, or it it will eventually bite them in the ass also.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:51 amForTruth Says:
Yes, the talking morons on TV are trying to “talk” the economy into a better place. Talk has lost much of its value lately as well. (not like it had much to begin with).
Gas keeps going up, every time I go to refill, its more. All menu items at restaurants are up 2-3 dollars each. 10 dollars for a decent 6 pack of beer.
Time for all the greedy and powerful to back off on the “throttle” a bit, or it it will eventually bite them in the ass also.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Our village gas station hit $4.29 yesterday, 11 cents higher than a gas station a couple of miles away. I picked up some sliced ham at the deli the other day, and it was $9.49/lb! WTF?
June 4th, 2008 at 11:55 amDRxJ Says:
PLC
Agreed with post #119, even with the heavy bitwit sarcasm! Creationism and Evolution can co exist, but need be taught at different venues.
Church should teach creationism based on belief, but not deny evolution.
Schools should teach evolution based on fact, and although I believe should not deny creationism, should also not interject ID to meet certain bible thumping school board requirements.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Didn’t you know? Dr. Provine – big name Darwinist – has already broach that divide.
His conclusion….?
bit has seen a video of Dr. Provine presenting these. Dr. Provine does say, since his scientific conclusions remove all meaning from existence, that one can have “proximate meaning in life” whatever that is.
His quote does make it easier to understand why some biologists are saying that human and bacterial have equal worth.
Do you suppose that being able to make that remark makes them better biologists?
June 4th, 2008 at 12:02 pm["No One Could Have Imagined" Rice]: “The real question isn’t why won’t the Bush administration talk to Iran. The real question is why won’t Iran talk to us.”
Why is it that the Rethuglicans always accuse their erstwhile opponent of doing exactly what they’re doing (we saw this in spades in the Swift-boating of Kerry, for instance)? Is it some neoteny showing up, as they revert to their “I know you are, but what am I?” classic retort from first grade recess?
Cheers,
June 4th, 2008 at 12:20 pmperhaps bitblt should revist the paper the presentation was based on. Dr Provine clearly points out that life does have meaning within the context of culture. I think bitblt may be interpreting that section in order to seek support for bitblt’s strongly yet apparently inflexible views
June 4th, 2008 at 12:23 pmbit bit bit bit bit bit bit bit = byte me
June 4th, 2008 at 1:29 pmFurther assuming that the numbers in Mass are representative of the entire nation, it seems to bit that putting the nation at risk for 0.09% of the population is one of two things, perhaps both.
It’s stupid, or it rebellious.
bitwad,
First off, what is the risk exactly? You’re incoherent and stupid, and you rebel against logic. Way to go asshat.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:56 pmTweedster Says:
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June 4th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
You want an answer…reframe the question without the name calling.
June 4th, 2008 at 2:01 pmIraqi parliamentarians against a permanent US presence will be testifying before congress in a few minutes–watch it on CSPAN 3. As Spencer Ackerman said, it’s going to get interesting!
June 4th, 2008 at 2:10 pmWell, blt? Hello?
Whats the risk towards the United States by allowing same-sex marriage?
June 4th, 2008 at 2:15 pmbitblt Says:
Tweedster Says:
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June 4th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
You want an answer…reframe the question without the name calling.
Whats the risk towards the United States by allowing same-sex marriage?
June 4th, 2008 at 2:34 pmPerpetuating the Al-Queda-Iraq myth:
http://news.yahoo.com/ s/ time/ 20080603/ wl_time/ perpetuatingthealqaedairaqmyth
” the teeth of the facts, they ignore that the enemy we’re fighting in Iraq is a half a dozen homegrown insurgencies, an incipient civil war, and criminal gangs. They ignore the fact that although a handful of Osama bin Laden’s followers showed up in Iraq after the invasion, in a futile attempt to hijack the Sunni resistance, al-Qaeda is not the main enemy in that country.
June 4th, 2008 at 3:36 pmIt should be clear by now, but apparently it isn’t: al-Qaeda is an idea, a way of thinking. Al-Qaeda thinks the world is divided between believers and nonbelievers, and the believers are divinely obliged to destroy the nonbelievers. It is a simple idea that has attracted tens of thousands of Muslims, but it is neither a political prescription nor the makings of an army. The Sunni Arabs who drifted into Iraq after the invasion and the Iraqis who embraced al-Qaeda were never an organization. They were never an army. They were never the main enemy. They numbered, what, a couple of thousand? They nearly triggered a civil war, but even that they failed to accomplish. “
Anyone with a brain who is still saying they do’t know Barack Obama does not have a functioning brain.
June 4th, 2008 at 5:33 pm