Backhouse - it was a great comment and I do hope you're feeling better.

Question to Mark & Domenico - why was it deleted? Today's FT was very tame compared to yesterday's thread on assault weapons.

Ignore them, Backhouse. It just means they are afraid of what you say. Backhanded compliment, as it were.

Feel better!

Layton, it was deleted because the rwnj's can't hear truth.

maybe because truth is rarely spoken...

It was more likely removed for improper referencing from another publication. Grow up !

Rest assured, the post will go back up if i think it will.

THERE WAS NO REFERENCING TO 'ANOTHER PUBLICATION".

I WROTE IT FROM SCRATCH AT 3AM IN THE MORNING.

Try taking off your blindfold once in a while.

NDD - agreed. And Lil Michelle, there were quite a few well-cited posts on that thread. Yours as usual were just one liners meant to inflame. Do you ever back anything up with a reference???? EVER?

@Backhouse

You know the TeaPeople hold an insane grudge against anyone who posts first.

Secondly, your post must have struck a nerve....aka truth, something that the TeaPeople do not like.

Thirdly, TeaPeople believe they are the only ones with constitutionally guaranteed rights!

Keep doing what you do Backhouse.....I enjoy your posts!

Is that a requirement Layton?

drop the hate, it will eat you up inside!

Backhouse - clearly those on the far right can't handle a well thought out and provocative post. It was very good.

Sorry to hear you're ill. I caught that horrible flu - twice - in December. Take it easy and take care of yourself. It's a tough one to beat!

It just means they are afraid of what you say.

NDD,

Fear & paranoia is all the collapse cowards have left in their bag of dirty tricks! ;o)

Mark and Dom -- Will the Ryan budget proposal be difficult to pass in the House now that some Tea Party Representatives are coming out against it? If that were to happen and it's voted down, what does that say about the leadership of the Republican Party in the House?

[It was more likely removed for improper referencing from another publication.]

Aww...need a lolly?

Get off your "free speech" high horse, if you cannot handle a comment that did not break any rules.

Take a bow, Backhouse!

Just means you got under their thin skin! ;o)

Backhouse - that was a great post and have no idea why it was deleted.

First Read - do you even read what people, on what I imagine have opposite opinions, want deleted?? Please go back and read the post and reinstate it. It had value, it was not inflammatory and there wasn't any advertising.

Amazing all of you libs getting your panties in a bunch about a deleted post. You do realize that FR does that very rarely as the "Tyler and Sally Show" do no moderate it like they do on the "US Politics and World News" wings of NBC News. Something in there sparked a nerve with the powers that be at FR and NOT with NBC. It may not have been Backhouse but maybe the way the "conversation" was going as a whole that made it irrelevant. Won't know till Back house gets an answer but until then, keep on patting each other on the back. It will get better.

And you know if it was the opposition to the left, there would be a hell of a lot more "deleted's" or "collapsed by the community" posts that would get pushed into the never world of the internet.

Like Feisty's unending fascination with Virginia Bob's multi registrations. Talk about irrelevant to ANY thread.

Yep, Feisty, the right wingers hunting in a wolfpack for anything that gets in the way of their delusions.

Talk: if you ever knew what you were talking about, you'd be dangerous. As it is, you are a joke. I know you believe that you know EVERYTHING about how this site works, but you aren't even close.

The moderators did not take down that comment. Right wing nutjobs did.

Backhouse I dont think it was your comment that did it..i was unthrilled about it too, but seriously its funny how you blame the 'right' posters when I have give an example of both Ron Indiana and your Esteemed FR leader Feisty both claiming to collapse posts as No Value to get them removed...Lets see if you can provide the same evidence..The more Feisty interjects, the more inclined to believe it was from the 'Left'.

LM . . .

drop the hate, it will eat you up inside!

Not a hater. I'd suggest you work on that little lying problem of yours.

As it is, you are a joke. I know you believe that you know EVERYTHING about how this site works, but you aren't even close.

LMAO!

Sorry, NDD, I put Mr. Full of Himself on my esteemed "ignore" list months ago!

No sense wasting time trying to "talk to the hand"... lol

Backhouse: There was not a damn thing in your post that this site should of censored. How far will the suppression of speech go.

Screw the first amendment; but God help anyone who even goes near the second.

I care about the peoples of this country. We should not be dealing with military-style weapons when we are in the Mall, or going about our business with our children.

There was no "reference" directly or indirectly to ANY other publication.

Thus we know it was taken down by folks who couldn't face up to the content, and not the moderators.

Feisty: I get tired of the arrogance. He does not know what he is talking about.

Maybe it was the fact that you wrote something at 3 AM, 5 hours before you even know what the article is going to be about? Grandma, IR and all you people post talking points day in and day out no matter what the article is about.

Just look back and you will see that these pre-written posts rarely have anything to do with the article. Maybe relevance is an issue?

It does seem that the only one know knows how to game this site is Fisty as previously mentioned. So far evidence points to an insider.

Collapsing and deleting is for cowards....but flying a false flag certainly isn't below the FR crowd.

Layton, you said it exactly:

"Screw the first amendment; but God help anyone who even goes near the second."

Words don't smash bodies to smithereens, at least.

If you are up at 3A.M. creating your "offerings" then you may need to seek professional help .... or at least try some kind of "drugs, sex or alcohol" to get some sleep ! LOL !! This thread is simply not worth that kind of extreme "devotion" !

And what pray tell in that article was about Dr. Carson, Morgs? Or the actor used for Satan in the History channel series?

Don't start preaching relevance dude. You've got absolutely none on your side.

You really are a nosey-hole.

My son and i have been very sick. I got up to take care of him. As it has been painful to lie down at times, I sat up and wrote for a while.

Any further criticisms?

The moderators did not take down that comment. Right wing nutjobs did.

it would appear you have some inside knowledge? You care to enlighten us or this kinda like Brian williams making falsities?

Maybe relevance is an issue?

I doubt it Morgs...Like I said earlier they as in the left derails the 'discussion' long before it starts and then claims it was 'Reichwing terrorists'...Unfortunately the truth isnt on their side, nor is history. They got busted a couple years ago in cahoots with the Journalists of FR doing these same things...it was good times indeed. Look i think it would be better if they just had a liberal questionairre to fill out before you sign up so they could prescreen and remove the dissenting opinion and 'vitriol' if thats what FR wants.

Layton-3733410 -

And what pray tell in that article was about Dr. Carson, Morgs?

Dunno, ask the person who started the comparison between the good Dr. and the Lawyer. I don't even know who Dr. Carson is but I know we can't do any worse.

NDDR perhaps you can enlighten me how RWNJ"S can take down a comment without the moderators actually eliminating it? And then, let me know how some get reposted while you are at it.

Enlighten me all knowing. Please. (I said please)

Sorry, NDD, I put Mr. Full of Himself on my esteemed "ignore" list months ago!

No sense wasting time trying to "talk to the hand"... lol

Translation: He made sense more than I like to live with and I would rather not have to live with that.

Layton - Morgs's wasn't even relevant the day he/she/it was born! And, all he/she/it does is post lie after lie - then try to walk it back!

Again Backhouse - it was a good post - too much for the little righties to handle.

Wait, Talkie old boy, you've been telling us for months how this site works. You should know.

So spill it.

So spill it.

Touche' NDD!

Still LMAO!!!

The trolls have figured out how to game the system!

If you want to know how, hit me up on the flip-side, I'm not going to give them any more ammo! ;o)

Fisty, please share. I would like to level the playing field. Just like how O did when he had to take public donations...we can't let the repugs have a leg up on us.

I would say--wait for the facts on why it was deleted, I'm really interested as to what happened...

NDDR, really. I don't recall ever telling anyone how the site works. It always seemed pretty simple to me. You got votes for inflammatory, no value, advertising, you got "collapsed by the community" (meaning moderators). You got nasty and slung names and downgraded constantly other users, you get banned. Now, seems to me FR stopped doing that last summer for the most part as a support of freedom of speech. So why all of a sudden a collapse of Backhouse? Never really had any trouble with those myself. You got any examples? And perhaps you should enlighten the rest of the crew not on the inside track with you libs who know all about it. Oh, that's right, your little meetings with the moderators gave you the skinny.

Why are veterans from the the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan waiting so long for treatment from the Va?

Talkie, dear: if you require a private tutorial on how this site works from a moderator or anyone else, including me, it just proves once and for all that you should not be loose in society without a helmet or a keeper.

lisa: especially the psychological treatment that some of them need to avoid the raft of suicides.''

Hope things are well with you.

Hey Talk, what happened to Satan?

I would say--wait for the facts on why it was deleted, I'm really interested as to what happened...

in the end, it doesnt matter. as far as i was able to tell there was nothing different then any other thread...SSDD..

it just proves once and for all that you should not be loose in society without a helmet or a keeper.

wow Newday, you didnt actually answer the question instead just went to the 'you're special' tactic...You made the claim as if you have knowledge it was the Rightwingers that did it...we're asking you to PROVE it...

NewdayDAWNING, I am doing well. I hope you and your family are doing well also. Hopefully it will warm up for you soon.

Talk,

The "Collapse" is a computerized function that does not involve the moderators. It is an algorithm that requires at a minimum of 5 flags for inflammatory or a certain percentage (unknown to me) of all comments, whichever is greater. The "no value" flag actually do nothing on NBC articles – it only works on Vine articles and seeds.

wow Newday, you didnt actually answer the question instead just went to the 'you're special' tactic...You made the claim as if you have knowledge it was the Rightwingers that did it...we're asking you to PROVE it...

And I just had that up for a day to bring up some nastiness. Satan, Obama in a hoodie. There was a striking resemblance to the actor though. May have been just makeup but whoever it was had someone on his/her mind. I wonder if somehow they are distant relatives.

And Dennis, thank you very much for the explanation. Now, do you know how one gets deleted? And one more favor, do you know how Tyler and Sally get "keyed" on the violations they seem to see?

Backhouse, it was an outstanding post...unfortunately speaking truth and using facts in the debate over sensible gun laws and the right to be free from an atmosphere filled with bullets cannot be tolerated by the gun lobby.

Guns don't make people violent, but they make violent people highly effective.

FR, what are the prospects that we'll actually get some sensible budgeting, between the Ryan budget being DOA for the third year in a row, Republicans backing down from a Sequester standoff, and the Senate offering their own budget even though that's never been the standard way in which budgets originate?

Are Chuck Todd and the rest of the WH Press Corp going to return to puff ball questions, in light of Mr. Obama's childish attempts to intimidate them into shying away from tough questions by, for example calling Chuck "incorrigible", or will the Press Corp do what they should have done the first 4 years and start asking questions, with follow ups when they receive non-answers, that call into question and hold Mr. Obama accountable for his practices and policies?

In other words, is the puff balling going to continue or are you guys going to finally strat acting like real journalist?

BTW, the Obama/ Satan thing is baloney. The character looks far more like Robert Parish (Celtics) than Obama.

Talk,

Tyler & Sally don't act on First Read (FR) articles (an agreement between First Read and Newsvine) but they do act to the inflammatory flags on other NBC articles. They may act on FR once in a while but they do not leave comments on FR as to any punishment (time out or banned) or reason.

I know how to force a comment to be deleted but I'm not going to say here what does it (too many know already) only to say it is done by another computer software function. If you watch which comments get deleted on a regular basis you will see what it takes to delete one.

Only the moderators can restore a collapsed or deleted comment.

Even Bibi knows that our media largely consists of Obama bum kissers.

NETANYAHU JOKES TO OBAMA: YOU SEEM TO HAVE 'INCESTUOUS RELATIONSHIP' WITH MEDIA

President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu had a light-hearted moment when Obama introduced his chief foreign policy speechwriter Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes. Pointing at Rhodes, Obama said to Netanyahu, "Just remember that anything offensive that I say, it's because of him." Obama then pointed out that Ben's brother, David, runs CBS News and has a "proud Jewish mother."

Netanyahu quipped, "It sounds like a very incestuous relationship,"

Why, under the sequester, is protecting us against criminal illegal aliens less important than protecting elephants in Africa, growing mangoes in Pakistan or funding Russian TV shows?

The federal government is looking into the serious issue of the "conflict" between humans and elephants. To help further this important issue, the government generously gave $3.8 million of your tax dollars to study the matter.

The princely sum was awarded in 2011 and 2012 for the African Elephant Conservation grant; it was sent to "any African government agency responsible for African elephant conservation and protection and any other organization or individual with demonstrated experience in African elephant conservation."

Despite the millions offered, the federal government assured our African partners that no documentation or credentials were required to apply for the grant.

As CNSNews reports, the grant objectives were "to provide financial assistance to support projects that will enhance sustainable conservation programs to ensure effective, long-term conservation of African elephants."

More funding is coming for 2013, despite the sequester that the President said would shut down the government.

This wasn't the only helping hand that the federal government lent to efforts in foreign lands. In 2012, the feds also laid out $200 million for a reality TV show in India in order to advertise U.S. cotton products.

The government also spent $30 million that went to help Pakistani Mango farmers.

We shouldn't forget the celebrity chef show in Indonesia that was the happy recipient of $100,000, the "Rockin' the Kremlin" documentary that got $550,000, or the $702,558 project to bring TV to Vietnamese villages.

KingK,

[Why, under the sequester, is protecting us against criminal illegal aliens less important than protecting elephants in Africa, growing mangoes in Pakistan or funding Russian TV shows?]

Our President and no other person, what-so-ever, can decide where the cuts are made, what programs get funded and which do not. That was part of the law created with the Budget Control Act of 2011.
The cuts are across the board cuts which is why everyone has said that "these are dumb cuts".
As General Ray Odierno said Friday on "Morning Joe" and "CBS This Morning" under sequestration he is not allowed to move funds around in FY13.

Backhouse

To whoever deleted my comment #1 on First Thoughts this morning:

Get off your "free speech" high horse, if you cannot handle a comment that did not break any rules.

Myself, i would like to live in a world where some nutcase doesn't turn up and put an automatic weapon in my face, or in the face of my children.

We're not starring in the "Untouchables" anytime soon. Grow up and let folks live in peace.

Kiss La Pierre's arse on your own time - not mine.

Backhouse, I don't think it was your post that was the target. It's possible that some of the replies that were inflammatory were flagged so and the entire post was deleted. That's just my guess. I see enough of the verbal sparring on First Read to think that people have a pretty thick skin when it comes to being attacked by another First Read poster.

Thanks all for your insights and good wishes.

so back says "I WROTE IT FROM SCRATCH AT 3AM IN THE MORNING."

i suppose that is better than what, 3AM in the afternoon?

Dennis

Obama rejected the legislation that would have given him discretion to select where/what to cut. He proposed the sequester. Please tell Mr. Obama that was another dumb move, you know those mistakes he is now admitting he made, on his part.

KingK,

Our President rejected it because it was just another political game to deflect blame from Congress to the President.

If he accepted that power then Republicans would blame any pain from the cuts on the President.

Republicans voted for the sequester by a large majority !

Great question, Lil Michelle ! I wonder if they will have the guts to attempt to answer that question !!

When does an "almost crisis" become a "real crisis" ? When it is too late to do anything about it ??

Immediate as in the next 5 minutes or as in the next 5 years? Ask Obama when he thinks it will become a crisis? Answer from him, not on my watch, blame it on the next president.

Well, for debt to be considered an immediate crisis, it would have to pose some threat to the politicians, like no free booze on air force 1, or maybe congressional retirement plans scaled back to reflect the real world. Not sure why we cannot get an ammendment to the constitution that implements term limits for congress, and prohibits any laws that affect them and not us or visa versa 1

King, where were you when the Bush tax cuts, Medicare Part D, and 2 unfunded wars that created this "crisis" were created? Seems to me that's the ultimate example of leaving it for the next guy.

Oh here we go again .... another weak-a$$ version of the blame game from an Obama apologist !

chick binder --- I ask about the same question a couple of days ago ,still "crickets" as the saying goes.

It's an asinine question based on a false premise ! That is why no one has previously answered.

I asked chickiepoo when he was going to quit beating his wife and embarassing his entire family ... still no answer from him. Perhaps he is embarassed that his wife is "same sex". Who knows ?

Great questions, NDD - don't think they can answer the third! :)

I was hoping someone could! I want to go outside and play and it is just too ugly here. I'd settle for muddy horses because of the melting snow over what we have right now.

newday - if you get an answer to #3 then we have to say Mark and Domenico are REALLY good! It's freezing here in Chicago. Last year we were in the 70-80 range. Oh well......

I happily choose to believe that Mark and Domenico know all and see all!

I am sure you believe in the tooth fairy as well !

My preference would be for Sen Mark Warner. I wanted to support him in the 2007 Democratic primary, but he dropped out.

(But nobody asked me : )

Bob, do you REALLY think that McDonnell has any legitimate chance with women in the nation after his hard right stand on abortion, including the transvaginal ultra sounds? I sure don't.

What happens to the Probing Governor if Cuccinelli ISN'T elected Governor?

When do the media adopt English as their first language? For instance. Ken Cuccinelli is NOT a conservative, but rather a totalitarian misogynist. Paul Ryan is not a conservative, he is a fascist front man.

I'm not kidding about the question. President Obama is hardly what you would consider to be a liberal. He's quite conservative as a matter of fact.

How about it? Why aren't you guys using the language according to Webster instead of these damned spin doctors like Frank Luntz?

will that help current Governor Bob McDonnell rise to the top tier of GOP Presidential hopefuls?

Hey Vag, Being in the top tier of GOP hopefuls doesn't mean a whole hell of a lot these days....

GT - being in the top tier of GOP hopefuls is akin to being in the top part of the dung heap.

Seeking, You got that right...

Amy -- good questions , wish I could give you an answer.

Here is what happened when people were asked about Obama pardoning the sequester, and sending it to Portugal... hillarious!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gXOV_XWJck&feature=youtu.be

Lil

Those street questions Jimmy has asked are funny, but the answers, while even more funny, are down right scary, especially considering that many of them vote.

Bob, the "smear" campaign as you called it intiated with McDonnell. We all know Republicans like to smudge out their past and recreate it. The women of this country won't forget it. EVER.

Bob is right...it was a smear campaign! Women should have just taken their vaginal probes like a man!!!

...uh...

The smear against McDonnell hurt his VP chances, but has run its course

So, Bobby,

You gonna tell us how many active accounts you currently have on Newsvine?

My guess is 4 at last count, am I wrong?

1.) Bob 18805

2.) Bob in Virginia lot's of numbers

3.) GOP Comeback 2014

and... drum roll please...

the latest being Bob in Virginia-7570413

Why do you need 4 different accounts Bob?

Feisty, how many you have? Obsess much?

Feisty, how many you have?

1

Funny a multiple re-regger like yourself would ask... eh Harley Chic?

Obsess much?

Nah! Just curious why someone needs to cheat the system?

Hey Bob, why don't you enlighten us and put an end to the mystery?

I rest my case from #1.15 above. My God don't you have anything to do.

And Backhouse, 3 in the morning really? I knew you and David Walker and IR, and Jody, and on and on did show prep to the max but is FR REALLY that much of your life?

Nah! Just curious why someone needs to cheat the system?

How is that cheating the system? With your never ending "Virginia Bob active accounts PROBE" and the "contacts" you have here, if he were doing something wrong don't you think they would do something? I suggest he deactivates the others and only posts on one. What the hell difference does it make if they let him get away with it?

Oh she does obcess much Lil Michelle! Both she and Backhouse have several identities they post under.

Just ask Dennis, he's their analyst of the ISDN's.

Pluck off the Queen of FR and she will have you removed as a re-reg, whether you may be or not. It's the libbie FR way or the highway with her.

And yet, all of you, funnygirlie are still here.

Interesting, if you want to claim that Feisty has all that power. Paranoia is a wonderful place to live, right funny?

Off topic, but have you heard the Obama speech from Israel? Much stumbling from the leader of this administion with many poor choices of words with no substance.

Surely he can do better when he speaks to the world.

Was his teleprompter broken ? Did someone offer him a Yamaka (spelling) ??

And yet, all of you, funnygirlie are still here.

NDD,

One of the oldest tricks in blogging!

Register multiple accounts in a pathetic attempt to make it look like there are more supporters than there actually are!

And having a few spares when you get banned doesn't hurt either...

That damn cat must have Bobby's tongue again... lol

Off topic, but have you heard the Obama speech from Israel? Much stumbling from the leader of this administion with many poor choices of words with no substance.

Surely he can do better when he speaks to the world.

Care to give us some specific passages that did not meet your high standards of approval?

Did someone offer him a Yamaka (spelling) ??

Y-A-R-M-U-L-K-E (says a confirmed Episcopalian)

Isn't it telling neverbeenfunnybroad has suddenly changed the subject? Let me see, at one point she worked for the government - then in classified military ops, now, she doesn't remember where she works.

You really have to pity the far right with their complex's. They truly are clueless! And, this is how many for neverbeenfunnybroad?????

Da Noid,

Listen to the news and count the number of stumbles for yourself.

Why should I, have to educated you? Liberals never listen to reality, do they?

Learn to research and think for yourself bub.

Wow! Feisty: Lil is Harley Chick. How do you do it? You are good!

Listen to the news and count the number of stumbles for yourself.

Why should I, have to educated you? Liberals never listen to reality, do they?

Learn to research and think for yourself bub.

I got into the same type of discussion over the weekend...someone telling me how they KNOW that President Obama is a Communist Muslim Socialist born in Kenya who hates Americans and wants to destroy this country. I asked for proof of all this.

The response to me was that I should go search for it all myself.

It's the perfect non-answer...you get to make all the accusations you want and when someone calls your bluff just treat them as if they are ignorant...and we wonder why we don't get anywhere in such discussions.

Feisty, thanks for your obsession, er, concern.

"Register multiple accounts in a pathetic attempt to make it look like there are more supporters than there actually are!"

You have been commenting here a bit too long, if you think anyone really gives a rats behind who or how many commenters there are on the obscure Far Left "First Read" MSNBC....

I changed my name on First Read a few times, I never used more than one name at a time. There is no dark motive or conspiracy....and why is this cheating, if the system allows it ? If I was trying to hide anything, why was it so easy to be outed?

Do you have an official role here at Progressive Central, Feisty, to hound and harass the few non-moonbats who bother to comment?

Or are you just curious...

How do you do it? You are good!

Thanks ExitO,

Been around here for a long time, sooner or later they ALWAYS show their true identity... ;o)

if you think anyone really gives a rats behind who or how many commenters there are on the obscure Far Left "First Read" MSNBC....

Then why do you keep coming back for more?

I changed my name on First Read a few times

Why? What are you so ashamed of besides, hedging on a bet you placed and LOST!

....and why is this cheating,

Because, you are not allowed to register multiple accounts - clear enough for you?

to hound and harass the few non-moonbats who bother to comment?

Ahhh, poor Bobby has hurt fee-fee's! Sorry about that little buddy!

Do you have an official role here at Progressive Central,

Haven't you heard, I'm really Jen Psaki, try to stay current!

Off topic -

Has anyone heard that Valley Meat Co. in Roswell, N.M. wanting to start slaughtering horses for human consumption again. They had a law protecting horses from slaughter in 2007, but it lapsed in 2011. Now companies all over the country are chomping at the bit to submit application for their permits. Since when do we have a market for horse meat.

This was a perfectly good law, I sure hope it will be defeated.

You are right, I am Harly Chic, also Spanky, Layton, NDD, SeekingSanity, ChickBinder, BlackCatWhiteCat, Dangerfield, and about 4 million other users... Don't believe anyone if they tell you any different.

thetotas: ..that Valley Meat Co. in Roswell, N.M. wanting to start slaughtering horses for human consumption again

Roswell, NM? For human consumption? Never mind.

On a serious note I hope they fail.

Oh God, thetotas, don't tell me this.

companies all over the country are chomping at the bit to submit application for their permits

pun intended?

Roswell, NM? For human consumption? Never mind.

Well played.

You might be a lot of things, Lil Michelle, but you DEFINITELY are not me.

You are right, I am Harly Chic, also Spanky, Layton, NDD, SeekingSanity, ChickBinder, BlackCatWhiteCat, Dangerfield, and about 4 million other users... Don't believe anyone if they tell you any different.

but i thought i was..at least thats what im told..

The United States Department of Agriculture is likely to approve a horse slaughtering plant in New Mexico in the next two months, which would allow equine meat suitable for human consumption to be produced in the United States for the first time since 2007.

nytimes.com

TNSEVOL,

Sorry, no pun intended.

I really hate that thetotas. Hate it.

And it was actually a good pun.

Lil Michelle - don't include me in your delusions. YOU are DEFINITELY NOT ME! Thank God!

thetotas - "chomping at the bit" - sorry, couldn't resist that one. I hope it is again outlawed.

NDD,

I am just sick about this. I heard that Obama & his administration has been urging Congress to reinstate an effective ban, but who knows with this congress.

I have a question - Why do they pass bills with expiration dates on them?

newday,

that is not true. The bill came out of the conservatives in the Virginia Legislature, the Governor was not involved. When it was determined that the bill as drafted did require an invasive ultrasound, McDonnell lobbied to change the bill to non-invasive ultrasounds, and succeeded.

An informed consent law is found in many states, to ensure a person is fully informed when undergoing major medical treatment.

Bob, sorry, you are just wrong on this. McDonnell supported the exact same legislation when he served in the Virginia Legislature a decade earlier.

He didn't lobby to do anything except save his political ambitions when he became the butt of jokes nationally.

Good question, Steeler Fan. With all of the laws that Congress has enacted in the past, those seeking to legally be here have found the system is crawling at present. A further slow down could bring it to a halt. I feel so bad for so many that have patiently waited for years and still cannot get through the red tape.

Perhaps "slowing down" important legislation is BETTER than ... "You'll have to pass the bill to see what's in it" !

Reform has been on and off the table for decades!

How much slower can it get?

I also believe it is a good question. I only hope that they can get something passed, it seems that so many things clear one hurdle, but then stall.

Immigration is a tough subject, look at all the politicians squirm when asked about it.

It is a good question. "Slowing down" is not required.

Follow the law and tell the squeaky wheels to buy their own grease.

What type of 'reform' are you expecting ? Whether we're talking immigration, budget, health care, or whatever you must remember the folks you are looking to for reform are the same ones who created the boondoogle in the first place !

There is a push towards constitutionalism and questions of freedom within the party. The comfortable establishment (which we all know doesn't really exist) is waning. Their policy of appeasement has met pushback and the geriatrics have no backing and no will.Old lions canines blunted and a new order established. Right before our eyes.

Good question

We all have to wait until the Obama picks Da Noid, then glorify them! lol.

Actually, that was this morning on ESPN. He picked Indiana to win it all.

Illinois beat Indiana... and I have Illinois losing to Miami.

Indiana is a very good team, few weaknesses.

Da Noid---best question of the day!

I love how the right always goes crazy because the President (like most of the country) fills out NCAA brackets.

I would love to pick Syracuse, but not this year. Louisville beats G'town in the final.

I have Louisville beating Indiana.

...and no matter how much I would love to see the hometown U Albany Great Danes beat Duke it's probably not going to happen.

"I love how the right always goes crazy because the President (like most of the country) fills out NCAA brackets."

I love how liberals make up stuff, and pretend everyone is just so mean to their idol.

Bob - see, it's posts like the one 13.7 that make you so irrelevant. The righties heads have already exploded that anyone asked Obama who he picked. It doesn't matter that all Presidents have been asked - how DARE anyone ask Obama.

Which "righties" heads exploded? You just allow yourself to believe the delusion that all opposition to Obama's policies are from nutcases who rant about Obama's NCAA picks.

You are really out there....

Bob - nowhere did I imply (except in YOUR small mind) that opposition to Obama's policies have anything to do with his NCAA picks. You're totally delusional. Try having someone - with at least a modicum of intelligence - read my post then explain it to you. It ws TOTALLY about his NCAA picks -nothing more. YOU really are deluded!

I predict a bill to nationalize barbers.

It is your right to a haircut if they need one.

Republicans don't need no government haircuts. The Senate is just a stepping stone to lucrative jobs in the private sector, anyway. Government perks are just pocket change to these jerks. Hey, that rhymes!

Amy

I guess your assessment means that a Dem Senator job is just a career for an unambitious amiable dumbass able to trick those less intelligent than they into voting for them so they can live like princes/princesses.

Right? "Republicans don't need no government haircuts". Implication being Dem senators do do need government haircuts. HILARIOUS!

I heard Republicans were demanding an amendment to protect the biblical definition of haircuts by banning anyone from trimming a man's beard or sideburns.

Is there a discount coupon for the $500,000 price tag to have access to the President? Groupon?

LOL, THAT was funny!

more babbling from the right wing noise machine

3. With North Korea dialing up their threats and rhetoric, the continuing nuclear ambitions of Iran, and financial crises in countries such as Cyprus, do you see an increased emphasis on foreign policy from President Obama in the next few years?

All good questions Frank.

If I may piggyback:

Why is the financial stress of Cyprus (GDP percentage of the world=.03%) a concern for America? How will this affect America in real terms? What steps should the Fed take to strengthen our currency to protect it from such financial calamities as Cyprus?

Thanks Frank!

Why is the financial stress of Cyprus (GDP percentage of the world=.03%) a concern for America?

If I may...

The problem with the financial crisis in Cyprus is that while the nation itself represents a miniscule amount of the world's GDP, look at the remedy that was proposed...a one-time 9.9% tax levied on all Cypriot bank investments.

In honor of all those high school students taking the SATs this spring, let's play a little word association...

The Cayman Islands is to United States as Cyprus is to _____________.

The correct answer is Russia. Cypriot banks hold a total of somewhere in the neighborhood of €70 billion ($90.6 billion) in investments...almost four times the entire economy of Cyprus. Half of that money is foreign investments...so say in the neighborhood of €35 billion ($45.3 billion). Of those foreign investments, somewhere around €24.3 billion ($31 billion) is from Russia.

So, in order to get money to pay its bills, the government of Cyprus just proposed taking a little under 10% of all the money invested in Cypriot banks...with over a third of that money being Russian money. Russia was not pleased with that proposal (which failed in Cyprus' parliament). Had it passed...well, watching the dominoes fall would not have been fun.

...a one-time 9.9% tax levied on all Cypriot bank investments

What you actually mean is confiscation of private property. Here is where Americans of all stripes should perk up and pay attention. They proposed seizing people's property who have no knowledge of "Russian money", nor did they care. Silly them, thinking their hard work was safe in a bank.

Their cutoff for "rich" was savings in excess of a little over 25,000 dollars.

Jay Carney would respond:

"I would refer you to THAT department" or "can you confirm that you are a real American? I ask because I love"

No, not anytime soon.

I doubt you EVER belonged to the Republican Party.

If you had you would celebrating that Republicans actually want to CUT the deficits and maybe even balance the budget like THEY DID IN THE 90's.

Cheryl, let me answer that one for you. NEVER. If you want "news" that fits your viewpoint, you've got Fox. CBS, ABC, NBC, CNN would never refer to the President as the Failure in Chief. Your beloved Fox "anchors" would.

Cheryl darling, it is NOT Obama's "shoes" they have been licking ... but something that does leave a "brown residue" nonetheless ! LOL !!

Don't you find it funny that Obama "leg humper" Ed Schultz has been canned ?? LOL !!! They must be grooming him for a government job ... perhaps to replace Jay Carney since Ed is more accomplished at LYING !

CB750,

YES, because our net worth is at least 5 times greater than our debt.

Measuring against GDP to eliminate the effects of inflation over time our National debt in the 1940 was at 125% of GDP and today it is at 100% of GDP. We had it paid down to 35% of GDP by 1980.

I have been paying down the WWII debt my entire life.

YES, because our net worth is at least 5 times greater than our debt.

Dennis: :is that the logic you live by? It's OK if your debt is 20% of your worth?

What if you, and the country, lived like I do: debt free. Would that work? It is possible to live without owing a fifth of your worth, which actually brings your worth down, not up.

The average corporation is in debt at about 60% of their net worth.
The average family is in debt at about 80% of their net worth thanks to our ability to borrow so we can own a home.
If you are truly debt free then you are among about 3% of the US population. Even the very wealthy carry some debt.

our credit card balances are paid OFF when the bill comes. Not wealthy by a long shot. We just choose to live this way. This way we get to keep, and use more of our own money instead of owing it to someone else.

and I do understand the need to borrow money for large purchases. We had a 30 year mortgage, paid it off in 18 years. Always pay cash for cars (new, but modestly priced)

CB750,

Good for you but you should realize that you are more disciplined, by a wide margin than the average person.

If the income had kept up with productivity like before the mid-80's, today the average household income would be about $92,000, almost double where it is and more people could do as you have.