Like most Vets I hate the idea of War. At the end of the day the necessity of War turns into survival and the reason for it just turns into dust. It always seems to me that we would have figured a better way to solve our conflicts over the years since we were put on this earth. And I think that just like Nam our returning Vets from Iraq are going to have a little trouble because some folks are going to say that it was all based on a lie. That’s probably true but it ain’t your fault. So a word of advice from an old guy. Never be ashamed of what you’ve sacrificed or done. At the end of the day you kept the faith with your fellow service members. And at the Dew Drop Inn this evening the first round will be set aside for all of you that made the Ultimate Sacrifice. To keep that faith. It ain’t enough but it’s all we can offer you. On Behalf of a Grateful Nation till we can do better.

As always my thanks and appreciation to our hosts for their time, giving me a little place to stand, a subject to comment on, a forum to put it in, and their indulgence when I don’t quite get it right or get a little off subject. I purely do appreciate it. Hope you’ll have a fine weekend and good fun among folks that you know and love. To my fellow participants keep well, keep safe, and keep the faith. We’ll make it. See you’ll next week

Save me plenty of that wobble-water, Feisty, for the 'prompter games- I'm gonna need it.

I think MY favorite bumper sticker is the one somone on here coined that involved 'I don't take 3AM phone calls, I MAKE them"!

SCORE!

Betty........Please forgive me 'cause I had a big suprise party all planed for this evening. But I'm just so happy because a lot of Sons and Daughters and Mothers and Fathers are going to be home for the Holidays..And that is worth more than money nor gold

Ooh, ooh, ooh ... fruity goodness.

I think MY favorite bumper sticker is the one somone on here coined that involved 'I don't take 3AM phone calls, I MAKE them"!

Well. Been there, done that, from the other side, and it's not always as romantic as people may think.

Hey, Buzz ... how about that thing with the teleprompter?

Cheers, everyone. d-b-o is buying.

And happy birthday, Feisty.

Betty........Please forgive me 'cause I had a big suprise party all planed for this evening

Floyd - you should know by now you NEVER have to say you're sorry! ;o)

The smile hasn't left my face since I heard the news this afternoon...

Best Birthday present a girl could of asked for!

Cheers, everyone. d-b-o is buying.

HA! I take it your in?

Thanks again for the B-Day wishes! ;o)

Drive-by how's about "Born to be Wild" for the Birthday Girl...........And I hope that the new chandelier bracing down at the Comeback Inn holds up for Nash's anniversary celebration...........Live like you want to live there Nash and all the happiness that comes with it.

Drive-by how's about "Born to be Wild" for the Birthday Girl

Followed by, 'Only the Good Die Young'...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKSpzi9lKyQ&ob=av2n

Steppin' up with Steppenwolf, big guy!

Happy birthday tooooo yoooooo feisty.

Now, let's see that certificate o' live birth, if you don't mind!

Another fine week on FR. Thanks to our hosts for giving us lots to talk about and a place to do it.

I'm heading to the big DDI celebration for our troops. It might be early but how about "I'll be Home for Christmas" on the juke box--only it won't be in their dreams, they'll just think they're dreaming; then "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" because theirs will be exactly that.

Bringing the brownies.....with candles!

Hey, as long as I'm feeding coins into the old beatbox, who wantsta hear the Beatles "you say it's Your Birthday" one time, in honor of our very own 'old gal'?

Hey what's the rules on this 'prompter game..........Bet your gonna get me pie-eyed again ain't you Betty

who wantsta hear the Beatles "you say it's Your Birthday"

I DO! I DO!

Bet your gonna get me pie-eyed again ain't you Betty

You're even cuter when you're 'pie-eyed' Floyd... ;o)

Only rule is - you have to take a shot everytime someone mentions teleprompter!

Anna Molly was doing her best to get me wiped earlier in the week! LOL

Feisty, looking forward to celebrating your birthday. In more ways than one it has been some week.

For the President it has been spectacular, your outstanding success in foreign policy, shows what can be done when Congress doesn't get in the way. We appreciate you and your team's efforts. And as the opposition struggle to find the words that say "good job, Mr President" but wont, we see them shrink in public opinion.

To our moderators Mark and Domenico, thank you for all the hours you spend making it possible for us to participate in democracy and get a little off our chests, along with a few laughs from Buzz, there is no better blog. Cheers everyone, have a good weekend, be safe.

Hey, IR- before I'm out of quarters, I think maybe it'd be appropriate if we played Bobby Vinton: "A Coming Home Soldier". What say you, cap'n?

Teleprompter, teleprompter, teleprompter, teleprompter, teleprompter, teleprompter, teleprompter, teleprompter, teleprompter, teleprompter, teleprompter, teleprompter, teleprompter, teleprompter, teleprompter, teleprompter.

Hiccup.

You're even cuter when you're 'pie-eyed' Floyd... ;o.......................................................................... Why Thank you dear it's been a number of years since anybody called me cute. Even the RH ex ST. Just prop me up over in the corner when I've had enough....And Drive -by by all means The Beatles followed by a little bit of "Wild Thing"

From the "you gotta be kidding me" Dept:

ABC News reports that "With the approval of the Obama Administration, an electric car company that received a $529 million federal loan guarantee is assembling its first line of cars in Finland saying it could not find a facility in the United States capable of doing the work."

Finland...?

Really?

Didn't VP Biden tell us all that a closed GM plant in Delaware was the site for this particular Obama Administration "investment" in private sector jobs?

Oh well...

Bright side.

It's no worse than Solyndra...is it?

A very fine selection Buzzy. Then how's about the Doors " We Gotta Get Out Of This Place"

Betty.....Anna's trying to get me drunk.

Betty.....Anna's trying to get me drunk.

I tried to warn you Floyd! lol

Speaking from experience, Anna Molly can be a very naughty girl! ;o)

IR- I'd like to play another tune, but after Anna Molly's last Teleprompter barrage, I don't think I can find my butt with both hands, let alone that bag of quarters I stole off Jo Jo whats-er-face.

Think I'll be relegated to sitting in the corner mumbling to myself...

Bringing the brownies.....with candles!

Tell me they have powered sugar on top & I will have died & gone to heaven!

YUMMO! ;o)

Floyd: the Animals. Eric Burdon and the Animals. "We gotta get out of this place".

But it's ok- that Telelpromter game does take it's toll. Why just look at what it did to Mixed Bag- he's so messed up, he thinks he's Spanky.

Feisty, got a spare lampshade?

wait...what was that...?

[It's no worse than Solyndra...]

WOOP! THERE IT IS!

Must be computer time at the retirement home.

Feisty, got a spare lampshade?

For you Mickey - anytime...

Do you want the coconut bra & hula skirt too?

Oh wait - I'll have to see if I can strip it off of Buzz! ;o)

Hey all -- Shout out to Dom for the excellent article on Cain. Thanks. (It was stunningly disturbing and that's nicest thing I can say about some of Cain's views.)

No funnies today from me.

Happy Birthday once again Fiesty! Cheers!

I'm going out tonight to a costume party (Cowgirl style!), having a few drinks and maybe a shot of a really good tequila should I feel like it. ; )

Hope I wasn't too harsh on NJNB. If I was I'm sorry. Sometimes she gets to me. Next time I'll try to take the higher ground or just use ignore.

I'll put that song in the jukebox. Higher Ground by Stevie Wonder or the Red Hot Chili Peppers, take your pick.

Thanks to First Read for excellent analysis and reporting, the fun mischief you throw in and for providing a place we can gather and argue. Family feuds and all. LOL

Cheers to everyone...have a great weekend....kick back..and have fun...watch some football....whatever makes you happy.

Teleprompter, teleprompter, teleprompter.

Feisty:

HA! I take it your in?

Unfortunately, no. I have some teleprompter errands that I HAVE to run, and depending on how late you're all there, I will probably teleprompter miss you.

But happy birthday, once again, teleprompter, and everyone have a wonderful teleprompter weekend.

Teleprompter.

Speaking from experience, Anna Molly can be a very naughty girl! ;o)

Huh. Who teleprompter knew? ;-) :-*

Teleprompter.

Higher Ground by Stevie Wonder or the Red Hot Chili Peppers, take your pick.

Always go with Stevie... always! ;o)

Trust me - no one is too harsh on NJNB - she can sure dish it out, when it comes to taking it she plays the victim!

Thanks again for the B-Day wishes & enjoy your party! YEE-HAW!

[Do you want the coconut bra & hula skirt too? Oh wait - I'll have to see if I can strip it off of Buzz!]

Thanks, but no thanks... I got my own!

amna nolly...yoi betre stp saing telp...teplet...telepr...

I usually put a rich fudge frosting on my borwnies--but for you Feisty, I'll go with the powdered sugar--in a gorgeous lace doily pattern!

Ohhhhh, Feisty....horse is still saddled! Wove some ribbon through her mane just for you! How 'bout you use that old mounting block that IR left in front of the Inn, and you can take off through the woods?

Ohhhhh, Feisty....horse is still saddled!

NDD - you have NO idea how much I would love to ride like the wind!

Been far too long!

PS: Back in my younger days, I preferred to ride bareback - nothing like bonding with the animal and being able to anticipate the horses next move! ;o)

All I need is a good bridle...

Hope everyone enjoys the party. Sorry I missed all the fun.

Be sure to drop your keys here and come back to get them when you're ready to leave.

We'll be administering the usual test for such things.

You can't leave until I teleprompter you it's okay. ;-)

Easy to take the saddle off! I like to ride bareback too. Easier to feel what the horse is going to do. No surprises.

lol, mouse...

"...inciteful, thought provoking posts..."

Inciteful.

Still chuckling.

Thanks.

I like to ride bareback too

I think the horses appreciate it as well! ;o)

Easier to feel what the horse is going to do

Saved me a whole bunch of crash landings! lol

"...inciteful, thought provoking posts..."

Are you going to be a 'dick' again this year for Halloween bag boy?

Wash, rinse, spin & repeat!

[Still chuckling...]

There's the First Read sock puppet! So, still hanging your responses on a grammatical error? SWEET!

Where have you been? Did Spanky tell you how he got his ass handed to him repeatedly this past week? It wasn't pretty...oh, the carnage...

Did I tell you lately that YOU ROCK!? Keep up the good work...I know you can do it if you just apply yourself.

My mouse Mixed.

Back off and let the little fellow be.

See, my mouse rocks. Like nobody's business.

Mouse, stay strong, be diligent, and above all - apply yourself.

Deep thoughts, my mouse, deep thoughts. :)

It wasn't pretty...oh, the carnage...

Mickey - it was definitely rated 'R' ... you can not find a bigger bunch of losers even oh the TEEVEE show! LOL

The little man is still scurrying around for some scraps! LMFAO!

Ahh our gal Feisty, hanging in to the end.

Me, why it's 5:25 pm. For Feisty, and the mouse well, much later.

So this is your Friday night?

How SPECIAL.

Have a great weekend all. Especially you birthday girl.

You too Mouse.

i ask that all the correspondents post their weight before their fat head and fat ass comments.

Is that too too much to ask a stay at home war monger. So where did Richard perle serve? So where did Saul Wolfowitz serve? So where did Ms Zoe Baird and her husband Paul Girllititsm pay taxes?

just asking the correct question as every journalist, need too.

"Grammatical error", mouse?

On the contrary.

I believe "inciteful" is probably on the mark...my comments certainly incite a Pavlovian-type response from you, don't they?

Of course, Pavlov was working with subjects of a higher order.

Anyway, mouse...

I was pleased to learn that you find my comments thought provoking as well as inciteful.

And lastly...

Glad you missed me and think that I "ROCK!".

Have no fear...I'll be back.

I love it here.

:-)

[I was pleased to learn that you find my comments thought provoking as well as inciteful.]

Nice deflection...classic. Or is it denial? I'll let you choose.

Now go back and re-read my original post...simple reading comprehension, MB...even for you. But I gotta quote the "counselor" here...or is it your quote...

...you can't...

...you won't...

lol...that looks as stupid as it sounds. But you go right ahead and keep on using it...right along with F&F and Solyndra.

"Hmmm...I was just browsing your posts in your profile...seems you've had some really inciteful, thought provoking posts..."

Sorry, mouse...that quote didn't come from your "profile", did it?

It couldn't have...could it?

But...it IS accurate, correct?

Pavlov's ferocious mouse.

Hilarious.

Good boy, MB...I knew you could do it.

[But...it IS accurate, correct?]

Again with the deflection. The question was not whether it was accurate, now was it...try again, only this time concentrate...you may just get it right. But if you're STILL having basic reading comprehension issues, just let me know. I'll be glad to bail you out.

But promise me something. Enough with the deflection. If you can't or won't answer a simple question, or grasp simple comprehension issues, just say so. It gives you a teeny-tiny bit more credibility.

Safe travels to you Clara - you'll be in my thoughts this weekend!

It's never easy to say good-bye! ;o(

Market up 260! Go one-percenters!

Clara, have a safe trip; make the most of your visit with your friend.

Market up 260! Go one-percenters!

Great, more of their overblown incomes we can tax to put the country that they ruined back on course again.

As is the usual, I'm late to the Dew Drop Inn. Have to be outside on these last days of autumn. And it was a lovely day with neighbors, having tacked up to ride out, those days getting fewer.

What oh what have we learned this week? When President Obama makes a promise on getting our troops out of Iraq, the man means it. May God bless all of you who have someone that you are waiting on for a homecoming celebration, and also our soldiers for your skills and dedication. I know that our friends on the right wing will be congratulating you and our President for a job well done.

On the funnier side, and the Republicans aren't anything if they aren't good for a laugh now and again. Our good buddy Rick Santorum (insert joke of your own choosing here, this is a family blog, so I must keep it clean) is determined to stop any federal funding of Contraceptives. It causes people to, well, you know, outside of marriage, and Ricky squirms and turns red at the very thought of it all. Can you imagine? The boyo is against abortion, and thinks that making contraceptives harder to get is the way to reduce the rate. You just can't make this stuff up.

My thanks to the folks that keep this blog humming, we appreciate your work, Mark Domenico and crew....Feisty! I'm ready to celebrate your birthday! Where the heck is IR and the rest, let's get this party rocking.

To friend and foe alike, a very happy weekend.

Um, Clara?

Whoops

http://nationaljournal.com/u-s-troop-withdrawal-motivated-by-iraqi-insistence-not-u-s-choice-20111021

So, if you are invited to leave, can you really say you left under your own volition?

It's not surprising that Obama put the best face on it- it is a (further) dereliction of duty that most of the media breathlessly reported it as his initiative.

So, yeah, Obama is showing leadership. The same aimless, wandering around in the ether leadership he has always shown.

Yet another fail from the master. . .

no jo: I read that article, and it isn't a confirmation of a failure by our President. President Obama said in August 2010 that combat was over. Troop withdrawal had begun. This dispute, if you read that article and take it at face value was regarding 2000-3000 troops remaining. Iraq thinks their own forces can do the job, wouldn't give immunity to troops, and therefore the troops must leave. It is not a failure of leadership on President Obama's part, unless you believe that the United States should put our troops at risk in a situation where they might be tried by a foreign country. You don't think that do you?

I think, in this instance, you might do yourself a favor by recognizing that the President did what he said he was going to do, and met his obligations as Commander in Chief to not put our troops in a messy legal situation.

Therefore, I am certain that you will want to both congratulate the President, and both thank and welcome our troops home.

Newday, you can put whatever spin you like on it- the fact remains that there were negotiations to leave a couple thousand troops in country as trainers and facilitators- and Obama lost the negotiation.

Certainly, I welcome the troops home. My neighbor's son is one of them. He's on his fifth tour over there- by his choice. After the second, one needs to apply to go back. He believes in what he is doing, (truly believes we have improved life over there), loves the people, and wants to do all he can to guarantee their success as free people. Still, we will all be happy to see him home.

A dwindling number of people are making excuses for, and spinning a positive result of, Obama's policies and endeavors. It doesn't alter the result- he is a terrible president, in far over his head.

You have no idea how much I wish that those of us who saw that electing him would lead to disaster were wrong. Unfortunately, he is far worse than we feared.

Then we cannot agree. I think the evidence is clear that the President made the right call. If you cannot get immunity for troops, the troops must leave. That is his duty as Commander in Chief. There would be room for criticism if he had decided that he would leave them regardless.

If you are not looking "through a glass darkly" you might agree with that assessment. This President has had significant success in protecting this country.

I am happy that your neighbor's son will be returning, as I am that all troops will be back stateside.

Hey!

Where are the kumquats? lol

Feisty- they are all still back on the 'Michelle Tweets' thread...

Oh, ..."Quats"- never mind.

God, you're quick drive-by!

I knew the nuance wouldn't be lost on you Buzz! ;o)

They say great minds run in the same gutter, you know.

Shayyy.....shomebuddy han' me that bottle. I gotta drink to a tell -a- proper somthin'....

They say great minds run in the same gutter, you know.

HAHAHA!

Like the old saying goes 'a lady in the boardroom' and... well you know the rest.... ;o)

Will ya hand me a shot? I think? you said 'teleprompter'...

In case the repubs missed it, as he has done before and will again, President Obama didn't use a teleprompter today when announcing our troops were coming home from Iraq! Sweet, sweet music.

Thanks, Jody- now we all gotta ....take another hit- (of booze, of course- not 'fresh air') because YOU mentioned the 'T' word.

But please, keep 'em coming! Ha Ha Ha Ha.....

Dew Drop Inn is really filling up.

Feisty, I brought sparklers for later after the sun goes down, in honor of your birthday and the troops coming home soon.

By the way , I just heard that Eric Cantor cancelled a speech at Wharton School of Business at U of Penn.

Guess, he won't be needing his teleprompter

If I remember correctly around this time in 2007, Romney was leading in NH as well and he "got silver" again.

Jody - I think you're right. And wasn't "getting the silver" what in effect ended it for him in 2008?

I keep hearing pundits say that if Romney wins NH it will be a big deal - and I just don't agree since he has such a staggering lead now at 44% - unlike his standing in any other state where he is lucky to get even 25%! If he gets the "silver" again, however - after being up in the mid 40s now - that would be a big deal!

I think so, too, Monet.

I'd say next week's big question is whether we'll see the moneyed campaigns start their TV ad blitz. Cain (not moneyed) is riding high this week. How long and high can the other hopefuls allow that trajectory to go, before spending some real cash?

So here's the things I'm watching for next week. Will Romney and Perry begin television blitzes? How will Cain keep himself in the news (assuming he can only roll out so many tweaks on his tax plan)?

Remember, Cain's only hope to combat Romney's ad money is to get the media to air "free" ads. So he's going to have to figure out something. Maybe he's got other proposals waiting in the wings. Maybe he's got other ideas all together - he's obviously not a stupid guy, and has figured this out himself.

Perry is most likely out of it, though he might be too stubborn to acknowledge that unpleasant fact. And Perry is likely to launch a few negative ads attacking Romney. That helps Cain, because like the debate he can allow someone else to drag Romney into the mud. But unlike the debate and its guarantee of relatively even time among participants, he can't afford even time on paid airwaves (unless his fundraising has really taken off - but that's doubtful when he probably doesn't even have the same number of staffers soliciting).

Realistically, there's like four weeks left of prime campaigning time before Iowa. Candidates will continue to run ads over the holidays, but that's dicey, and over-doing it can cause a backlash. So I'm guessing barring any major December misteps, we'll see poll numbers more or less lockdown around Thanksgiving week.

I participated in an Iowa Rasmussen poll on Wednesday only it wasn't about the GOPers. First time Rasmussen has called me.

Paul - Very thoughtful post!

I think Scary Perry is too "dim-bulbish" to realize he is out of it and, therefore, he will keep running those - frankly, quite good - ads against Romney. And as you said, that will benefit Cain - for free!

It is very fun to watch it all unfold!

Jody - that is neat that you got called by Rasmussen!

Paul, this week following the debate, there have been some nasty ads, put out by both Romney and Perry. Those two definitely do not like each other. It will be interesting to see who will fall in behind either one of them as the nominee......I'm thinking it will be Romney. Some of those ads will pop up in the Dems efforts next year.

Gingerbread - I read somewhere today that the Democratic National Committee is already using Romney's phrase -for Pete's sake - the one he used in explaining how he couldn't have illegals working for him - in some campaign literature!

Say- sounds like you guys hired Kirk when we wern't looking. Is HE the guy that now selects what stories run on your website?

Neat.

No but I would like to ha. Come on wouldnt the debate be just as spirited and less focused on the personal attacks of the GOP candidates. You have to be tired by now of hearing Romney be called Mitts or all the racist banter about Cain and the constant back and forth that is the same class warfare BS regardless of what side your on. We all know how you guys feel about these candidates and how you feel about people who are successful etc and you know how we feel and no one is changing their mind. So lets move on to different topics. How do you guys feel about Obama's recent legislative bipartisan achievements? How do you feel about race or gender in politics or the other issues besides the worn out GOP personal attacks. Only Forrest still makes me smile with some of his new stuff.

Yeah, Kirk- I'll agree with you. There is a lot of room for more thought and less snark.

I'll also go one further, and admit I'm just as guilty as anyone about it. Somehow, you hear the 'other side' on some of the other outlets, then carry it back here and let it affect what you contribute yourself. Not sure how to get it stopped, though, are you?

Same here I am just as guilty in many of my responses. In a former University alumni blog that I participated in the moderators banned people who personally attacked other posters, personally attacked candidates or others. Of course there was complaining about the grey areas like would calling HCR Obamacare a disrespectful personal attack but that reduced the lack of civility 1000% percent compared to this. My guess these moderators sort of like the personal attacks but it does reduce the actual intellectual debate and make us all including me far less credible. But that would mean alot of changes in the approach to discussion on here. Fiesty would be put out of business which wouldnt go over well.

So, poor Shauna drew the short straw this morning and had to "report" on Michele Obama's first tweet?

Man, Murray, why do you hate Shauna? Why you got to play the poor girl like that?

All she wants to do is prove to her parents that all their money spent on that college degree was worth it. Reporting on a tweet, no so much. An in depth report on why all that cash went to a car company in Finland, that is backed by Kaiser and Gore, different story. Here, allow me to assist :byline Shauna, "Solyndra on Wheels"- catchy, right?

Wait, is this some kind of FR hazing?

All the news that is fit to print, eh Mark?

It's cool, I'm sure you all will get around to Fisker come November. Stay strong Murray.

Some day dude you all might even get picked up on RCP. Dare to dream, eh?

[So, poor Shauna drew the short straw this morning and had to "report" on Michele Obama's first tweet?]

It seems you spent an awful lot of time over there...why is that...got a crush on Michelle or was that where the shiny object landed?

That's a good "counselor"...striving for adequacy...

That's a good "counselor"...striving for adequacy...

Seriously? Adequacy?

The little man couldn't hit it with some one else's bow & arrow!

Little dude - shoots and drowns...

Have another blooming onion little guy!

Ahhhh,more of what passes for "ignore" from Feisty.

You love me, you really, really love me.

See, like Mickey, Private First class in Spanky's army.

Huh, that would make feisty the camp washer wench?

What the privates do with the camp hanger on-ers, is not the concern of the generals.

Carry on Mickey. If Feisty floats ou boat.....

So that ignore button... broken again, eh?

Now, Spanky, did you really expect Team Obama to compare and contrast Rubio talking about his parents exile from their homeland with Obama's contention that he was born as a result of the March at Selma- despite having been born BEFORE Selma? You know- and remind people how IGNORANT he is about national events?

Did you think they'd report that we are not leaving Iraq because Obama ordered it- but because the Iraqis are throwing us out- despite the best efforts of the Obama team to get them to negotiate a longer stay?

http://nationaljournal.com/u-s-troop-withdrawal-motivated-by-iraqi-insistence-not-u-s-choice-20111021

Nah. Smearing innocent people ( only republicans, though),while ignoring egregious crimes, (only from democrats, though), is what passes for journalism here.

Lord, if they EVER acted like professionals, I'd have a lot more time on my hands.

I wouldn't have to break stories like Fisker. . .

There is no one who can smear as you do nojo. You have no respect for anyone who supports the President on any given topic or day. You spend your days here spreading lies and cherry picked halftruths to suit your hateful agenda towards the President.

You think nothing of violating others expected privacy and you are abysmally rude to our hosts and many posters with your condescending and sarcastic postings and comments. Your are a fine one to mention any thing about professionalism.

For the disrespect you have shown to others, you shouldn't expect any in return as you have certainly not earned it.

Amen, GingerBread Mamma. Nothing to add to that except, well said.

Yes, GM. I have had her on "ignore" for quite some time now. It's too bad because we might actually be able to have a discussion. As someone has said though, njnb always "sees through a glass darkly" NO MATTER WHAT the president does or says. That negative attitude just gets old, and it's not realistic. I mean, I was very angry at Bush, but I could still acknowledge the good things that he did, like his aid to Africa. Bush had my support (though I never voted for him) until he took us into Iraq. Where is Obama's "Iraq"? What has he done that is as egregious? There isn't. There are decisions one may disagree with b/c of a difference in perspective or ideology, but there is nothing like what the Bush/Cheney team did. I don't mean to prop Obama up by saying, well he's not as bad as Bush. To me, they are "apples and oranges". I tend to look at njnb's relentless attacks on our president as her way of campaigning for someone else to get into the WH. If she repeats her endless, self-serving ("I broke the story" look at me!!), negative comments ad nauseum, maybe--she hopes--some of them will stick. Well, some of us ain't listening or reading them any more.

MkeMke, if you substituted Barack Obama for Herman Cain in your poem wouldnt it be just as accurate?

No Kirk,

I don't make $1,000,000 a year like you do. Pay your taxes.

If that were only true. If I did though, I would be paying 7.65% on the first $106,000, 5% on Gross for Illinois tax, and a top bracket of 35% for federal tax but with an effective rate in the 40 percent range because all my exemptions and deductions would be phased out. So I would be paying around $450,000 in tax. I would assume thats my fair share if I was so fortunate to be that talented or took that much risk on my own business to be that successful? I actually look up to the successful and dont want their money I actually feel I should earn it myself how about you?

I look up to the successful too, but that is still no reason they can't pay the same rate of taxes as the rest of us.

The rich will make more money if people are put back to work. Taxes to create jobs are really an investment in the people. I'm for getting people back to work how about you?

That is a nonsensical statement as I just told you how much tax I would pay if I was compensated a million dollars. Provide me with even one example where the rest of us would come even close to that rate or tax in real dollars. Taxes don't create jobs they take jobs away. Explain how the rich make more money when you create another government bureaucrat?

Kirk: "Taxes don't create jobs they take jobs away."

You are right and everyone knows this. The liberals won't admit , though.

Liberals want hand outs for everyone .... just like in Greece where no one works.

We can't let them win in 2012 or we'll all be buying riot gear in order to walk the streets.

Hey LIbs/Dems out there!! MOVE TO GREECE! You can still catch the ongoing riots. Leave us capitalists (who like to work for our money) the U.S.A. we love.

Leona,

"MOVE TO GREECE" you say.

A nice little home on Mykonos would suit me fine...

but those greedy investment bankers, mortgage banker schemers, and AIG ruined the housing market and tanked my 401k .

So I will continue to work, pay my taxes and dream of the sunsets on Aegean Sea.

And the people who borrowed money they couldn't pay back bear no responsibility? You sound like the OWS crowd that doesn't believe in consequences for the choices in life that we make. No belief in personal responsibility or accountability.

Kirk: you missed the OWS point...its all about accountability. Just apparantly, not the people you would want held accountable.

Kirk, I believe in personal responsibility. Everyone needs to read the fine print when they sign a contract.

In the housing market , the accountability includes the lender and mortgagee. What was the motive for buying the house or condo? What was the motive of the lender? When the housing crisis hit, the investment flippers walked away from their mortgages, gave it back to the bank. Other owners lost their jobs and tried to refinance their mortgage or seek some relief. But the lender had sold their mortgage, no one knew who even owned it, who to talk to. Foreclosures and short sales have gutted the price of homes for years to come.

So the government bails out the sub prime lenders, the banks, AIG who insured these exotic products of bundled mortgages. This is the way corporate accountability works?

Meanwhile most homeowners pay their mortgages in spite of the value of their home is oftentimes less than their mortgage amount.

Northstar,

Let's start at the beginning. The govt. forced the "lenders" to do the lending to PEOPLE WHO COULDN'T AFFORD a house !

Ask Barney Frank............ OH WAIT, he's already lied about that.

AP and north star, if you read my post I said everyone including borrowers bear responsibility. I wasn't for the bank bailouts and neither were most GOP fiscal conservatives. That was an Obama thing. Plus, corporations and businesses are not people remember so you can't ask them for self reliance and personal responsibility can you?

Leona, The government did not and does not FORCE banks to make mortgage loans. When was the last time you got a mortgage loan?

I got a new mortgage in 2004. Wells Fargo showed me a number of different mortgage loans. They did not force nor was I forced to pick a certain kind. I chose one that fit my needs, at the best interest I could get after shopping around. My buyer of my previous home, a young guy right out of college with a new manager job had a mortgage that was 100% financed. His down payment was a second loan from the financial institution that he used. I had never seen a 100% financed loan except VA loans. That was his choice . He qualified according to his lender and bought my house.

So Leona, so explain the Byzantine sub prime loan market that made a lot of investors rich and contributed to the financial crisis of 2008?

Kirk, Thank you for your clarification. Everyone shares responsibility include the banks. The Tarp money was under GWB watch, remember, McCain ran back to DC because of this global crises. I supported that because it prevented a total meltdown of our financial institutions. I did expect that new regulations would be put in place so this would never happen again. Still waiting...

Corporations, according to the SCOTUS, are persons when it comes to campaign contributions. All corporations have a accountability. They have a moral and legal responsibility to not pollute, not to use child labor in producing their goods, not to discriminate in hiring based on gender, race, marital status,etc.

Northstar, I agree. We are on the same page.