In charge of everything, but not to blame for anything

[Cold_Zero]

I love listening to the Savage Nation, especially about his old storys from New York. Michael becomes the grumpy old man, so I dont have to... It's a fun show.

[AZhitman]

You have to understand how dangerous and destructive this is for someone like me, living in a blood red state.

We have a long way to go.

I don't have a response for that, T. Sometimes I wonder if you (and by you, I mean all peaceable Muslims in America) were better off under our prior Administration (as crazy as that may sound). I have some anecdotal evidence that leads me to believe I might be onto something... No time to fully flesh-out my thoughts on this, but it's striking how much conflict and strife seems to have followed Mr. Obama into office. Coincidence?

[heliochrome85]

You have to understand how dangerous and destructive this is for someone like me, living in a blood red state.

We have a long way to go.

I don't have a response for that, T. Sometimes I wonder if you (and by you, I mean all peaceable Muslims in America) were better off under our prior Administration (as crazy as that may sound). I have some anecdotal evidence that leads me to believe I might be onto something... No time to fully flesh-out my thoughts on this, but it's striking how much conflict and strife seems to have followed Mr. Obama into office. Coincidence?

its true. things actually were better. there was a seriosu campaign to get President Bush to come out and try to heal wounds following this Mosque battle, by some prominent writers. Unfortunately, he declined to comment. That being said, i was just at my dads office and his partner of 27 years, was sitting in his office, listening to El Rushbo rail on the Jews, Imam Obama, the Muslims, the hispanics. Youd think that working with a muslim, and being an educated and successful physician would help combat blatant ignorance, but i guess i was wrong since his partner was audibly agreeing, not knowing that i could hear him. oh well.

[wingFeather]

blatant ignorance

Perhaps it's because what you are perceiving as ignorance, is not really ignorance - but more of a knee jerk reaction to what you've been brainwashed to believe. I mean this in the nicest possible way.

[IBCoupe]

Talk of the Nation is NPR programming, and NPR is not commercial radio.

Said Wikipedia in the entry that contains that list, Greg:

Public, non-commercial, and non-English programming is not included in this list.

As I've written before, I don't think it's a matter of public political leanings, I think it's a matter of a certain political view being more friendly to a particular radio format:

Pew researchers found in 2004 that 17% of the public regularly listens to talk radio. This audience is mostly male, middle-aged and conservative. Among those who regularly listen to talk radio, 41% are Republican and 28% are Democrats. Furthermore, 45% describe themselves as conservatives, compared with 18% who say they are liberal.

Maybe it's a certain authoritarian thing with the right, maybe it's a desire to have ones internal feelings reinforced by someone else's. I don't know. But I think you're going down the path of forgetting that roughly half of the country identifies with the "liberal" party, and more than half identify with a number of "liberal" policies when they're removed from their "liberal" label.

[AZhitman]

Said wakopedia in the entry that contains that list, Greg:

Public, non-commercial, and non-English programming is not included in this list.

You didn't read far enough. I included a link that showed the NPR show's reach. A little credit, plz?

I don't agree with your "half" numbers, but that's ok. We don't need to, since it's something we'll never know.

[IBCoupe]

Ah, my bad. I remembered reading that it was one of the shows, and actually Morning Edition (along with All Things Considered, your link seems to support placing one of those in the "second most popular" category) sounds a lot more like what it was I read about. The point's the same: those shows aren't anywhere close to being Rush Limbaugh's mirror.

And there's an invisible "very" in front of the "roughly half." It probably plays out a bit like NPR's listenership: ~33% self-identify as conservative, ~33% as liberal, and ~33% as independent. Got that tidbit of info while sitting through one of their pledge drives.

[AZhitman]

You're right on that for sure... I actually listened to NPR quite a bit before I let my sat radio subscription expire.

[AZhitman]

its true. things actually were better. there was a seriosu campaign to get President Bush to come out and try to heal wounds following this Mosque battle, by some prominent writers. Unfortunately, he declined to comment. That being said, i was just at my dads office and his partner of 27 years, was sitting in his office, listening to El Rushbo rail on the Jews, Imam Obama, the Muslims, the hispanics. Youd think that working with a muslim, and being an educated and successful physician would help combat blatant ignorance, but i guess i was wrong since his partner was audibly agreeing, not knowing that i could hear him. oh well.

Guess who else things were better for?

Hispanics.

Seeing a trend here?

Look, I'm not trying to pin this all on POTUS, nor am I trying to change anyone's mind, and I sure as hell ain't painting GWB as the end-all, be-all.

But to ignore the clear indicators is to be a blind sheep in the Obamacracy.

[IBCoupe]

I actually thought about getting Satellite radio for NPR. I travel around enough that it becomes a pain to constantly switch between stations as one signal fades.

[Cold_Zero]

The hog in the blue is killin' me - just choked on my DIet Pepsi...

take a look at the title of the show in the bottom left hand corner. tell me that Howard Stern doesnt have an audience.

He does on Satellite Radio.

[Cold_Zero]

I actually thought about getting Satellite radio for NPR. I travel around enough that it becomes a pain to constantly switch between stations as one signal fades.

We love our Sirius Radio. We usually put in a DVD for my daughter to watch and then my wife and I turn on Sirius 80's on 8 or something and then drive to Maryland. We also have used it when camping out in the Finger Lake region of New York, so it is highly portable.
The only two issues I have seen with Sirius is:
1. There is a 4 second delay to sync the terrestrial signal with the two satellites. If you want to watch live sports feeds on TV, the video and audio will not sync up.
2. When you pass over a bridge, you do get a small skip four seconds later. There are some issues on cloudy days where it takes a while to get a signal. But then again I have signal in storms and rain, so there may be have been something going on with the Satellites at the time.

[heliochrome85]

its true. things actually were better. there was a seriosu campaign to get President Bush to come out and try to heal wounds following this Mosque battle, by some prominent writers. Unfortunately, he declined to comment. That being said, i was just at my dads office and his partner of 27 years, was sitting in his office, listening to El Rushbo rail on the Jews, Imam Obama, the Muslims, the hispanics. Youd think that working with a muslim, and being an educated and successful physician would help combat blatant ignorance, but i guess i was wrong since his partner was audibly agreeing, not knowing that i could hear him. oh well.

Guess who else things were better for?

Hispanics.

Seeing a trend here?

Look, I'm not trying to pin this all on POTUS, nor am I trying to change anyone's mind, and I sure as hell ain't painting GWB as the end-all, be-all.

But to ignore the clear indicators is to be a blind sheep in the Obamacracy.

well given how mcuh focus there was on race in the 2008 elections, i think alot of peoples latent xenophobia was brought out. from the standpoint of a lilly white mid america voter, America has a black president, the gays are trying to marry, the hispanics are taking our jobs and living here illegally, and the muslims are trying to build a victory mosque on ground zero. fox is making a fortune propgating this line of fear rhetoric. Obama may have been less effectual than he promised, but, he has been much more productive in terms of legislation than most presidnets have over their entire career.

[wingFeather]

America has a black president . . . the hispanics . . .

The race card is so played out. Racism from whites is not as big of a problem as you think it is. Haven't you got any new, entertaining arguments?

[AZhitman]

I think you missed his point. Start over.

T - A whole bucket of crap legislation < one piece of GOOD legislation.

I wonder, though, how productive it is to assume xenophobia?

Later, I'll tell you a little story about growing up in, leaving, and returning to, the Deep South. I think it'll interest you.

[IBCoupe]

We love our Sirius Radio. We usually put in a DVD for my daughter to watch and then my wife and I turn on Sirius 80's on 8 or something and then drive to Maryland. We also have used it when camping out in the Finger Lake region of New York, so it is highly portable.
The only two issues I have seen with Sirius is:
1. There is a 4 second delay to sync the terrestrial signal with the two satellites. If you want to watch live sports feeds on TV, the video and audio will not sync up.
2. When you pass over a bridge, you do get a small skip four seconds later. There are some issues on cloudy days where it takes a while to get a signal. But then again I have signal in storms and rain, so there may be have been something going on with the Satellites at the time.

My coupe's equipped with XM, but I just haven't subscribed to the service. I'm thinking I'll hold off on subscribing until I've traded in my Coupe for a Z in the next few weeks.

[IBCoupe]

T - A whole bucket of crap legislation < one piece of GOOD legislation.

You know, I've been torn the past few months. On the one hand, a good compromise leaves no one happy, and that can be said about much of what has been passed under this administration. On the other hand, really bad legislation leaves no one happy, too.

I tend to lean towards the former, as President Obama always had relatively moderate positions, despite the way he's been portrayed by many on the right. This only becomes apparent, of course, if you're willing to recognize that today's "socialist" was 1991's (Cap & Trade) and 1994's (Healthcare) "free market conservative."

[AZhitman]

These aren't compromises, though, and you know it.

Healthcare is "my way or the highway". Taxes? Hell, no, the rich get off too easy. C4C? Absurd even to a freshman econ student. Middle East strategy? Initially "I don't care what the guys with the stars on their epaulets say...". Reform? "Pass it so you can read it." Border security? Not without comprehensive enforcement....

With that said, I can certainly understand being torn. If I was today, mentally, where I was in 1997, I'd be right there with you.

[heliochrome85]

I'm thinking I'll hold off on subscribing until I've traded in my Coupe for a Z in the next few weeks.

interesting. ive been toying with the idea of a 2011 3.5SR coupe with red leather. i just dont know how practical that is in New York...

The G was fun in the snow, but absolutely impractical.

[IBCoupe]

Greg,
I meant ideologically a compromise, Greg. Everything the left wanted was off the table within the first few weeks on healthcare, and what we ended up with was what the Republicans proposed in 1994 as an alternative to Clinton's health care in '93.

I honestly don't care whether the party in power actually cooperates with the party that's not, so long as that party's input is accounted for.

Tariq,
Ugh, I hate using my Coupe in the City. I park it and we use my girlfriend's Corolla instead. The fact that I've got it on coilovers doesn't help, either.

[heliochrome85]

I park it and we use my girlfriend's Corolla instead.

unforgivable.

[IBCoupe]

Look, I'm happy with my car in windy country roads. I'm happy with my car on the highway. I'm even okay with my car on deserted city streets. But I like my car (and my wallet) too much to put my car through a busy day on Long Island.

[wingFeather]

I wonder, though, how productive it is to assume xenophobia?

That is what I was saying!!!

[heliochrome85]

Look, I'm happy with my car in windy country roads. I'm happy with my car on the highway. I'm even okay with my car on deserted city streets. But I like my car (and my wallet) too much to put my car through a busy day on Long Island.

they just got recalled today, the corolla that is.


having driven dad's old ES330, and various other recent toyota products, i can honestly say, i have ZERO interest in any of their wares. the only car they make that has any sort of personality is the FJ Cruiser and even then, its pretty tame. We have since upgraded to a 2010 Benz E350, and its about as removed from the Lexus as the car from a buggy. I have simply never driven such a confidence inspiring car, especially at speed. We've renamed it our Panzer, because im fairly certain that when the snow comes, itll have a better time in the snow than moms SUV.

I have also been looking at the Nissan Juke. Looks like Im going to have to drive it once its out.

[IBCoupe]

My dad hates the FJ. Until its front windshield can fold down, its top and doors can come off, he says, it's not an FJ. He's also got one of these in his garage, so he's a bit biased:


The Juke? You mean the polished Pontiac Turd? Erm... Aztek?

[heliochrome85]

My dad hates the FJ. Until its front windshield can fold down, its top and doors can come off, he says, it's not an FJ. He's also got one of these in his garage, so he's a bit biased:


The Juke? You mean the polished Pontiac Turd? Erm... Aztek?

Like i said, the FJ is nice, but its not a real one. Its plastic, and wont do half the things a crappy Jeep Patriot can do. See, when i make it, im going to drive something sensable and have a garage full of interesting cars older than me. Lucky you to have someone in the family who has something older than a mid 80s disappointment.

as for the juke, the reviews are fairly glowing. and i like kooky cars. what can i get for mid to high 20s that has that level of kit that isnt a the automotive equivalent of a shot of lidocaine to the boys?

[wingFeather]

i have ZERO interest in any of their wares

Add me to this list.

[stebo0728]

well given how mcuh focus there was on race in the 2008 elections, i think alot of peoples latent xenophobia was brought out. from the standpoint of a lilly white mid america voter, America has a black president, the gays are trying to marry, the hispanics are taking our jobs and living here illegally, and the muslims are trying to build a victory mosque on ground zero. fox is making a fortune propgating this line of fear rhetoric. Obama may have been less effectual than he promised, but, he has been much more productive in terms of legislation than most presidnets have over their entire career.

I would say more destructive with legislation, not productive. Passing legislation just to say you passed it, or "so you can see whats in it" is certainly not productive in my mind.