Displaying 0 To 0 Of 0 Comments Could Hillary Clinton Become the Next Republican President? AdLib, you’re always the one who pulls us in the direction of optimism, and I’m glad of that. There used to be a phrase — “an embarrassment of riches” — and I think that underneath all the reservations I expressed (about age, electability, etc.) that’s what’s really going on. In other words — any one of those potential candidates would make a very good president. Even an older Ted Strickland or Joe Biden would be a hundred times better than Marco Rubio or Ted Cruz. And even though Bernie Sanders proudly carries that “socialist” title (which might be a liability in the general), he’s a hundred times smarter and more compassionate than Rand Paul. Obviously should Sherrod Brown or Elizabeth Warren run, either one would be light years beyond Mitt Romney. I’d be happy to vote for any of the above. I think in baseball that’s referred to as having a deep bench. The GOP on the other hand? No bench at all. They’re not even in the ball park. » Posted By kesmarn On July 9, 2014 @ 2:30 pm So could we assume that you plan to vote for her? » Posted By kesmarn On July 9, 2014 @ 2:12 pm So good to hear that, NoMan! Sometimes it feels like our shining light here is hidden under a bushel. » Posted By kesmarn On July 9, 2014 @ 10:51 am Chica, I think he’s the real deal. He’s had a solidly progressive agenda and not even a hint of scandal here in Ohio. » Posted By kesmarn On July 9, 2014 @ 8:17 am Thanks, NoMan! He’s been terrific as a senator here in Ohio. » Posted By kesmarn On July 9, 2014 @ 8:16 am Wow, Sally! Talk about “evolving”! Good for Gillebrand! » Posted By kesmarn On July 8, 2014 @ 7:07 pm I think that’s something to factor in, Sue. Also — and I realize how superficial this sounds — he has a very “gravelly” voice that is not always easy to listen to. You find yourself having to concentrate and focus on what he’s saying. And then you find that it’s very good! He’s tough, but not mean. I would hope that would be enough. But in today’s political climate, it’s a tough call. » Posted By kesmarn On July 8, 2014 @ 7:06 pm Not a hint of scandal about Sherrod Brown, Sue. I think he’d be a terrific president. And — no — can’t think of a single sane candidate on the right. Incredible. The place that they’ve allowed themselves to get to. » Posted By kesmarn On July 8, 2014 @ 6:29 pm Interesting, VB. What do you see as the ultimate cause of her downfall? » Posted By kesmarn On July 8, 2014 @ 6:08 pm AdLib, this is such a difficult situation. The consequences of having a Republican elected in 2016 are so potentially dire that I’m really worried about the left making a big error somehow. I really like Bernie Sanders, but unfortunately I don’t think he has a snowball’s chance of winning a general election. Good old Joe Biden. So smart. So compassionate. But in 2016 he’ll be 74. At the end of his second term — 82. Granted his mom lived into her nineties, but still, 82 is up there for handling a killer job like the presidency. Ted Strickland. Wonderful. But he’s the same age. Elizabeth Warren has vowed she will not run. And I think she may be serious. Sherrod Brown is younger, whip-smart and very progressive, but no one even seems to be looking at him. I don’t know why. (Please run, Sherrod.) I’m still not entirely sure whether Hillary really will run. (If I were a betting person, though, I would bet “yes.”) But, like you, if she’s the candidate, I will hold my nose and vote for her. Because there is absolutely no one on their side that I could even remotely consider. Her line about being the “practical person” as opposed to Obama’s “high minded idealist” is really annoying, though. After all — there is compromising. And then there is being compromised. EDIT: Just discovered another reason to vote for Sherrod Brown: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/08/1312582/-Sherrod-Brown-warns-of-new-Republican-effort-to-divide-and-conquer-on-Social-nbsp-Security?detail=facebook » Posted By kesmarn On July 8, 2014 @ 5:54 pm Why Democrats Lag Behind Despite Growing Population Advantages Sally, I ran out of room down there, but thanks so much for filling in the history of the plunder of SS funding. When Al Gore talked about the need for a “lock box” for SS, he wasn’t kidding. » Posted By kesmarn On July 8, 2014 @ 1:24 pm I think that rather than say that Sander’s plan “probably won’t work, so let’s not bother to try it,” we should give it a shot. There’s no appreciable risk in making the attempt. And I’ve seen the suggestion that we simply “roll SS in with the’other welfare programs'” and fund it that way. I have to wonder how many older Americans are going to be comfortable with having the funding for SS voted on by Congress periodically. Especially by a Congress that now has a number of members who take glee in shutting down the government, filibustering everything and “shrinking government to the size where you could drown it in a bathtub.” Who wants lunatics like that in charge of your financial lifeline? Of course, 86 year olds could always pull up their support stockings and get out there into the work force to “take care of themselves.” There is that option too… » Posted By kesmarn On July 8, 2014 @ 7:24 am Thanks much, Sally! And Bernie also makes the point that SS should not be termed “welfare” or an “entitlement.” He says it’s an “earned income program.” No one should be made to feel guilty or threatened (that the program will be discontinued) just for being on SS. » Posted By kesmarn On July 7, 2014 @ 4:44 pm Well, there’s one budget until there isn’t. Dubya fought a trillion dollar war “off the books,” which complicated President Obama’s job tremendously from day one. And Social Security could be made solvent for the next 50 to 75 years if the income cap were raised from the current $113,000 as Bernie Sanders has suggested. http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/on-social-security » Posted By kesmarn On July 7, 2014 @ 4:15 pm A Protest Against Nuclear Weapons You Didn’t Hear About MBX,first off, I have to say that — if you’re doing a touring play about an anti-war activist, you have the wrong name! 😀 That sounds like a pretty good example to me! With all the news about the recent SCOTUS decision, there’s been a media spotlight on religion this week. And it’s true that toxic religion is a huge national (worldwide?) problem. But then there are the Fr. Carls and the Sr. Megans and the Francis Schaeffers and Jim Wallises of the country. They’re not rich and they’re not very well-known (compared to Pat Robertson anyway), but they “fight the good fight.” One of the Sisters of Mercy near here went to prison for trespassing in protest at the School of the Americas (a torture training center in Georgia). After she was released, she said the worst thing was the complete lack of privacy. I’ve often thought about that since I heard her say it. We take for granted that we will have privacy in the shower and in dressing and undressing. She lost all of that for six months. But Father Carl lost it for 17 years. That’s an incredible sacrifice; and all done in the name of peace. God bless the Father » Posted By kesmarn On July 5, 2014 @ 6:39 pm The Irresponsible Electorate and the 4th of July Love that mushroom analogy, Nirek! 😆 Too true. And yes — what passes for history in schools now is an incredibly “sanitized” version. The Civil War was only a difference of opinion over “states rights”? I think not. And labor history? Forget about it. » Posted By kesmarn On July 4, 2014 @ 3:50 pm Nirek, at the risk of sounding like a conspiracy theorist, I have to ask: do you think the absence of classes in civics is a deliberate omission? I think that there are certain parts of the population who have a lot to gain from the ignorance of the majority of the rest of the population. » Posted By kesmarn On July 4, 2014 @ 3:33 pm The Political Illiteracy of Progressives: Matthews vs. Warren Exactly, Michael! Our side needs to be there for people. And we won’t even have to tell them how to vote, because we know that they’re smart enough to figure that out for themselves! » Posted By kesmarn On July 4, 2014 @ 11:59 am A thumbs up on that one, Monica! » Posted By kesmarn On July 4, 2014 @ 6:58 am And that’s the wonderful thing about living in this country (or at least it has been so far 🙁 ). We can each and all choose our own path, our own beliefs — or none at all. What a fantastic idea the founders had there, no? » Posted By kesmarn On July 3, 2014 @ 7:17 pm Thanks,Monica! I do consider myself a Christian. But I don’t think these particular folks would bring out the welcome wagon for me — once they got the picture as far as my politics go. I don’t worship at the shrine of unregulated capitalism the way they do. » Posted By kesmarn On July 3, 2014 @ 2:57 pm I hear you, Michael. These right wing fundamentalist churches use the same tactics (although that may be a harsh term for it). When a new potential member shows up, that person is greeted with a friendly smile and shown to a seat. Asked to stand and be recognized during the service. Applause. There will be offers to get coffee and/or a snack. The church offers child care during the service. There may be a food pantry, family counseling services, addiction treatment groups, welcoming in-home bible studies. Some churches even have car repair “ministries” for single struggling moms. Suddenly, you feel you’re in a family. These people like you! Once you’ve gone through the new member classes, there are only two things you need to do. Tithe. And vote the way you’re told to. What’s not to love? 🙁 » Posted By kesmarn On July 3, 2014 @ 1:46 pm Thanks for a clearly written and genuinely informative article, Beatriz09. A while back I had a very “brisk” (to use a polite adjective) discussion with a long time friend over these same issues. He’s not stupid (has a PhD) and he’s not a conservative. But all I was hearing from him was that the President was “weak” and the Democrats in Congress were “spineless.” He was “fed up with all of them.” By the end of the argument (during which I asked many times for him to define precisely what he wanted the President and the Congressional Dems to do — to no avail) I said: “So let me get this straight. The “tools” that are available to the Prez and the Dems to get things done are as follows: a.) They can pitch themselves down on the floor in a prolonged shrieking tantrum until they get their way. and b.) They can bring guns to the Senate floor and hold them to the heads of GOP members until they vote the way they’re told to. Is that what you’re saying?” Because there was nothing else that was actually legal left for them to do. The discussion got very quiet after that. I wish Elizabeth Warren had been able to just turn to Matthews and ask: “What’s your suggested plan of action? Please proceed, sir.” But she did the next best thing. She said: “Oh, stop it!” I’m with her. Stop it, Chris. Remove yourself from the circular firing squad. You’re not helping. » Posted By kesmarn On July 3, 2014 @ 1:29 pm Thanks so much Sally, for sharing the story of Adolph Kline’s experience during the war. When I read it I was wondering: when will we learn? Adolph suffered discrimination based only on the name his parents gave him at birth. How senseless and — really, when it comes down to it — ignorant, no? And then there’s the horror of the Japanese internment camps. And we’d like to think: “Well, that was then. We’re better than that now.” But then along came Barack Hussein Obama. Sigh. Need we say more? That name alone is enough for some people to consider him a Muslim — not just a Muslim — but a sympathizer with terrorists. Apparently no further evidence is required beyond his name. I’m glad you’re flying that new flag from Adolph’s flagpole today, Sally. It’s a sign of hope. Hope that we really will learn someday. » Posted By kesmarn On July 4, 2014 @ 3:48 pm No, we are not, Mr. Nirek! 😉 Don’t you dare stop! 😉 You know I am a fan of those cute raccoons. And thanks for posting. » Posted By kesmarn On July 11, 2014 @ 4:53 pm Heh… well this is what happens when you give a rookie some admin powers. I got the image out there, but it’s kinda huge. My apologies! 😆 But it’s a nice pic! » Posted By kesmarn On July 8, 2014 @ 4:21 pm Wonderful pics, Nirek! » Posted By kesmarn On July 8, 2014 @ 4:13 pm Somehow the mental image of raccoons whirling around on a weather vane merry-go-round is too funny, Nirek. Thanks for giving me a smile! » Posted By kesmarn On July 6, 2014 @ 10:14 am Give your pop a real hug as a stand-in for all the virtual ones that are sent from the Planet, NirekJr.! » Posted By kesmarn On July 6, 2014 @ 10:12 am Nirek, thanks so much for posting these amazing photos! I really like the “night vision” ones. There’s so much going on out there while so many of us are sleeping. It’s terrific to be able to capture that. Not too long ago I put some cat food out for the hungry strays in the neighborhood (I know we’re not supposed to, but I can’t help but feel sorry for them.) And when I opened the door a bit later, I saw a nice fat, healthy looking raccoon nibbling away. He lifted up his head and stared right at me through the storm door. And I don’t even live way out in the country. Raccoons are so cute. I wish they could be pets, but everyone I know warns me against trying that. And I believe them! Thanks again for sharing a bit of your peaceful corner of the world. » Posted By kesmarn On July 5, 2014 @ 6:48 pmComments Posted By kesmarn
Carls of the world.
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