So true Backhouse.

Backhouse, terrific and informative post. Their anti-environment and pro-polluter votes dispel the GOP's claims to be concerned about our children and grandchildren.

The real news from last night is that Gingrinch, the "historian" wants to abolish the 9th Circuit Court, or any court that puts out a ruing that affronts his neanderthal views. I guess he likes the idea of turning the United States into a banana republic. This is what dictators do. This is what Newt wants to be, and while I think it fits with the views of the extremist "teabaggers" it is nothing that the Constitution will permit.

What I can't figure out is why people are not more outraged when the current crop of Republican candidates talks like this? There is a Separation of Powers for a reason, to avoid this very thing: An extremist who sees HIS view of this nation to be the one that is forced on an unsuspecting public.

If you support Gingrinch, I don't ever want to hear again you criticize this Democratic President over made up charges.

You people do not know the danger of what you do.

In a side note: Christopher Hitchens has passed away. I didn't agree with him on a lot, but he was good for the world, providing a contrarian view and trying to get people to think. I say "God bless him" but he would consider that an insult. So, rest well, Christopher. Thanks for keeping it interesting!

Job1 and Jody,

"House Republicans waged systematic war against the environment this year, attacking environmental protection through climate denial, oil drilling, weakening public lands and water protection, and obstructing responsible regulation — just to name a few. " (Same link as above)

GOP/Koch party

That just about says it all. I knew they were addicted to something I just thought it was snappy slogans and tax cuts for the wealthy.

Jody, Iowa: Backhouse, terrific and informative post. Their anti-environment and pro-polluter votes dispel the GOP's claims to be concerned about our children and grandchildren.

The $5 trillion in additional debt spent by Obama in the past 3 years shows how concerned the Democrats are about our children and grandchildren, because they're going to have to pay for it.

Nice copy and paste Navy Boy. Back to your old thinkprogress roots I see.

Last night I was polled by a robot. After all the personal stuff (age, income level, whether I considered myself a Republican or Independent or Democrat, etc.), the questions got down to business. What was interesting is that aside from asking whether I favored Obama vs. each of the top 4 Republican candidates, one-by-one (so, they didn't ask about Bachmann, Perry, Santorum), they then asked whether I favored Obama over Jeb Bush! Several more questions about Jeb after that. . . .

Excellent post Backhouse!

Jody brings up a great point about the children & grandchildren BS!

There is only a finite amount of water on this planet & once it's gone, there isn't enough $$$ in the world that can fix it!

JoAnna: put your money where your (big) mouth is: provide evidence that Backhouse and Navy are one and the same.

Or apologize.

Now that Congress has agreed on a bill that will fund the government until October/2012, and they are close to agreeing on the extension of the payroll tax holiday Obama is so desperate about, just what is Obama going to run on next year? He said Congress was a "do-nothing" Congress, but it is quite evident that is not true. He's getting his "landmark" payroll tax holiday extension, even though he had to fold on his core element of raising taxes (and we all knew he would).

So what is Obama going to run on now? Certainly not his record.

And congratulations to Mr Reid and Mr Boehner on getting this important work completed in Congress.

It is time to give our future health & safety priority over 20th century pipelines.

GOP Senators must extend the middle class payroll tax cut:
WITHOUT HOLDING US HOSTAGE TO THE KEYSTONE PIPELINE and protecting Big Oil loopholes and subsidies.

GOP/Koch wants to speed up the Keystone review process in exchange for extending our payroll tax cut. President Obama says he will veto any such bill.

Backhouse -

thanks for that important, informative post. Allow me to add that the sandhill cranes thank you, too. Please next time add that the Koch Brothers' interest in this pipeline is export income - almost none of that oil would be used in the U.S.

The GOP record on the environment is generally dismal, although the EPA came into existence under Richard Nixon. The Tea Party record, driven by directives from Grover Norquist and the other denizens of K Street, is even worse.

Anyone who wants to truly know how vital solid, consistent and improving environmental regulation is to our country merely needs to take a short trip on the lower Mississippi River. Yeah, take a "scenic cruise" of the refineries and chemical factories, spewing out poison into the water, into the air, and onto the land (soggy as it may be) around them. Take a look at the rates of genetic disease, cancer, and other obscure but debilitating illnesses afflicting the largely poverty-stricken people of those neighborhoods.

You can do it. Have a charming vacation, spend your holiday bucks on the river that gave Mark Twain his name (Samuel Clemens was a Mississippi riverboat pilot for a time). You can of course also wrap it up at lovely Natchez, by visiting the preserved slave quarters of the old plantations and going to the riverbank red light area, too. So picturesque.

And yet, the President still runs way ahead of Gingrich and ahead of Romney!

Holy cow, Jack in Portsmouth! I wonder if the Republican leadership is looking for a way to insert Jeb in the race if it looks like Gingrich will be the choice of the rank and file. Typical Republicans, ignoring the will of their own base.

Amy,

I wonder if the Republican leadership is looking for a way to insert Jeb in the race if it looks like Gingrich will be the choice of the rank and file.

Some people--and I'm one of them--have wondered aloud about the possibility of a deadlocked convention and what kind of surprise might come out of it. Interesting times, heh?

Our national indebtedness is climbing about five-trillion-dollars annually. The figure is incomprehensible.

The very essence of life - Air, water, and soil are being polluted to a point that is also beyond our grasp.

The only thing that is going to save us is a larger defense budget, an end to regulation, and tax cuts for the rich.

Jack, Amy -

There has been some chatter on this board over recent days about the potential for the nomination remaining uncertain up to the GOP convention next August in Tampa.

As discussed before, it's possible that if the nomination balloting is deadlocked through several votes at the convention, then the delegates formerly pledged to a candidate become free to vote for someone else.

In the past, deadlocked conventions have at times been resolved when a "unity candidate" is proposed.

That might happen now, too. I find it amazing another Bush would be considered possible, but some folk seem to be pushing that idea. Those robocalls bringing him up are paid for, the mention of his name is intended not only to sample opinion, but promote the idea. jeb Bush's record in Florida was dismal - he really put the crowbar to the education system, among other things. He'd be torpedoed solidly if he was brought out of his present quiet harbor.

As Anna Molly said yesterday, sail on.

What a boring worthless Debate last night. I was looking forward to lots of fireworks and all I got was fizzle. This is by far the most inept group of candidates I've ever seen. If these people even think their in the same league with President Obama, their in for a rude awakening.

Who in their right mind would want to attempt to debate our President? The Grinch? President Obama would eat him alive.

Obama in 2012.

Jack in Portsmouth...

I saw your question to me yesterday evening and figured I'd respond here. My first choice in the primary at this point is Huntsman. Romney would be my second choice. Everyone else is waaaaaaay back for me. Interesting phone call that you got concerning Jeb Bush. The problem now is that I believe logistically it is pretty much too late for anyone else to get on the primary ballots.

Happy Friday everyone!!

David Walker -

You are one naughty boy.

newdayDawning, great points and well said! Ditto about Christopher Hitchens--didn't always agree or like what he said but he made us think.

Jack, that's an interesting robo-call you got. I saw reports about the robo call in NH. Jeb Bush? Makes me wonder if the GOP is already prepping for 2016. Just what the US needs, another Bush.

DW: The only thing that is going to save us is a larger defense budget, an end to regulation, and tax cuts for the rich.

Of course this is all in DWs parallel universe and alternative reality.

Defense is being slashed, regulations increase every day, and Obama can't get that bee out of his butt about taxing the rich.

What Dave, no mention of entitlements? You know, the real source of why our "indebtedness is climbing about five-trillion-dollars annually". Yeah, you don't want to talk reality, it screws up your fantasies.

John A.,

He'd be torpedoed solidly if he was brought out of his present quiet harbor.

Maybe, but the benefit of coming out of a brokered convention as the unity candidate is that the opposition has to scramble its playbook at the last moment to go after someone who would likely have a very high "bounce".

I agree that the call was meant to promote the concept of Jeb as nominee--it was a pretty obvious ploy.

Agreed, too, that David is "one naughty boy". I'd say he better watch out for Spanky. But then again, I think Spanky is less into "S" than "M". It's why he posts on this site, to get his "fair share of abuse", as the Rolling Stones song goes.

Grimey--Thanks for responding. Do I recall correctly that you live in Florida? What's your opinion of Jeb?

Jack, good point about Jeb Bush and a brokered convention; I hadn't thought about it in that context.

@Jack

I don't know how Grimey feels, but the one good thing Jeb did (at least in my part of the state) was the handling of the hurricanes in 04. He was bad on education, but great in disaster respsonse. Beat the heck out of old "Brownie".

Ah yes, as is the usual with our poor, POOR JoAnna, when asked to provide proof, she disappears.

Can't support the simplest thing you say, can you poor Joanna?

"At a time when Olympia Snowe or Susan Collins is hesitant to partner with the White House on any kind of legislation, specifically health care, here comes Ron Wyden embracing Paul Ryan. We know in political circles (especially in Chicago) Democrats have to be furious right now."

Obaba: "What is Wyden doing? Didn't he get the message from the White House that Democrats are supposed to blame the Republicans for not compromising, not actually COMPROMISE with them - He's messing up my whole campaign theme".

lol

Has anyone met a Romney supporter?

I'm just curious.

He certainly polls a consistent 23%, so there has to be some (why, I can't fathom).

John A, Yeh e.g. S1392 and the thousands of premature heart attacks and deaths it will create.

Now is the time for wind, solar and geothermal. Let's not go backwards and create an environmental mess just to make more $Billions For Big Oil.

Koch's profits went up 40% this year, while they are busy firing tens of thousands of employees.

Big Oil won't even give us back our $4B oil subsidy, even as they are creating more profits than ever. Think how many jobs $4Billion would create!

I remember that during the 1800's, several Presidents came out of "brokered conventions." However, when I went to Google to look some up, a Wikipedia article about more recent ones came up, and it was pretty interesting:

Before the era of presidential primary elections, political party conventions were routinely brokered. Adlai Stevenson (of the 1952 Democratic Party) and Thomas Dewey (of the 1948 Republican Party) were the most recent "brokered convention" presidential nominees. The last winning U.S. presidential nominee produced by a brokered convention was Franklin D. Roosevelt, in 1932.

Although Jack makes a good point about "scrambling" to set up opposition to a previously-unexpected candidate, in fact there's no chance that anyone other than Chester A. Arthur could surprise the Democrats this year. The field of potential "new" candidates is small (I'd say "slim," but neither Jeb nor Christie fit that term), and in the world of "what if -?" there are always some folk assigned to be ready to answer the question. It's like war plans on the DoD bookshelf.

Some people--and I'm one of them--have wondered aloud about the possibility of a deadlocked convention and what kind of surprise might come out of it.

Jack, If it does deadlock I hope they draft Cheney! Then maybe, Dick could pick Trump for his running mate and take him on a hunting trip to celebrate!

Really JAS1? No mention of two unfunded wars, the expense of Medicare-D, the entitlements to big business - think $85 billion annually to oil alone, entitlements to the wealthy - think Bush tax cuts, etc., etc. etc., and I won't even get into the amount that was 'stolen' out of SS to fund 'other' projects. And please do avoid the health and insurance industries role in driving up Medicare costs. And you think you alone have a grasp on reality?

Jack...

I do in fact live in Florida. I honestly think Jeb would have been a much better President than his brother. He is a smart guy, who did well in school and was quite popular as governor with moderates and many ethnic groups that Republicans tend to struggle with. He also has a good family life and has done a lot of charitable work. Probably one of the bigger strikes against him was the Terri Schiavo case. Otherwise, I thought he did pretty well as governor and honestly I think he'd make a pretty good President. The problem, sad to say, is his last name. The ads would almost write themselves..."ANOTHER Bush in the White House!?" The comparisons would be inevitable. Just my $0.02.

(Edited to respond to Phinephancy: Yeah...he was absolutely fantastic with the hurricane years of 2004 (Charley, Frances, Jeanne) and 2005 (Wilma). Education was a bit of a mixed bag, I'd agree with you there. Some positives and some negatives.)

phinephancy-4252115 -

Interesting you're also in Florida. Overall, Jeb's handling of the hurricanes on '04 wasn't bad, but hardly spectacular. We're still cleaning up some of that mess. Certainly the abject failure of FEMA throughout the entire G.W. Bush regime had plenty to do with it, as did the mere passage of time. Overall, I haven't seen ONE Republican governor who shows a tad of competence. What a shame.

Grimey -

I pretty much have to disagree with you about jeb. he wasn't all THAT popular, and late in his second term came to be much more widely hated for his destruction of education, squeezing of Medicaid and SCHIP, favoritism to the phosphate mining industry and agriculture interests, and championing of anti-consumer legislation. Florida is, in my opinion, one of the worst places to live in America. I am stuck here because of a job - otherwise I would dump this cesspit in a minute.

@JohnA

I am sorry you don't like Florida. As for myself, I love it here. One way to feel better about Jeb (who I agree with you about - especially his 2nd term), is to compare him to Rick Scott! Next to Scott, Jeb is a frickin' genius!

Best governor we had - Bob Graham

phinephancy-4252115 -

My opinion of Florida is indeed highly-colored. The insurance industry owns the state legislature, public works contractors own the county and municipal governments as well as the state highway agency, the utilitiy companies own everything (apparently), and landlords own the courts. This is the most corrupt, anti-consumer state in the country. Even Alabama is more honest.

When I go to a neighborhood bar for a quiet drink, I have to put up with blaring rock-a-billy jukebox music proclaiming the sorrows of the lost War Between the States, overhear conversation from drooling jerks calling the President the "n" word, and avoid being crushed between the crowds of extremely obese men and women with pointy heads. I won't visit my city's newest mall because the arrogant idiots of the upper middle class here decided a bus stop within a quarter mile of the entrance would encourage "them" to visit. The drivers throughout Florida think that motorcylcists, bicyclists and pedestrians are of an underclass who shouldn't be allowed to live. And just don't, don't, get me going about the wretched idea of food down here.

John A...

Ouch! I'm sorry to see you don't like it down here. I'm not sure what part of the state you are in, but I can't remember the last time I had that kind of experience at a bar down here (SE Florida). I personally love living near the beach and I love the fact that it's mid-December and the temperature is 77 degrees!!!

As for Jeb, according to CNN, "Jeb Bush left office in 2007 with approval ratings well over 60 percent". Given the swing state status of Florida, that seems pretty popular.

Me myself love South Florida, much better that Maryland where I moved here from. No state taxes here gave me a pretty good pay raise on its own. Never really minded Jeb, didn't really care for his wishy washy successor though. Rick Scott can move to Alaska with Palin though, can't stand what he's doing.

Joe, who do you want in the Whit House?

You're group of idiots running for President would move us back to the 1900s. You always have a lot to say about what's wrong with President Obama, but you never offer any solutions. You fill a buch of paragraphs with mostly nonsense but never once identify a positive way forward.

90% of what you spew has more to do with your people in Congress doing nothing to allow the President to move forward.

Between the Republican House passing moronic bills that are out in far right field and a Republican minority in the Senate that knows how to do nothing but filibuster, the President along with the American people are being screwed.

What we need is to get back to a Democratic House and a Demacratic filibuster proof Senate in order to allow a Re-elected President Obama to finally get us back on the right track.

Your Republicans are screwing our country with there obstructionism.

Newday dawning,

I used to read Slate a lot and The Nation - Christopher Hutchinson was a very polarizing figure he had his good and bad points in my opinion. I will respect your wish for him to RIP.

______________

Usnews.msnbc.com

Author Pundit Christopher Hutchins dies

Hitchens, a frequent television commentator and a contributor to Vanity Fair, Slate and other publications, had become a popular author in 2007 thanks to "God is Not Great," a manifesto for atheists that defied a recent trend of religious works…

Wavy-haired and brooding and aflame with wit and righteous anger, he was a star of the left on paper and on camera, a popular television guest and a columnist for one of the world's oldest liberal publications, The Nation…

Eloquent and intemperate, bawdy and urbane, he was an acknowledged contrarian and contradiction -- half-Christian, half-Jewish and fully non-believing; a native of England who settled in America; a former Trotskyite who backed the Iraq war and supported George W. Bush. But his passions remained constant and enemies of his youth, from Henry Kissinger to Mother Teresa, remained hated…

He wrote the anti-Clinton book, "No One Left to Lie To," at a time when most liberals were supporting the president as he faced impeachment over his affair with Monica Lewinsky. Hitchens also loathed Hillary Rodham Clinton and switched his affiliation from independent to Democrat in 2008 just so he could vote against her in the presidential primary.

The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, completed his exit from the left. He fought with Vidal, Noam Chomsky and others who either suggested that U.S. foreign policy had helped caused the tragedy or that the Bush administration had advanced knowledge. He supported the Iraq war, quit The Nation, backed Bush for re-election in 2004 and repeatedly chastised those whom he believed worried unduly about the feelings of Muslims…

__________

As a Christian I didn't appreciate his atheist manifesto "God is not Great" as a Catholic I disliked his calling Mother Theresa a fraud and charging her with squandering money in India to extend poverty by refusing to renounce abortion. I'm pro choice but to expect a nun to be pro choice is a bit much. As a democrat I didn't like his intolerance toward muslims after 9/11 and his embrace of pre emptive war in Iraq.

He did speak against torture and waterboarding, he stood for freedom of the press, standing with Salman Rushdie after a fatwha was put against his friend's life.

All that said he was an interesting and provocative voice. Definately a contrarian, not to easy to peg or fit in a box. Like you I didn't agree with him on a lot of issues.

Bob Graham was a Republican, wasn't he, phinephancy? Did you mean "best Republican governor" or "best governor" regardless of party? Just curious.

I'm sorry Yellowdog, and I hope I did not offend you with my post. I actually thought he had some good points about Mother Theresa, even though he always managed to couch it in some pretty strong terms.

I was offended by her inability to understand that third world country women needed to be on birth control. That it is an anathema, and a real evil to think that orphanages were the answer to an out of control birth rate in those countries. There is NO worse environment for young children, and I think Theresa did real harm.

But, you model how to disagree respectfully, and I often wish I could emulate you in that.

Peace to you in this season.

Have to leave for the weekend, hope my rant about Florida wasn't offensive to anyone. I just get so fed up with the BS here at times - seems today was one of them.

Have a great weekend, all.

John A.,

Really appreciated your thoughts--as always, you put out some really great posts.

It sounds like you should move- try California

I support Romney, uh no I don't support him now, ah now I support him again, uh oh now I don't support him, man his flip flopping is causing me to flip flop, HA you see the problem a guy like that creates for himself.

wow backhouse, just wow! To think that you choose a link to "thinkprogress" Bet they know how to look at all sides, right?

Methinks that some legislation is overkill and will have unintended consequences to growth. I have always found it fascinating that 200 pages of any passed legislation becomes many times that number in the regulations written.

I wonder how many regulations were written to protect an individual from spilling a hot beverage in their lap or by taking to big of a swallow?

newdayDAWNING...RETURNED

JoAnna: put your money where your (big) mouth is: provide evidence that Backhouse and Navy are one and the same.

OMG! Here we go again! NDD you are good for nothing at all ... all you do is pick fights with people over the most trivial things... and then scream PROVE IT!

Obviously you have your 6 year old grand daughter dictating your posts because no adult would continually post such nonsense!

PLEASE! For once... contribute something MEANINGFUL or THOUGHT PROVOKING!

(show me the clown nose,fisty!)

Bob Graham was a democrat, was also our senator.

newday - No offense taken at all. I agree birth control obviously would be a large part of the solution, trouble is dogma sometimes doesn't see easy solutions. Despite her dogma, I believe she tried to help those who she could.

The bigger problem I had with Hutchins was his 180 degree switch to becoming a neo-con, supporting and never repenting on his support of the Iraq war and his views toward Muslims.

Peace, New day

JoAnna writes:

The $5 trillion in additional debt spent by Obama in the past 3 years shows how concerned the Democrats are about our children and grandchildren, because they're going to have to pay for it.

Why? Why the Hell don't WE pay for it? WE are the generation that racked up an unsustainable debt over the past decade or so? Why is it considered kosher to foist this debt on our children and grandchildren? Its a pretty lame argument of concern when those promoting "let the kids pay it" counter with an argument that despite our irresponsibility, we want even lower taxes and assessments. Its a bit disingenuous to raise all this concern for our kids and grand kids when we are still demanding a free ride for what WE created. It is a well established fact that we cannot cut enough to impact the debt. Hell, we can't even cut enough to end annual deficits. But that's okay ~ let the kids handle it. WE should not make any sacrifices whatsoever. We will be the first generation to hand our offspring worse conditions than WE inherited ~ and apparently that doesn't bother many people. Let the kids pay for it, if they still have a country in ten to twenty years. Why should WE be required to sacrifice?

Joe in Albany

American’s seem to be waking up to the fact that Barry was not, and is not qualified to be President. Yeah, he talks a good story with all those wonderful speeches. But, in the end they are all just a lot of hot air that floats off into outer space

Democratic Representative Dennis Cardoza of California wrote an interesting piece in the congressional newspaper, The Hill – www.thehill.com, about working with President Obama. It does offer insight as to the inner workings of this administration:

“After observing President Obama for the past three years, it has become obvious to me that the president might prefer to be a university professor rather than do the job he holds today. While he might not realize that he feels this way, the evidence is very clear to those who work with or watch him closely.

Let me be clear – I’m not trying to disparage professors, but anyone who wonders why the president is not crushing the weak GOP field only needs to examine how President Obama has behaved more like Professor Obama:

In the president’s first year in office, his administration suffered from what I call ‘idea disease.’ Every week, and sometimes almost every day, the administration rolled out a new program for the country. There was no obvious prioritization and, after the rollout, very little effort to actually pass the latest idea/imperative/plan/edict. Instead, the new programs just kept coming, with the new proposals constantly stepping on the previous day’s message.

This rampant ‘idea disease’ squandered the tremendous goodwill generated by the Obama campaign’s message of ‘hope’ tainting the president’s personal appeal. As Democrats in Congress, we often felt like we were drinking water out of a fire hose, trying to simultaneously deal with past failures of the Bush administration and the avalanche of new initiatives from Obama. This lack of focus also mad it easy for congressional Republicans to stall and foil many of President Obama’s best initiatives – which they did with relish.

Early in his administration, President/Professor Obama repeatedly referred to ‘teaching moments.’ He would admonish staff, members of Congress and the public, in speeches and in private about what they could learn from him. Rather than the ideological or corrupt ‘I’m above the law’ attitudes of some past administrations, President Obama projected an arrogant ‘I’m right, you’re wrong’ demeanor that alienated many potential allies.

Furthermore, the president concentrated power within the White House, leaving Cabinet members with no other option but to dutifully carry out policies which they had limited input in crafting and might very well disagree. From my experience, this was especially true in the environmental, resources, housing and employment areas. Not by coincidence, these areas have also been responsible for much of the president’s harshest critiques.

One former administration official told me directly that the people in the White House ‘never talk to real people.’ Another former Obama staffer confided to me that it was clear to him that the president didn’t mind giving speeches (lectures), but really avoided personal contact with members of Congress and folks outside the Beltway. ‘He doesn’t seem to derive energy from spending time with regular people the way Clinton did. He rallies to give speeches for the big crowds, but avoids individual contact.

This ‘arms-length’ attitude extends to top decision-makers in the president’s administration. A senior housing official recently told me that, despite the fact that he was responsible for crafting policies to stem the foreclosure crisis, he had personally never met with a homeowner who had been foreclosed on.

The president’s disinterest in input from those outside his inner circle is costing him many wasted opportunities. Recently, a senator told me Obama went to his/her state, but issued an invitation for the senator to attend the event only the day before. ‘I represent a must-win state and lead the president in approval rating by nearly 20 points. He as totally off-message for what my people wanted to hear. Doesn’t the White House get it? I don’t need him, he needs me.’

Many on the Democratic side wish Hillary Clinton, Gov. Brown, Gov. O’Malley (Md) or Gov Cuomo were running instead, but the president still has time to learn a thing or two from these skilled politicians. I’ll still take Obama over the ‘goat rodeo clowns’ the Republican field offers, but I fear the overall student body – American voters will give him a failing grade next November if he doesn’t improve his performance.”

Now doesn't this article also confirm Republican thoughts about this administration?

Yellowdog and NDD, Hitchens was to me an extremely polarizing person and as a Catholic I was deeply offended by his attacks on Mother Theresa. I am pro choice, however, I understand as a nun and prominent member of the Church, she adhered to dogma as she should. She tended to the lost, lonely and unwanted in a country where being such is ignored and cast aside, she did much good, in helping these unfortunate people.

His support of the neocons and the devastation of their actions wrought on this country and the Iraqi people was to say the least not helpful, it has contributed to the polarization of this nation.

It is a mystery to me, what it is about an English accent, that makes some people in the media and in the general public, believe that person has a superior intellect with a voice like toffee. Hitchins, was a flame thrower, he made his name and fortune by voicing in that haughty accent the most outrageous and insulting opinions regardless of who or what the topic, a little bit like Newt, the southern accent softens Newt's words, but the damage is the same.

Yes he was a flamethrower and could be outrageous, but you seriously doubt the well-researched, well-spoken, well-versed erudite Christopher Hitchens was enjoyed because he spoke with an accent? Comparing the always spectacularly prepared Mr. Hitchens to the bumbling flame thrower who'd never published anything and taught a course merely to cover his campaign fundraising efforts is absurd. Because you disagree with points of view isn't what makes them "polarizing". (and he wasn't trolling for followers...as though anyone who takes on Mother Teresa for one could ever be elected....)

It doesn't matter whether he was well researched or not, he used his words, in a flamethrower fashion, just as Newt does. I'm not comparing their opinions or their statements or for that matter their personalities. Mr Hitchins, made his living by writing and opinionating, thus trolling for dollars by having followers read his books. In that respect, not any different from Newt, sort of same train, different track. Or if you will, apples and oranges.

Newt was a GOP Reject for being a Crook and a liar, what happen ?????????????? Boy he is flying high on that Viagra !

For those discussing Jeb Bush as a possible dark horse or third party candidate, it will NEVER happen. Jeb will not run for national office. Governor of Florida is his personal glass ceiling.

The reason is that Jeb is married to a Venezuelan woman who has been convicted for felony smuggling three times (twice while Jeb was governor.) But that is not the worst problem, after all Laura Bush had been convicted of manslaughter and that didn't seem to matter to anyone except the Texas education people. The real problem is WHY Jeb was in Venezuela in the first place. He was the "money man" for the Iran-Contra Affair. He was the guy who was taking the actual cash from the Iranians (who were paying for huge amounts of Hawk missile and C-130 spare parts) and handing it over to the Contras (who were "investing" it in cocaine smuggling into the U.S.) Jeb laundered many millions of dollars, while protecting his dad and committing serious felonies. It is even possible (but not probable) that Jeb was involved in the same cocaine that W was caught with in Texas. That would have been karma! LOL

Well I for one am glad Jeb is not running. He is the partially resposible for the years 2000 thru 2008 if you get my drift.

The real problem is WHY Jeb was in Venezuela in the first place. He was the "money man" for the Iran-Contra Affair.

Hey, don't be so hard on Jeb. After all he was only doing as his daddy asked him to.

Well I for one am glad Jeb is not running. He is the partially resposible for the years 2000 thru 2008 if you get my drift.

Speaking of Katherine Harris. isn't it funny how the Republicans drop someone as soon as they don't need them anymore for their underhanded dirty work? aka Linda Tripp syndrome. Use them and lose them.

Now that Ron Paul is actively campaigning and his support is increasing exponentially, the mainstream media will continue to ignore or downplay his growing appeal. The media is part of the military-industrial complex and they stand to lose their corporate welfare checks when Ron Paul becomes President!

So MSNBC is making a big deal about some Republicans spending a $Million+ in TV ads over the last month.

I wonder if they'll mention anything when Obama starts spending the estimated $1 BILLION he's expected to spend in 2012. He'll be able to spend $3 Million every single day.

Jim in Texas "JoAnna writes: The $5 trillion in additional debt spent by Obama in the past 3 years shows how concerned the Democrats are about our children and grandchildren, because they're going to have to pay for it..........Why? Why the Hell don't WE pay for it? WE are the generation that racked up an unsustainable debt over the past decade or so? Why is it considered kosher to foist this debt on our children and grandchildren?"

Because the children can't vote yet, but giving their money to their parents helps buy votes. Many people actually believe the money comes from the government, when the reality is that it comes from their children's future, and it's their children that will have to pay it back - with interest.

Great facts Dennis.

Dennis, excellent facts.

Gingrich earlier this year Gingrich tried to tell us that raising taxes was his idea, that he had to drag President Clinton to the table. Truth is, Clinton was the one who dragged Newt to the table kicking and screaming all the way. Now, at least Newt was willing to talk and helped but over the years, he's turned the facts into a Gingrich bragging version.

I'm beginning to think the hallmark of the Republican Party is hypocrisy - when Democrats are in power, we aren't supposed to spend a dime ousting foreign dictators, when Republicans are in power, deficits don't matter and we need to "fight them there, so we don't fight them here." When Democrats are in power, the attorney general has no right telling the states how to enforce immigration laws, when Republicans are in power they fire state attorney generals who aren't aggressive enough. And on, and on, and on...makes you think there are no core values in the Republican Party, except a love of power.

Dennis; hope people study and remember what you wrote.

I wonder if anyone but me thinks that today's GOP is an awful lot like the GOP of the 1920'2 and 30's? Everything they propose sounds pretty much the same.

Thanks a lot for the FACTS Dennis.

They go down so well with a good cup o' tea.

@Dennis,

I saw that on factcheck.com as well.

But the bigger aspect of that is that Gingich is right in one aspect. When it comes to budgets, the Speaker of the House is the most influential single person in the budget process. ALL finance bills must originate in the House. The President and the Senate can propose but there is nothing either can do to directly influence the House and the Speaker has much, much more power in the House than the President Pro Tem does in the Senate. Both the Senate and President can kill bills, but the House has the ability to attach many things to unrelated spend bills in such a way that they are virtually impossible to vote against and survive politically. The first time it was done the House voted themselves a pay raise and attached it to an Orphans and Widows Relief Act. What President would veto that? LOL Maybe TR and that's about it.

If you follow Gingrich's logic, Boehner is the single most responsible individual for

Thanks, IR, well done.

IR, it was wonderful to watch that low-key ceremony and even more wonderful to know our troops are finally coming home, it's over for us.

No one knows what Iraq's fate will be but our troops have done everything in the US's power to stabilize the country and make it a free and fledgling democracy. What the Iraqi people do with what they have been given rests in their hands.

More than 100,000 Iraqis have been reported killed since the invasion, according to British NGO Iraq Body Count.

According to two separate surveys reported in the Lancet, the number is closer to one million. The Pentagon, of course, adopted the low-ball estimate that was based on newspaper reports and hospital records. The two other studies were conducted by organizations with expertise in determining fatality counts in countries that have been subject to huge disasters like tsunamis and earthquakes in which most deaths occur under conditions too chaotic for them to ever be recorded anywhere. Iraq was hit by one of the worst man-made disasters in modern times, brought to them courtesy of G. W. Bush.

Ahhhh..... If you think this is over, you are ignoring thousands of years of history. The only question is whether or not it all blows up before or after the next election. Mr Obama will do everything in his power (very very very subliminally) to keep it from blowing up before the election. However the Arabs in the region are not on his timetable. Its going to be interesting to see what happens when the Arab Brotherhood lines up in all these "Arab spring" countries. We will see how much political "wealth" Mr Obama has built up with them in order to keep the order. I suspect the liberal media will stop or slow down news from these hotspots now that they will obviously effect the elections if they do blow up.

I suspect the liberal media will stop or slow down news from these hotspots now that they will obviously effect the elections if they do blow up.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

It would be kind of you to share the vast knowledge of the region, the politics and the historically conflicted and warring sects that comprise the Muslim religion and the Middle east that fuel your analysis. That coupled with your obvious insider info about the planet-wide cabal set to "stop or slow down" news from the region to "fix" the elections here in the USA...

It must be very exciting to actually LIVE a paranoid fantasy...

Hey, Look everybody it's the jolly old troll come to spew some of his wisdom fresh from Fox and Fiends.

Houston

I wonder if you ever read Antiwar.com? “It is a site is devoted to the cause of non-interventionism and is read by libertarians, pacifists, leftists, "greens," and independents alike, as well as many on the Right who agree with our opposition to imperialism.”

It is a big Ron Paul group of mostly libertarians and some leftists and old belief conservatives (anti neo-cons). I don’t agree with everything they say and write but sometimes interesting to see a different perspective.

From Antiwar.com

American Military Casualties in Iraq

Date

Total

In Combat

American Deaths (edit sorry the graph didn't post right but the first number is deaths 2nd deaths related to actual combat.)

Since war began (3/19/03):

4483

3531

Since "Mission Accomplished" (5/1/03) (the list)

4344

3423

Since Handover (6/29/04):

3624

2898

Since Obama Inauguration (1/20/09):

255

127

Since Operation New Dawn:

55

37

American Wounded

Official

Estimated

Total Wounded:

33183

Over 100000

Latest Fatality Nov. 14, 2011

How many Iraqi’s dead? Unfortunately not a true and accurate count.

Will Millions of Iraqi Refugees Ever Be Able to Return Home?

by Jason Ditz, December 15, 2011

The last remnants of the US occupation force are returning home this month (at least until they are deployed to Afghanistan), but 1.3 million Iraqi IDPs (internally displaced persons) and well over a million other refugees abroad remain far from home. With the nation redrawn around largely sectarian lines, the answer may be that the Iraqis will never return to their original homes, and growing sectarian tensions threaten to drive even more out.

How many PRIVATE CONTRACTORS will remain?...

IR, thanks for the info.

It's mind-numbing when you think there are Republican congressionals who even today, are saying that President Obama shouldn't be ending this war.

OK, it is predictable that the Heartless Doofuses are saying that.

Danger That's a good question. Since many of them will be employed by the Iraqis for various reasons there is no way of telling totally. The ones that will be employed by the State Dept. are another matter and I haven't seen a good estimate yet. It is a practice that I would like to see stopped however. If you can't do it with members of our Military don't hire mercenarys

On October 16, 2008, after several more months of negotiations, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice briefed senior U.S. lawmakers on the draft SOFA, and Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki prepared to circulate it with Iraq's Political National Security Council before going on to the Council of Ministers and the Iraqi parliament. Despite a compromise on the issue of jurisdiction over off-duty U.S. troops who commit crimes under Iraqi law, issues related to the timeline for U.S. withdrawal and Iraqi insistence on "absolute sovereignty" remained.^[23]

(snip)

U.S. President George W. Bush hailed the passing of the agreement between the two countries. "The Security Agreement addresses our presence, activities, and withdrawal from Iraq", Bush said. He continued that "two years ago, this day seemed unlikely - but the success of the surge and the courage of the Iraqi people set the conditions for these two agreements to be negotiated and approved by the Iraqi parliament."^[38]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S.%E2%80%93Iraq_Status_of_Forces_Agreement

Unfortunately the Republican effort to privatize our military marches on. There will be over 17k contractors on the public dole in order to continue the Iraqi operation. We have not withdrawn from Iraq. We have simply taken off the uniforms and increased the cost to the American tax payer. Cheney is laughing all the way to his bank.

Amused-

Update; In January 2009, the REPUBLICAN effort to privatize our military became the DEMOCRATIC effort, and the current administration embraced the policy as willingly as their predecessors...

Amused and dangerfield - in discussiions with my ex military friends I brought up the point of why not limit private contractors, their observation was that to get the numbers needed to replace them the US would likely have to reinstitute the draft to meet the numbers required.

Poor Jolly.. G.B Bush set the timeline for withdrawl from Iraq and Obama is following through. Regardless of what might happen over there, the Iraqis wanted us to leave.

We get it, you hate our president but please think before you speak next time.

dangerfield, it seems that you are off the mark in trying to diminish jolly's observations.

Remember northern Ireland protestant vs catholic troubles?

Should we ignore that conflict won't occur between the religious sects in iraq as they have in the recent past? Even the arab spring in north africa is not clearly defined. Even his observation concerning the liberal media isn't off base, perhaps you have ignored blog comments on FR about fox news reporting.

Personally I find jolly's observations to have merit as they suggest possible outcomes and not necessarily actual outcomes.

Rtypo, perhaps you are the one to rethink your post. Any foriegn policy will have unintended consequences and has always been a politicians job to spin actions to their favor.

Based on Jolly's own descriptions, whatever happens in the middle east it will never become quite as dangerous as the Detroit neighborhood Jolly lives in.

These guys must be getting pressure from the defense contractors to keep the United States at war. No war, no lobbyist money.

Your weekly re-caps are by far, the best part of the week, Jody!

Except, maybe for Friday evenings over @ The Dew Drop Inn! ;o)

Well done, Jody!

Thanks Jody for a great wrap up and especially for the "Food for Thought".

Wow Jody .. as usual, great weekly recap, and a touching wrap-up. Indeed, the warhawks will never believe our troups should be home as long as they can profit from war. Their version of Taps is tap dancing all the way to the bank.

Thank you. Despite the length, listening to the GOP criticize President Obama for bringing our troops home, I simply had to put something into words. I'm pleased to know you appreciated my Food for Thought.

The war ended in Iraq this week. No great fanfare, no ticker tape parades. No hoopla from the American people. Just some carping from old GOP men and a quiet, dignified "well done" from the president who realized from the start we shouldn't have been there to begin with.

Very Good Jody.

Another excellent "And that's the way it is...." this week.

Thanks, Jody. You sure put the midnight oil in on this one! Once again. Well done!

Jody, Iowa:

As always, the warmest of thank-you's. I simply don't understand how anyone can read your wraps and not feel a withering contempt for the "leadership" and a great deal of the membership of the Republican Party.

Huntsman and Gingrich held a one-on-one debate. Gingrich said he's bothered by "the absence of a serious discussion about the nature of the world." Then both men spent the next 90 minutes patting each other on the back and declaring how wonderful the other is! So much for "serious discussion".

Unlike an interview with the President where you only have one politician telling you how wonderful he is.

I dont know how anyone can read it and think "wow another episode of Grimm"

Outstanding job on the recap, Jody.

I dont know how anyone can read it and think "wow another episode of Grimm"

Hey, not so jolly still trying to sell us on your life of being the heart and soul of Detriot? Talk about fairy tales... You sure can spin a yarn two or three or...

In Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker has amassed the largest sum of money ever raised to oppose his recall. Over 50% of that money has come from out-of-state sources. Again people, please be aware of paying too much attention to the center ring of this GOP circus, as there is a sideshow going on that displays the GOP's true intent - divert more 'power' to the states and control the states, thereby rendering inconsequential whoever is president. Gingrich is the latest espousing this goal, and the Koch bros are financing it.

Jody, well done. Your Food for Thought, is worthy of stand alone status.

And along that train of thought, no one knows how much treasure will be needed to care for the troops who have no visible injuries. The toll of those injuries from their state of mind and body will be with them for many years to come and impact their families lives for a generation or so.

These war hawks will continue to push for more, yet few of them have served nor have their children.

Good Job Jody ! Mitt 2012 !!!

Alan, NJ, note what Gingrich said at the beginning about wanting a serious discussion and then not providing it; they had 90 minutes. Apparently, sarcasm isn't in your vocabulary. BTW, since President Obama was not invited to join them, we don't know what he would have said, do we?

jollyold. That would be a good one, jolly, IF what was posted was made up. Care to dispute anything that the candidates said or did, that any of the weekly wrap was not what was said or done. Thought not.

Jody - wondrous, great sum-up of the week.

"He's been consistent since he changed his mind". It wouldn't be so bad if O'Donnell was telling the Reel truth there now.

Jody,

Such a wonderful end-of-the-week Wrap. Thank you so much, especially for the last part:

How much more blood and sacrifice from our troops and their families do these warhawks demand? How many more tears must families shed? How much more treasure must be put forth to fight their wars? Isn't 8 1/2 years, 4500 dead and 32,000 wounded enough for them? How many more haunting, heartrending sounds of Taps must resonate in cemeteries across this land before these critics would bring our troops home?

Most nights I take a walk towards sunset and head down to a point that juts out into the river. Across the way is the Naval Shipyard. When Taps blows, it takes me back. . . . You're right. It's so haunting; a beautiful requiem.

Actually Devie, Im at my Florida home for the winter, well 6 more weeks. I cant take much more of the Democratic city council and Mayor in Detroit. I believe it is were the country is headed.

I cant take much more of the Democratic city council and Mayor in Detroit.

Well the problem in Detroit isn't because of the political party, it's the level of corruption that has been prevalent since Mayor Coleman Young and was carried to it's zenith by Kwame and ASSociates and of course the slapstick attics of the city council. I used to enjoy laughing at those hucksters now it's just sad. Will Detroit ever recover? Only time will tell. They are going to need more than slogans like "I'm a Believer" to get it done. Where are the Fords and Ilitchs? The suburbs where else?

Great summation, Jody. Keep up the good work.

About FOX: I consider them the Yellow Journalists of the digital age.

@phinephancy,

Your comment is so true--well said.

Jack, everytime I hear Taps, it moves me; so true, it's haunting yet beautiful.

Backhouse, Christine O'Donnell inadvertently summed up Romney's flip flops in one sentence.

Gingerbread Mamma, thanks for adding about the cost for the invisible injuries; so many suicides as well.

Alan, NJ, note what Gingrich said at the beginning about wanting a serious discussion and then not providing it; they had 90 minutes. Apparently, sarcasm isn't in your vocabulary. BTW, since President Obama was not invited to join them, we don't know what he would have said, do we?

But Jody my comment reeked of sarcasm. Supporters of the President really are some of the most thin-skinned I have ever seen. You throw out insults both political and personal but when the comment is returned you freak out. If you want substance then look no further than the 60 minutes interview where the current President said exactly the same as his predecessor.

"Everything I have done has been the correct decision".

Even funnier was his argument that completely debunked the argument about the stimulus was intended to keep unemployment below 8%.

"I didn't overpromise. And I didn't underestimate how tough this was gonna be.".

So, they got it just right when they estimated that the stimulus would keep unemployment under 8%?

Jody, you appear to be confused about the possition Ron Paul has on Israel. He believes that we should support their right to exist. Not the theory that is someone barks at Israel that we should bear down on them with our military, which the dominant ideal in the current thinking in this primary. So he does support Isreal, just not as his opponents do.

Thank you middleman, I was going to say the same thing.

Other than that misspeak Jody, even though I rarely agree with what you say in your "wrap ups" well written and thought provoking once again. Thank you.

That sure was a crazy debate.

Gov. Perry, I know Tim Tebow. You sir are no Tim Tebow.

Can't be anything else when you have crazy people participating.

Mattpfl - even Ron Paul supporters should be nervous, I seriousley doubt any candidate can run on the platform of abolishing Public Education and win an election in this country - if they can, then God help us all, it will add new meaning to the old republican strategy of: educate the masses enough to produce labor and work in the store/business/factory, but never educate them enough to actually own the store/business/factory. And that is how they really feel about it. Not sure about anyone else but I really do enjoy my job benefits (vacation pay, 40 hour work week or I get overtime, sick time, health and life insurance benefits, holiday pay, etc) and safe labor laws - yes OSHA is the working person's best friend! All brought to me courtsey of the American Labor Unions back in the 50's and 60's, and I really like clean drinking water, safe roads to drive on, and early warning severe weather systems - thanks to the hard work of Democratic Legislators in the 70's, 80's, and 90's. I also appreciate the Medicare health insurance my Mom receives, yes, she paid into the system and deserves it, but we all know who fought like the devil to keep it from happening at all - republicans did, that is who! Much to the chagrin of the republican's, there are many of us who remember our history because we really lived it, as long as we do, they will never successfully rewrite the history books in their favor.

Happy weekend everyone - and if you are out shopping, don't forget, that road you traveled on to get there was probably built by a Union construction worker!

Put my Suh against your Tebow! Such lovely highways in Tenn. Maybe thats why it took 4 years to pave 4 miles of I-75. It just happy they finished it before this years trip.

@jolly

As a Floridian, I wish you would leave our state - you pollute the air and waste necessary resources that the rest of us need. (Real residents wish the snowbirds would fly away home - and stay there)

In my view, the Tea Party has done us a big favor. Without the far right extremists noisy entrance into the political debate in 2009, we would not realize that the extremist views being expressed by them was in reality the views of the modern GOP. Listen to Gingrich, Santorum, Bachman, and even Romney and Huntsman. It's an extremist ideology sold to us for 30 years beginning with Reagan--baby step by baby step dismantling government by starving it of revenues, giving wealth to the wealthy, ceding power to big business, removing our personal rights. Then along came Walker in Wisconsin, Kasich in Ohio, Snyder in Michigan, Scott in Florida and no more baby steps; it became a giant step on democracy as we know it. The miscalculation was in thinking the American people would not notice, that they could quietly enforce their will without a whimper.

Boy, isn't that the truth, Jody!

@phine

As a Floridian, I wish you would leave our state - you pollute the air and waste necessary resources that the rest of us need. (Real residents wish the snowbirds would fly away home - and stay there)

Hey, We have to tolerate the jolly old troll for nine months out of the year, you guys can shoulder the load for the remaining three!

Now I know why the air smelled fresh the last time I was in Detroit! Thanks, Phine, we need the break!

@ jolly, Your avatar is so fitting!

If you are able to shop for Christmas this year, make a pact like our family did and buy only 'Made in USA'. And when you realize how truly difficult that is, call your Legislators and require passage of the bill they have stalled that would address the Chinese government's currency manipulation that allows them to do an end-around of their 'Fair Trade Agreement' requirements thus rendering US imports to China - too expensive for the Chinese to buy. If we can't stifle this on the Chinese end, we should be addressing it with the vendors and retailers buying 'Made in China' by incentivizing 'Made in USA' purchases. Lower tax on 'Made in USA' purchases anyone?

@Phinephancy My brother is a newspaper editor who lived in Florida for many years. If the tourism industry dried up, Florida would be in worse financial shape than it is. I doubt most Floridians would hope the tourists or snow birds stop coming.

Just Slap Me: I too made a conscious effort to buy "Made in the USA" and it is really hard! Thanks for the reminder and the reminder to call our legislators regarding the bill! Happy "Made in the USA" Holidays!

What the hell was that Tim Tebow thing all about from Cowboy Ricky? He could expect maybe 200 seconds of face time during the debate since they only call on him to be polite. He used up 55 seconds rattling about Tim Tebow who has nothing to do with Texas, Perry or political policy.

Reports about Cowboy Ricky's poor debating skills are greatly understated. Time management stupid. You got little time to get your point across, don't rattle.

By the way Cowboy Ricky, caught your God loving gay bashing commercial. Loved your barn coat. Where did you get it, at the Brokeback Mountain trading post?

Its ok.....this is really going to toast the old birds private area's, Im a Florida resident and carry a Florida weapons permit. I pay taxes in Florida both state and local. Some one pick her up off the floor, She fallen and cant get up.

Devie, It was taken on a trip to India last year. He wanted to eat my sunglasses. But after the picture we ate the goat! Very tasty! The smell you speak of in Detroit is what left over of the Kwame Kilpatrick adminstration. Wait until the federal racketeering trials this summer....... Or are you a Kwame supporter.....did you buy his book. Perhaps you knew his mistress or Ms Greene the woman he had killed after his wife went after her with a bat. The city needs a Financial manager to get rid of the council and the Union contracts that are killing the city.

@ jolly, Your avatar is so fitting!

Nice picture of the 4th Mrs. Jolly Old Troll don't you think Devie?

Im a Florida resident and carry a Florida weapons permit. I pay taxes in Florida both state and local.

Looks like he's there to stay phine.

Jolly, So what garden spot did you pick for your Fla home? No let me guess... Jupiter? Na to up scale, Naples? Boca Raton? Na again to up scale... Oh I no Miami! Yeah, that's the ticket! A little slice of home!

Nice picture of the 4th Mrs. Jolly Old Troll don't you think Devie?

Feisty, He did say after the pictures they ate it. Something about it being very tasty!

Justslapme. You've posted some good ideas and I agree, we should all be writing our legislators to demand action. I made that same effort to buy American but as you and others said, it's difficult. Try finding clothing Made in the USA, toys, even socks and most decorations--made in China.

Note to jolly, we don't have a state tax in Florida. And, if you are saying you are a Florida resident, yet live 9 months of the year else where, guess what, pumpkin, you are breaking the law!!!!

Sorry didn't watch the debate so my posts have all been off topic but...

Come now folks lets not be so hard on Jolly. It is Friday after all.

Today JOS you are talking about your Florida house, often I see you speak about the environs of Detroit. At times you brow beat or downgrade your neighbors, different ethnicities and their lifestyles. Ever see the movie Gran Torino? Even the crotchety old character played by Clint Eastwood learned to live in harmony with his neighbors. I have faith Jolly Old Soul that you can one day live up to your namesake.

so jody, nice to see that you continue to support the notion that "deficits don't matter".

With regards to the state of iowa closing down some workcenters and using the money elsewhere, what is your point? Ever visit the work centers? Unemployment claims are done online and reporting is done online or over the phone. Even the staffers put you online for job searches. Local libraries probably all have internet access and the ability to help with basic questions. You imply that all government operations shouldn't be reviewed for savings or need.

Some of the items you posted above are like the politician stroking their constituients to gain favor and others do have validity.

phin& phancy; how droll that you want to bring jolly to task on florida income taxes when he just said taxes which may or not be related to income.

What law is he breaking? Last I know of no state law saying that it is illegal to earn money in another state.

BTW - next time you put gas in your tank or pay a uyility bill read the fine print, the state is collecting taxes.

I live in a little town on the Gulf just north of the 7 mile Bridge. Its a warm little bungalow nestled in between two musicians massive homes (mine is about 1/2 the size), both member's of a well known christmasy group.

greetings yellowdog, I hope your texas draught conditions are going away, here in iowa the farmers are concerned about the lack of rain since the summer. Our subground moisture levels are to low for good crops next year and once our ground freezes any moisture untill the spring thaw will just be runoff. Nationally, we know what the texas drought did for economy, just hope we don't see the same happening here.

I wouldn't worry about jolly and the reference to eastwoods character in "grand torino". More likely it would be the FR lib posters that should take a page from the movie. BTW - where I live in iowa the left outnumbers the right and I get along just fine with my lefty neighbors. May you and yours enjoy the weekend and the holidays.

Same to you American 205.

The last few weeks we have had a decent amount of rain. Wish we would have had it sooner but better late than ever. As is the case for our winter if it snows up in the midwest it usually rains down here.

Have a good weekend. Same to you.

Da Noid @ # 6----Dick Cheney was President in 2008, how soon we forget.

Dick Cheney...........was president? Really! Sue I forget is medical marijuana legal in Seattle?

Saw a great bumper sticker today, jolly, and thought of you. "If it's snowbird season, why can't we shoot 'em?"

@ phine,

Saw a great bumper sticker today, jolly, and thought of you. "If it's snowbird season, why can't we shoot 'em?"

Well, it probably wouldn't effect old jolly he probably has Kevlar underwear seeing as how he's from the "Motor City" and all.

Da Noid, well said.

I was not a fan of most of President Bush's policies, but I give him credit for trying to get Congress to revise immigration laws and he did not support discrimination or tactics by the likes of Arpaio. Old Joe blames President Obama--so predictable. Shoot, the right blames Obama for letting in illegals who've lived here for 20 years or more.

And I carry a weapon called "The Judge "(Taurus), 5 rounds of .45ACP or .410 shotgun shells. My personal load is 3 .410 shells each with 6 small waffle size steel shot and 2 .45ACP rounds. Being that I do spend a lot of time in Detroit and my wife is handicapped (Im sure you know who is ok with calling a crippled woman a goat) and can not easily run away from someone willing to hurt her. (gasp is that possible in Detroit) P.S. I do spend enough time in Florida to be a legal resident and I also vote here.

And of course Jolly, everyone with all the class to make disparaging remarks about your wife will be right back here to post their apologies right? Wrong. They mean what they say no matter how thoughtless the remarks may be, as most of them are. It's just not ok for YOU to say some derogatory about the handicapped. The repubs are total hypocrits, but the dems are just plain evil from head to toe, inside and out.

Amen to that Nash!

They sure do have the SPIN cycle down to a science! ;o)

Long time no see Feisty . . . Happy Friday to ya!

P.S. I would like to take this opportunity to clue any voters who have still not figured it out what is REALLY going on with the GOP . . . here is the scheme that they have been running BRILLIANTLY for DECADES . . .

1. First, they completely co-opt the government by purchasing our elected and/or appointed "representatives".

Obama still flush with cash from financial sector despite frosty relations - http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-has-more-cash-from-financial-sector-than-gop-hopefuls-combined-data-show/2011/10/18/gIQAX4rAyL_story.html

2. Next, they use their newly purchased influence to game the system so that they get tax breaks and subsidies and so that government "regulators" don't enforce the already weak laws they got passed.

MF Global. Solyndra.

3. Then, when the entire thing predictably explodes . . . the "corporate people"/"GOP" blame it all on the "guvment" . . . the same one they carefully co-opted in step one.

The Democrats and Obama made the rules, passed the laws, and signed the bills, and you libbies cheered them all the way. Now that they are predictably exploding, you libs are looking for someone else to blame but yourselves - It is the Obama Way.

4. Rinse and repeat.

Not after 2012.

Happy Friday to ya!

Same to you GF!

Let's have some *popcorn* & cherry kool-aid while we catch up! ;o)

So, to sum up "Smiffy's" response...

"Yeah, but...yeah, but...yeah, but...yeah, but..."

*crunch* . . . *sip* . . . *crunch* . . . *sip* . . .

Boy, I have sure missed your popcorn Feisty . . . and you don't know how much I needed a drink . . . thanks girl!

P.S. Da Noid . . . as always . . . YOU ROCK! :o)

Nash: so good to read what you have to say. A very happy holiday season to you and your family. Hope you are looking forward to much fun and happiness.

Thanks so much newday . . . I am wishing happiness to you and yours this holiday season as well! :o)

Nashville:

Your post is dead-on. However, it is imperative that we also understand that many, if not most, of the Democrats in office have also been corrupted by Big Money. Republicans cannot destroy this country alone, they need help from Democrats, and too often, they are getting it.

If Republicans can be decisively defeated in 2012 at the polls, that most assuredly does not end our involvement in the governing process. If Democrats have a decisive majority, it is up to us to let them know we expect results. That is to say we want wasteful spending stopped, tax rates seriously increased, fraud rooted out and the perpetrators punished severely.

Then, there is the matter of the destruction of our civil rights. Drones spying on American citizens within our borders? Are you kidding? A Supreme Court that allows police who hear the sounds of "scurrying" to assume criminal activity behind closed doors and are thus empowered to kick your doors down. A war on drugs that has completely made a shambles of good sense as well as trampling privacy rights. Outright attacks on women's rights. This has to stop.

It's time to stop with the PC crap. Congress is the enemy.

David:

You said a mouthful right there and I agree. Certainly corruption is not only found in the GOP. "We the people" need to focus on WHAT we want accomplished instead of always being distracted by WHO is being paid to sell as a load of bull, whether that person be a Democrat or a Republican.

And I also agree that there has been a persistent and disturbing errosion of human/civil rights in this country, much of it made possible by our mutliple wars on everything from "terror" to "drugs" that certainly needs to be addressed.

Excellent post as always . . . thanks for sharing it.

Nasville Fan, terrific post. The goal has always been to starve government to the point where it cannot function as we expect and as it should; then blame the government for the failure. Thank you, President Ronald Reagan, for beginning the brainwashing of Americans by convincing them that what was not in their best interest was.

Da Noid, perfect, just perfect.

David Walker, terrific points you've made as well.

Hey, Smiff, in case you missed it in my wrap: big bank money to Romney $813,000; to Obama $198,000. Now, what was that you were saying? To quote Da Noid, "yeah but...yeah but...yeah but"

Were it possible for President Obama to jettison any money from big business and big banks and still be able to compete against the republican nominee, he would. I think Romney, Huntsman also would jettison the bucks. Sadly, the reality is that until We the People demand campaign finance reform, rid ourselves of the Citizens United "corporations are people" decision, put the same controls on PACs and SuperPacs as exist on labor unions and other similar groups--this is what we get.

Right on David.

And Nashville as well.

Da Noid and Jody, you have her number...

Jody, re the PACs, one need only read the article to see how this is playing out. Corporations with larger cash investment, influence, impunity in campaigns than regular voters.

fielden, I know--it's disturbing to watch our democracy being sold to the highest bidder.

Tell a friend folks . . . enough of the foolishness!

I do and often! Nice post.

Great post, Nash. I would only add that the conservatives have disguised their intentions from their own party quite well, using the cover of social issues like abortion and gay rights to get themselves elected.

Best wishes for the holidays and a happy 2012 to you and yours.

Jody, Iowa: Hey, Smiff, in case you missed it in my wrap: big bank money to Romney $813,000; to Obama $198,000. Now, what was that you were saying? To quote Da Noid, "yeah but...yeah but...yeah but"

The Queen of the talking points neglects pointing out Obama's numerous $35,800 a plate dinners with the Wall Street fat cats. Obama had one the other day Jodes, $700,000 was the take. Did you include that in your talking point Jody, or would that just take too much cognitive thought for you to muster up?

Wishing you and your hubby every happiness Steeler Fan!

(So good to see so many excellent posts today . . . thanks everyone for sharing your insights!)

P.S. JoAnna . . . it is not only about the raising of the money . . . it is about what the money is being used to do . . . President Obama has done what he could within our corrupt and flawed system to offer some type of relief to the human people suffering at the hands of the "heads we win/tails you lose" crony capitalists . . . but hey, if you wanna continue to point out the obvious fact that President Obama is one hell of a fundraiser . . . and President . . . and still has a whole lot of folks willing to support him . . . then, that works for me too! :o)

YdMD: How will it not add to the federal deficit?

Without cuts elsewhere, it will add to the deficit. Have you seen any cuts this last year Mark? Yeah, me neither. Despite all the gyrations of our leaders in Washington (both GOP and Dems), there hasn't been any perceptible cut in spending.

YdMD: More people will become unemployed over another unneccessary tax cut.

Obama is milking stimulus money (and that's what it is) from any source he can, including the Social Security Trust Fund. He talks in terms of "putting money in working people's pockets", well at least for today. Of course those retirement funds that are "diverted" today won't be there tomorrow when those people retire. Obama doesn't talk about that part. Obama is just spending people's retirement accounts today and not worrying about tomorrow.

SS of course is a pay-as-you-go system today. The money from the working people comes into the IRS, and is immediately sent out to the retirees. By decreasing the dollars coming in, the money has to come from somewhere to back-fill those checks going out. Yup, you got it, more deficit spending.

YdMD: Why are so many democrats buying the tax cut cures all mantra?

It's good politics. You'd think the media would cover all aspects of doing such a thing, they sure went after Paul Ryan's plan earlier this year. Instead you get nothing from the MSM.

Mark you were righter than I was a couple of days ago on this issue. I was holding out hope that for once we would stick with raising taxes to offset a temporary stimulus. Now that It doesn't appear that that is going to happen I wish that they would just drop the idea entirely and work the issue out in the next election.

Yellowdog:

Keep banging your head. Some folks are bound to hear you.

Few things irritate me more than the right-wing line of "thought" that casts all issues in black-and-white terms. However, on this issue, there is a straight line from tax cuts to increased debt.

Yes, a continued cut means more spending money, and there is little doubt that money is going to go right back into the economy. Many consumers have little choice but to spend that money immediately. Prices are increasing dramatically, and only by a terribly dishonest manipulation of statistics does it appear that inflation is not a serious problem. It is very serious, and anyone who shops for groceries knows that is the truth. That tax cut will not even cover the cost of inflation.

Nonetheless, as painful as that reality is, the tax cut is not wise. There is no way we can solve our problems without pain. That said, if we can hammer the little guys, we can sure as hell beat the snot out of the rich. The estate tax must be reinstated and the tax rate for the very rich must be dramatically increased. The capital gains rate should be abolished. There should be no special treatment for that kind of income. NOW! Oh yeah! Anyone who uses the term "job-creator" should be tarred and feathered.

Banging ones head against the walll seems to be what we all do these days. Sadly, democrats cannot uproot the intransigent GOPers from their Pledge to King Grover. What gets me is how republicans can look at the polls showing that even a majority of republicans support raising taxes on the rich, ignore what voters want and think they're on the right side.

I can understand democrats for throwing up their hands and just agreeing to extend the debate for two months in order to preserve the tax breaks for hard working Americans and not stick a cog in the wheel of the recovering economy. From my ideological perspective, I'd rather the democrats called the GOPers bluff and said, fine--let them expire; you won't raise taxes on the rich to fund it, then we're done talking. My common sense side says, that increase wouldn't affect me but it most certainly would affect the nearly 1 in 2 Americans living near or in poverty. It's my common sense side that says the democrats had to compromise and at least one side of our political sytem gets it.

Everyone thanks for the feedback. The money comes from general revenue sources that increases the debt.

David Walker - Few things irritate me more than the right-wing line of "thought" that casts all issues in black-and-white terms.

Your line reminds me of the movie - A Clear and Present Danger.

"The World is not black or white, it's Gray. It's gray Jack!" CIA chief talking to Harrison Ford.

Many issues are so complicated and our political parties are still too willing to win the latest 24 hour news cycle in lieu of addressing problems with painful compromises.

Welcome to the Republican Universe in 2012...where your Governor...a Republican...is now a tree-hugging environmentalist wacko!!!

Governor Dave Heineman (R) Nebraska

“I am pleased that Nebraskans have been heard. We’ve tried to make it very clear that we support the pipeline but oppose the route over the Ogallala Aquifer. I hope we can find a common-sense solution, change the route and begin construction of the pipeline.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/11/us/politics/administration-to-delay-pipeline-decision-past-12-election.html?_r=1

DaNoid, he is actually anti-environmentalist now. This last week he reversed his decision and said a decision must be made as soon as possible. Oddly, that change came at the same time the republicans decided to add it to the Payroll Tax Extension...bill. How odd?

I also find it funny that Keystone is running commercials around here where they say that the oil and water could not possibly mix and cause a problem if there was spill considering that oil floats to the top. I then think of 2 things: 1) I remember a lot of oil sludge still being reported in the ocean from the gulf spill; 2) If I put oil in a glass of drinking water, and then skimmed it off of the top and handed to Dave Heieneman, would he drink it?

Hey guys, if the pipeline crude is going to the Gulf Coast where it will be refined and sold to foreign interests why have it cross the U.S. in the first place? Canada said that if Yellowstone was defeated or delayed their crude would be shipped to Vancouver for refining and sold to foreign interests. What benefit would the pipeline be to the U.S. except for the transient workers that would be employed in building it? Some part time workers versus massive environmental concerns is a no-brainer!

SteveYo

Thanks for giving us the perspective from Nebraska. You quote Gingrich blaming the hold up of the pipeline on "San Francisco environmentalists." Can you imagine President Obama painting the opponents of his policies with such a broad brush? This is what gets me about the Republican field, they have adopted the demagoguery of right-wing talk radio, over thoughtful, nuanced dialogue. Maybe this "red meat" works with the base, but I think voters in general are pretty sick of Palin-speak polluting our political arena.

But...but...but...Louie, if Canada sends the oil through the United States then doesn't it automatically become OUR oil? I mean, don't we get first dibs to buy at a super-duper discount rate?

...at least, that's what the Republicans keep telling us...and they wouldn't lie about that, would they?

Except it's being piped all the way to the Texas coast, bypassing refineries throughout the upper Midwest. This is export oil to the highest bidder. This is to benefit Texas refineries.

Steve Yo, great post; bravo! Even better, its from someone impacted by it. It's my understanding that the Governor of Nebraska and Nebraska legislators along with those in other states where the pipeline is proposed who requested a delay, requested more study, who made their requests to the White House as well. Nebraska is Iowa's neighbor; what impacts your water supply also can impact ours. Cheers to those fighting and you're right, Gingrich and those not affected need to butt out.

Odd that they want to pump the oil to where it's convenient to ocean going tankers. Odd that.

The Keystone pipeline oil will eventually end up where the majority of US refined oil products end up - as exports. That's right, the USA is a net exporter of refined oil products such as gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil. The US oil coffers are full up with tankers offshore waiting for storage tanks to open up. We have more oil than we can refine and more gas than we can store. But no end to high gas prices as the supposed price we pay at the pump is set on global supply and demand standards. 'Drill Baby Drill' in the US won't make us less dependent or lower the price at the pump as oil companies see to it that oil, in any form, goes where they can make the most profit for it in the global market. Instead, we should be stockpiling the oil we produce and refine here and incentivize it to stay here - that may bring the price at the pump down. Why in the world are we subsidizing the oil industry to produce and refine more when it gets exported, and the price at the pump keeps going up?

Yes, thank you for diagnosing DR. Ron Paul. Glad there are so many armchair doctors like yourself out there willing to take the time to consider the mental health of the one candidate who isn't ready to launch a crusade against every muslim/communist/or ideologically different sovereign nation in the world. Thank you again! Ron isn't out to please republicans. He's out with a message...Not lip service, like all the other Replicrats.

Mcpaddywack: Even the Texas idiot Rick "Can't remember @!$%#" Perry? You surely must be joking or stupid!

sure, lets elect michelle, for example, who can't wait to nuke the iranians. that would work great. or not.

maybe "anyone but obama" isn't such an intelligent idea.

Leona, the fact you don't like the President doesn't mean he's dividing the country.

comparing the country now to the 1980s doesn't necessarily work. We've got a different situation now...the media is more pervasive, the manipulation/marketing more intense, more attack ads, etc.

The country just plain is more divided now..regardless of who the president is.

Msnbc where the "M" stands for misleading.

ABO