Senator Lugar: Where do you live? Where is your domicile?

Yesterday First Read dedicated a few sentences regarding Indiana's senator, Richard Lugar. The gist of the comments is that Lugar is "fighting for his political life" as he is being challenged by a Tea Party candidate, Richard Mourdock, with polls showing Lugar leading Mourdock 45% to 39%. Richard Lugar is running for his 7th term in the US Senate and after 35 years of serving as a senator, Lugar claims his work is still incomplete.

There is a back story here that needs to be seen in the light of day. Back in 1977, when Lugar was first elected to the senate, Richard and his wife Charlene sold their Indiana home on the west side of Indianapolis; and subsequently bought and moved to a house in McLean, Virginia. They have been living there ever since.

Lugar's residency has been questioned in the past, but his lawyers have argued that according to the Indiana Constitution, individuals retain their residency during their absence from the state. However, the election board attorneys give a counter argument: that Lugar has abandoned his old home, someone else lives in Lugar's old house and Richard is no longer an inhabitant of the State of Indiana. In short, Lugar cannot vote for himself as he runs for his own senate seat.

Some are now accusing Lugar of voter fraud. I don't know if Mourdock will beat Lugar in the primaries, but you can bet that the Democrats will press the issue. I doubt that Hoosiers will support a candidate who lives in McLean, Virginia and represents Indiana by proxy. This Senate seat could flip for the Democrats.

I like Richard Lugar but 7 terms is too long. 3 terms is enough for a Senator.

Here are two statements, one each by Romney and Santorum
during political campaign speeches in IL yesterday.

Romney: "Best thing I can do for student debt is get
you a good job when you come out," Romney said. "And by the way, get
ready for President Obama's claim ... I know he is going to come out at some
point and talk about how he is going to make it vanish. And that's another --
here I'll give you something for free -- and I'm not going to do that."

Santorum: ….the nation's unemployment rate "doesn't
matter to me." The point, he later
explained, was that his campaign is based on more fundamental issues than the
current jobless numbers and that Republicans do not believe it is the
government's role to create employment, only to create an atmosphere for job
growth.

Both are saying that they and the republicans don’t feel
that they would be responsible for the unemployment numbers if they were
elected to the presidency. At the same time both candidates and the Republican
Party continue to criticize President Obama and the democrats for the high
unemployment numbers. This type of double standard is exactly what makes them
look foolish and why so many people fail to vote for anyone from the GOP.

Many people continue to call this campaigning from the GOP a
“circus” and that the candidates still running are all a bunch of “clowns”. I’m
sorry but I don’t agree. I feel that clowns hold a much higher degree of
personal integrity. After-all, clowns don’t try to make us think they are the
ringleaders, lion tamers or acrobats. They simply do their job to the best of
their ability and let us decide if their performance is worthy. These
candidates will say they stand “here” on a particular issue at one moment, and
say they stand “there” on the same issue the next moment. It is not funny, it
is disgusting and underhanded which are two things that clowns are not.

The sanctimonious one can't run away fast enough from his statement. St. Rick of Santorum really didn't mean that the unemployment rate, "......doesn't matter to me." No, it does mean something, but it pales in comparison to his true concern - a nation that has strayed from St. Rick's Moral Code. Yes, God's chosen one gave him a book so full of contradictions and myths it makes a Stephen King novel look like non-fiction. This is the source of St. Rick's guide to goodness.

One of his opponents, Mitt Romney, is not only an "economic lightweight", but much worse, he is not a true Christian like St. Rick. Nope. Romney is a Mormon with his own book, and it's not the Bible. Romney belongs to a cult. Catholics are not a cult.

Then there's that fellow Catholic, Newt Gingrich, also a Presidential candidate, but he's a serial adulterer. He also sells his influence, unlike St. Rick who sells his influence, and if that seems contradictory, you'll have to ask St. Rick for clarification. Newt, has told us he is a sinner. He had to seek forgiveness for his marital transgressions, and we are left to assume that he has received it. Why he needs forgiveness from God, I don't know. He cheated on his wives/girlfriends/mistresses, not God.

All three of these guys routinely lie about the President, in spite of admonitions that say they are not supposed to do that. More formally, it goes like this, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." Legend has it that this was literally carved in stone, but apparently erosion has taken its toll, and this admonition/commandment is no longer as clear as it once was.

Now, many of the backers of Gingrich, Romney, and Santorum say the President is a bad guy because he is a Muslim. That's not true of course, but even if it were, the God of Islam is the same God of Jews, Catholics, and other Christians. The President, by the way, is a Christian.

Now, why all that matters is a mystery to me. Our nation's governing document says, "...no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States." We call that governing document the Constitution, you know, the one Republicans so dearly cherish.

It's the strangest darned thing. My morals don't come from the Bible, or the Koran (however they're spelling it these days), or the Talmud, or any of a host of other "holy" books. There's a lot of people like me. We think you should respect your elders, you shouldn't steal, you shouldn't kill people, you shouldn't cheat on your spouse, you shouldn't desire your neighbor's possessions, and it's really, really bad to lie. Trust seems so very important.

There just doesn't seem to be a whit's worth of difference in the moral code of "religious" folks, the ones who believe in a supreme being, and those of us who don't.

Nope. The difference is that those of us who don't believe in a supreme being have to ask forgiveness from those against whom we have sinned. We can't get down on bended knee and talk to something we can't see or hear or touch and ask for forgiveness. We can't say, "Yup, I've been forgiven by the being I can't see, or hear, or touch."

Maybe that's why it's so important to keep religion separate from government. Maybe our elected officials need to worry about sinning against us. Speaking only for myself, you understand, I'm not all that quick to forgive people who lie to me, who steal from me, and send armies to kill people. Reminds me of the parable of the "Compassionate Conservative", but that's a tale for another day.

Ron, terrific and interesting news from Indiana. It is what makes FR fun, we read about what's happening on the ground in various states from FR posters who actually live there. I had no idea Richard Lugar hadn't lived in Indiana for 35 years yet represents the state. He's probably not the only one. It's like Mitt Romney voting in New Hampshire or Massachusetts? when he hasn't lived there in years.

I'm so impressed with Mr. Romney. He is so beloved by all the Island Territory's. With them all backing him, how can he lose. Think of all those votes. OH, that's right, none of them can vote. What a landslide for him. LOL.

Obama in 2012.

Excellent David!!!!!
Unfortuntely only the choir will hear your message. All the others have clay in their ears, their eyes closed and are babbling L LA LA LA LA.

As SCOTUS is preparing to hear arguments on some aspects of the ACA, I urge everyone to watch this special on CNN this Saturday.

Watch GPS Special: Saving Health Care

By Fareed Zakaria, CNN

America's health care system is broken. Our healthy life expectancy, the standard measurement, ranks only 29th in the world - behind Slovenia. Our infant mortality rate ranks 30th - more than twice that of Sweden and Japan. And for this sub-par care, we pay more than any other nation in the world. Almost one out of every five dollars spent in America is spent on health care.

Can it be fixed? How?

This Sunday at 8pm and 11pm ET/PT I'll explore these questions with a GPS Special: Global Lessons - The GPS Road Map for Saving Heath Care. This is the the first in a series of four GPS "Global Lessons" specials. The special will run again Saturday, March 24th, at 8pm and 11pm ET/PT. It will air on CNN International on Saturday, March 24 at 9:00pm ET. ...

Alan you mean you support someone to represent you and your state that hasn't been a resident of your state for years? So what your saying is just because you and your state of Indiana are not good enough for Lugar, you'll support him just because he's a tea people Koch republican. WOW

Just wanted to add to my post above that I only caught a portion of the original airing of the GPS Special, but what I did watch was fascinating and gives perspective to the health care challenges we face in our country.

nomoresameo

Here are two statements, one each by Romney and Santorum
during political campaign speeches in IL yesterday.

Romney: "Best thing I can do for student debt is get
you a good job when you come out," Romney said.

Wrong. The best thing you can do for student debt is arrange to be born to wealthy parents, like Mittens was. Then you have no debt to worry about. If your daddy wasn't an auto company executive and the governor of a major state, you've got no one to blame but yourself, you deadbeat!

Speaking of Mitt the Flip Flop King, he also showed once again how good he is at equivocating when an interviewer asked him recently about Afghanistan. Some Republicans at least have the courage to state a clear position, either for withdrawal, like Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich, or for staying indefinitely like John McCain. But clever Mittens won't get trapped into giving a clear answer to a difficult question. After attacking Obama, he said he would listen to the commanders on the ground. Or something. He didn't leave a clue as to what he would actually do about Afghanistan. Well done, Willard!

Houston...........

Isn't it the truth? Apparently Romney couldn't care less about student debt. President Obama has made it very clear that we need more of our youth to get a higher education while trying to curb the costs to earn one. We need more people earning degrees in programs that help our country in fields such as science, economics and so many others that will put America at the cutting edge of future development and stability.

Alan you mean you support someone to represent you and your state that hasn't been a resident of your state for years? So what your saying is just because you and your state of Indiana are not good enough for Lugar, you'll support him just because he's a tea people Koch republican. WOW

Wow, you got all that from the two sentences I wrote. Are you psychic? I was simply addressing the length of time he has been a Senator. I think he is a reasonable and good Senator but 36 years is too long. So from that you can infer I don't support his continued service. Now as to the residence question, no I don't think a Senator of any party should live out of state. He is a representative of the people of his state, not a remote figure ruling in Washington. So again I do not support his continued service. Third, I live in NJ, I thought I had kind of made that obvious, so I am not personally affected by any slight Lugar may have given by not living in Indiana.

Have I cleared this up or do you have other inferences?

Ron,

Luger might not make it through the primary? Interesting.

Jim Oberstar , long time Congreesman of MN 8 th district, and chairman of the powerful transportation committee, lost his seat to a tea party guy in 2010. Word was the absence of Oberstar in his district was the reason.

Residence and being at home in your state is important to voters.

nomoresameo, terrific post; that last paragraph is perfect. It is a disservice to clowns to compare the GOP candidates to them.

David Walker, as always, terrific post with nice touches of humor for good measure. A person does not have to belong to organized religion, to be of faith to have morals that are simple truths we should all live by: do unto others, honesty, commitment to family, an obligation to help those who are less fortunate, etc.

Don't Carry it All, thanks for the information about the GPS healthcare special. I intend to watch Saturday.

Good morning Jody. Thank you for your kind words about my comment. Always good to see you here.

You and so many more FR commenter's that come here so often and write so many great posts show your great American spirit. Taking time out from ones day to write comments about your feelings of how our country should be run goes well beyond what far to many take for granted in this great country. Many people seem to forget that they can make a difference as an individual. Thankfully FR, MSNBC and others allow us the opportunity to show our interest and spirit by posting comments that just may make a difference.

Very interesting item from Greg Sargent:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line

* Obama leading Romney in Virginia: A new Quinnipiac poll finds that Obama has opened up a 50-42 lead over Mitt Romney among registered voters in Virginia. He leads among women, 52-39, and among independents, 46-43. Virginia could potentially be key to reelection, because holding New South and/or western states could get Obama to 270 by offsetting expected losses in the Rust Belt.

I was really surprised by this. I had been assuming Obama didn't have a chance in Virginia, the state run buy Governor Ultrasound who wanted to officially Honor Our Confederate Veterans. Of course, there's still 8 months to go, before the Barack versus Willard contest, so not too much can be read into this, other than how extremists Republican rule in that state and the hi jinks of the Republican primaries are increasing public revulsion for the entire party.

@DCIA

I am against the ACA. I think it simply adds complexity to an already broken system and would have started smaller and tried to build from there. I do not think we can afford a Medicare for All system as we cannot afford a Medicare system right now. Until the basic costs of the system are addressed tinkering with insurance will achieve nothing. However, what I would have done was fold all the government programs for kids under 18 (up to high school graduation) into a Medicare for Kids program. This would have covered everyone, including expectant mothers. This would address a number of issues.

1) Child mortality rates

2) Business Competitiveness (as it would remove children from employers insurance)

3) Pre-existing conditions in children

It would have been fairly cheap to run as children by and large are not an expensive group, and it would have been paid for through taxes.

Well Houston, that ought to make Bob in Virginia a little grumpy today!

Voting for one party is turning off the brain in a multi party election, just to establish. Go for it, if you want. Chances are, you put fandom ahead of thinking, and also immediately made your vote not matter.

Yes, I am saying if you so constantly vote for one party in a multi-party, your vote doesn't matter. Its a hard truth to accept for some, but it is true.

Well Houston, that ought to make Bob in Virginia a little grumpy today!

Let's give the little guy a box of tissues - he's gonna need them!

In other news, if you are Republican, you are either voting for Romney, to have the best chance of winning the election, or voting for Paul on principle. The rest of the votes are BS.

Alan -- However SCOTUS rules on some of these issues one thing is certain, it will give us a clearer path forward. I only caught the last segment on Fareed's GPS special on health care and it detailed the costs associated with doing nothing. In other words what brought us to the point of crisis. Very interesting. Watch the special and it may change your mind on a few things.

LOL Feisty! Ought to be interesting dealing with him today!

Hi Ho... off to the Polls I go...

At least something motivates people to get outta their apartments besides a "check"......lol

Obama/Biden 2012 - Vote (D) to drive this country forward!

LMAO....did ya hear 'ol Axelrod this a.m.????....."Vote early and vote often" Ahhhhhhh, Ill-a-noise politics....Now what party was Blago from again?

Uh, FIRST READ dudes, I thought Haley Barbour already told everybody he's voting for Newt because they are friends.

Oh well. Another day, another Primary, another GOP circular firing squad. The GOP RACE TO OBLIVION, 2012 continues unabated. Keep up the good work guys.

So, Bristol Palin wants a phone call from the President to soothe her shattered feelings over some comments made last year by David Letterman. Sorry Bristol sweetie, but you and your mom are public figures and as such you are fair game. Ms. Fluke, on the other hand, is an anonymous, private citizen who merely exercised her rights of free speech and was villified by your buddy Rush Limbaugh. Not quite the same, darlin', not quite the same. But, nice try.

Well, I can't get too worked up about today's primary in Illinois despite the fact I have friends there. If you've seen one circular firing squad, you've seen them all. Wake me up when they get to their brokered convention, that's when it will get interesting again.

Obama/Biden 2012

Geezus, just put your best candidate forward so he came run against Obama! How hard is that????

RushISaPIG:

With over 40 million registered republicans, this is the best they can find. That's pretty pathetic.

Skip:

I too am thinking we will be watching a brokered convention.

Note: I do not blame Bristol Palin's for her mom's stupidity. She has her own brand of dumb, but Bristol was a teen with a problem. The sad part of the story is she had an intolerant mom, who was then basically 'outed' because she hypocritically would be the kind of person that accused teen pregnancy with bad parenting, and then there she was, with a pregnant teen.

If Sarah Palin had half a brain in her head, she wouldn't have decided to jump on the crazy, pretend conservative, wagon. But since she, like many others, decided admitting she was wrong was a sign of weakness, instead, she turned herself into even more of a clown.

Faux conservatives love Palin, but in truth, you couldn't get a worse representative of true conservatism if you gave her clown shoes, white makeup, and a red ball for a nose.

You bet Ron, we're going to be watching the largest circular firing squad in history when the GOP hit Tampa. They'll make the Guinness Book of World Records for sure. Way to go guys!

READY.......AIM..........

Obama/Biden 2012

Dave great post, and you made a great point without bashing those who belive in religion or are to conseravitve too hard. That I commend.

As for the primary race I really do want to see it come to an end. I understand my values are different than many registered republicans, but I fundamentally cannot understand why it is a contest. Who are these people who WANT Santorum to be our president? I would honestly love to sit down and have a conversation with them just so I can begin to fathom a reason for it. Unfortunately, all my conservative friends hate all of the candidates but favor Romney which is funny as that is my own opinion.

I honestly and beginning to few bad for Romney. Given his opponents he should have a bigger margin IMO.

I often hear that the Republicans say it does not matter who they select all republicans will unite around the candidate. Who cares? The REST OF US, many independents, included can barely stomache Romney. Do you think they would vote Santorum?

Most non-republican votes against our president will not be because the other candidate is good, it will be based on a percieved failure of the president. I do not agree with that, but its how I call it. The opposition has no solutions they are just quite good at screaming out the problems.

Houston,

We're very excited about the fact that Virginia will once again be awarding our 13 delegates to President Obama!

As for Bob, well, he's still trying to come to terms with the fact that his type is now the minority in VA. He thinks that Bob McDonnell's (R) election means VA is a Republican state again, when the man was really only elected because the Democratic candidate, Creigh Deeds, was just a weak opponent. Get used to seeing a lot more blue from our great commonwealth!

David, excellent comment! I always look forward to them and this one was so true!

Skip, Bristol Palin wants an apology you say? Interesting. I could never be a politician because if I called her it would go something like: "I'm sorry that your mom, like many republicans believes that abstinence education is more effective for preventing pregnancies than birth control." I really AM sorry that these people are so deluded by their religion that they actually think they can put the cat back in the bag about sex. The stigma is so far gone from society nothing can bring it back. The so called "purity" ring will be worn for a few months to years and then taken off or worn in a lie. Few if any kids out of high school have their virginity. (Trust me, I was one of those few and no one ever believed me when the topic came up and I was honest.)

Times have changed. I think this ideology that kids are going to stay chaste comes from the same old idea of wanting America to be like the 50s again. Even then, I'm sure kids were more sexually active than they admit because back then it was taboo. Now, it's abnormal not to be sexually active. People ask you what's wrong with you and are you some kind of Puritan.

MG

Yeah, the Palin's are trying to make some noise about the President calling Ms. Fluke when Limbaugh slandered her on the radio and NOT calling Bristol when David Letterman made some unkind comments about her.

Bristol's efforts were a cheap shot, but it got play around here. Neither Bristol or her mom are ever going to understand. Thank goodness they are not a heartbeat away from the Presidency.

Obama/Biden 2012

"Rickety Sanatorium said God will make me President"

Skip,

I attribute the poutrage to a dip in relevancy/attention. Only the NON thinking crowd misunderstood the Bristol joke,...and isn't it ironic that the meme back then was that he was somehow making those comments about the UNDERAGE Palin daughter (Willow, Wisp, or whatever the name) actually in attendance at the game? Now they acknowledge that the JOKE (you know, made by a comedian) was about Bristol and somehow EQUAL to Rush's BS?

You just can't win an argument with this level of stupid. They will beat you down with experience EVERY time!

skip:

Bristol's efforts were a cheap shot, but it got play around here. Neither Bristol or her mom are ever going to understand. Thank goodness they are not a heartbeat away from the Presidency.

I recall that Letterman made a slightly "off-color" joke about Bristol that Palin deliberately misrepresented as being about her younger, under-age daughter rather than Bristol. That was ONE joke. If Letterman had called Bristol Pallin a prostitute like Limbaugh slandered Sandra Fluke and then doubled down on the same slander in rants three days in a row, then Palin would have something to complain about.

Dont_carry_it_all

Well Houston, that ought to make Bob in Virginia a little grumpy today!

Right wingers are always grumpy, except when a new war starts up.

BTW: Letterman apologized for his joke with a REAL apology:

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/15/letterman-apologizes-again-to-governor-palin-and-her-family/

Mr. Letterman opened the desk portion of his show with the apology, in which he said he wanted to say he was sorry to “the two daughters involved, Bristol and Willow, and also to the governor and her family and everybody else who was outraged by the joke.”

Compare that to Rush Limbaugh's bogus apology where he said he was sorry he "stooped to the level" of left-wingers and still insinuated that Sandra Fluke was a "woman of easy virtue" as Mitt Romney might phrase it.

Michael1969 - you brought up Blago but please don't forget Ryan (GOP Governor) who is in a totally different prison than Blago. I'm sure that will make you just light up!

Skip Nicholson , what a hypocrite you are. It doesn't matter somebody is a public or private person. NOBODY has the right to call a woman horrible, filthy names. I guess if that's true, though, Skip, people can call Michelle Obama a c**t, t**t, w***e among other things because she's a public person. And, since you think Palin's children are fair game, how about people start ripping apart Sasha and Maleah. You see, what's good for one side is good for the other, Skip. So, to me, the Dems have opened the door with this "public person" excuse for Maher, Letterman, Shultz and the rest of them. I suspect you won't like the names Michelle, Sasha and Maleah could be subjected to. I won't be doing because I think families are off limits in politics but I'm sure others will.

BTW, Skip, I hope you have a daughter. i hope somebody tears her apart, calls her every name in the book if you think these behaviors are okay. You will have no reason to "fire back" because you think it's ok for people to act in such a vile manner.

And, the biggest hypocrite of all...Michelle Obama for going on Letterman.

Houston, Letterman also said that Palin looked like a slutty flight attendant. And, in his case and Rush's, they apologized but the words are still in people's head and they've still hurt innocent people.

To the Republicans ignore the PPP Poll yesterday. PPP - a democrat poll "flipped the switch" in the past couple of week. For the Illinois poll, they used results including 4% Democrats and 17% registered Independents for a 21% influence on the results for a CLOSED primary. The polls a week before show Santorum behind by an average of 5 - 6 points - and that was him closing in on Romney. I already see that turnout is low - that would favor Santorum. This state is too close to call, but don't be surprised if Santorum wins.

Clara, Willow Palin, 14 at the time, was at the baseball game, not Bristol. And, do you remember what letterman said? I'll remind you. He said she got "knocked up" by A-Rod in the seventh inning? So, Clara, do you have a daughter? If so, would you like your 14 year old spoken of in t hat way, made fun of, used for a filthy joke? Do you think that is an appropriate thing for ANY man to say about a young child? For somebody who's supposed to be part of the "party of the people", you're a hypocrite., Clara. If you were for the people, that would include ALL people, not just your liberal folks.

dirt - so you have a problem with Michelle Obama going on Letterman to pitch support for our military families and healthy habits for children? Did you also whine when Laura Bush went on Letterman and Leno? Where was your outrage then???? Oh that's right - it was okay for her. I'd say you are wrong about the biggest hypocrite of all - it's you!

dirt,

Comedians insult everyone and everything. Ever heard of an insult comedian? Come on, you know it's not just that they are people in the public eye. You know that's not what Skip or any of us are saying. Rush was malicious in his intent. He attacked this woman three days in a row with WAY worse than just saying she was a slut or a tw*t or any of the above. Maybe Letterman did cross the line (I didn't hear the joke) but the thing is Rush isn't a comedian and he IS a political commentator widely in favor of the right. He was vile in the things that he said FOR THREE DAYS!!!!!! It was clear that he was trying to question the integrity of this woman and tear her down. Comedians do it for a laugh (except maybe Bill Maher but you have to pay to watch his show so he's in a different category as well) and they don't harp on it every time they do a show for multiple days. You seem intelligent. You know you're not focusing on the point.

Oh thanks Dirt, I remember that now and I remember it being a big deal. And the so called "liberal media" questioned whether Letterman would be able to keep his job. I do remember that. It wasn't okay and it's not okay when anyone talks about a child like that especially a man about a young girl, or a woman about a young boy (but then, that almost never happens and it's not like you can "knock up" a boy).

Question for the pukes!

If I had a sex change operation would you want to regulate my god forsaken puss?

Btw, I thought the pukes were against regulations.

Dirt (perfect moniker by the way, as in "Dumber than....")

1. Letterman told a joke. It was tasteless and the Palin's decided to capitalize on it by intentionally misrepresenting it.

2. Letterman apologized. A REAL apology to all concerned and anyone else who may have been offended. Unlike Limbaugh who apologized for acting like a liberal. Some apology.

3. There have already been numerous ugly comments made about the First Lady. I have ranted about them back when I bothered to read the comments of the RWNJ's. I won't even repeat the things they have said. It's no longer an issue to me because they, like you are now, are on "ignore".

4. And yes, they have included the Obama children in their racist tirades as well.

5. I do have a daughter, thank you very much, of whom I am very proud. She graduated from High School as her Class Valedictorian, she graduated from college with honors and has a Master's Degree. She is currently working on her second Master's Degree. She is NOT an unwed mother. She is happily married without any children as of yet. I like to think we did a better job of raising her than some others I might mention.

6. I pity the fool who says ANYTHING about my daughter for exercising her right of free speech and woe unto anyone who calls her a "slut" a "prostitute" or suggests she post pornographic videos on the web for fat dope-heads like Limbaugh to look at. They will answer to me.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled program of self-delusion.

Obama/Biden 2012

nomoresameo, you're welcome. I enjoy your comments and am glad you have joined us here on FR!

dirt, David Letterman apologized for his tasteless comment; so did Ed Schultz. Neither of them went on a 3-day assault as Limbaugh did. We're still waiting for Limbaugh's apology because saying he made a poor choice of two words does not apologize for the rest of his hate-filled 3-day rant.

so dirt, if Letterman made the joke about Willow Palin,...and I am just curious here, WHY is Bristol the one demanding an apology?

Yeah, phony outrage and selective memory isn't just for 'CELEBRITIES', I see.

The joke was ALWAYS meant to be about Bristol. You know the one that GOT knocked up. And it is VERY unfortunate that the Republicans have yet another teen pregnancy in their midst. Kinda' makes you wonder about the Abstinence Only policy, eh? I grew up in OK, dirt, and I know a thing or two about the Family Values of Teen Pregnancy.

But, you bet your sweet ass that if I was running to be a heartbeat away from the Presidency of the Greatest Country on earth and I paraded my pregnant child front and center during the campaign all the while avowing the VIRTUE of Abstinence,...well, I'd expect to have a few comedians send some pointed commentary my way.

But if I speak to a congressional panel about MEDICINAL oral contraceptives - and a fatassed mouth jockey called me everything; but a Lady all the while MISREPRESENTING my position on the topic,...well, yeah - then I'd say, sorry; but (and I say this with my tongue FIRMLY in cheek) NO CIGAR!

Comedians insult everyone and everything

If so, then why are people so incessed over Bill Mahr and Rush Limbaugh?

dirt-303814

Houston, Letterman also said that Palin looked like a slutty flight attendant. And, in his case and Rush's, they apologized but the words are still in people's head and they've still hurt innocent people.

Then Letterman should apologize for that, too. And Palin should apologize for falsely claiming that President Obama "pals around with terrorists" and accusing a Harvard law professor of being a racist. The Harvard professor is no longer alive to defend himself, so Palin needs to apologize to his wife, who was terribly upset about Palin's slander.

I missed Rush's stand-up act, was it any good? Any real comedian I ever knew of started with stand-up, ie Bill Maher, David Letterman, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock etc etc. When did Rush do his stand-up?

Derek-381097

Voting for one party is turning off the brain in a multi party election, just to establish. Go for it, if you want. Chances are, you put fandom ahead of thinking, and also immediately made your vote not matter. Yes, I am saying if you so constantly vote for one party in a multi-party, your vote doesn't matter. Its a hard truth to accept for some, but it is true.

In the past I would have agreed with you... back when elected officials voted with their mind and frequently across party lines.

But today? One vote for D plus one vote for R equals zero... they will vote for legislation with their party and will cancel each other out.

So unless you expect a specific Senator or Representative to "bring home the bacon" by voting for pork, a vote along party lines makes much more sense... at least today it does.

David Walker: i am a christian myself for me its about faith, hard to explain (not going to get in a debate on that) and i am ashamed by the way these people are acting,

but to get the issue straight, while the christian religion is based around the bible but every denomination has a different interpretation of the bible (btw Mormon is not christian they have a totally different book) ,its sad to say but some are extremely radical and embarrasses Christians like me and others just use the christian name to scam other people and it gives us a bad name and we hate that

And people why are we still arguing on Limbaugh's comment he said some nasty words for 3 days straight (it is on record) and no one can say things like that and get away with it yes you can say what you want its a free country but there are consequences for every action you make this includes democrats as well so shut up about that

anyone else want to argue with me on something step right up i'm waiting

Rush is serious, unless he's not. Never EVER in Rush's broadcast does he ever say or even insinuate that he is joking. Maher says it all the time. If you represent it as truth, it had better be truth or you should be off the air.

Illinois certainly does have an unusual way of awarding delegates, we actually vote for them. Only a truly organized campaign can hope to get all of the available delegates in Illinois. You have to have a person and an alternate lined up for each delegate position. Then the voters have to vote for them. Sometimes there are two delegates for each delegate position.

This is why only Romney and Ron Paul have ever had any shot of winning all of the Illinois delegates. All of the other campaigns are not organized enough to even be on all of the ballots. If you can't get yourself organized enough to get on the ballot, how can you expect people to believe that you can be organized enough to run the country ?

Illinois has always been the land of "vote early, vote often."

Rick Santorum deserves to lose the nomination. Only an idiot would go into Puerto Rico and tell the populace that if they want to be a state, they can't speak spanish anymore. After insulting women for the last 60 days, he's decided to start attacking minorities ? What is he going to do in Louisianna, tell the people they can't speak French ? And in Texas that they can't support the Longhorns or the Cowboys ?

I don't know who said it (was it David Walker ?), but you are correct, clowns aren't this stupid.

I guess I hurt little dumber than dirt's feelings.

Obama/Biden 2012

and yet people vote for them

that is the power of the lie

kinda sad isn't

Seems wrong for a person of one party to vote in the nomination procedure of the other one, oh well, some will stoop to anything.

No matter, the only one I would vote for is Ron Paul who does not have a chance, because the republicans fear him as much as the democrats.

Every debate between Obama and Clinton only sharpened the Democratic base to get out and vote come November because they knew what would emerge was the best of the best among two World Class and Historic choices.

Yeah right, nobody in the Democratic base was motivated by voting against Bush and his legacy.

As a pundit pointed out in June of 2008 all the talk was whether Pumas would vote for Obama.

What a short memory you have.

As a pundit pointed out in June of 2008 all the talk was whether Pumas would vote for Obama.

Ooooh - an anonymous pundit you say?

Now that's a credible source... lol

Well, not only DID the pumas vote for Obama

They laughed in the face of the RWNJ's when old McNasty chose Bible Spice as his running mate...

See, here's the deal - women are much smarter then people like YOU & pundits give us credit for! ;o)

Ooooh - an anonymous pundit you say?

OK It was Hillary Rosen on CNN's wolf Blitzer last Tuesday.

Happy? I doubt it.

BTW is the show Shameless based on you?

BTW is the show Shameless based on you?

I wouldn't know - never heard of it!

PS: Weak pivot off of your original comment! Better luck next time! ;o)

IR, you said it and great job of it. Interesting article, too.

The GOP's efforts to alienate segments of the population began even before 2008, because before getting the nomination, McCain admitted that immigration reform was no longer acceptable to his party's base. The GOP has since marched further down the road of alienation at the state level in their efforts to alienate Hispanics. Then they began their War on Women both at the state level and the national level. The GOP has certainly done nothing to improve its relationship with the black community, not to mention non-Christians and college educated (snobs) who also seem to incur the wrath of republicans. In less than 6 years, the GOP has managed to alienate blacks, Hispanics, women, college educated; and with their stance on killing Medicare and privatizing Social Security, they're working hard to alienate senior citizens and those approaching retirement age.

Nope, Alan NJ, wasn't motivated to vote against Bush because I never voted for him in the first place. But no doubt there were republicans and independents who were motivated to vote against Bush in 2004.

Good morning Feisty................

PS: Weak pivot off of your original comment! Better luck next time! ;o)

Exactly! Another Republican supporter who feels it's perfectly acceptable to deflect from an issue by moving off topic.

I wouldn't know - never heard of it! I'm with you again. I've never heard of a 'show' called Shameless either. But if someone from the far right is watching it we're probably now missing much.

Feisty, that's true. The GOP thought picking Sarah Palin would bring the Hillary voters to their side but they forgot one small thing: Palin represented the very things that Hillary supporters could never embrace; Palin was against everything democrats and women had worked hard to get. Women are not stupid but the GOP seems to think we are.

PS: Weak pivot off of your original comment! Better luck next time! ;o)

It wasn't my argument. I was merely reminding you of history. Hillary Rosen is a member of the Democratic party. She brought it up in relation to the argument that Republicans are not enthusiastic about Romney. As for history I would agree that the Pumas never materialized in the general election, and the thought that Palin would attract female Clinton supporters was naive at best.

Welcome back IR! ; )

present pack of lies and innuendos

That about sums up most of the rhetoric these candidates are spewing. Every day a new, flat out falsehood is thrown out there with no one challenging them on it. Where is the media?

IR: Excellent post. It's good to see you back on FT.

The Republican presidential primary campaign so far hasn’t produced a nominee, but it has had one clear outcome -- worsening the GOP’s image among the young, the better-educated and the non-white.

Not really a problem. Just do what the GOP did here in Texas: Pass a voter ID law that bans student IDs from Texas universities as acceptable voter identification while accepting gun permits. People with student IDs tend to vote Democratic while people with gun permits tend to be Republican. Nice, huh?

And that Texas Voter ID law was struck down by the DOJ last week, as well it should be.

I'm all for protecting the sanctity of the vote but the bills being passed by these state legislatures are clearly aimed at disenfranchisement of specific demographic of the American population, thus giving the advantage to one political party over another.

Malcolm X once said "By any means necessary". Guess the Republicans have gone from hating Malcolms' means of achievement to embracing the strategy. At any rate the people of each state who are eligible to vote had better be checking to see what "last minute" shenanigans the Secretary of State in their particular state are up to and ensure themselves that they won't be turned away from the polls on November 6th because of some "slight of hand eleventh hour" legislation that restricts their ability to cast their Constitutionally protected right to duly elect the leadership of their state and this country.

My thanks and appreciation to my friends and neighbors who kept a light on in the window so I could find my way back home. It certainly helps when stumbling home in the wee hours. For those of you who were hoping that I was permanently stumbling around out there sorry to disappoint. He's baaaack.

Scarecrow, you were sorely missed and we've been sending up warm thoughts and prayers as you take care of your family! hugs! (and great Southern observations!)

"Rickety Sanatorium insanity is drawing flies"

"Shameless" is an incredibly well-done series, starring William H. Macy, now in its second season on Showtime. I can see why the right might consider it an object lesson, but appreciating the show requires a sense of irony, something most right-wingers lack. The series, based on a British series of the same name, involves the "shameless" father of a large family and his incredibly resourceful and heroic children, who manage to survive and even thrive in spite of their father's neglect and even exploitation. Frank Gallegher, the father, believes he is "entitled" to government support in spite of never having held an actual job. In the first season we witnessed Frank injuring himself with a nail gun, on the first day of a construction job, in order to get workman's comp. The children, however, marshalled by the oldest daughter, work every job or angle they can to contribute to the "squirrel fund" that will support them in spite of their father. I think it is a wonderful series and recommend it highly.

Jody at 2.5. Seems to me by reading here the war on women is coming from the Democrats who think it's ok to say vile, nasty things about women.

dirt - clearly you've been sleeping the past few months. The GOP has made women's issues one of their main subjects. BIG mistake!

IR: nice summary. It appears the GOP appeal is down to uneducated white males. Is there any wonder why Rick Santorum wants no one to go to college ? If people go to college, they discover how incredibly stupid it is to be voting for Republicans, particularly dumb ones like Rick Santorum.

Shameless sounds like the GOP primary to me, every time you think that they can't stoop any lower, they prove you wrong.

Here's what the big D did for our country today.

Obama appeals to Iranians on Persian new year

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46795278

LOL the next firing for Romney is in Nov as we all help him fire the socialist Obama

Keeping score, Noid, that is 3 statements out of context...keep it up, you may challenge Feisty for the most pathetic Obama poodle...

Boy are you and Romney going to be disappointed in November frankbrown, when President Obama and the rest of the country shreds Romney's resume and keeps him on the unemployment line. It doesn't matter all his resume is, is a bunch of lies anyway.

frankbrown@3.1-- That is not going to happen.

Keeping score, Noid, that is 3 statements out of context...keep it up, you may challenge Feisty for the most pathetic Obama poodle...

Really?

...because it seems Willard had no issues taking the President out of context when he ran the ad of then-candidate Barack Obama saying, "If we keep talking about the economy, we're going to lose."

Never mind, of course, that he was talking about John McCain when he made that statement.

WOOF-WOOF!!!

ILLIONIS ELECTION PREDICTION

Santorum takes the High School educated voters with incomes under $50,000. He dominates the rural Anybody But Obama (ABO) vote which is generally considered the panoply of fervent Christian and ethnic subgroups typically described with pejorative terms.

Romney takes the urban better educated and upper income groups scared to death of Santorum. He has the 1% locked up.

Analysis: Don’t matter who wins. Romney will be the nominee even if the RNC has to throw Ricky into the nut house.

Romney will get the 20% ABO vote in the swing states general election and not much else because the center will see no daylight between him and Obama except for Willard’s budget and foreign policy. Romney intends to balloon the deficit with $4 trillion in tax cuts and $2.5 trillion in increased non-combat defense spending. The GOP will have an uphill battle to capture any female voters.

The GOP will have an uphill battle to capture any female voters.

Amen and isn't that the truth! ; )

Da Noid, Obama wasn't talking about McCain,...he was QUOTING McCain,...

Loyal Texan:

In summary, I think you're right but it sure will be fun to watch! I've seen numerous Santorum for President signs here in East Texas, a few Ron Pauls and even a Newt or two but 0, zilch, squat for Romney. This just keeps getting better and better!

frankbrown - when you throw out the word "socialist" it makes your entire post idiotic - at best.

Bob in Virginia - and you would be the most pathetic GOP worm posting!

Mitt cant win the South?

Wait until November. Include Virginia, North Carolina, Florida.

The failure Obama will unite all Republicans.

Bob in Virginia@4.1==That is not going to happen. BTW, have you signed up with your Governor to be one of his vaginal probes?

The lies of Romney, Santorum and the tea people Koch republicans will unite the Democrats.

Republicans 2012

Keeping Millions Out of Work
To Put One Man Out of a Job

Apologies for this comment if it offends you: It seems like all the White Women love Barack. Why is that? He is incompetent.

Hey Bobby Boo......you're whistling Dixie there. ain't gonna happen.

How's your Vaginal Probe VP candidate doing these days? Is he still whistling Dixie too, as he watches his dream of being Vice President fade away?

I saw Chuck Todd on Hardball last night; he said they are using conservative models in their analysis of either Romney or Santorum getting enough delegate votes to outright win the nomination prior to the convention. Santorum cannot get there and Romney only has a 50-50 chance. He also spoke about the really odd new RNC rules that would be in effect if no GOP candidates outright gets the nomination before the convention; that Reince Priebus is probably really hoping someone gets the required number of delegates or it will be a real mess.

AnonyMous1, we like President Obama because he is COMPETENT; only the uninformed claim otherwise.

Nice. You can put lipstick on a pig but it will still be a pig. Obama has failed. He basically extended all of George Bush's policies and claims success e.g. the Auto Industry bailout. He promised to cut the budget deficit in half. Where are we with that? He spent a trillion dollars to spur job growth. Where are we with that? The economy is on the mend, not because of Obama, but in spite of him. Did you really expect someone that did not manage anything all his life to be an effective leader of the greatest nation on earth?

Jody, I was watching that edition of Hardball where Chuck Todd said he wasn't sure if the RNC understood RNC rules since the person who made them up is no longer the chair-person. Funny Republicans.

Anony Mous1, if Obama could have had his legislation carried out and wasn't hindered at every crossroad, or even had cooperation on the part of House Republicans perhaps things would be better. I like the way Obama has handled foreign affairs above and beyond all things domestic but even his domestic policies are great. He has had trouble with minority (Republican) filabustering in the House and trouble getting anything done since Republicans took the majority. Everyone knows that a president can't do it alone. You should say that Congress has failed.

Bob,

In case you haven't been paying attention, according to the polls, Obama is poised to once again win Virginia. So how about this, instead of my earlier proposal of you allowing me to come to your home on the evening of November 6th, I'd like to invite you and your family to my home here in Charlottesville, I'm simply DYING to see your face when the networks call Virginia for Obama a second time! Did you crap your pants when Obama won VA in 2008? If so, I'll make sure to have a supply of Depends undergarments on hand for you.

Bob in VA - not a chance. Obama will keep NC, VA and FL as well as pick up at least 2 other southern or red states!

Anony Mous - we respect Obama because he is intelligent, doing a good job fixing the mess he was left, and heads above the buffoons the GOP is running. There, do you understand now? And, the lipstick on a pig stupidity is sooooo over! It applied to Palin, not Obama. He has NOT failed. We see the economy recovering and the GOP losing what little intelligence it once had.

Uh oh. Secret Service's nightmare - Earthquake hit Mexico near the President's daughter. That has to be frightening!

Wow! Obama had a Democratic majority in the House and Senate for a full 2 years and he was hindered by the Republicans - granted that they are are a type of polution? When will people wake up and start using common sense. Obama is about as useless as the Republicans. Clinton had a mixed congress and he was able to get things done. Why the excuses? A number of you said Obama is doing a good job with foreign policy. Did you see how Netanyahu scolded him in the White House?

Romney is the most qualified candidate for President since Bill Clinton.

Clinton was white and a southerner. He could connect with the GOP in a way they understand. They are in complete resistance mode to a black liberal who is well educated and eloquent. They don't understand why so many people like him because he's black and it enrages them. Plain enough for you?

Tea Party Republicans can't stand President Obama. His is everything they are not: competant, intelligent, college educated, poised, thinking, oh, and he's black too.

Yes. It proves that he is incompetent. I am a minority also and there will always be racism but it cannot be an excuse for incompetence.

Let me make myself clear. No one is making his race an excuse for incompetence. What you call incompetence I blame on either misinformation or faulty interpretation of the information you've received. I didn't vote for Obama in 2008. I am a little ashamed to say I didn't vote at all in that election. I use the excuse that I was in college and dealing with a great deal of personal matters. I didn't have the time or mental energy to educate myself on the candidates and I didn't think it was responsible of me to vote on party lines for the sake of casting an uneducated (dangerous) vote. I was a Republican. Since Obama's election I have changed my political views to liberal. Still, Obama is pretty close to the center with his views. Just like everyone else, he has views that lie further to one side,the left in his case, thereby making him a liberal. I too fall under the same category. He and I have a lot in common I found out from his books. Knowing that, I know that he is trying to be bipartisan in his position and is finding out that he must be more like a typical politician to get what he wants. It doesn't come naturally to either of us. He was elected based on his true convictions for how the U.S. should be run and I love his determination to make things closer to ideal in this country. He is by no means incompetent for this job.

Let's take the subjective out of competence: So far Barack Obama has failed our country. We have divisions that I've never seen before. All the things he run on -- the message -- is lost. Obama believes that a speech is the cure for all that ails America.

Competence: If Obama was competent, he would have been able to negotiate with the Republicans to get their backing for heath care reform, the budget, job creation, taxes etc. This is not simplistic. But it can be done because Clinton did it. The reason it can be done is because the extreme Right and Left are a minority. Most people in American fall in the middle. That is the reason Obama won the election in the first place and also because George Bush was such a colossal failure. This faith in Obama did not translate to the job and that is why he is incompetent.

Anony Mous1

NO ONE can negotiate with terrorists, hostage takers and IRRATIONAL morons, regardless of their skills in such matters.

Obama has more competency in his pinkie than ANY Republican on the playing field today. Their STATED goal is to see him fail. Country be damned. I intend to make sure they FAIL, yet again.

Another week's worth of lies told by Romney and Santorum to keep their supporters happy and uninformed.

Yeah because the President and his surrogates are above such behavior? From yesterday's Washington Post.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/the-road-weve-traveled-a-misleading-account-of-obamas-mother-and-her-insurance-dispute/2012/03/18/gIQAdDd4KS_blog.html

Three Pinocchios

Jody -- Spot on!

The Heritage Foundation promoted mandates, so did the think tank Gingrich was associated with. And how did businesses become so successful in the past under regulation? On the freedom front, one would get the impression that concept would only pertain to men.

And on and on it goes.... YUCK!

NOJO,

Americans are still going by the plane loads to Mexico. I was there this winter. Felt perfectly safe. Will be returning later this year. Yes, the drug wars in the Northern area , and traveling by car away from the major tourist areas can be dangerous. But most tourist know this.

As to you continual rant about the personal lives of the first family , it is tiresome. Leave Obama's children alone. The cost of Secret Service protection of our elected officials, their families , current GOP nominees, former presidents is a non issue.

i am sure the daughters of President Bush went on vactions too. Never heard about it . That is the way it should be.

There are some people who can never respect another's request for privacy. The Obama's right to protect their children should not be up for question. This has been standard practice for many First Families, all of which have had Secret Service protection. These costs are factored into a WH budget approved by Congress, the First Families pay the expenses of lodging and entertainment when traveling. Any further discussion of Mahlia's Spring Break, either by the media or individuals is purely partisan driven and has no place here or elsewhere.

I realize from experience here, that some people cannot respect others privacy and are only mischief making to make very cheap political points. First Family children are off limits. Try to remember that.

Oh, the horrors of adults accompanying children on a vacation because the child happens to be our President's daughter. What petty nonsense conservatives spew. Let's see, the Obama's not wanting their under-age children photographed unless accompanied by their parents and without permission is different from the Clinton's exactly how, from other previous Presidents both R and D, exactly how? They are not movie stars, they are not adults, they are children. Most parents do not want strangers photographing their children without permission. Then there's the faux outrage of Secret Service protection. Let's see, didn't the Bush daughters travel to South America unaccompanied by their parents and accompanied by the Secret Service and they were adults? Heaven forbid that republicans ever consider that protection is the same for all presidents and their children. What a load of "pious baloney" from Jersey Shores. Tiresome, really tiresome to allow one's dislike of President Obama to become an obsession.

Golly GM, you mean like the way you and Feisty attack NoJo's family on a regular basis?

Nothing wrong with that, eh?

Again, if it weren't for Double Standards, Democrats would have no standards.

Gingerbread Mamma, perfectly said!!!

If you go to Cancun maybe. I travel to Middle Mexico the land of Mexican Army humvees and 50 cal's. Also go to Reynosa or Del Norte and see how safe you feel.

GM: There are some people who can never respect another's request for privacy. The Obama's right to protect their children should not be up for question. . . . First Family children are off limits.

Talk about missing the point. The point is the press put the story up, and it appears it was scrubbed by all the news outlets in record time. Now how exactly does that happen? At the very least it appears there is a process in place between the White House and the news agencies that provides the government the ability to either spike a story or to quickly scrub it if it happens to get out. That would seem to be a little troubling in a free society where the media is not to defer to the government, but instead be its adversary.

So GM, you're way out in left-field, as usual.

And as for the "privacy" argument, Obama constantly uses his kids in his little talks with the country. If he Barack wants his kids to be private, maybe stop using them in his speech's. One of the kids went on holiday in Mexico and the media printed it as just another feel good Obama story. It wasn't a story being critical of the trip or the kid, just some filler "news" story. So Libs, stop having yet another seizure over something totally stupid.

They will not acknowledge the point, JS1. Their preferred point is "leave the children alone".

Know what? Fine and dandy. If the press had held the story until the trip was over, i would have had no problem.

The issue here is, they DID run the story. Then, at the instruction of the White House, they scrubbed the story.

This crop of "journalist" obviously never heard of the Pentagon Papers. Or Daniel Ellsberg.

Not surprising, really. The Grey Lady ain't what she used to be.

Neither is the Washington Post.

Northstar...the daughters of Bush most certainly were down to the south partying while young men were being killed in daddys faux war on terror...love the picture of them writhing on the floor with some latino boys in Rio...real American patriots those bush girls

JS1 labels the story " filler" and NOJO goes from this filler piece to the Pentagon Papers.

One is about a vacation and the other about the war in Vietnam and the back story.

Dan Ellsberg leak of the Pentagon Papers was not filler!!

You two can build your maze of fear and loathing for Obama, but remember a maze has lots of dead ends.

JS1 labels the story " filler" and NOJO goes from this filler piece to the Pentagon Papers.

Sorry that you missed the point DFL. Whatever the story, this much seems to be true, there is a very efficient way for the government to communicate to the media that they want the story scrubbed. The story was there, from multiple outlets, then it was gone. Seems like a cozy relationship between the government and the media, no? So you're okay with the government scrubbing stories they don't like DFL?

No Jo and Joanna,

The Obamas were obviously worried about the safety of their children. Given the hate that some people have toward them (Michelle being booed at a NASCAR event while she was presenting a child as her guest) I understand why they wouldn't want ANYONE to know that their child is in a country that is not as well policed as ours. " One of the kids went on holiday in Mexico and the media printed it as just another feel good Obama story. It wasn't a story being critical of the trip or the kid, just some filler "news" story." This should prove to you that it was about safety and not censorship. Stop it with the conspiracy theories, they're getting nowhere.

JoAnna and NoJo, you are going a long hard way to try and make a point that doesn't exist and that you then deny anyway.

And you accuse the rest of us of missing the point?

Wow.

Boo hoo hoo! Waaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!

STFU with your fake, manufactured, pissy-pants, double standard outrage you LIBERAL kitty lickers. I've seen Feisty Dumbfux attack NO Joe personally on several occassions and NOT ONE of you punk-ass people on here say a thing. So spare we common sense people your bullshi*t.

You know why you people are liberals? Because you haven't yet grown up and got over your childhood/adolescent jealousies and resentments. You're in a state of arrested development. I've been on MANY lefty sites over the years, every one of them filled with whiny, hypocritical pantywaists, but you dumbfux take the cake every time.

Do any of you ever sit back and take a long look at yourselves? Many of you are AT LEAST middle-aged. And this is what your lives have come to? Waking up in the morning, going straight to the PC and FR, start whining and pissing and moaning about Repubs (while giving the POTUS a cyber Lewinski) EVERY DAMN DAY....ALLLLLL DAY LONG? You friggin' people are pathetic. Do you have lives? Do you have families? I'm damn sure many of you have a lot of cats.

Before you make a typically lame ass attempt to turn the table on me, notice I'm only here for a couple hours in the morning then that's it usually. Why? I have to do a little thing called work. Ever heard of it? If any of you 24/7 regulars ARE actually employed, does your boss know you send all day on the internet making an ass of yourself? He should.

Damage,

Wow, do us all a favor and go back to work. Your insults are lost on us because we know what kind of person you are. Lucky for us, we can do two things at once. Some of us don't work until later in the day, and still some of us have jobs where our potential is not fulfilled and so we seek some outlet for our minds other than staring at the wall. My employers prefer that once I have finished my intermitant work I keep my brain engaged rather than drift off into a bored stupor. You wouldn't understand what that means. I do my work, then come on FR to read your drivel day after day. It's pretty entertaining and not nearly as enveloping as a book would be so I'm safe. I can easily tear myself away from your insults and complaints to get back to work when I get an order or have other intermitant work to do. Worry about yourself you seem to be good at it.

Is it at all ironic to you that you're complaining about others complaining?

Damage123 - again you are showing how damaged your are. The person making an ass of himself on this post is - you guessed it - you! Most of us have jobs. I post on lunch hour or sometimes after work. Don't kid yourself you're the only one working. You are however, the most damaged!

You whine about liberal adolescents and yet you begin your post with Waaahhhh - then go one to call names. Perhaps a look in the mirror is in order. But, I doubt you have that much insight!

So now, we're into protecting the Obama children. Yet, the majority of people writing here today think it's ok to denigrate Sarah Palin's children by calling them nasty names. HYPOCRITES.

dirt - I don't know anyone who thinks it was okay to call Sarah Palin's children nasty names. You're making an unfounded accusation. I was just as opposed to calling them names as I am the Obama's children. There is a big difference, though. Obama didn't take his children everywhere and parade them around trying to do the big "family" thing like Palin did. He had his children at the event the night he was elected and the inauguration. Other than that, he has kept them out of the public eye.

Uh...right.

WOW you goofs are realy blind Romney/Rubio will win in a landslide I cant wait for Biden-Rubio debates LOL

I wouldn't hold my breath for Rubio to run as VP. Jeb is advising him to stay out, and Senator Rubio has a few problems of his own as of late.

I agree a GREAT President Obama.

Marco? when did you hear he would get the VP nod? Last I heard he was sitting this one out. Can't blame his little T-party a$$ for that. Would you want to take a cruise on this ship of fools?

Marco Polo the pretend Cuban exile...what a tool

UAWPleeeeeeeease: Who is that John Wayne?

Really? That's what you want to talk about today?

Good monring Ideology. Could they have scrubbed the story for the child's security?

Good morning phine, there could be a number of reasons, but I am not jumping at any of them. As my screen name suggests, you can find yourself in the wrong room looking out of the wrong window.

I concur. It just seemed, to me, as the most logical reason. With all the problems Mexico has been having, I would imagine going after the president of the United States' daughter would be quite the coup for some bad guys. Just a theory. But, I am sure those with their own "ideology" will spin it for political purposes, not common sense.

phine, NoJo posted about it last night and after a short back and forth banter that as usual deteriorated, I did some searching and indeed the story was being dropped all over the place, even as far as Australia.

Ideology, I am guessing, just guessing, mind you, that the Secret Service may have had a hand in it. Some drug cartel leader would probably love kidnapping or killing the daughter of the President of the United States. And for those who say well she should not have gone with her CLASSMATES, get a grip. The girl is 13 years old. She wasn't elected to office. She has the right, as the children of previous holders of that office to a life of her own.

Tis a sad thing when the opposition uses a 13 year old child as fuel for their political discord.

Common sense would dictate you not send your child into a country with State Department travel advisories.

The Constitution of the United States- without which we cease to exist- guarantees a free press. I suppose you will say that the press freely acquiesced to censorship by scrubbing the story. Nice of them to give up freedoms guaranteed to all Americans, is it not?

By the way, in my post above, the White House statement is included.

Think any of the parents of the other children on the trip would have allowed this venture without the Secret Service protection taxpayers are providing?

I don't.

I ALSO do not believe that a republican president would have DARED ask that the stories be pulled. Complained about it? Sure, for all the good it would have done.

Remind the press that the children are really not fair game? Sure- for all the good THAT would have done.

Censored news? Never. Would not be tolerated.

So, tell me- now that the press has given away this power to this administration, how many other stories will be censored? You know, because there is really no news value?

Considering the dearth of coverage on the billions of Dollars to Donors, taxpayer borrowed, funds, I'm betting quite a few.

Actually, in this case, I don't blame the White House- I blame the press. They gave away a Constitutionally protected right. I used to consider them lapdogs for Obama.

I now thing they're treasonous.

Guessing they scrubbed it because of security, which is smart, but too late. The horse has left the barn. Reports were that 25 SS agents accompanied her.

But I have to wonder, why would the Presidents daughter go to a country that our own State Department has told Americans to avoid?

I here there are lots of nice places here in America for Spring Break. I have been to a few of them myself.

Hooray! The "I hate anything to do with the left" party chimes in. Wondered when you would. Not knowing what the CLASS TRIP entails (maybe some of the history of the Aztecs or Mayans), we of course should punish the child by making everything known so harm could possibly come to her or those who are with her. Good job! Hooray again! Let's be sure and make the life as miserable as possible for a little girl who did not run for office, but since her father did, she should be political fodder for the masses.

Oh, and for the record, I dislike no matter which party occupies the White House, when people go after the children.

God. Picking on a little girl. Bullying knows no bounds.

I suppose the fringe right wing will not be satisfied unless the Obama family is hostage to the White House. As a responsible parent, one INSISTS that trips be made to other countries. Mine did it all the time. In fact, one was in London when the subway bombing happened, and she was also in Belfast, Ireland when trouble erupted there.

Shame on all of you for this attack ON A LITTLE GIRL. The underlying message from the haters is this: The Obamas are not entitled to the perks of office enjoyed by other Presidential families, including the protection of their children. I don't remember that line of attack on the Clintons, so it cannot be that this is happening to the Obamas due to political affiliation.

Which leaves only one reason.....

BTW, I am sure the Bush family asked and had stories pulled about their daughters when they were still underage. Again, to score political points by attacking the daughter is pathetic. Is this what the opposition has sunk to? Does it make you proud? This is why I am sick of both parties. Anything to score a point.

Bullying knows no bounds.

Help me out here NDD - wasn't this the same poster who only a few days ago was decrying the evil of bullying?

Yet, here she is this morning with venom dripping from her fangs attacking an innocent 13 year old girl?

Which leaves only one reason.....

Not too difficult to connect the dots...

I actually remember the stories about the Bush girls. One about underage drinking at a college party. Many about boyfriends, articles on the "difficulty" the Secret Service agents were having.

Please.

And where, in either post, did I "attack" a little girl?

Answer-nowhere.

The press, on the other hand- yes, I did call them out.

Honesty compels me to add here: shame on the press for even reporting it to start with (or about the Bush girls). Children, unless they are adults and actively participating in the political arena should be considered out of bounds. And the same for those who dislike the politics of the parent.

She sure did, Feisty, and as is the usual with her, she bullies A LITTLE GIRL on a school trip. Haters will always be haters, and no jo has sunk to a new low. Which, I honestly did not think possible. Shame on her, and all who continue to further this story along.

I am sure that others, reading the bile against a LITTLE GIRL, will see this poster for what she is.

During the Bush years, stories like this appeared

http://www.chron.com/life/article/Maxim-plays-a-photo-prank-on-the-Bush-twins-1944055.php

Now, THAT is an attack.

i will say this again. The privacy of the First Family should be maintainted.

Ideology, I don't care if the story in the press has disappaered. If the "press" wants to become entertainment weekly , that is a sad state of affairs.

Still bullying a LITTLE GIRL. You can either continue on with your bullying, no jo, or do the decent thing and apologize.

Wait. Look who I am talking to.

It is shameful that someone such as this is allowed to continue on with her bullying of a LITTLE GIRL. All Presidential children are given Secret Service protection, as they should be. That no jo makes an exception for the Obama daughters tells us that she is the bigot that she accuses others of being.

no jo

You literally make me sick. (pukes in wastecan next to desk)

nojo,

The press was wrong there, too. You are just trying to score political points, and you are wrong too. Just because we have the freedom of speech does not mean we can yell "Fire" in a crowded theater. The same can be said of the press and the children of politicians (and I mean both parties children), leave them alone.

As a former teacher, you should be glad the story was pulled for the safety of the children. But are you so blinded by hate of the current resident of the White House, you will endanger his daughter to score political points?

And FYI, I was in Mexico last spring and took the necessary precautions. Had a great time.

NorthstarDFL, newdayDAWNING...RETURNED, Da Noid, etc.

I do not feel that the story should have been released either. However it was and then it was scrubbed. The howling over this started on the right wing blogosphere last night. My posting was but a heads-up of what was coming down the line today. Forearmed being forewarned

Wait, where did no jo go? Ah yes, bullies are always cowards and when they get called out, they disappear.

Will be waiting for that public apology to the Obamas, no jo, but won't hold my breath. That would require class, a characteristic that you lack.

Ideo: I saw your conversation with no jo. I knew where you stood on this and you made an excellent attempt at trying to make some sense with her. It is impossible to do, my friend.

whoops ... forewarned being forearmed.

newdayDAWNING...RETURNED ... re NoJo ... well I have tried at times ... but as you have read in last nights posts ... I do believe I have learned that lesson backwards.

And in your eyes, this makes it OK right nojo, you can justify what you are doing and some in the press.......well others did it. Yeah! Great moral reasoning.

You have no shame, you cannot see or willfully will not see that your talking and ranting about this further perpetuates the topic.

Now ask yourself, what was behind your motive to first post this 'news'? I believe I can state it wasn't concern for Mahlia's safety, as her parents being the good parents they are, made sure of that. Then along comes the nosy and irresponsible members of the press, who think this is a scoop, and announce to the world, where the Obama's daughter is vacationing.

Following them are the evil people in the world, who hate the First Family, reading something like this, and think, I have a 13 yr old, why should someone else have all the privileges my child can't have, they're not entitled to do that, they are black. That's the message you send nojo. You are a truly contemptible individual.

Censorship is vile- and has no place in America. Having published the story, the press should NEVER have acquiesced to White House demands that the story be pulled.

There is a new thread on this site, regarding the GOp candidates "problem" with the GOP House budget. Fine and good.

Somebody post a link to the First Read articles on Obama's budget proposal, the CBO score on that budget proposal- and the "problems" democratic candidates will have running with it.

You can't do it. They don't exist.

NOW do any of you get it? The Founders protected a free press for a reason.

Too bad today's "journalists" don't understand what that reason was- nor do they have any interest in learning anything about it.

I say again- we live in frightening times.

ideology,

Thanks for the clarification and the heads up.

It is a pattern here on FR that whatever the right wing blogs topic of the night becomes the topic for rants and rages by certain posters. I do appreciate the conservative posters here who brings up a topics that they themselves initiate. Using someone else play list , like Brianb did over the weekend and NOJO did today is silly.

I say again- we live in frightening times.

Spoken like a true conservative...

Fear & hate is what drives them...

What business is it of yours where a 13 year old girl is spending her spring break?

How does that effect your life or vote?

What a twisted, sick individual you are!

Still making excuses, no jo: You owe an apology, and if you don't give one, we know yet again who and what you are.

A bully.

NDD, Northstar, well said. This is ridiculous. The press should scrub the story. There are other children on this trip not just our President's daughter. It would be irresponsible and dangerous for details to be printed. The press understands this. Are we becoming a nation of paparazzi tracking down and stalking children because our President's daughter happens to be in the group? LOL, I'd say that 25 secret service folks number resembles the $200 million per day cost for President Obama's trip to Indonesia--it wasn't even close.

In all of this discussion on First Children, it is disturbing to me that there are many that agree with the opinion of a disturbed individual obsessed with their hatred of the President of the United States. In my opinion, one agreeing is one too many.

nojo,

And you are one of the more frightening persons in these times. When you take such glee at harming a child, well, it is sad.

As for the press, they are big boys. If they thought pulling the story was the right thing to do (aside from your ranting about it), that's why they did it. If they thought it was real news and needed to be out there, they would still be running with it (it is that ratings and profit from advertiser thing). The press has many times pulled or held a story that could endanger someone or the country. Why are so upset now? Easy answer. You hate the president and anything to move your personal political agenda forward is okay by you. Even at the cost of a 13 year old girl. Hope you feel real proud of yourself. You are a bully.

It IS disturbing that someone so consumed with hatred as no jo is DEMANDS that information about a little girl, Malia, on a school trip be made public for every nutcase out there.

Minors have the right to privacy, due to the particular risks that Presidential children live under, it is more important that they have it.

That anyone would question this under the guise of an accusation of censorship defies credulity. It has not occurred before.

Which leaves only one reason for it to occur now. Right, no jo?

Time to get outside and enjoy the spring day. One can only spend so much time dealing with hate filled people.

As Rush Limbaugh said regarding Santorum: conservatives need someone to carry their message, "fear, anger or whatever"--straight from the mouth of the GOP's golden mic, "fear, anger or whatever" is the GOP's message. As FDR put it so eloquently, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

Jody, well put, as usual. Thanks for articulating today's FR takeway:

"fear, anger or whatever" is the GOP's message

Censorship is not the press pulling a story to protect the safety of 12 youngsters on a school trip. The fact that our President's daughter is among the group makes all a target for those who would do harm to our President. What troubles me is not the back and forth on FR, the snark, the namecalling because debating politics is always done with passion. What troubles me is that somewhere along the line, for many conservatives, it became easier to hate and fear those with whom they disagree which makes it easier to hate and fear a President not of their party, not like them. The right-wing media perpetrates this unreasonable hatred with birth certificate lies, secret Muslim lies, fear mongering lies; sadly, that makes it easier for the No Joes to hate our President and in turn hate the innocent daughers or the wife of that President.

There was a time when the press would fight, tooth an nail, against government interference.

A time when even if federal law had been broken, or national security compromised, they felt a moral obligation to print the truth- no matter how much pressure was brought to bear on them.

Even if such information served to besmirch the reputation of a democratic icon- or his successor.

A time when the press would fight- even to the SCOTUS- even in the face of withdrawn advertisers, dropped subscriptions, and jailed reporters.

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1871.html

I guess those days are over.

x

nojo,

Here is the bottom line. I don't believe a word of your bs. You could care less about the freedom of the press. You want to use this for your own political agenda against the president. Enough of you and your friends lies about this "freedom of press" crap. The story was more than likely scrubbed for the security of the 13 year old child of the sitting president. You know that. I know that. You just want to use it (and those of your ilk) to further your agenda. I would ask if you have no shame, but it is apparent you don't. Also you don't have a bit of decency. If you represent today's GOP, God save this country from your kind. I have had enough of you and your bs.

You all make great arguments and are completely correct. My only problem is the accusation of NO JO bullying the little girl.

Yes no jo is fueled by hate of President Obama and is using this story to score political points. Yes Obama's daughter is unfairly being targeted in the story.

Though I think no jo is ignorant and being ridiculous in her argument, I cannot say that the intention is to bully the girl it is more so the result ( i think the intention is much more to attack The President).

Many would say I am talking in circles and that is the same thing I just particualry in this case do not like the if a = b and b = c then a = c argument. None of knows for sure whether it is intentional thought it very well could be.

Freedom of the press comes along with the charge of integrity and responsibility.

If the press themselves felt their freedoms were being abridged, they might have complained. Or simply continued to run the story. The press is not complaining. They realize what is going on. Only the naysayers on this forum are complaining. Which indicates the argument is not about freedom of the press at all.

Not only did the story put the President's daughter in danger, it put every child on that trip in danger. This was not censoring the press - it was a call for common sense. We do not EVER place a group of children in a position that terrorists have a better chance of hurting them. Anyone who calls this censorship needs to get real.

I wrote before that I believe the children of ALL politicans are off limits. And, I think it was not good for the info about Malia's trip to be released.

I'm reading here , tho, about Malia being "bullied" on this site by the very same people who were writing earlier on the same thread that it's okay for Palin's children to be denigrated by comedians.

Shame on you all.

dirt - shame on you for your posts. You've decided that because a very few people called Palin's children names (and I am totally against that), it's okay for people to bully the Obama's children. Palin put her children front and center in every campaign stop she made - unlike the Obama's who kept them OUT of the spotlight. It is wrong to attack any child but the parents have to also use some common sense. Oh right - we're talking Sarah Palin - not a chance!

To the delusional that this is about 'censorship' is nothing but BS. Perhaps because the family of the first black President who also happens to be a Democrat (either way they hate him) had requested when first elected that they wanted their children to be off limits might have something to do with their request to remove this 'news'.

Once again, we allow the delusional to highjack the topic to something these miscreants can rail against the President. In former administrations, there have always been an unspoken understanding that not every thing the President and especially his family undertakes needs to be written or reported on and the more honorable in the press have stood by that understanding. It is only with this President, who happens to be black, has it become a form of sport to write about every little detail, knowing that the nutjobs on the right will make more out of it than ever needs to be . Wonder why that is?

Seems to me they are very intolerant of his presence in the WH and will try anything to try to make it appear he is not worthy of being there. Gee, it must be frustrating for them, he has kept his pants on, has eyes only for his wife and loves and protects his children, how very inconsiderate of him. Well get used to it, he's going to be your President for another four years.

Wow! What a grouch. So you're against health insurance? Are you for anything? Much easier to just complain than offer anything constructive I guess. Pathetic. By the way what did you think of George W Bush? Was that your idea of a strong leader?

Anax, I'm not against health Insurance. I think every able bodied person should have sufficient coverage for the illnesses they deem serious. Insurance shouldn't cover routine procedures like birth control etc. Let cover the stuff that can bankrupt us, not cause us to miss nickle beer night. Now if some one is seriously disabled or older we need a separate policy that the rest of us in good health subsidize. I don't consider healthy 26 year old adults as disabled.....

George Bush was a far better leader than we have today. In 2003 Bush wanted to reform Fannie and Freddie but liberal Democrats on the banking committee wanted to "Roll The dice" as Barney Frank put it....

UAW Pleeeeeeeease - you don't have a clue. What is being proposed is not being done to help unqualified borrowers - it will help people who were and are qualified to own their home and have been making payments. They have not been able to take advantage of low rates because the value of their homes has fallen so low. They have every right to the lower rates but don't qualify because of their home's value - not their ability. You don't know what you are talking about most of the time but this is ridiculous. And, so is the part about another President. President Obama - who has done a good job even in the face of GOP obstructionists - will win another term in November. But, then you'll just complain for the next 4 years. Poor you!

The fact that you think George Bush was a better leader says it all. Bush is and will be the worst President of our lifetime!

Just released - 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit near where the President's daughter is vacationing with her classmates.

Seeking, If the only issue is giving "qualified" under water borrower a lower interest rate I wonder why Obama pushed the banks in the $25 billion shake down for principal write downs to? Hmmm makes ya wonder doesnt it?

Wait until you get the full bill for Obamacare before you pick the worst President....

UAW - again, you are talking about a subject you know nothing about. There was no "shakedown" of the banks. Stupid comment! And, I'm confident I know the worst President - Bush!

Seek, I'm a share holder in several of those banks. You may not think it was a shake down but for me it was. Forcing banks to do Principal write downs will not help the mortgage crisis recover. Just like liberal lending didnt help unqualified borrowers own houses.....

UAW - I do mortgages for a living and you are dead wrong. Again, you don't have a clue. Those of us left in the mortgage industry are the ones who did NOT help unqualified borrowers get loans. And, the programs being offered are for QUALIFIED borrowers. You no more have shares in any of these banks than I build rocket ships. We are working to help qualified borrowers - who are already making their payments - get the best rates. That's the actuality. And, it was no more liberal lending than it was just conservatives who did it - it was in an industry that is frankly more Republican than it is Democratic!

Seek, Be careful spouting about knowledge of the industry. My wife also works in the mortgage industry. (one of the banks the Obama administration shook down) I would agree banking is run by more Republicans. They are far better at managing money and risk than Democrats. Unfortunatley liberal Democrats agreed to guarantee these liberal loans which is why Fannie and Freddie are in such horrible shape...

UAW - funny how you really DON'T have a clue. Again, your wife doesn't work in the mortgage industry or you would keep your mouth shut and stop spouting lies. Democrats are better at managing companies with integrity - unlike Republicans. Obama never shook down any banks. And, the GOP is just as responsible for Fannie and Freddie as the Democrats. Why don't you try to find a subject you know about. This clearly isn't one of them.

SeekingSanity: UAW is just showing that having common sense, knowing facts, and having knowledge on issue's is not something that he is comfortable with which shows he has been looking at rush limbaugh again. Him and white collar auto have a lot in common.

hawk - for sure. When someone talks about programs helping unqualified borrowers you know they really don't have a clue. I am frustrated every day when people who are totally qualified and have been making their payments can't get to refinance because of their property value. The programs the President is working to put into place will help those people. They completely deserve it!

Come one Seek, After that Soylent Green 1/2 billion loss you'll have hard time convincing most American's that this administration knows how to manage businesses... But you do seem to resort to name calling and personal attacks when people disagree with you. I wonder if this is also how Obama leads?

Owing more on a 15-30 year contract than what it is worth should not bother a qualified borrower. Just make your payments like you agreed. Seriously artificially writing down debt is going to put more people under water....

SeekingSanity: I totally agree with you but when you hear right wing republican they make it seem like(using reverse psychology to ease their guilt for lack of knowledge) only the 1% deserve's anything, hopefully all of the republicans will be run over by a tidal wave in november and President Obama wouldn't have to be putting up with their B.S anymore.

Katheryn, I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't Santorum polling at about 2% when these filings were done? I would imagine if that is the case, he really didn't think he would make it as far as he has. If I recall correctly, he was putting all his time and money into Iowa.

Next question, since Santorum's name is at the bottom of a long ballot, will the uninformed voter just check the top box or read down and check the bottom box? Interesting to find out.

the odd thing, katheryn, is that this isn't Santorum's first rodeo with a presidential run,...so lack of organization and ineptness should have been covered months ago.

I bet Tim Pawlenty is KICKING himself for getting out when he did. Not that his is necessarily any more viable; but WOWZA - he could have gone further than Gingrich as it turns out!

Thanks phine and Clara for the info - so perhaps I was giving Santorum a bit too much slack and it was incompetence on someone's part! :~))

And Clara - yeah, someone forgot to tell Pawlenty the rules had changed - it's a brave new world out there. The gentlemen have all left the room (not true of course,but I liked Pawlenty's style)

Now Bob please explain how you have all the facts about President Obama mother's health insurance. I'm sure you don't have any facts but you won't let a little thing like facts slow you down. You better go check out that position for a vaginal probe.

Nuclear weapons, Middle East wars, global warming, overpopulation, infectious diseases, terroristic religions, systemic unemployment, etc. and nutjobs like you are worrying about some political rhetoric? Laughable and pathetic. Bob, just how biased are you? Do you ever read a book- besides your bible? Try contributing something positive, it really will help that unhappy life.

Sue you know Bob and the tea people Koch republicans don't need or use facts, they just make things up.

Now Bob please explain how you have all the facts about President Obama mother's health insurance. I'm sure you don't have any facts but you won't let a little thing like facts slow you down.

They are all up on the Washington Post's website and the WH has not disputed them. Now DO YOU have any sources that contradict these statements?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/the-road-weve-traveled-a-misleading-account-of-obamas-mother-and-her-insurance-dispute/2012/03/18/gIQAdDd4KS_blog.html

So, I followed your link, Alan:

Dunham had filed the disability claim to help pay for those additional expenses. The company denied the claim because her doctor had suspected uterine cancer during an office visit 2 ½ months before Dunham had started the job with Development Alternatives, though Dunham said the doctor had not discussed the possibility with cancer with her. Dunham requested a review from CIGNA, saying she was turning the case over to "my son and attorney Barack Obama."

So, it was disability insurance she was denied on the basis it was a "pre-existing condition" not the actual health insurance. I think plenty of us know folks who have battled with health insurance companies, and even people who have died because they couldn't afford preventative medicine. This story just reminds us of that. Obama talks about his mother, because it shows he can relate to what many of us have experienced. Do you really think Romney's mom had any worries about paying her medical bills and expenses?

I think plenty of us know folks who have battled with health insurance companies, and even people who have died because they couldn't afford preventative medicine, so this resonates with most Americans.

But she could afford and was NOT denied preventive medicine. From the same article.

The first lady also suggests the death “could have been prevented.” (Again, it was not an insurance issue. Before going overseas, Dunham was too busy with work and had skipped an important test recommended by her U.S. doctor, dilation and curettage, that might have spotted the cancer earlier. Then an Indonesian doctor diagnosed her problem as appendicitis and removed her appendix. By the time the cancer was finally discovered, it was third-stage.)

and...

When Scott’s book was published, the White House did not dispute her account. “The president has told this story based on his recollection of events that took place more than 15 years ago,” a spokesman said.

So basically a doctor suspected she was ill and recommended a diagnostic test. She was too busy, not denied coverage, to have the test.

I personally know at least seven women who have battled cervical and/or ovarian cancer. It is hard to detect and often lethal. President Obama sharing this story just reminds me of these women's stories. All I care about is, the President gets it. You want to quibble over details, fine, the more you split hairs, the more I understand that Republicans don't get it. You just don't get it. I know plenty of uninsured people who don't get tests because they can't pay for them. The President's mother was lucky she finally got a job with coverage, but the last thing she needed was fighting over the disability insurance to cover expenses. I know people who owe money to hospitals they will never be able to pay off. Maybe you're rich and this isn't an issue for you and you don't know anyone for whom it is. Fine, then, vote for Romney.

Nothing is more telling than conservatives going after a deceased person because the child of the deceased person is our President who during the 2008 campaign described the problems the parent had in dealing with health insurance providers, coverage, disability or whatever. I have had family members who fought cancer before the disease took them away too soon, fought the insurance providers to pay for tests, treatment, etc. because some administrator in the company decided such and such wasn't covered. My Mom and I spent considerable time after my stepdad died getting the bills paid because of one dispute after another; my experience is no different from many others.

The story President Obama told was not about the specifics of his mother's fight but rather the overall cruelty of our health care system, the callousness of insurance providers in determining who gets what coverage if any; and how, too often, sick people must fight to get the treatment they need in the hope of living a few more years paid for by the very insurance company to which they or their employer have paid premiums often for years and years.

The conservatives who think they have found some little tidbit abut President Obama to cling to are as petty as cruel as the insurance companies who too often decide who has a chance to live and who doesn't.

Amy - how true about health insurance. My husband and I pay over $1,400 a month on health insurance.(that is substantially less than our mortgage payment in this part of the country) We are thinking about switching insurance companies, but with "preexisting conditions" we are worried we may be denied insurance or it will be even higher than we are paying now.

This may not be a concern for others,but it is a big issue for us.

Don't YOU just love the way the left wingers quote "fact check" when it pertains to something republicans have said but ignore or make excuses when it pertains to President Obama. When they do read the fact check information they like to cherry pick.

It was a lie when Obama used it in the last campaign and it is a lie as used in that little 17 minute propaganda piece narrated by Tom Hanks. The "fact checker" gave it 3 PINOCCHIOS.

Amy, Jody and Katheryn.

I don't deny there are problems with our system of insurance and providers. If you want an ironic laugh there is a you tube video called "If Hospitals were Hotels". One bill at the end of a stay, when you leave (not 3 months later), and a cost you knew up front.

However, when the President, or any political figure, tries to use a personal story to promote a policy then they had better get the facts correct. If not, it will be dissected for accuracy. Not only was his story incorrect, which the WH has admitted, they are now allowing it to be used in this new bio. The political attacks can be expected, and would happen on either side.

If you want to have a policy discussion then I'm all for it. As i said above I don't like the ACA because I think it perpetrates a broken system and did not address the root cause of costs, doctors, hospitals and drug companies. Simply adding a layer of subsidies for insurance will not solve the issue and will probably drive up costs more because of the added demand. As to Jody's comment on sick people fighting for treatment, what do you think happens elsewhere in the world. There is a finite supply and infinite demand for medical services. You think in other countries people don't die for lack of treatment, particularly the elderly. This was another issue ACA ignored, the whole question of rationing. Instead of having a debate on the issue, they ran as soon as the slogan of "death panels" was used. Why could they not have made the argument that there should be transparency in who would get treatment instead of running at the first sign of controversy. Same with the mandate. Pass a law mandating a citizen to buy a product from a private company because they were too scared to raise a tax. Imagine if George Bush had passed a law mandating citizens to buy a retirement product from a private company. Would you support that?

Alan, so that's life in your view; everyone fights for healthcarein a finite system. Why is it then that in this country with excellent physicians and hospitals and treatment centers that Americans have such poor health, that our infant mortality rate is so much higher. We have the facilities, we have much and you whine because President Obama didn't say the words right to suit you. The truth is you still have nothing when you continue to make an issue over choice of words in campaign speeches when the essence of the speech was the truth about our health care system and the need to reform it. Since Harry Truman, both republicans and democrats have tried to reform the monsterous insurance system we have. This also used to be a republican wish, a republican idea but now it is some evil thing because President Obama actually did it, however imperfect, it is a start. There's the hypocrisy, Alan, a political party which agreed that reform was needed, that our system needed an overhaul and then being unwilling to participate just because President Obama could not be given a win. Those of you who buy the conservative lies about ACA deserve the system we had.

Yes, I would have supported HCR with a mandate if George W. Bush had passed it because, in case you missed it, it was a republican idea in the first place. I've supported the idea behind every effort, R or D, to reform our private health care system. It was GOP Senator Charles Grassley who added the mandate to ACA. Why should I or anyone else, who pays a monthly health insurance premium, be subsidizing those who choose not to have it. Everytime I go to the doctor or pay my premium, I'm paying higher costs to cover the expenses incurred by hospitals treating the uninsured. I have no problem with treating the uninsured who simply cannot afford insurance, it's the compassionate thing to do.

How about you, Alan, would you have supported ACA if it had been passed by the GOP and signed by President Bush, with or without a mandate?

Incidentally, how can a "mandate" be considered a real mandate if there is no enforceable penalty? There is no enforceable penalty in ACA; it is a toothless mandate merely intended to encourage everyone to purchase it.

While it is imperfect, there are many excellent pieces of ACA that benefit the people. Just ask Mitt Romney, maybe he'll be honest that his MA plan has achieved the goal of covering more people, lowering the costs, improving the health of its citizens, and lowering the cost curve which is harming American's pocket books.

How about you, Alan, would you have supported ACA if it had been passed by the GOP and signed by President Bush, with or without a mandate?

No, no and hell no. Where do you get the idea that I supported anything GWB did? Afghanistan in 2001 yes, his work for AIDS in Africa and that's about it. Two tax cuts No. I was for paying down the debt when we had the chance and giving our children a great future. Iraq, hell no. Medicare D with no funding are you kidding?

Why should I or anyone else, who pays a monthly health insurance premium, be subsidizing those who choose not to have it.

And what has changed? You think 30m who will now get subsidized insurance cost less than maybe the 1m a year who actually get treatment? Who do you think is paying the subsidies to a private company? Are you really this blinded and stupid because it was passed by a Democrat that it was the biggest POS ever? I asked you if you support a mandate to buy a private retirement to replace SS? The principal is the same. The government is creating a law that requires you to buy a private product.

Incidentally, how can a "mandate" be considered a real mandate if there is no enforceable penalty? There is no enforceable penalty in ACA; it is a toothless mandate merely intended to encourage everyone to purchase it.

There is an IRS penalty that the Administration cannot decide whether to call it a fine or a tax. However, lets take your statement at face value. If the penalty is unenforceable and there is no restrictions on pre-existing conditions why buy insurance? If this is the best reform the Democrats can come up with then again no. It's a POS. You seem to think I'll support Republicans blindly. You are wrong.

I will support benefits that are funded and sustainable. I will also support benefits that are targeted. Welfare should not be an end in itself. It is a means to an end with the end being the recipient getting back on their feet and becoming a productive member of society.

Devastating Health Insurance Cost Increases

We just got a notice that the cost of the healthcare coverage that we provide to our employees is increasing by 33% for those of us with the PPO plan and 36% for our employees who selected the cheaper HMO version of our plan. Yet our company has had to hold or reduce our own prices over the last 4 years and even going back into the late 90's we were lucky if we could even increase our prices 3-4% a year. How do these insurance companies justify these types of increases? Last year was the only year that their increases were even close to within reason and that's only because they were being challenged. If health insurance premiums increased double or even triple the rate of inflation we'd probably be able to accept it, but the ridiculous annual increase percentages over the past 10-12 years have been devastating to our business and our employees. Something needs to be done.

I didn't vote for President Obama and I know that the plan that they passed is not ideal, but at least he had the guts to take this issue on. I run a business that employs just over 20 people and neither our company nor our employees can afford this anymore. We're paying 65% and our employees are paying the balance. About 15 years ago we were paying 100%, then about 10 years ago had to cut it to 75% and then a few years back to 65%. I consider myself an independent voter, but going back to the Reagan days and with the only exception having been Perot, I've always voted Republican. So I'm not a lefty, yet I believe that every U.S. Citizen deserves basic healthcare coverage.

It doesn't matter who fixes it - Just fix it period.

All this single-minded, left versus right, ideological one dimensional bull crap has got to go! This is the problem with our country. It shouldn't be about Democrats or Republicans! It should be about Americans, especially our elected officials, doing the right thing for our country and it's citizens.

I find it amazing that one thing that is constantly ignored in these discussions, is the fact that the health care provided to uninsured illegals here in the states is being averaged into our hospital costs and our insurance premiums, which have proportionately increased along with illegal immigration over the last 20 years. These costs are also being passed along to Medicaid and Medicare, which means that not only are they increasing our insurance premiums, but that we're paying for them again with our tax dollars.

Our tax dollars and insurance premiums should not be used to recoup the cost of healthcare given to illegal immigrants, who shouldn't even be here in our country in the first place.

To the people that disagree, we should ask them should this:

If a few illegal immigrants knocked on your door and demanded that you pay some medical bills for them, would you pay them?

I find it amazing that one thing that is constantly ignored in these discussions, is the fact that the health care provided to uninsured illegals here in the states is being averaged into our hospital costs and our insurance premiums, which have proportionately increased along with illegal immigration over the last 20 years. These costs are also being passed along to Medicaid and Medicare, which means that not only are they increasing our insurance premiums, but that we’re paying for them again with our tax dollars.

Our tax dollars and insurance premiums should not be used to recoup the cost of healthcare given to illegal immigrants, who shouldn't even be here in our country in the first place.

To the people that disagree, we should ask them should this:

If a few illegal immigrants knocked on your door and demanded that you pay some medical bills for them, would you pay them?

Sorry about the duplicate post.

Fight socialism,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Anyone but Obama in 2012.

Why did the democrat cross the road????

To sign up for welfare.

paidmyfee - I'm always that people like you know so much about welfare. I'm a registered Independent, usually (lately) vote Democratic and I don't know anyone on welfare. Clearly you do. And, my guess is it isn't a Democrat. Your post is pathetic and says so much more about you than it does anything else.

Obama/Biden 2012

Well alan and Jody - I don't care which party comes up with the plan, but I do know the health insurance premiums my husband and I pay are killing us. The company my husband works for is too small to carry any type of health insurance for it's employees. I'm sure there are many small business owners that are in the same boat.

Which of the health care plans that the two parties are offering would guarantee that we would not be denied health insurance for preexisting conditions and it would not cost us more money than we are paying now.

I suspect these are the same issues a lot of people are concerned about whose insurance is not paid for through their companies or they are not eligible for Medicare or a Military health plan.

WCA

How are the folks doing there? Been a lot of these sad things happening. The Red Cross has to be pushed to their limit!

Hey phine,

Red Cross is there. Pretty tight knit community. If you go to the story you can see some photos of everyone helping out. The fact that no one was killed is truly a miracle.

High Schools have set up a temporary living center for the people who's homes were destroyed.

And the churches have been packed.

They will get through it. Homes and stuff can be replaced. It just takes time

WCA,

Living in an area prone to hurricanes, I feel for these folks. At least with a hurricane, I have serveral days warning. A tornado however.............................................

Marcoo, That was a thoughtful post and I think, a sincere one. Now for some commentary. Why do you have to bring in an almighty hand into this? When you ask yourself what the hell is wrong with you it may be that belief in the unreal is a contributing factor. Why do you believe what you do? In almost every instance the answer is because someone told you it was true. Probably at an age where there was no critical thinking occurring in your brain. People profess a certain belief in science, but if it conflicts with their religious brainwashing they are somehow able to live with that contradiction. thus for the hard core (which I doubt you are one) the Earth is 4000 years old, there is no darwinian evolution, etc. Remember those Holy books claim to be the actual word of God. Its not a cafeteria, you don't get to pick and choose which parts you want to believe and which parts are just too distasteful for modern thinking, although of course that's exactly what most people (and most likely you) exactly do. Does it not seem there is a little more intellectual honesty in the true taliban style religious nuts. Does it ever bother you that there is no scientific evidence whatsoever for your religious beliefs. You can be moral, ethical and do a lot of good in the world without being religious. Of course you do have to give up the supremely selfish idea that you will live forever in some kind of afterlife. But, do you really believe that? I hope not. If your beliefs are based on God talking to you personally than disregard all of the above and see a mental health professional.

Marcoo, enjoyed your thoughtful post. I think we should all be able to agree that one's faith is of less importance than how one lives his/her life. Some choose organized religion, some not; some believe, some do not. Whatever one chooses is personal and should not be ridiculed or disrespected. The teachings of the Bible as faith is of less importance that the teachings in it that say those who have been given much have an obligation to help the least among us; we are our brother's keeper; sharing what we have with those who have nothing.

BTW, David Walker does have a day job.

And, Jody, Jesus also said that an able man chooses not to work, he does not deserve to eat.

dirt - I've yet to see someone choose NOT to work so your comment is worthless!

Thanks for posting that information. I looked it up and found that not only did Santorum vote against FMLA, he also wanted to end overtime pay for employees who work more than 40 hours. A lot of people depend on FMLA and overtime pay, including me. I wonder if the Santorum supporters are even aware of his history.

These posts are enlightening. Thanks and keep them coming. This guy can't surprise me anymore!

Obama created the largest annual deficits since WWII.

Obama also claims we should be growing algae instead of drilling for oil.

When you live in a SWAMP and the place is 26 FEET BELOW SEA LEVEL you should be allowed to drown in peace if you stay after five hundred warnings.

Only a democrat would complain when his swamp floods during a hurricane.

Only a democrat would demand others pay him to rebuild his home 26 feet below sea level in a coastal swamp after he refused to buy flood insurance or home owners insurance.

Vote Romney 2012 and hope for change.

USHonor, and Santorum voted NOT TO PAY for Medicare Part D. What was his excuse then for adding to the deficit, debt except that not funding Medicare Part D would burden the Medicare system thus making it easier for the GOP to eliminate it as "too costly".

Romney is the only candidate who has the financial experience to even remotely have a chance of fixing the economy. And if you think Obama care's about Middle-Class/Middle America any more than Romney, then you are a blind follower. If Obama cared anything about the state of health care in this country, he would have regulated the rates before passing his "Affordable"(what a joke) Health Care Act. But, then again, he would have lost a lot of campaign contributions. If anyone has been paying attention to the stories about the highest paid CEO's in this country, you might have noticed that most of them have some connection to the health care industry. Funny how that works huh?

Well you know the joke, Hillary has already been President twice.

LADY JAG - Hillary would have faced the same problems Obama has - but because she is a woman. The GOP would still have railed against her and tried to make her a one-term President. If you vote for no one, you give the GOP a vote.