A Hot toddy? I'll take a Jameson, straight up. Love your posts Feisty.

Speaking of the Dew Drop- where's IR been today- sweeping up the back room, practicing up to be speaker of the house one day?

I just can't quite picture our guy Independent getting all misty on us at the drop of a hat, for some reason.

I'll take a Jameson

Coming right up! Thank you for the compliment! I can't tell you how happy I am to see a 'Dem in Texas'!

Stop by more often, imho, this is thee best place on the web to play 'whack a troll'! ;o)

Speaking of the Dew Drop- where's IR been today

Not sure, maybe he's putting repairing a chandelier or two over at the Come Back Inn!

You did know we opened a bed & breakfast next to the Dew Drop Inn didn't ya?

demintex... boy you are a rare breed, but if you are a jameson lover......welcome to the Irish Club. it is coming up to that time of year in March......Slainte

I'm a little late to the party, but in the "spirit" of things, Slainte, regardless of what your are having.

Feisty, I am ready for the Come Back Inn. Thank you for a great week and have a great weekend.

OK, OK.....

I get it, my imaginary barf off is not imaginary sleigh rides, imaginary feather beds and fresh croissants with raspberry preserves by the fire.

Sorry if my sick satire disturbed the sensitivities of anyone.

Have a nice weekend on the wrap around porch.

I'm off shortly to grab a marg by the water. :-)

You just HAD to go there didn't ya? ;o)

Have one for me will you?

What impact has there really been? I personally could care less about Egypt, or the middle east as a whole, but let's see. Mubarak was a general in the military and took over when they killed sadat. Power is now back to the military.

So really the ball has not advanced. If anything the cycle has just reset.

Except we got us a moron in charge of a somewhat important agency dealing with our safety who clearly is totally clueless, again. Can we get rid of Clapper now?

No.

Spanky-

Bev dear do you view the Egyptian "revolution" to have been a success? Cause see I remember way back in the late 1970, you remember when Mubark wore a general's uniforn? So it's gone from a former general back to the military.

Really no change at all, wouldn't you agree?

Ahhh, Spanky, darling you are such a party pooper.

Have you forget it's NOT about you and your slanted analysis, my dear? It's about the Egyptians and their new found democracy. You think the military is not significant. There is no parallel. The military has pledged to bring about a new, democratically elected government. See that's the difference; Spanks, no more corrupt elections or a dictator .

That money we give Egypt we get it back from the military since they buy our weapons. Is that what you mean?

Like a true rightie you wanted to see choas and failure. That's what you righties yell about I want him to fail; now isn't it? Sorry you did not get the the opportunity to say that this President is not doing his job. The President proves you erroneous every time.

Apparently, you know very little about social and political dynamics in a country.

So really the ball has not advanced. If anything the cycle has just reset.

Did you notice there were no effigies burning because the Egyptians thought President Obama was like GW Bush; an imperialist? Rather, I saw signs of Yes We can. Did you?

Except we got us a moron in charge of a somewhat important agency dealing with our safety who clearly is totally clueless, again. Can we get rid of Clapper now?

Please stop acting like a pathetic loser.

I don't know, but I bet he will be REAL popular with the right wingers, though. They seem to be drawn to pompous asses. (Think Gingrich, here...)

Naww Drive By we just like us someone who actually understands what it's like to have to meet a payroll.

How about you buddy, the MAN pay your salary yet? You at least thank you boss for all the time you get paid to post here?

So Drive By, you like Trump, or too much like the MAN for you? Hurry now I know it's damn near time for you to clock out.

BTW- did I mention "can't seem to get past some things..."? (or words to that effect).

You have one of those obsessive-compulsive (REpulsive?) deals going on or something??

May I assume you think of all the posters on here all day, every day, none of 'em are working on anything but thier home keyboard? Really? Also- you sound like, because YOU own your own business (or claim to- we can't prove or disprove it), everyone else has to also. Which sounds like a good idea, until you realize- if we ALL were self employeed, who would work for US? You are a real screwball sometimes, you know that? Drink a few for me, while you're at it.

Heck no I assume they are mostly retired. I hope that most are not "stealing" time from their employers, but if they are that's on them.

I don't follow you point on being self employed and hiring people. Self employed people hire al the time. I have incorporated my business into an LLC, but there are many option available.

I am a screwball, but it really appears that you don't have a good grasp of business or the way it works. Most in not 98% could never be self employed. It's very difficult. So there will always be people who have to work for others. It's great for us employers, sucks for them - because you cannot get ahead working for others, but you I suspect already know that.

I suspect this accounts for you political views. And that's why ths board is so very amusing. I have no idea what you do, your background or educational or work expierence. And that's why it is so much fun.

But really - it's not obsessive or compulsive - just a decent memory. Beside the record speaks for itself. In my business the record is damn near everything.

Catch you next week my man.

Wow, the big boys on the free speech stuff - don't get free speech.

Yea, I get it. But really, do you really think he was consulting, giving legal advice on how to impeach Obama over the Chevy Volt, or giving a canned speech on the brilliance of the Constitution /whatever? Sheez.

What was really alarming about your link / reference was the quote by Charles Evans Hughes...

“We are under a Constitution, but the Constitution is what the judges say it is.”

[WOW! Spoken like a true progressive, and actually ...... he was a true progressive (some conservatives were nuts back then too)].

So if that is that case - yea you probably should not speak.

But if you believe the Constitution says what it actually says, like Scalia, instead of making it out to be what ever the prevailing social sentiment is, you should be all right.

Afterall, what's wrong with people understanding their rights and the limits of the federal government?

Bob,

First, it doesn’t matter what I think but it does matter what other Americans think.

Second, why was this done behind closed doors with no press allowed?

It is more about perception.

Dennis, Columbus, Ohio

Thanks Dennis for another fact that will blind the rabid right wingers

AS usual I want to thank Mark & Domenico as well as other FR read staff for giving use another week to express our thoughts.

Donald Trump = America really goes bankrupt.

Tea party/Republican= America really goes bankrupt.

Sarah Palin= Embarrassment to America

What I learned this week: the rabid right wing is hell-bent on canonizing and rewriting history for Reagan and GW Bush.

We have found out Reagan sold guns for hostages to the Iranians to win the election.

GW Bush lied about WMDs.

I flipped over to FOX NOISE and was just shocked, shocked to hear FOX NOISE GIVE it robots this talking point-- this would never have happened if "W" hadn't started the process for democracy in Iraq.

Let's look at the fake time line: Going after Bin Laden in Afghanistan----> dropped Afghanistan to march onward to Iraq for WMDs----> free Iraqis of a dictator---->

The truth is it was all about the oil!!

Commerce Dept docs: Cheney and oil execs decided to take Iraq's oil in spring 2001

Cory Doctorow at 8:06 AM Thursday, Feb 21, 2008

[snip]

The Commerce Department has been forced by Judicial Watch to turn over records of spring, 2001 meetings held between Dick Cheney and execs from global oil giants, records that suggest that the group decided months BEFORE September 11th that the US energy policy would center on taking control of Iraq's oil:

Since we all now know the Bush administration’s energy policy, there can be only one explanation for the extraordinary efforts Cheney has taken to keep this secret–he was discussing the potential for a takeover of Iraq’s oil with the companies that might manage the resource, even BEFORE 9/11 gave him the excuse to do it.

http://boingboing.net/2008/02/21/commerce-dept-docs-c.html

Hey, the Egyptian Revolution was done without weapons, without violence kinda like the Civil Right's movement. The men on camels and horses paid off by Murbarak came in like Bull Connor did with fire hoses, dogs, etc but the spirit was never broken. The Egyptians spirit likewise was never broken.

The President said in his remarks freedom etches in the human heart (paraphrasing).

Let me appeal to the tea baggers who so love freedom as they claim to break those shackles on your hearts and minds now that you have found out what a real dictator is. Help the president instead of wanting failure. I he fails we fail.

Bev dear do you view the Egyptian "revolution" to have been a success? Cause see I remember way back in the late 1970, you remember when Mubark wore a general's uniforn? So it's gone from a former general back to the military.

Really no change at all, wouldn't you agree?

Dennis,

First, it doesn’t matter what I think but it does matter what other Americans think.

Do the Supremes not give lectures, speaking engagements, interviews, blah, blah all the time? So does Scalia not get free speech, or is he just not free to speak to certain people that you guys hate.

And really, do I think somehow you wouldn't have automatically sucked your BVD's half way up your colon if it would have been Sotomayor speaking to a Hispanic group, or Kagan speaking to gays?

"what Americans think?" - Sheez - you guys have been all waded up over Thomas's wife everyday for how long? - You think Americans that have real lives are obsessing about that?

Why don't you check a poll, find out what they think is important.

Second, why was this done behind closed doors with no press allowed?

Duh. They are not stupid. Why open it up for the morons who wil do anything and go any extreme to marginalize and malign anything they do.

It is more about perception

Everything is percetion with liberals.

The perception that HCR reduces cost, lets you keep your coverage vs. the reality of Obama waivers that are absolute proof of the fallacy; The perception that the stimulus would work vs. the reality of 21 straight months of 9%+ unemployment; The perception that you are on top of foreign affairs vs. the reality that your CIA director's best assets are Channel 4's news reporters and the head of intelligence thinks the Muslim Brotherhood are a Boy Scout troop in Detroit;..........on and on.

Conservatives,

Bev's comments are always pretty comical, kinda Elmer Fudd stuff to me for some reason (I don't know - I was probably bottle fed, or something - don't remember).

but anyway, if you read Bev's comments in Elmer Fudd's voice, and you come across ...... "rabid right wingers" (that would be wabid wight wingers......)

Anyway just a little trick to help make it through her comments....

Donwald Twump = Amewica weally goes bankwumpt.

Saywah Paywin = Embawassament to Amewica.

Oh well.

Thanks to Mark & Domenico as well as the other FR staff for letting her and Feisty express their thoughts. Me too I guess.

On a more serious note:

Help the president instead of wanting failure. I he fails we fail.

Nope.

Obama is not America. America is bigger than Obama except for those unleashed from reality.

Liberals believe in Obama and big government. Conservatives believe in the People of America and the Constitution, liberty / free markets.

Obama has caused a lot of damage, but America is not liberal California - we'll survive Obama.

Bob,

“Duh. They are not stupid. Why open it up for the morons who wil do anything and go any extreme to marginalize and malign anything they do.”

In other words – they (Scalia & Tea Party) are afraid to be “open” to scrutiny. It sounds like Egypt, Iran, China, Russia, etc. doesn’t it?

It sure looks like Bob was doing some 'drunk' posting last night. I hope the hangover isn't too bad there, Bob.

I must say, bob, that, having followed politics for all of my life, this is the first time I have seen any group malign individual justices.

Their egos know no bounds. Much like their idol's.

Just in case you were under the misapprehension that they came up with this all by themselves, allow me at assure you, they are being given their orders by none other than David Axelrod.

This is his strategy.

See, Obama wants nothing more than to appoint one more Justice, and that appointment should be one of the five who understand the Constitution, which he clearly does not.

I get the talking points in my inbox,(thanks, Menedez!).

This issue will disappear of the Suez Canal gets shutdown by that charming Rotary like group, the Muslim Brotherhood. Considering what is going on in the Middle East, one cannot help but wonder, should we really be growing corn for ethanol rather than wheat?

Some think Obama actually is planning a lot of this. I do not. I think he is a clueless ideologue, who is totally flummoxed by the unintended consequences of his ivory tower actions.

I actually think that is worse.

Mr. Clapper is simply embarrassing. It is very clear that he has no real clue how to do his job, or deal with issues as they arise. Napolitano is the basically the same.

I'm no fan of the president, but he owes it to all of us to put people in place that can do a decent job.

No Joe,
“I must say, bob, that, having followed politics for all of my life, this is the first time I have seen any group malign individual justices.”

So then you should remember this little brouhaha from the late 60’s involving 2 Democratic appointments.

Abe Fortas, who served on the Supreme Court from 1965-1969, was almost impeached due to a tax and financial scandal involving Wall Street financier, Louis Wolfson. Fortas was a Lyndon Johnson appointment. When the new President, Richard Nixon, learned of the scandal, he reportedly said Fortas should be "off of there," referring to the Supreme Court. The House of Representatives had already taken preliminary steps toward impeachment.

Chief Justice Earl Warren urged Justice Fortas to resign, to save the reputation of the Court. Fortas resisted at first, but eventually told other members of the Court he was stepping down to avoid damaging his wife's legal career. Later, he admitted another reason for leaving the Court was to save his friend, William O. Douglas (appointed by FDR), who was also under investigation for judicial impropriety.
The House of Representatives finally concluded Douglas had committed no impeachable offenses and dropped the investigation.

Little bit of difference, Dennis-

Fortas was a crook. He took bribes in return for seeking a presidential pardon. He set up a tax dodge. He was a corrupt individual, not surprising, since he was such a good friend of LBJ's.

Birds of a feather, and all that.

You have been sent forth do besmirch justices for no reason other than their judicial philosophy. There is a world of difference between the two circumstances.

Do you really not know that? Have you ever engaged in critical thinking?

Have you stopped to think that you do Obama no favors by comparing him to NIXON?!?!

By the way- it is not a stretch- although I do not think Obama is as intelligent.he is, however, just as arrogant.

Good for you,Dennis, and also, don't forget the right wing nuts screaming about "judicial activism". That would be defined as anything that doesn't fit in with their "taiban light" view of the world. The fact is that Clarence Thomas will be over the line if he does not do the ethical thing and recuse himself from the HCR battle. Only the truly impaired will not agree.

Only the truly impaired will not agree.

L@@k there's one now! lol

That didn't take long...

Who the hell is she to question someones 'critical' thinking?

She's got the 'critical' part down pat - the thinking part... eh... not so much!

NJ,

President Nixon called for a Justice to be removed from the court and President Obama has done no such thing thus there is no comparison.

What about Douglas? He was put to the same media attention from the Right that Thomas and Scalia are now getting only it went as far as Congressional hearings.

You say things like “Do you really not know that? Have you ever engaged in critical thinking?” You do this all the time, why, what is the purpose? What is to be gained from such comments?

It sure looks like Bob was doing some 'drunk' posting last night. I hope the hangover isn't too bad there, Bob.

LOL Clara - that was my first thought!

Oh well, at least now we know what 'cheap' scotch sounds like! ;o))

Dennis, the idea is to get you to engage in critical thinking. Ask questions, such as "what is meant by this? It the writer trying to sway my thinking?"

I will give you a perfect example ofwhat I mean: last week, I posted a link to a Politico article, wherein it was revealed that Obama had used a three week vacation to visit the family of a college friend as an example of his foreign policy expertise. Actually said that he had lived among the Pakistani people.

Three weeks is not really establishing a life in any place, and the entire statement should have subjected him to ridicule.

The Politico piece, I hasten to add, was a puff piece. All of it was couched in glowing terms. Writers do that.

That is where critical thinking comes in- otherwise, you allow yourself to be led. Read for fact, not adjective.

As to Douglas- he was caught in the Fortas controversy. He had been a participant in the tax dodge schemed up by Fortas. There was an investigation, and no criminal wrongdoing was discovered. In the case of Fortas, his downfall was brought about by none other than Bob Woodward- and I would hardly call him an attack dog of the right. He uncovered the payments, and recordings of phone calls, that proved that Fortas had taken funds and then tried to persuade LBJ to issue a pardon to the criminal who paid him off. Fortas hastened to repay the funds, but the damage had been done.

In other words, he sold his office.

Feisty

It sure looks like Bob was doing some 'drunk' posting last night. I hope the hangover isn't too bad there, Bob.

And No Jo overdosed on her meds.

Some think Obama actually is planning a lot of this. I do not. I think he is a clueless ideologue, who is totally flummoxed by the unintended consequences of his ivory tower actions.

I actually think that is worse.

Actually what's worse is Dr.”NO's usage of flummoxed.

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English Dr.”NO is the biggest floccinaucinihilipilificator on board here. As the late Senator Robert Byrd described floccinaucinihilipilification on the Senate floor to the President Dr.”NO"'s floccinaucinihilipilification, in my opinion, fits her to a “T”. Dr.”NO" is a person in the habit of describing everything this President does as worthless; when in essence it’s her comments that are worthless.

Let’s make this a teachable moment for you Dr.”NO”

Dennis,

To me ......

In other words – they (Scalia & Tea Party) are afraid to be “open” to scrutiny. It sounds like Egypt, Iran, China, Russia, etc. doesn’t it?

Making a speech to a grass roots organization is a scandal. What law did they break? What are they to be afraid of?

Do you not realize you made my point about "morons going to any extreme to marginalize and malign anything they do" - by comparing this to a tax and financial scandal?

Comparing them / this to Egypt, China, Iran, ......you compare a speech to a group interested in the Constitution to government thugs running over demonstrators on camels /beating people, government jailing Nobel winners, government snipers shooting women in the streets...?

To no joe .....

You say things like “Do you really not know that? Have you ever engaged in critical thinking?” You do this all the time,why, what is the purpose? What is to be gained from such comments?

Yea, I do it too, infact - just did it.

The problem I have Dennis, so many of these arguments are beyond rational thought and when I ask these rhetorical questions, it is usually to someone who is obviously more intelligent than to legitimately argue the absurd. In other words, their argument is not logical - it is emotional. It is not an argument from the heart not the head.

What is the purpse? To shock you out of the emotional - to the rational. (Very seldom works)

Beverly, dear

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flummoxed

The OED supplied the possible etymology. I employed the common usage.

no joe,

This past week reminds of what Sarkosy so accurately articulated about Obama after the meetings over Iran/bomb in Copenhagen in 2009. I wish I could remember the exact quote, but it was something to the effect that Obama is incredibly naive, and due to his narcissism, he will never be able to understand how dangerous his naivety is.

Dennis brought up Egypt, China, Iran and Russia. Obama says nothing about Iran until they start shooting people in the streets. Obama rolls out the red carpet to the red regime in China and says nothing (publicly) of their civil rights violations. Obama sells out to the Russians in an appeasement orgy that would make Chamberlain shake his head. He invites the Muslim Brotherhood to his Cairo speech when he is the guest of an ally.

He throws that ally under the bus. Throws the UK, Poland, Czech Republic under the bus. Threw Israel under the bus. He even threw his own grandmother and pastor under the bus! I hear the Saudis are livid about his handing / intrusion in Egypt.

Think we have any friends left? Think anyone trusts this administration?

Obama doesn't have a clue ....... proves Sarkosy right everyday..... and never will.

And the libs worry about CPAC, Scalia / Tea Party, Thomas's wife....

pretty scary.

They are either too hypnotized by his charisma, thus incapable of rational thought-

Or just plain stupid.

I honestly do not know which is worse.

We have a segment of society that treats a sitting president as if they were ten year old girls, and he was the latest heartthrob.

Another segment may just recognize his failures, but refuses to acknowledge them publicly, because they are stubbornly committed to validating them as successes.

In all, it is terribly worrisome that this is the man in the White House at this time. He is hopelessly incompetent.

I have an almost 10 year old girl and there is no way in heck I'd let her get the GOBAMA tramp stamp I'm sporting on my lower back!

We just celebrate intelligence over ignorance, nojo. And integrity over lies. Clearly you've proven incapable of THOSE concepts.

Clara---I can't believe you have Obama ink as well. Mine is the logo from the campaign.

You two prove my point. We will put you in the "thinking like teeny bopper" category.

Critical thinking is not one of your stronger skills, it seems.

I am guessing Navy is in the " up is down, wrong is right, if Obama says so" camp.

The rational thinkers, on the other hand, showed their "love" last November- and, according to a CNN poll, will show it again next year.

When a sitting president loses 51% of the vote to an unnamed candidate, things do not look good for reelection.

Clara and Steeler Fan -

Wow, you too? I was going to get the campaign logo one, but then the place I went to had this really cool one where you could put Obama's face on Mount Rushmore in place of any of the four existing Presidents. I decided to ditch Teddy Roosevelt, since Barack is just ever so much dreamier.

Hey, speaking of dreamy, did you SEE the latest cover pic on Tiger Beat? OMG - I'm swooning!

P.S. - I hate to say I told you so, how's this instead? Hook. Line. Sinker.

Isn't the newly elected Weeper of the House positively 'glowing' this morning on MTP?

Anyone know what the over/under is as to whether or not he'll shed one of his 'trademark' tears?

True Confession - I went with the 'Got Hope' logo when I chose my Obama tat - haven't regretted it since...

Joanne, and Clara, or any other member of the cheerleading squad who might want to answer the question:

If a republican president had as his Director of National Intelligence a man who was ignorant of a thwarted terror attack, how would you respond? If the excuse for his ignorance was "we do not pay him to watch television news", would you accept that as a relevant statement? Would you not excoriate the ignorance, and demean the excuse as idiotic? Does the man nit get intelligence briefings?

Now, suppose this fictional person actually made it through the media circus following this gaffe, and testified before congress that a group whose motto is "Islam is the Answer", who proclaim that the Islamic state begins in Spain and extends to Indonesia, whose professed means of attaining this end is Jihad, and who believes that Sharia is the means to a peaceful and just society, is actually a peaceloving, secular group- how would you respond?

How would the media respond?

Younsee, if such an idiot had

No Joe----I spend my time reading Tiger Beat and not micro-managing how the President is doing his job.

I wish you would grasp the concept that reasonable minds can differ. It is possible to disagree over the President without either a supporter or a detractor being insulted for doing so. Check Grimey's posts---he never takes shots at Obama supporters--simply states his position and invites rebuttal. In fact, often jokes around.

I can't say that I've ever agreed with you but I used to respect you for raising interesting points and defending yourself fairly. Of late your hatred for Obama has taken away any credibility you had with me. I don't expect that to ruin your day but it is sad.

< this site is acting weird again. . .

You see, if such an idiot had been put in his job by a republican president, I would have led the charge for his removal. The media would have his incompetence as the lead story in every paper, newscast, and website in the country.

That this has not been done to Clapper is more evidence of the media bias that colors this presidency.

That YOU ignore it is proof that you are not thinkers, but cheerleaders.

NOW do you get it?

No Joe---I'll put my critical thinking skills up against yours any day; they've gotten me to a pretty good place in my life. I felt about George Bush the way you seem to feel about President Obama and I didn't go around demanding his resignation or saying the kind of things you say----I rolled up my sleeves and got to work for a campaign for change---and it worked! Was better for my blood pressure, too.

Well, Steeler Fan, I in vote you to display your critical thinking skills:

Defend having Clapper as Director of National Intelligence.

This, by the way, includes his admitted ignorance of the thwarted London bomb plot, and his total misreading of the Muslim Brotherhood.

You explain to me that someone so totally out of touch is competent for the job.

NoJoe -

I guess I don't have the same level of security clearance as you do, so I'm not privy to exactly what is reported or discussed in any of the administration's intelligence briefings. Since you do seem to know, though, maybe you can tell me - was our intelligence any different than what the British or Germans or Japanese or Russians were getting? If so, why didn't THEY seem to know in advance every move that was going to be made in Egypt in the last few weeks either? Or are you saying that the whole rest of the free world knew and were deliberately keeping it to themselves so it would appear that President Obama alone would be, to use your own words, "caught flat-footed"?

Or forget the Brits - how about somebody a bit closer who has a real vested interest in what happens now in Egypt - let's say the Israelis. CNN has a story this morning about Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak's appearance on "This Week" today:
"The Muslim Brotherhood, an opposition Islamist umbrella group that is officially banned but tolerated in Egypt, said last week it wants to promote democracy but does not intend to field a candidate for president. It has also taken a low profile during the revolution.

Asked whether he believes its claims, Barak said, "I tend not to believe radical Muslim movements. I should admit, to the best of my understanding, they did not initiate (the revolution)." However, he said, "they are always deployed to take advantage of it.

He did note that the organization should not be compared to the more extremist groups, saying, "many of (the Muslim Brotherhood) are less extremist."

Remember, that's the Israeli Defense Minister speaking. Of course, he's speaking on a Sunday talk show, so we have to take what he says with the same truckload of salt we would take anyone else's comments on these shows or any other political tv shows. But even he seems to be exercising some caution and avoiding any rush to judgement.

Look - my point is, this whole revolution isn't even three days old yet. It has a long way to go and as the last few weeks have shown, almost anything can happen, and things can change on a daily or even hourly basis. I don't see how anyone - with or without access to intelligence reports - can say with any degree of certainty what's GOING to happen.

In other words, as you yourself said in a response to John B in Des Moines on Friday:

"Well, John, there is always keeping your mouth shut until you know what is happening".

I couldn't agree more.

nojo

Your negativity is exhaustng. The Muslim Brotherhood boogeyman isn't going to 'fly' with us. (http://insideislam.wisc.edu/index.php/archives/7111) You're just MAD that Democracy wasn't won without military force.

And you 'rabid rightwingers' are still trying to make ADO about nothing. ISRAEL was 'caught flatfooted' on Egypt, and Lord knows they have as inside a track as anyone.

PS. Clapper's confirmation was made possible UNANIMOUSLY,...but do let's gloss over that little detail,...http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/08/05/james-clapper-confirmed-director-national-intelligence/ and here are some more 'sausage making' tidbits,...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704657504575412001653635206.html

Your special 'gift' to the world is the overhype of the mundane NONTROVERSY,...

PPS. (cuz I know how much you LOVE it when I do that!) You guys ran Sarah Who? to be a heartbeat away and you want to bitch and moan about a career officer's qualifications? Sure, whatever.

Clara, Steeler fan, Joanne and Feisty: I can't believe the poor creature is even going on about "intelligence problems" after Bush and 9/11.

No Joe, In addition to having great critical thinking skills, I am also good at delegating----thanks to JoAnne and Clara for making my points better than I could.

Bottom line---we do not choose to micro-manage the Obama Presidency. When we voted for him, we put our trust in HIS critical thinking and delegating skills, knowing full well that every decision every day would not be perfect but trusting that he would work hard for all the American people to the best of his ability. I have never been disappointed.

Still avoiding the issue, I see.

By the time Clapper was asked about the thwarted London bombing, ( to which he responded "London?"- looking for all the world like a deer in the headlights), you, I, and everyone with access to a radio or television knew all about it.

Hence, the White House statement that he was not paid to watch television. That there was no excuse for his ignorance I would think would be indisputable, but obviously the Obama cheerleading squad thinks otherwise.

That he could mischaracterize the Muslim Brotherhood as secular was proven idiotic by the same White House, which issued a. Statement that he, of course, knew that it was Islamic, but that Egypt was largely secular, and they built hospitals, and, besides, you are all just twisting his words.

Of course.

Defending the indefensible seems to be a hallmark of a large part of the democratic party just lately. There is no failure so obvious that it cannot be justified somehow.

That it makes you uncomfortable to be called out on it may mean that you are finally coming to grips with the fact that it is inappropriate to worship a president.

NJ:

What you want most is credibility. What you have least of is...credibility.

You lost all credibility by pretending you are an educated economist...NOT.

"you are finally coming to grips with the fact that it is inappropriate to worship a president."

And there you have it, folks - when every other argument else fails, dust off good old "worship" for the 9 millionth time.

On that note, I think I need to go get another tattoo......

I'm done, No Joe----go ahead and think what you will, despite civil responses to your points. As Clara said, it is exhausting dealing with your negativity. You are not listening to our responses, just repeating the same tired stuff you always do. It reminds me of a little kid who puts her hands over her ears and says "la,la,la" when an adult it talking to her. I hope it makes you feel good about yourself in some way to act like this because I can't see any other value.

Obviously she didn't click the link on the Muslim Brotherhood. So we are stuck on her skipping record parroting her narrow viewpoint.

I too am done. Have too much to get done today than to deal with her incessant I Hate OBAMA monologue. 2nd verse, same as the first - can't get better so it's bound to get worse!

PS. My fellow INKED ladies,...maybe we get little 'Dew Drops' this summer? he he

No Joe,

Your “critical thinking” led you to believe the $100 million a day trip – yep, you are the best critical thinker ever.

Clara----the "Dew Drops" would be kind of like O's, wouldn't they?!

Now I will be humming "Henry the Eighth" for the rest of the day!

So, I see a lotmof words, but not one in defense of Clapper's competence.

Okay. Fair enough.

Why, though, twist things to an attack on the person asking the question? If you cannot bring yourselves to defend the indefensible, why bring up extraneous nonsense?

Clara, your link, which puts the Muslim Brotherhood in the best possible light, is merely one source, which does not tell the whole story of the group.

It also neatly evades the question of Clapper's ignorance of the thwarted London bombing.

That you cannot bring yourselves to question even the most gross examples of incompetence in this administration tells me all I need to know.

You may eschewmthe title worshippers, but that is, in fact, what you are.

and NOJO

Your idol worship of all things Republican after the MANY failures of Bush tell us everything WE need to know.

Bush = 9/11, unnecessary unfunded wars, Tax Cuts that did NOT net job growth and the worst collapse of Wall Street since 1929

Your failure to EVER acknowledge THOSE little missteps which actually resulted in LOSS of US lives, tells me so much more! I don't need to defend Clapper, as Brownie and Cheney proved (time and again) nobody's perfect. Again, I refer to failures where US lives were lost. Obama and his administration has YET to cross THAT threshold.

I would rather be a worshipper than a hater. We have made our points, No Joe----we do not have enough information to competently discuss Clapper and his performance (this never stops you but we would prefer fact-based discussions). However, what we do know leads us to trust the administration on the situation and wait for further developments. Why is that so hard for you to grasp?

Gang... Don't you think we've wasted more than enough valuable time arguing with someone who's clearly psychotic?

Lucky for us we can tune her out at will - her husband... eh... he's not so lucky!

It's no wonder the guy travels the way he does - could you imagine being locking up with THAT loon 24/7?

I mentioned earlier - wouldn't surprise me if he's getting a little on the side! ;o)

The HATE is eating her alive!

Know what is really interesting?

On the CPAC thread, Beverly asked me a legitimate question.

I answered her- realized I had not given her enough information, and then through dialogue, tried to answer the rest of her questions.

We had a real conversation. Despite the difficulty of explaining all she asked.

I was really happy to do it. She was getting information from nut job sites both left and right- which she acknowledged- which is why she asked me.

Not any of you.

I hope I explained things well. As a former teacher, I can tell you, if someone does not understand the answer, it is the TEACHER'S fault.

Too bad most of you are so committed to your positions that you do not even question.

My pal Drive By - always thinking of me. It was interesting to see the number of folk that find you some what repetitive. Here I was thinking it was just me.

Take heart, there's always next week. Unfortunately for you and your friends - I kinda think we will be getting a steady dose of buget/tax/program cuts for at least the short to mid term. I know that kinda sucks for you, but then again maybe Mr. O will do something "Regan" like - you know like he did with the tax rates.

Well, it may indeed suck for me and a whole lot of other people, but we DO need to do some serrious budget cutting. So far, though, I haven't seen much on the table. How 'bout you? Not sure how much tax cuts will figure in, though, since the rates are lowest now since the '50's.

Brother I'm not one to play marginal economics, but $1oo billion seems like a lot to me.

How's your state and local taxes? They gone up? Mine sure have. And don' even start with the frigging DMV!

One can only hope there will be a reasonable and responsible proposed budget. I choose to be an optimist. I am sure there will be complaining by both wings, but it is reasonable to expect this particular budget cycle will be an improvement.

Let the budget wars begin.

Actually, the tax rates are the lowest since at least the '40's when Roosevelt raised the top end rate to 90%. I don't remember exactly when this was done but when asked why he did it, Reesevelt said 'why not'?

Nixon lowered the rate to 70% and Reagan lowered it to 50% during his first term and 39% during his second. Bush II completed the give away to the Wealthy by lowing the top rate to 37% and throwing in some very juicy rates on capital gains.

And everyone is wondering why the rich are getting richer and America is going broke.

Tx Lib,

That might be true, but I just opened my RAS (Retirement Account Statement, retired militaty) and I just had an extra $20 taken out. Ya, is $20 a lot, not really but when you times that by 1.1 million retirees you have about $20+million dollars a month. So now this past Congress slipped in a tax hike on the Military Vets.

This is a typical rob from Peter to pay (aka GIVE) Paul democrat way. Nickle and dime them until they can't take it anymore.

My property tax went up, the only thing I received from the Government is MY OWN money back (2%) which I put right back into my 401K because you know Social Security won't be there in the near furture.

I'll add another. "It is as fatal as it is cowardly to blink at facts because they are not to our taste." John Tyndall.

I've got one too. 'Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son.' - Dean Wormer

"Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so too." - Voltaire

Dangerfield

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/11/us-egypt-israel-mubarak-idUSTRE71A64V20110211

And, I responded to your post on the other thread this morning.

At the risk of inciting your ire, in my opinion, Obama is nothing more than Carter, sans sweater and pet rock.

And he has done much to reaffirm my view in the last two years.

Here is a situation the Egyptians will want to avoid

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/13/italy-tunisia-state-of-emergency

The situation in Tunisia is growing more chaotic by the day.

Well said, and as Egypt proved!

Yes, Jody! What a week! Will we ever forget the determination and courage of the Egyptian people as they demanded freedom and the right to determine their country's future? To see that many people gathered, and that it stayed non-violent and focused on change was amazing. Good luck to the people of Egypt as they begin to work out the larger questions of what is next for their country! In other news, CPAC met this week, and honestly, those folks are as perplexing as any group of people I have ever seen. I guess the message from CPAC is to go backwards, not forward, these folks simply haven't noticed that it is not 1980 and the problems and the world have changed. Tim Pawlenty, always good for a chuckle has delusions that he will be President. The problem he has is that folks are going to start to dig into what he did to THIS state, and let me tell you folks, it isn't pretty! Another notable, Donald Trump. thinks he is good for the country, when he has had some trouble maintaining the integrity of his own businesses. But, anything for a buck, and I am sure that Trump thinks there is money to be made running for President. My thanks to my hosts, it was a rare week at First Read, one where it was tough to keep up on the changes in the world. I look forward to reading more about Egypt in the coming days! Jody, I'll be at the Dew Drop presently! I think we should break out the champagne and toast Egypt, what do you say! IR, I think everyone can get there on their own this week, I'll leave the paints home, they are bedded down and fed. Feisty, see you there, and see the rest of you next week!

newday

I'm on my way to the Dew drop. We can share a few laughs about CPAC. I hope Feisty has made some chili again. It's cold out.

Have a good weekend those of you who can't make it.

And there is plenty to laugh at Beverly! See you at the Dew Drop Inn!

A great day in International Politics and History! We support a democratic Egypt!

Am I the only one laughing out loud at the fact that the names being dropped as potential GOP 'leaders' are reality show 'hosts'? And not the MOST highly (and clearly not the most EFFECTIVELY) educated folks, either.

I don't mind you celebrating mediocrity; but the fact that you would compromise OUR country to the stupids is really stunning.

And does The Donald REALLY believe he commands respect? Really? Wow, just WOW. I think they are literally trolling new depths. And I didn't think that was possible,...

Each week brings a new and stunningly dumber name to the table. I CANNOT wait to see the name that comes forward next week. I'll bet it will be a has been retread or a new 'parallel' reality star - maybe Carrie Prejean? hee hee Silicon implants instead of silicon valley education, hee hee

I can't even type this with a straight face,....so much laughter in my life - and I've been OFF the pain meds for weeks now! Good Times!

I think IR was setting up the smoker, folks. Great night to grill! PS. The Gnomeo and Juliet movie was actually pretty great. You have to love Shakespeare AND Elton John; but it worked for me!

thetotas,

“Yes, after you had taxes paid on income earned that then went to pay Social Security all of your working years, you have to pay taxes on Social Security payments!”

No true. I pay taxes on other income but zero on my SS income.

thetotas

One of the most outrageous taxes at the federal level is tax on Social Security payments. Yes, after you had taxes paid on income earned that then went to pay Social Security all of your working years, you have to pay taxes on Social Security payments!

Be careful of the rhetoric! They make the statement,"People are PAYING less taxes" Of course, look how many are unemployed or underemployed! Taxes are NOT lower, tax REVENUE is lower.

What?

You pay taxes when you make money outside SS. If you don't pay your taxes to the Treasury, of course it is not taking in more. So be careful of the rhetoric the Fox Noise echo chamber reverberates; especially that Andrew Breibart. I'll bet you think SS is going broke too. SS is solvent to 2037.

I will give you credit for trying to be substantive instead of criticizing some one.

Bev, You rail against Koch Brothers everyday, from what I have heard Soros is no better.

You heard wrong. George is not as rich as the Kochs. And Soros is trying to help people and the planet unlike the polluting Koch brothers who are polluting minds and the earth.

Some people pay income taxes on their Social Security income---it is phased in based on your other income so it varies depending on your financial means. It has always seemed unfair to me but that is the way the tax law reads.

LOL, Soros is trying to help people? ummmmmmmmm.............only the ones he supports.

OK Bev it's real hard to understand what you write, so I'm going to guess you're trying to say SS is not taxable? If that's what you're saying than you are wrong. Just like what Steeler Fan posted. Sorry Steeler Fan, I just noticed what you wrote while writting this.

To all the Military retirees, when you received your RAS, did you notice the extra money taken out for FITW? Thank you Nancy and Congress!!!!

Paul-Florida

LOL, Soros is trying to help people? ummmmmmmmm.............only the ones he supports.

It is funny; isn't if you could think about it? Ditto the Koch Brothers. Surely don't expect the Koch Brothers to support Soros.

What is about you righties who don't want to pay your taxes when you don't follow the rules?

thetotas

Not true

The part of Social Security that is taxable now is not what you paid taxes on before. Your lifetime Social Security benefits will be composed of a return of the taxes you paid, the taxes paid by your employer and hypothetical earnings on those two. Over the long haul, the average retiree's benefits will be 15% his or her contributions--already taxed, and 85% peviously non-taxed. Depending on your other income you will have to pay tax on somewhere between zero and 85% of the previously untaxed portion.

Would you provide a link; please.

unless you wisely invest in Roth IRA's to the maximum,...those are taxed at your CURRENT rate and the funds are withdrawn - Tax Free!

Tax Planning isn't just for the elite,...the info is out there on the WWW, check it out.

I have a few, this is a good start.

thetotas,

For some reason links are not getting posted.

I also am sitting by the water having a margarita

OY! As if Grimey didn't rub enough salt into the wound already! lol

Only teasing - enjoy!

I'm still drinking coffee. It's a little early for a margarita for me.

But, I'll probably have a Bourbon and branch water after I get off the golf course this afternoon.

That's not true in Tea Party Texas.

We just tell our poor folks if they need their cancer medication they better get a better job. No hand-outs here.