Vox Populi – 8-20-2010

AdLib : Night!

PatsyT : Night All

AdLib : CL – I had no idea that they would have such political decision making. Yes, let’s discuss next week. Sleep well!

choicelady : And now to bed… g’night you two! Don’t stay up all night playing canasta.

choicelady : AdLib – no I have NOT heard of it. Let’s talk. Sounds intriguing. Did you know that the firms carrying the petitions can REFUSE ones they don’t like? Seems VERY wrong, and we need to talk about that. The firms are what killed off the drive for a Constitutional Convention since none would carry the petitions. WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!!!

AdLib : Right Patsy, will do!

AdLib : Patsy – Same thing, get some rest and find some time to relax this weekend!

PatsyT : Hugs to you Choicelady…

PatsyT : Lets not forget that post for Obama

AdLib : Oh, just saw your comment, get some sleep CL! Great seeing you tonight.

PatsyT : Hey I am fading too and another big day tomorrow!

AdLib : CL – Have you heard of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center? It was referred to me by one of the folks at Netroots.

choicelady : PAtsy and AdLib – I need to go. I’m fading. I hope to be with you next week! Have a super weekend and we’ll talk soon. Hugs to you both!

PatsyT : I didn’t know that – Single payer for CA !Love it !

AdLib : CL – I’m definitely on that!

choicelady : AdLib – I do think we can select single payer as our state option. And then stand back and wait for the propositions to fly trying to kill it. That among many other things will be why we will need TIPA and SOON.

AdLib : And that’s on the first day.

AdLib : “Rahm Gets The Boot!” 2,378,998 views.

AdLib : CL – Very cool! Do you think, as the HCR bill supports, we could get Single Payer in CA?

choicelady : Youtube: “AdLib Boots Rahm’s Butt” Yup – it would get quite a lot of hits.

AdLib : TIAP – And think of all the YouTube hits we’d get!

AdLib : Seeya TIAP!

TakeInAPlay : Rachel’s the only one who would cover it

choicelady : TIAP – good night. I need to go soon, too. I’m doing a radio live feed on single payer tomorrow. Need to get my beauty sleep to be seen on the radio! Good night TIAP.

AdLib : TIAP – Not only can you watch, I will have Rachel there with full coverage.

TakeInAPlay : See y’all next Friday.

TakeInAPlay : There is always fun mixed in.

PatsyT : Nighty night TIAP !

TakeInAPlay : AdLib, I’ll buy you the boots but only if I can watch!

AdLib : TIAP – Hope that includes some fun this weekend! Great seeing you!

choicelady : AdLib – ass kicking is in your job description. Rahm’s in particular.

PatsyT : I like It AdLib to replace Rahm !

TakeInAPlay : Well, now that we’ve re-designed the whole Dem strategy I think it’s time to call it a night. I have a full agenda this weekend so I better get to it.

AdLib : CL – Okay, I accept Rahm’s job…as long as I can personally and literally kick his ass out of the WH.

choicelady : AdLib – I’m with you on that! Maybe he needs YOU in the Oval Office!

AdLib : CL – In cracking security codes there is an approach called Brute Force. This is what Obama needs to do, he has to break out of his bubble and take back control of the political discourse by being aggressive about it. DO THINGS! SAY THINGS! LAUNCH INITIATIVES! ATTACK THE HATERS! He needs to be aggressive now or he’ll continued to be dog piled on by the GOP and MSM.

choicelady : AdLib – “right” as in “correct”. Stupid that we can’t use a perfectly good word anymore!

choicelady : AdLib – 100% fucked up. I stood with Muslims over and over when they issued fatwas against violence from within Islam, denounced violence in Palestine and elswhere, and despite the fact these were PRESS conferences, there were NO stories about what was said. We all need to march on our news outlets and demand fair coverage! Boycott advertisers if need be to get decent reporting!

AdLib : Lakoff has my vote too, replacing Rahm with him would be a huge shift in the right direction…or should I say left?

choicelady : AdLib – yes, I agree that Obama has to reclaim the message and the information. To do that he needs the same “rapid response” that got him elected – NO charge goes unremarked. But how to deal with reporters who slime him and change what he says? The Bee does it all the time.

PatsyT : Choicelady I know I loved seeing the families reunite ! Those little kids seeing their daddy!

TakeInAPlay : I second the Lakoff nomination. He would certainly get things moving forward and bring everyone together.

AdLib : Absolutely, we have the pullout of combat troops in Iraq and it’s treated like a page 20 story…meanwhil e, building a Muslim Center in an old building in NY blocks from Ground Zero is the headline. How fucked up is that?

choicelady : Patsy – it was incredible, and I guess CNN talked about it but only MSNBC showed it. It was so moving – and it was ahead of the schedule, and it is DONE. Violence is not over, but the WAR IS. Obama did that, and it’s as if no one cares!

AdLib : CL – It certainly wouldn’t hurt to do so, I always bring up Obama’s remarkable list of accomplishments and will continue. However, I think to really change the dynamic, there needs to be a sudden shift in how Obama is allowing the GOP to control the political discussion in this nation.

choicelady : AdLib and Patsy – then Obama needs to recruit George Lakoff on messaging. He used Lakoff’s principles in the campaign, and he needs to go back to basics. Assert the American values we SHARE, and then show how his policies enact them. Out with Rahm, in with George!

PatsyT : Choicelady YES !! Where was all the coverage on that? The MSNBC guy was the only one there. He asked to go and was surprised no other networks had asked to be there

AdLib : TIAP – Rahm is a pro at the game but his interests are ultimately pro-corporate as those from the DLC are. He tried to kill HCR repeatedly and it is to Obama’s credit that he ignored Rahm’s advice to give up on HCR and just pass the few things Repubs would agree to.

TakeInAPlay : I agree AdLib. The opposition feeds on fear and uncertainty. Logic and facts play no part in their decision making. They’re more concerned with being right than being accurate.

choicelady : AdLib – I understand the emotions, but I think the constant drum beat from all of us would help the wobbly middle. I’m never one to try to convert (well, anyone) the far right, but I DO know the wobbly center needs information! And they are NOT getting it!

choicelady : Patsy – I think many of them are, some are teabaggers, some are just dumb.

AdLib : CL – Much as I wish that reminding people of all Obama’s accomplishments would work, I don’t think it would. People are being driven by emotion right now and my thought is that they can only be moved by an appeal to their emotions. I just don’t think reason and facts can really get through to people who are angry.

choicelady : One point about MSM – I watched the special on MSNBC on the pull out of combat troops and just cried. It was so amazing – Obama DID it! And the Sacramento Bee headline was on furloughs with only a SIDEBAR on the pull out. That was HISTORIC and got almost NO attention!

TakeInAPlay : I agree that Rahm has to go. He’s brilliant at campaigns but he’s too afraid of what the neighbors will think to steer any significant growth in the party.

PatsyT : ChoiceLady I always wonder how many of those posters are paid from the GOP

choicelady : One thing we all can do is post – HP or LETs or Op Eds or whatever, pointing out the accomplishments and reminding people of the Reagan Recession and all Bush’s failures.

AdLib : TIAP – Yes, that’s the thing, Obama is not a man who is afraid of things…unlike Bush and the Repubs who have the seed of fear passed down to them through their mothers and fathers (right Graham?). SO, he is capable of doing something bold but the conservatives like Rahm in his cabinet will no doubt keep warning him away from doing so.

AdLib : TIAP – SO true what Van Jones said. As is the fact that short sighted voters want the people back in charge who rammed the ship into the iceberg just to show those trying to save the ship that their pace is unsatisfactory.

TakeInAPlay : Afterall, he bit off some major projects from day one so he’s not afraid to fight the good fight.

AdLib : TIAP – The list of his accomplishments in a year and a half far outnumber Bush’s 8 years and his failures are far outnumbered by Bush. He has done a lot but he needs to transcend who he has been if he wants to be an effective president from this point forward…especi ally with the Repub gains coming in Nov.

TakeInAPlay : As Van Jones said, we need to remember that Obama agreed to steer the boat after it hit the iceberg. We need to give him credit for what he’s done.

TakeInAPlay : I hope you’re right Patsy. And AdLib, I think you’re on to something. There is a difference between reaching consensus and getting what you want. You have to be willing to compromise when you bring people together and you have to have no stake in the outcome. His desire to play nice has made him give up the things that were important, like the public option. Sometimes making waves doesn’t build consensus but it gets you what you want.

AdLib : TIAP – As for being a one-termer, it’s possible but if he was treated fairly by the MSM, his accomplishments would be seen as amazing. And though enough people out there might be willing right now to vote with their hatred instead of their intellect, when faced with a President Romney, I think it might sober up enough to re-elect Obama.

choicelady : TIAP – I think it’s possible, but I also remember how BAD Clinton was until OK City. That saved him, really. He was bold and kind in his leadership, and it rescued him from the absolute mediocrity of his administration. Obama however has actually DONE a huge amount of what he promised, and he’s getting no credit for it from anyone. The Left hates that he did not drag Bush and Cheney out in chains, and the right hates him just because he exists. He’s a victim less because of failed policies – he’s accomplished them – than a pure desire of many people just to hate him. We got in the habit of detesting anyone in the Oval Office over the past 30 years, and we’re not about to give up what’s familiar.

PatsyT : TIAP That does not have to happen – No one should underestimate Obama

AdLib : If you look at Obama’s history though, he is more of a guy who wants to bring people together, a community organizer, I just don’t know if he has it in him to be more of a firebrand who’s willing to acknowledge that he has enemies who can’t be turned and shouldn’t be coddled.

TakeInAPlay : Here, here CL!!!! I couldn’t agree more.

TakeInAPlay : when Obama was a candidate I was afraid that he’d be swept into office with a platform of change, not be able to make that change happen and end up a 1 term President. Does anyone think that may happen or am I just seeing the worst case scenario?

choicelady : TIAP – Arianna has taken so much credit for things she never did – that real progressives have done for years – and people let her get away with it!

AdLib : TIAP –

AdLib : CL – Well said!

AdLib : I want MY Obama back!

AdLib : CL – HP is multimillion dollar hedge-fund owned enterprise, their decisions have to serve their financial interests first and their political or philosophical interests second or they could be sued by their shareholders.

choicelady : I want the Obama who said to the Republicans in the bipartisan discussion on health care that the time was equally divided between Dems and Reeps, and when the Reeps whined the Dems got more, Obama said, no – HE had more. “I am the President.” He said it firmly, and without flinching. It’s almost as if the racist BS has gotten to him and he’s scared to be bold for seeming uppity as the Reeps have said. I say call it OUT. LET them say shit like that! It makes it all the more clear.

TakeInAPlay : I need a President with balls, I don’t care what color!

PatsyT : You don’t have to get angry to tell the truth

AdLib : The real question is, does Obama have it in him to step up so boldly? I was hoping he would stand up boldly against the Repubs after they blocked and watered down all of his initiatives but he never did. Just a few isolated words here and there. Maybe he believes the BS that America would be afraid of an angry black man so he’s concerned about showing the strength and forcefulness we need now. I don’t know.

TakeInAPlay : I’ve never been a fan of Arianna. She’s a major diva to work with and she’s never really contributed as much to the debate as she thinks she has.

PatsyT : I Want My Obama Back !

choicelady : TIAP – I agree. I want “my” Obama back! Bring back the fire!

TakeInAPlay : One thing I admired about Obama during the campaign was his ability to stand on his own. I don’t see that anymore. I know being the President means he’s held in a bubble, but I agree with you 100% that he shouldn’t rely so much on his advisors. He needs to restore some of that independence that made him such a compelling candidate.

choicelady : AdLib – that Arianna would let GB have links but not us is purely sympomatic of the reasons the “left” fails. We are totally unkind to one another. No solidarity (making all the 60s rhetoric pretty meaningless)no respect, total competition against one another. It’s disgusting.

AdLib : Definitely, Rahm must go!

AdLib : TIAP – I agree, I noted below that I don’t even feel I have that strong a sense of Obama’s identity anymore. He needs badly to assert himself and enforce upon the nation who he is. That has all gotten lost behind a sea of cabinet people and advisors.

choicelady : TIAP – I think he IS committed, but his handlers are telling him to back down and play it “safe” – but “safe” is not what his base wants. We want TR, FDR, and Clinton (without the women) all rolled into one – and we do need Obama’s energy and vision BOLDLY stated. Rahm has GOT to go and anyone else who’s telling him to be quiet.

AdLib : CL – Heh! Indeed! I don’t know, I could try emailing someone over at HP but I wouldn’t know who to email.

choicelady : AdLib – that’s disgusting. I’d love to see a syrupy note about who wonderful Arianna is and soooo different from PlanetPov and watch it get deleted!!!! Of course I’d be the only one in on the joke…

TakeInAPlay : Have a safe drive HITO.

AdLib : Sleep well HITO, again, you are a true friend!

PatsyT : Hi TIAP !

PatsyT : All the Best to you HITO !!!

AdLib : CL – BTW, The Drudge Report, Glenn Beck and others at FOx, all their links are fine.

TakeInAPlay : I think Obama has forgotten what fiery is. I don’t see him as committed to anything anymore.

choicelady : Good night HITO – have a good rest and safe drive.

AdLib : CL – Yes, if you use our web address at HP your comment will go to moderation then be deleted.

choicelady : Hi TIAP! Nice to see you.

HITO : I’ve got to go take a nap. I’m sorry. I have to be on the road at 3:30 EST down to the city. I really would rather stay, but I have a 3 hour drive each way. Good night my friends, and thank you very much for your wonderful insights. (Patsy good luck next week…bring kleenex and bottled water cause the cafeteria is too far away.)

AdLib : Hey TIAP! Great to see ya! We’re talking about urging Obama to come out with a fiery speech to the nation, calling the Repubs on all the hatred and racism and trying to keep the country failing just for cynical political gain.

choicelady : What SArah knows about “real responsibilities ” you could put in the palm of her hand. And still have room for the notes.

PatsyT : This would also be a good exercise for those who think they have all the answers … Real governing is very hard … hey, anyone remember quitter Palin saying at the repub convention “Being a governor is kinda like being a community organizer only it is just that you have actual responsibilities “

choicelady : AdLib – HP BLOCKED PLANETPOV??????? ? OK – now I am REALLY peeved! That’s outrageous censorship, just proving the gummint isn’t the real enemy.

TakeInAPlay : Hey all! Sorry I’m late. What’s the topic?

AdLib : Patsy – Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a BMW. The poor folks want fairness, I don’t know what to do. Worked hardly all my lifetime, got tax cuts for the few, So Lord, won’t you buy me a BMW?

choicelady : AdLib – I like that about the letter and the speech. It’s definitely worth doing, and thanks for such a super idea!

HITO : CL, you are too funny. Scab picking is spot on!

choicelady : HITO — LOL – I walk away for over 24 hours, but it’s usually because I forget, not by intention! But there is something alluring about it, isn’t there? Like picking at a scab…

HITO : CL: Nah, nobody bought into it. Everyone complains, but no one could walk away for 24 hours. It would have been noticed and maybe somethings would have gotten addressed. Adlib, I’ll keep my eye out over here…can you put up the link as well or should I email you for it?

choicelady : Oooh Patsy I’d forgotten Janis’ great song on that! One heavily made up and wigged evangelist (you shoulda seen his wife) told a story about a guy who found Jayzuz and got himself a condo in Florida and a Mer SAY deez Bendz. Must be nice…

AdLib : I think there are two documents that should come out of this proposed post, one should be the cover letter to Obama, including words of encouragement to step up as have been written here and another as a sample of the type of speech we wouls like to see him give.

choicelady : HITO – I missed that. Hope I didn’t post on a don’t post day!

PatsyT : BMW ?? «link»

HITO : CL: I tried to rally a “don’t post on hp for one day” event to get some attention from hp’s control center. No one wanted to do it.

choicelady : HITO – one of the conservative Reep Assembly members in CA said almost that. What the F can I do about the poor? He rather missed the second line that said YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING IT BETTER. For THEM, not yourself!!!!

AdLib : HITO AND CL – Thanks for offering, I understand the issues with trolls and deletions there. When the post is up, I will provide a special link to the post since HP has put our web address on their blocked list.

choicelady : HITO – I had a completely innocuous post deleted over there. I’m an historian by background, and they routinely delete ALL references to past matters that don’t fit the knee jerk frame. I think all three of your reasons are right – rogues, loose Reeps, bad tech.

HITO : lol…let me buy a BMW!

HITO : Thank you CL. Wow. I am humbled.

choicelady : Patsy T – depends on which verse. “The poor you will always have with you” can and has led to “so what the hell can I do about it, let me buy a BMW.” I’ll find the right one. And some other relevant stuff. The Bible has GOOD things in it as well as crappy things.

AdLib : CL – “Stand up, President O – we believe in you, and you CAN turn this country around! Be bold! Be foresighted! Be brave!” That is the kind of message we need to send to Obama, indeed!

HITO : Adlib, I’ll try. The deletions on HP are out of control. Either rogue dems, or they’ve given the deletion function to a couple of Repubs. Or their software is all fucked up again. Pick one.

AdLib : bito – Yes, I saw that about Obama’s numbers which is pretty remarkable considering the shitstorm he stepped into. At the same time, this nation is becoming a powderkeg and if it goes off, it could destroy all of that for Obama.

choicelady : AdLib – HITO and I both do HP. I always am pleased to see HITO there. Only real sense, may I say. So yes, we will put out the call only – you KNOW the trolls will come our way, too?

PatsyT : Choicelady, how about quoting scriptures – The poor ye will have with ye always- The repubs like to pretend that they are not really there.

HITO : O’s going to have to romance the nation again, at least the dems. They need to fall in love with him all over again. And that can only happen based on him summoning that character and strength that he showed in the primaries.

choicelady : AdLib – I agree that we’ve lost the real Obama, and I do think the advisors, wimps that they are, are largely to blame. Stand up, President O – we believe in you, and you CAN turn this country around! Be bold! Be foresighted! Be brave!

AdLib : HITO – Right, we’ll keep it open for at least a week. Maybe you and other folks who are at HP a bit could invite people to offer their POVs and sign it. The more names on a call for Obama to step up on this, the better.

choicelady : Bito – you didn’t KNOW we were in deep shit? You’re so sweet!

AdLib : HITO – Yes, I do feel myself like I can’t get a hold of Obama as an individual. He needs to assert himself as THE leader of our nation and he could turn things around. Americans respect strength, even when idiots like Bush pretend to have it.

HITO : When an “independent slash former Repub” like Bloomberg is doing the right thing…we are in deep shit.

choicelady : Oh bito – I did NOT know that! I did look up the Reagan Recession and saw that unemployment was HIGHER than it is now and lasted for 2-4 years at around 10% and there was NO recession after the first year. We need to keep hammering on that.

AdLib : CL – That is what I sadly expected to be growing across the country. Think about it, New York of all places has become a place for intolerance. It’s everywhere and intensifying, like a cancer, spreading all over. It has to be stamped out and only Obama could do that.

HITO : Adlib, I like that idea. Don’t close the window to do so too early, OK?

bitohistory : Did you not see what i posted? Obama’s polling numbers are higher than Reagans at their first midterm. All is not lost.

choicelady : Patsy – I think Obama nees to “go Roosevelt” – bold strokes on message, refusal to capitulate to the hatemongers, and an assertion that we’ve always been strongest when we work together. He needs to remind us that our best programs – Medicare and Social Security – need to be strengthened and expanded. Care for one another is an American value!

HITO : So Obama has lost his original, singular identity. Is that the problem bottom line? How does a POTUS hold onto that, especially in these difficult times.

AdLib : Patsy – Let’s put that up as a post tomorrow and seek contributions from everyone as to what they would want Obama to say to the nation about all of this.

PatsyT : AdLib, just gathering all kind of views on – What do you want our President to say ? Would be a great thing.

choicelady : AdLib – it’s gotten scary ugly. Yes, there are lots of my folks standing in the doorway to protect Muslims. Yes the GLBT community is solidary and not backing down. But I’ve had violence all around me just in this last month, and if we don’t have a “DO NOT TOLERATE” message from the White House it won’t stop. It won’t stop anyway, but it might ease off.

HITO : CL: Agree. Now he’s got Gibbs out there and I’m not thrilled with his performances of late.

AdLib : HITO – You’re right about Obama having baggage and being tagged negatively by Dems as well as Repubs. He needs to break out of all that and taking a tough aggressive one-man campaign on fighting hatred and intolerance would be a great way to do that.

PatsyT : AdLib Yes That what I’m talking about!

AdLib : CL – I’m sure it’s getting uglier and uglier out there. The thing is, it feels like only a matter of time until more violence results from this whipping up of hatred. If Obama thinks it’s too problematic now to address, what problems will he have if this racist hatred boils over into riots?

choicelady : AdLib – I like that: playing defense just ain’t gonna climb that hill. Through the 2008 campaign, he never let a smarmy remark go unanswered. Now? He passes on them all, and it gives the other side room to expand. Like Harry Potter’s aunt, they expand! He has to stop that.

HITO : The Warren appointment should have happened. She is qualified and it would have sent a message “OK, done with this, next?”

choicelady : HITO – I agree. I really want those guys GONE. Obama has GOT to appoint Elizabeth Warren or appear to be totally in the banks’ hip pockets.

AdLib : Patsy – That would be a positive exercise. We could write the kind of speech we’d want Obama to deliver and get people to sign on.

HITO : Adlib, he has baggage now. Rahm, Geithner, Petraeus, all perceived negatively at times and now associated as being Obama’s choices.

choicelady : AdLib – it’s a dream for me since I’m wheat intolerant, and the enjera bread is teff and barley. But I’m about to pop I’m so full!

AdLib : Hey CL! Mmm…sounds delicious! Been a while since I had Ethiopian.

choicelady : PatsyT – it WAS delicious. Messy as all get out, but absolutely wonderful.

choicelady : Hi AdLib – I’d like Obama to do what you all are suggesting and talk about how we are one nation, free, and that requires respect for differences. I’m wading into the “hate Muslims” broohaha, and the vituperation is scary bad. He needs to lead us out.

AdLib : bito and HITO – It’s not worth the hassle to argue with those who don’t care about facts or the truth, what’s the point? And people are justifiably lacking in enthusiasm, Obama is not pushing back as hard as he is being pushed and as much as I respect his even keeled demeanor, now is a time for fighting for this nation and energizing those who want what’s best for it. Playing defense just ain’t gonna climb that hill.

HITO : Hi CL.

PatsyT : Hey Choicelady, sound delicious !

choicelady : Hi everyone – sorry to be late to the table. I was out eating Ethiopian, and it slowed me down! LOTS of great food.

HITO : I look up above my desk at my wall of graphics…I see the Obama one where he is pointing and the caption “I Got This”.

PatsyT : Lets write the speech for Obama … I mean what would you like to hear him stand and deliver?

HITO : In my community, I see a change also. People are disappointed, not “fired up” anymore. Granted it is usually from the media’s misinformation.

AdLib : HITO – That is what burns me up about the spoiled-brat Dems out there. Obama hasn’t delivered everything they wanted (or what I wanted) but like brats, they scream like they’re on fire…without using a little part of their brain to imagine what a President Romney and Repub Congress in 2012 would do to this nation.

bitohistory : HITO, I don’t think HP is any guage. Our “weekly” (left) has nothing ut RW commenters. Most leftys left-not worth the hassle

HITO : Adlib “pick and choose”. Interesting concept. That is what is happening.

PatsyT : Obama can do this- preach Fire !

AdLib : Patsy – That’s what I’m syaing too. Obama should step up and speak to the nation about how this hatred is destroying our country and is unAmerican. He should lay out that true Americans respect the entire Constitution and those that pick and choose are not respect-worthy Americans. He needs to preach fire on this now, sitting back and hoping things will turn around in the future is not what’s needed now.

HITO : Only time they hush is a “what if McCain had won”. Silence of course. God help us if that had happened. He’d nuke all our problems away.

HITO : If hp is anything to use as a gauge, I am amazed at the numbers of dems that do not like Obama anymore. Have lost faith because they didn’t get their sweeping changes they expected.

PatsyT : Bito LOLOL me too !

AdLib : HITO – I know, I see it too. For Repubs, it’s easy. They have no principles to differ on with each other, just winning. That makes unity very easy. Dems actually think for themselves which does cause more difficulty in being united.

bitohistory : I don’t belong to an organized party — I’m a Democrat.

PatsyT : AdLib they need their leader to do it for them and that will have to be Obama

HITO : Dems argue too much amongst themselves. I’ve seen libs go at it over the details. Just sad.

AdLib : HITO – That will indeed be their downfall. I’m not saying the Dems should be mindless robots marching in step like the Repubs but when they are all under attack by the Repubs, why can’t they band together?

HITO : As an example, I watch how the Repubs on HP join together to spin. They support each other in their delusion. Dems argue too much.

PatsyT : I hope Obama gets out in front of this bs and fast

bitohistory : Obamas poll numbers are higher than St. Ronnie at his first mid-term. Does anyone bring that up on the MSM?

AdLib : Why can’t the Dems and Obama realize it’s in all of their interests to respond as one to each racist and offensive “issue” thrown out by Repubs?

HITO : Adlib, it’s all about being united. And the dems are not. It will be our downfall.

AdLib : My big problem with everything that’s going on is that Obama and the Dems seem to be too concerned about the ramifications of calling bullshit on all of the Repubs bullshit so they allow it to become debate fodder. If the Dems and Obama would work together and respond in a united way to expose the fraud that Repubs are in each case, the conversation will eventually change to being about the Repubs being mercenary assholes.

PatsyT : Hey what Biden said is right on – This is not your fathers Republican Party!

HITO : Bito: “Bananas are alien fruit”…LOL

bitohistory : I think the Old man would like to slap the younger Graham. Not that he was without fault

PatsyT : Amen!

AdLib : Is it true that brains are passed down only from non-prejudiced preachers to their sons?

PatsyT : Graham and his followers

HITO : Adlib, Ok, BRB

AdLib : Bananas may be Christian.

HITO : Graham said it so matter of factly, he really believes that bullshit.

AdLib : Yes HITO, I see them. You may want to clear your cache and restart your browser.

bitohistory : Bananas have no seeds! Alien fruit!!

AdLib : If there are no demon seeds in Graham’s twisted version of Christianity, where do all the demons grow from?

PatsyT : HITO yes

HITO : Wow, I was lost in another dimension for a bit. My comments weren’t posting. Hope you can see this.

PatsyT : Oh no you said watermelon

PatsyT : Bito, yes no demons there – ever!

bitohistory : That is the only reason I am letting Harry slide– Right Angle

AdLib : bito – Yes, I saw that. Christianity is seedless. Like watermelon.

AdLib : Patsy – As if when Muslims are born, there is a magical seed of Islam that is implanted in them that needs to be surgically removed before it grows and takes over their minds? Invasion of the Body Snatchers is his template for religion?

bitohistory : He did say that Christianity couldn’t be passed on> ergo no demon seed with Christians?

AdLib : And what about Harry Reid coming out to oppose it? What business is it of his? And dissing Obama at the same time? If Sharron Angle wasn’t his opponent, I would be so much more indifferent about his winning re-election.

PatsyT : AdLib Yeah, that word -SEED- so like demon seed

AdLib : Patsy – “The seed of Judism passes through the mother, the seed of Islam passes through the father.” What about the seeds of hatred and intolerance, they seem to pass through both to him.

bitohistory : I don’t think he backed off the first amend. I thought he answered a question. It is a local situation.

AdLib : Here’s the link to that AP article: «link»

HITO : The mosque issue should not have gone national. It is a matter for planning/zoning of NYC in conjunction with the Office of Historical Buildings. Pat Robertson’s group rushed in with an injunction…rid iculous.

AdLib : bito – From the AP: A day later, Obama told reporters that he wasn’t endorsing the specifics of the plan.

PatsyT : HITO well I am kidding -but seriously did any one see that John King interview with Billy Grahm’s son? John King ?? what a zombie !

AdLib : bito – He did say something to the effect of, “I’m not saying that they should build the mosque there.”

AdLib : Bito – What about a big speech on the big picture here? The Repubs using racism, xenophobia, blocking the recovery, etc. all for political advantage and calling them out on how unAmerican all of that is? That would put the Repuns back on the defensive and change the whole conversation to what it should be, the greed and lust for power behind all of this.

HITO : Patsy: LOL!

PatsyT : You know that head scarf idea would save a lot of time messing with my hair

bitohistory : AdLib I did not hear him make any real back-up. The pundits said he said.

HITO : Patsy: I like that. Not sure muslims would like that, but it would make a point.

AdLib : pATSY – :LOL:

PatsyT : I am ready to go become a muslin just to screw with them

HITO : The mosque situation is very disappointing, more so that it’s happening in NYC, home of the dem. The perceived back pedal by O was a big mistake. He should have let Bloomberg handle it.

bitohistory : If he makes a speech on it it should be very short. He should emphasize that it a nothing but distraction from the real problems facing us, then move on to jobs and the economy.

AdLib : And as a side note on strategy, why are the Dems such suckers? When the RW concocts bullshit issues, instead of ignoring them or calling bullshit on them, they jump in on them as if they’re important and legit issues!

AdLib : Personally, I am very disappointed that Obama backed off of saying that America is a place for all people to worship any religion they wish and prejudice is not justification for refusing people rights.

HITO : The high road is not working. He needs to speak to it head on and address this insanity. He’s a muslim again…just insane.

HITO : Beautifully designed using aluminum…light weight and if I’m not mistaken surgical tubing. Thing of beauty, but deadly.

AdLib : Why don’t we begin? What has happened to moral leadership in this nation? This ongoing racism and xenophobia from the Right is being presented by the MSM as reasonable opinions and treated by the Dems and Obama as having some merit. Should Obama have a speech to the nation taking this hatred head on and exposing the political cynicism behind it or continue trying just to deal with and deflect these sensitive issues?

bitohistory : Those things were lethal–and quiet!

HITO : Had…my mom saw it in action and snipped the hoses and pitched it.

HITO : My brother had a wristrocket, Bito.

HITO : LOL..you should have seen those bunnies jump straight up in the air. They came back within an hour or two.

bitohistory : HITO, look up wrist rocket. I had a friend that hunted with one. That was a slingshot!!

AdLib : Oh Mom-m-m-m-m!

PatsyT : You’ll put your eye out!!

AdLib : HITO – I was about to compare it to a slingshot! And yes, my mother was right for taking it away, slingshots and the old school zip guns really could hurt someone.

HITO : I had a slingshot once. Used it to chase the bunnies away from my garden. Used rolled up post it sheets…could never use a rock…you could kill someone!

AdLib : HITO – Yes, like many things from childhood, it has morphed into something way more serious.

HITO : Adlib: Oh. Nevermind.

HITO : OK, I googled (I know shouldn’t use google anymore) But a zip gun is an improvised gun disguised as something else, like a flashlight or cell phone. Think Bourne identity.

AdLib : When I was a kid, a zip gun was made out of wood, used a rubber band or spring to “shoot” a small item like a button or marble. As a young boy, I was irresistibly drawn to something like that.

HITO : It’s hard. Very hard. She finally called me this afternoon. She’s loving it. Have to let go. Sigh.

PatsyT : Not yet, we are leaving next week. How was your drop off? I hope I don’t cry too much!

HITO : Patsy, thanks…seven months in the making. He’s staying with me two weeks. Hey did you drop your daughter off? I did Thursday. Sigh

PatsyT : That is great news HITO !

HITO : Friend? and then some….lol

PatsyT : Yes what is a zip gun?

AdLib : That is the sign of a true friend, driving someone to or from the airport! Please say hi to Seek for me!

HITO : Sorry, what’s a zip gun?

bitohistory : Hey all.Zip gun??

HITO : HI Adlib! Seek says hi, he is in transit to airport, I’m picking him up at JFK at 7am.

AdLib : Hey HITO!!!

AdLib : Hey Bito! That must’ve been a drag. I remember my mom finding a zip gun I bought from a friend at school when I was a kid in a drawer of mine, took it away, never got to even try it out!

HITO : Hi Patsy!

PatsyT : Hey HITO!

PatsyT : Hey bito !

HITO : Hi kids, sorry I’m late.

bitohistory : My mom found my stash when she was packing for me. Damn!

AdLib : I’ve got some Sizzler coupons…

PatsyT : Yes, start getting a stock pile of cash

AdLib : I’ve got 11 years until it’s time for mine, should I start preparing now?

PatsyT : Getting kids off to college Is a full time job!

AdLib : I know you’ve had your hands full, hope things are settling down.

PatsyT : All Good !

AdLib : Hey Patsy! How are you this fine evening?

PatsyT : Hi There!

AdLib : Remember to say “hi” when you arrive!

AdLib : Vox Populi, our live chat about the week’s events, begins shortly at 7:00 pm PST. You can participate in the sidebar on any page or on the Vox Populi page by going through this link: «link» Hope to see you then!