Yippee! an Early Week Ahead - Are you all going 'fishing'? I have a class reunion down Oklahoma way to attend, so will be cutting out early. Have a fab weekend,...my eastern friends - you have rain coming your way in 2-3 days!

To the regulars, keep my spot warm on the vine - I'll check in Sunday night! Have fun! PS. Caramel rolls are my all time favorite, NDD! thanks! (the blueberry cake weren't bad either, IR).

Hi Clara!

My video link is not working is yours? I'd love to see Joe The Dumber Plumber!

Hope everyone has a great weekend . . . here's my "parting shot":

The new division of labor: Adding profits, subtracting workers

by Steven Pearlstein

"On the outside of its majestic headquarters in Washington, across the park from the White House, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently hung four giant banners that spell out exactly what it thinks is missing from the current economy: J-O-B-S.

This is a particularly Orwellian bit of political theater, given that it is the private businesses the Chamber purports to represent that eliminated 8 million jobs in 2008 and 2009 and have managed to add a scant 600,000 since then. If Chamber President Tom Donohue wants to round up those responsible for the lack of job growth in this country, all he has to do is call a meeting of his board of directors.

Although the jobs haven't returned, corporate profits surely have and, at $1.2 trillion annually, are now higher than they were at the height of the bubble. It turns out that companies have found ways to produce as much as they ever did, but with fewer workers. As a result, over the past year, output for each hour worked rose more than 6 percent, even as average hourly earnings have risen less than 2 percent. The rest of those productivity gains have gone straight to the bottom line, creating a record stash of cash on corporate balance sheets. . .

The only surprise is that anyone is surprised by the lack of private-sector hiring. It is only in the world of Chamber of Commerce propaganda that businesses exist to create jobs. In the real world, businesses exist to create profits for shareholders, not jobs for workers. That's why they call it capitalism, not job-ism. There's no reason to beat up on business owners and executives simply because they're doing what the system encourages them to do.

By the same token, however, it is more than a bit hypocritical for business leaders to pin the blame on the Obama administration for their own failure to create private-sector jobs, as they have been doing lately."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/29/AR2010072906281.html?hpid=news-col-blog

Couldn't have said it any better myself.

I 've done run out of steam for this week and I'm not about to start arguing about immigration this late on a Friday. To many Peach Orchard Borer crazy people involved. To our fine hosts and my fellow posters I left my wellwishes for you'll back on my origional post. I'm going to go grab me a piece of that long cool Blue Ridge back porch view.

Thanks to the FR hosts for another good week of information with plenty to come next week.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Independent Redneck Va.

Have a great weekend. I'll do the arguing for you. Since I'm in Starbucks using my netbook; it's so slow; and having a good time with my friends I have a lot of steam left (Slurp, Slurp)

AZResident-1789204 you said...

So if you are Beverly in Chicago or Obama in DC, you have not seen first hand the results. FYI: AZ is #1 the U.S. for kidnappings, human trade & smuggling to name just a few.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Arizona

I see blatant lies, sanctioned racism , and Az Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio being the #1 the U.S. for kidnappings, human trade & smuggling even before the AZ bill was signed.

　The 14th Amendment makes "All persons born or naturalized in the United States"citizens of the United States and citizens of the state in which they reside. This section also prohibits state governments from denying persons within their jurisdiction the privileges or immunities of U.S. citizenship, and guarantees to every such person due process and equal protection of the laws. The Supreme Court has ruled that any state law that abridges Freedom of Speech, freedom of religion, the right to trial by jury, the Right to Counsel, the right against Self-Incrimination, the right against unreasonable searches and seizures, or the right against cruel and unusual punishments will be invalidated under section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment.

That was the point I was trying to make in regards to Arizona overstepping its boundaries.

According to the FBI, the four large U.S. cities (with populations of at least 500,000) with the lowest violent crime rates – San Diego, Phoenix and the Texas cities of El Paso and Austin – are all in border states. "The border is safer now than it’s ever been," U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Lloyd Easterling told the CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM last month

http://chicagopressrelease.com/politics/immigration-debate-border-cities-see-less-violent-crime-time-com

Ironically, it does not matter if you or your ancestors came to the USA in shackles, illegally, or of your own volition.

Arizona, you mentioned slavery. NewsFlash: Slavery was abolished in 1865!

Clearly, The 14th Amendment prohibited states from denying or abridging the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States, depriving any person of his life, liberty, or property without due process of law, or denying to any person within their jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

I am not lawyer, but I think I can comprehend what I read. Your literal translation is an incongruity of what I intended and what actually occurs today since no one in this context is a slave.

Here's hoping your "Tea Party" of rounding up people of color is unsucessful. I do hope you have a nice weekend. If you must go to a Tea Party how about a little vodka innstead?

Have Fun.

Hey, all you guys are awesome. Thinking for yourselves and thinking of others in most cases before self.

IR: enjoy the peace and spirituality of the Blue Ridge view. I'm sure it is a wonderous sight.

The rest of you, have great weekends.

Nash

Thanks that was an excellent post from Wapo. It was exactly what The President tried to explain yesterday on the "View" to Elizabeth Hasselbeck. Well, as long as we have the Chamber Of Commerce and Citizens United we can count on less productivity.

Clara, have a nice reunion. To the rest of the gang, I just want you to know how much I missed my lefty family when I was out of the loop. I have to pop in at the newsvine now to get my fix. love ya'll :)

Thanks Mark, Domenico, and Ali for letting us come together to do the right thing. Wait, I think that soon be the lefty thing. Anyhow, I know I'm right.

Enjoy the weekend.

Tennessee strikes again! I'm not a native, just here by marriage and I'm going to secede from Tennessee as soon as possible. I missed the whole day today, having to work and such. First Read team - you are awesome. Thanks for giving us so much to chew on. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Correction: Wait; I was wrong. It should be the left thing. Anyhow typing is not my forte. But doing what's good for the people is right. Who is this shrill Dylan Ratigan?

Are Republicans failing to realize that America is at war. Are they forgetting that this president as the commander in chief has to pay attention, 24/7, to how the war is progressing in the battle ground while at the same time struggling with pressing domestic issues here at home.

Why can't they think about what the families of our soldiers in the battle ground are going through every single day. Why can't they mind about the safety and security of these our brave men and women in uniform who are sacrificing their lives on our behalf to ensure that we are kept safe. Why would some Republicans keep on distracting the commander in chief at a time when he needs the support of the entire country to enable him make good judgments about the ongoing war.

When these Republicans including their Tea Bagers keep on distracting the commander in chief with petty issues here at home, what they do not realize is that they are doing a great harm to the soldiers who are currently fighting in the battlefield. The soldiers need the president's constant attention as their commander in chief to ensure that he is carefully monitoring the progress of the war so that every decision he makes will contribute to their safety and victory.

Every time the president's attention is deliberately diverted from the battlefield, he is likely to make judgments that may end up hurting the soldiers in the battlefield. These distractions of the commander in chief at this time of war are really dangerous for our soldiers as well as our country.

It is true that the elected Democrats with the support of just a few Republicans have achieved a lot within just 18 months under very difficult circumstances. They deserve our support. They have done great. America is at war and we all need to remain patriotic and support our soldiers who are fighting for the safety of this country. Let us pray for them and their families and our country. Let us support the commander in chief at this time of war.

Can't wait. Always love a good church chat.

Based on most of the comments here, I'm about the only one thinking for myself.

Clara, have a great reunion. Only 26 years huh . . . .?

I thought you were way older than that.

Domenico said in this week's video that if the unemployment numbers don't go down, the Democrats will be to blame. Even though it is the Democrats who have worked tirelessly for all the legislation this Administration has passed. The GOP - nothing to show for all their years in Congress. A depression was avoided by the Democrats, a depression which would have yet again been caused by our rich unethical corporate world. As it stands now, it is their friends who will be back in power according to most people - the sell outs - Mitch McConnell, John Boehner, Eric Cantor and the GOP. If we don't fight and fight hard, we will have tossed aside the best advice our parents gave us and in turn we gave to our children - Don't let your bad breaks go gettin' you down - even when times are tough and you've had enough - you still gotta try. If the GOP wins, all we have worked hard for beginning in 2006 will have been for naught. We have opened the door to progress. Despite 99% of the media against us. We can do it again. It is the Democratic Party trying to steer this ship of ours on the right course. The GOP is attempting to sink the whole damn thing.

Don't let your troubles make you cry
Don't waste a moment wondering why
When everything goes wrong
You have to go on and do it or die
Do it or die now, stand your ground
Don't let your bad breaks go gettin' you down
Even when times get rough and you've had enough
You still gotta try (that's right)
Do it no matter what the people say (no matter)
They don't even know you (They don't know you at all)
I'd die before you let them stand in your way
(Don't you know that) You should know that
Life is a gamble all along
Winners are losers who keep rollin' on
So go on and roll the dice, you only live twice
Do it or die
Do it no matter what the people say (no matter)
They don't even know you (They don't know you at all)
I'd die before you let them stand in your way
(Don't you know that) I know that (You know that)
Life is a gamble all along
Winners are losers who keep rollin' on
Just go on and roll the dice, you only live twice
So do it or die
You got nothing to to lose
Just go on and roll the dice, you only live twice
Do it or die

Atlantic Rhythm Section

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN_pkXOlnAo&feature=related

Roy Rogers wrote a good one. This November, a lot of voters will be singing.....

Happy trails to Dems.. until....

Now that's beautiful.

Since Obama became President the leaks are all over, they are not leaks, they are flooding.

They should investigate the administration advisers and/ or counselors.

It's that time again for me to post the weekly wrap up.

Let's start off with the Shirley Sherrod/ Andrew Breitbart Saga.

It is one thing to say that someone is racist; It's another matter ENTIRELY when somebody goes and fabricates evidence to prove it, which just so happens to have been the case, resulting in the kneejerk reaction that we saw last week from the USDA, NAACP, and the White House. Mrs. Sherrod handled this with dignity and grace that I don't thnk I would've handled it the same way if I were in her shoes. Therefore, a couple of things should've happened, and/or have taken place: First was an immediate apology that was sent to Mrs. Sherrod after she was hastily and unceremoniously dismissed from her job from the USDA, NAACP, and the White House, immediately re- instating her back to position; Secondly, a Letter of Reprimand should've been doled out to Tom Vilsack and anyone else involved in this embarrassing affair; Third: Since it has become plainly obvious that Foxnews has lost all credibility by not vetting this story, becoming the De-Facto news organization for the Right Wing Machine, and have shown that they have a terrible knack of willfully taking a person speech and distorting it to the will of their side resulting in the shutdown of a LEGITIMATE community organization that helps fight poverty, advocates for voters rights under the law, namely ACORN, and has personally made it a personal agenda to ruin the lives and reputation of African Americans that are/ were working in some capacity for the Obama Administration; and advocating violence for anyone who votes IN FAVOR of ANY legislation that President Obama wants to be enacted upon, a press blackout is inorder for Fox News, BANNNG them from covering ANY Political Story from the White House, Congress and Senate, etc, etc, etc; for one year. And Finally, Mrs. Sherrod should sue Andrew Breitbart AND Foxnews for slander, libel, and defamation of character. Before I forget: A huge shoutout goes to Keith Olbermann for his spot on special comment on this affair last week. It doesn't surprise me that Michael Steele hasn't commented on the matter, NOR that he and Breitbart are going to show up at an RNC Fundraiser.

Last week, Conservative Bloggers on here stated that African Americans ONLY voted for Barack Obama SOLEY because he's black.

Let's see if this is true.

Bill Clinton: 80-90% Black Vote.

Al Gore: 75-80% Black Vote; Would've been higher if not robbed in 2000.

John Kerry: 70-85% Black Vote.

And you say we won't vote for a White candidate.

Barack Obama: 95-98% Black Vote.

See a pattern here? Alright, let's deal with Republicans and the Black Vote.

-Insert ANY Republican Candidate here, to include Alan Keyes: 0-5% Black Vote.

President Obama, from one Black Man to another, I have to ask you: How long are you going to sit there and allow this to happen WITHOUT challenging them on this?

We are now in Day 3 of AZ's illegal Immigrants, and for the moment, we all can breathe a slight, although uncomfortable, sigh of relief, because a Federal Judge took out all of the most racial profiling legislation before they could inforce that law. For months, PROLIBDEMS have been stating why this law should be struck down, from the blatant profiling it would use to how it violates the Constitution, and it looks like this judge got it RIGHT; All one had to do is remember their American and U.S Governmant History classes that we took in high school to see that.

I would like to say "DAS VIDANYA" to former BP CEO Tony Stewart as he tries to get "His life back" as he takes over operations in the gulag Sya Beria (Siberia).

If Tom Tancredo is the best you have for running for Governor, Colorado, then it looks like you've hit rock bottom while tapping those Rockies.

Two things on the Wikileaks matter: 1) We wouldn't have to play catchup HAD the Bush Administration kept their focus on getting Osama bin Laden and Al-Qeada; AND 2) Whoever leaked those documents to the press has some serious explaining to do before a Court Martial.

Kudos for DNC Chairman Tim Kaine for FINALLY getting the point that Democrats need to go on the offensive.

It is now August. President Obama, the clock is ticking. START BRINGING THOSE TROOPS HOME FROM IRAQ NOW!!!!!

The Americans Disabilities Act is now 20 years old. This was a monumental legislation that passed stating that Americans, regardless of disability, should be able to enjoy and do the things that able bodied Americans take for granted every day.

Why can't the Bama win in Afghanistan? Anyone knows? Apart from the leakage or should I say the floodage and the waterfall which is more appropriate, because he is an infidel Muslim. No one in the Muslim world consider him a true Muslim.

Are Republicans failing to realize that America is at war. Are they forgetting that this president as the commander in chief has to pay attention, 24/7, to how the war is progressing in the battle ground while at the same time struggling with pressing domestic issues here at home.

Why can't they think about what the families of our soldiers in the battle ground are going through every single day. Why can't they mind about the safety and security of these our brave men and women in uniform who are sacrificing their lives on our behalf to ensure that we are kept safe. Why would some Republicans keep on distracting the commander in chief at a time when he needs the support of the entire country to enable him make good judgments about the ongoing war.

When these Republicans including their Tea Bagers keep on distracting the commander in chief with petty issues here at home, what they do not realize is that they are doing a great harm to the soldiers who are currently fighting in the battlefield. The soldiers need the president's constant attention as their commander in chief to ensure that he is carefully monitoring the progress of the war so that every decision he makes will contribute to their safety and victory.

Every time the president's attention is deliberately diverted from the battlefield, he is likely to make judgments that may end up hurting the soldiers in the battlefield. These distractions of the commander in chief at this time of war are really dangerous for our soldiers as well as our country.

It is true that the elected Democrats with the support of just a few Republicans have achieved a lot within just 18 months under very difficult circumstances. They deserve our support. They have done great. America is at war and we all need to remain patriotic and support our soldiers who are fighting for the safety of this country. Let us pray for them and their families and our country. Let us support the commander in chief at this time of war.

Nashville -Fan, Try telling that to those millions who are jobless. The Bama has given them the shaft. That's how the DINOS operate. The Bama don't care anything about the jobless millions so long as he can push through his socialist nightmare on us. I'd remind the Bama that he lives in the WHITEHOUSE not in a Whitecastle. Come Nov. we'll interrupt his journey to the land of OZ.

Pat from Boston, The Bama and the DINOS got you singing the blues. Not the RINOS. You're in charge of the govt , Pat. Not Palin. Come Nov. you and the DINOS will be singing the goodbye songs.

Sam-499819, Ah, Sam , Now you remember that the country is at war with the Jihadists. I guess Ex-President Bush was playing with his knuckles when you were in the opposition. Then, America was not at war, right? I have a feeling that the war will outlast the Bama whom the Jihadists consider an infidel Muslim.

Now, the DINOS are off their rockers. They are singing! Best start singing "Blue Christmas" from now DINOS and "Singing the Blues", "I'm so Blue", "Blue Spanish Eyes", "Blue berry Hill" and " Blue Suede Shoes!" Hey RINOS the DINOS are crying!