McCain's campaign has reaching a new low....

[heliochrome85]

You still have to figure out a way for the money tap to be shut off. you know why 3rd parties never work? because they simply dont have the cash generating power the other two have. ron paul did well, but he reached the glass ceiling of donations for a 3rd party.

[Marenta]

That's fine, we'll probably disagree about other things too. I congratulate you for being part of the process, whereby you earn the right to complain if the country takes a wrong turn. Those who don't bother to vote, or otherwise get involved, don't deserve the right to complain.

People don't vote? Damn, could've fooled me. I figure it's my patriotic duty to vote, and then it's double my responsibility to see that it gets done because I serve in the military. If I have to take orders from my CIC, I want to know that I did the best I could to make sure that he/she is the right person for the job. And, the only way you can do that is to vote. We went to war to get the chance to vote (no taxation without representation, anybody?), now people don't even think voting is worth their time or effort.

[rn79870]

I should have put 2+2 together with the Norfolk VA location. USN. Good job Marenta. Thanks for your sacrifice guy, and I hope you have a long shore tour. I have a daughter-in-law stationed at Annapolis and she's thinks she is headed there in 09.

Being on active duty you're entitled to a custom title. Let me know what you want and I see that it happens.

[Marenta]

Thanks, but naw. I'm doing 8 and then I'm out. 2 deployments and that's enough. My main thing is just getting through this next deployment of my guy, he just left for the sandbox for the next year and a half. (He's an Army Ranger, I'm a Navy Nuke, don't ask me how it worked out that way.) Thank god I'm getting out in October and he's getting out after this tour, I just can't take much more of it. It's bad enough when my own son doesn't even call me mom. But, that again, is a topic for another time.

You know, if Hilary gets in as VP.. what does that make Bill? (Besides a nuisance?)

[AZhitman]

McCains campaign is on the ropes and he knows he is sinking.

McCain also opposed making MLK a holiday. Why would any African American or any minority for that matter want to vote for him?

Dual fail.

Gallup poll from Friday shows a statistical dead heat (43% to 45%, +/- 3% error margin). Probably should know what you're talking about before you type.

Also, MLK Day is retarded. He's not the only one who fought for civil rights, you know. And since when is "civil rights" the sole property and possession of Black Americans? Sounds kinda racist to me.

Civil Rights Day? Sure. MLK Day? No damn way.

Just because something makes sense in your head doesn't mean it meshes with facts and reality.

[rn79870]

We'll all pray he comes safely home very soon. Again, thanks for your sacrifice.

If Hillary get's VP it will go something like this.

Knock knock (Obama in oval office) Come inHillary Hi Barack, I just stopped by to tell you how to handle the ...Obama, thanks, byeKnock knock. (Obama) come inHi Barack, it's Bill. I just stopped in to say Hi!Obama, Bye.Knock Knock (Obama) come in..Hi Barack, It's Hill, I thought you needed advice on something...Obama, Bye.Knock Knock, Hi Barack, it's Bill again, I just wanted to see if I could help...Knock Knock (Obama) come in...Hi it's Hill, if you're going out for lunch, could you bring me something back...

That's why I don't want the Clinton's back.

[srellim234]

That's fine, we'll probably disagree about other things too. I congratulate you for being part of the process, whereby you earn the right to complain if the country takes a wrong turn. Those who don't bother to vote, or otherwise get involved, don't deserve the right to complain.

And those who feel that the system is fundamentally flawed and are consciously choosing to use their vote to support that status quo without getting involved in the attempts to fix it don't have a right to complain, either.

[AZhitman]

Marenta, thanks for your service and your dedication - I hope you and your hubby get to be reunited on a normal, sane schedule soon.



Great article in Time magazine this week about how bad the rift has been between GWB and J-Mac over the years... anyone who despises Bush would be to vote for McCain... they seem to honestly despise each other, and for good reason.

Hell, most of the GOP hates J-Mac... To hear him labeled as running on a "war hero" / "more of the same" platform alone shows 2 things: Broad generalizations by people who fail to read, and a distinct media bias towards The Great Obamallama.

Just because BO keeps screaming about "Change" doesn't mean he has the capacity to implement it. Hell, a GOP Congress will pick its teeth with his miserable failures.

You guys might want to consider a left-leaning maverick GOP candidate and enjoy taking back Congress. Think about it.

[heliochrome85]

think about how many people in this country are having this discussion. its sad.

[Marenta]

We'll all pray he comes safely home very soon. Again, thanks for your sacrifice.

Thank you. The last time he got deployed to Iraq (he went to Fallujah last time, this time it's Mosul, ick ) they sent him on an expeditionary unit deployment that extended him another year into Afghanistan. He's not supposed to get out until May of 2010. He comes back in November 2009. I hope to god they don't do that same thing again, I will go kick me some Army boy ***, and they'll see what a Sailor really looks like.

If Hillary get's VP it will go something like this.

Knock knock (Obama in oval office) Come inHillary Hi Barack, I just stopped by to tell you how to handle the ...Obama, thanks, byeKnock knock. (Obama) come inHi Barack, it's Bill. I just stopped in to say Hi!Obama, Bye.Knock Knock (Obama) come in..Hi Barack, It's Hill, I thought you needed advice on something...Obama, Bye.Knock Knock, Hi Barack, it's Bill again, I just wanted to see if I could help...Knock Knock (Obama) come in...Hi it's Hill, if you're going out for lunch, could you bring me something back...

That's why I don't want the Clinton's back.

Oh, come on.. I'm sure Barack would just hire only the most large-nosed brunette aides that D.C. had to offer. That would deter at least one of the Clintons. As for the other one, I'm sure a Krispy Kreme would suffice.

[rn79870]

That's not my point Steve. We already know that you don't have a favorite in the match this time around. That's reasonable, many of us don't have a shining star to vote for. I can't criticize how you vote, but I think the "send a message" theory doesn't really happen.

[AZhitman]

think about how many people in this country are having this discussion. its sad.

Not sad at all. It's spectacular.

It's an end to apathy. It's learning by osmosis. It's bringing politics to the forefront. It's encouraging and beautiful, this engaging in the democratic process.

AND, it's showing the starry-eyed dreamers that politics is a wretched, ugly, nasty (but necessary and wonderful) process.

[Marenta]

Not sad at all. It's spectacular.

It's an end to apathy. It's learning by osmosis. It's bringing politics to the forefront. It's encouraging and beautiful, this engaging in the democratic process.

AND, it's showing the starry-eyed dreamers that politics is a wretched, ugly, nasty (but necessary and wonderful) process.

Politics, like Religion, is one of those things that everybody thinks they *know* and they have an opinion on. But, unless you actually go out and make an effort to stay informed, or at least kept abreast of the situation or the topics at hand (and you actually VOTE then it's a wonderful process. It's just a shame that it's gotten so hideously ugly over this last centennial.

[srellim234]

That's not my point Steve. We already know that you don't have a favorite in the match this time around. That's reasonable, many of us don't have a shining star to vote for. I can't criticize how you vote, but I think the "send a message" theory doesn't really happen.

I don't have a favorite yet. That little three letter word makes a big difference. At the risk of harping on it, by the time the election rolls around, I'll have a candidate to vote for.

I admit that the "send a message" theory is happening way too slowly for my taste. Even if it doesn't happen at all, which is your belief, I'll go to my grave knowing I used my vote to try to make a difference by helping a third party become major and reduce the stranglehold by the two major parties. The way I see it, the major parties have you exactly where they want you: as one of the voting "sheep", each election cycle using your vote to perpetuate their stranglehold whether you agree with them or not. If you don't like the current system, I see the best way to change it is to vote to make a third party stronger.

Let me ask you a question: since you brought up the need for at least a third major party, how can it be done? What are you doing to make that happen?

[skylndrftr]

in no particular order...

1) Parlementary system2) Ditch the senate3) fairness doctrine4) publically finance elections5) ban 527s6) no political party registration7) better educated voters

[AZhitman]

I can certainly agree with most of that.

[AZhitman]

If Hillary get's VP it will go something like this.

Knock knock (Obama in oval office) Come inHillary Hi Barack, I just stopped by to tell you how to handle the ...Obama, thanks, byeKnock knock. (Obama) come inHi Barack, it's Bill. I just stopped in to say Hi!Obama, Bye.Knock Knock (Obama) come in..Hi Barack, It's Hill, I thought you needed advice on something...Obama, Bye.Knock Knock, Hi Barack, it's Bill again, I just wanted to see if I could help...Knock Knock (Obama) come in...Hi it's Hill, if you're going out for lunch, could you bring me something back...

SOLID.

p.s. telco's still not responding to his pwning on Page 1.

[skylndrftr]

I can certainly agree with most of that.

As for new lows, the latest campaign add from McCain is just beyond pathetic. Its so blatantly false that that if you are still considering voting for him, you really should just drop that thought now.

And now, he made time to go to the gym, but canceled a visit with wounded troops

The ad shows a nice video of Obama shooting hoops...well thats video of him shooting hoops alright

with troops in Iraq as an earlier part of the trip

Productive leadership from the straight talk express

[AZhitman]

Shouldn't matter. He's in the wrong place for a candidate anyway.

Save the campaigning in other countries for when their citizens can actually vote here.

And his apologizing for the US's actions in front of a German crowd (whose country has a TON of apologizing to do) is reprehensible and unforgiveable.

I'm sick of people bashing this country. He can kiss my red white and blue a$$.

[AZhitman]

Its so blatantly false

with troops in Iraq as an earlier part of the trip

Did he cancel a scheduled visit?

OK then. Not false.

[skylndrftr]

McCain complained that Obama hadn't been there, so he went to where are troops are dieing on the ground. I don't thin khe was in the wrong place if hes visiting troops.

the what isn't an issue the why is. he didn't cancel the visit to go to the gym. Thats an insulting and apalling thing to say while riding around on a plane called literally 'the sstraight talk express' And just for clarification, he didn't cancel the visit the Pentagon did.

[confedup]

in no particular order...

3) fairness doctrine

Fairness doctrine is fair? How so? Is it the radio stations fault that Democratic talk-radio is ignored and not profitable? Seems more of a way for the Democrats to force their views on Republicans because most Democrats either open up a newspaper or listen to the news for the majority of their information. Fairness doctrine is crap and if the role was reversed then you and others would be having a fit. While Republicans do complain about media bias you don't see them pressing forth legislation to force the media to equally report the Republican view. Lame....

[AZhitman]

Thats an insulting and apalling thing to say

No less insulting or appalling for faulting a man for his age or past health issues, neither of which are under his control...

Say something about Obama being Black and you'll stir up a shatstorm.

See the double-standard?

Point is, people are fed up with the media fawning over this phoney. His big emotional tirades and anti-America rhetoric have pissed off a lot of people, and the media suck it up like koolaid.

Remember, these are the same people who tell you when Tom Cruise worships his poop, when Britney flashes her vajayjay and who follow Brangelina around for pictures of their 17th baby.

[WDRacing]

Fairness doctrine is fair? How so? Is it the radio stations fault that Democratic talk-radio is ignored and not profitable? Seems more of a way for the Democrats to force their views on Republicans because most Democrats either open up a newspaper or listen to the news for the majority of their information. Fairness doctrine is crap and if the role was reversed then you and others would be having a fit. While Republicans do complain about media bias you don't see them pressing forth legislation to force the media to equally report the Republican view. Lame....

Agreed...I like the others, but the unfairness doctrine is exactly that...

[AZhitman]

Whoops. Self-pwn. I didn't read the list very thoroughly.

[ishkabibble]

And sorry, too, Senator Obama, but you are a paid, sworn U.S. Senator whose obligation to the American people is to be a senator first, a political candidate second. What are you doing as a U.S. senator overseas without any of your senate staff with you? You sent them ALL home early? Very irresponsible.

Why aren't you also criticizing Johnny Mac, who is pretty much a no-show in Congress? He's only been there for around 40% of the votes this session. Obama has been around for about 60%.

[ishkabibble]

No less insulting or appalling for faulting a man for his age or past health issues, neither of which are under his control...

Say something about Obama being Black and you'll stir up a shatstorm.

See the double-standard?

Hmm, I guess the FAA has an insulting double standard, too. Blacks can be air traffic controllers, but people 60+ years old cannot!

[rn79870]

Hmm, I guess the FAA has an insulting double standard, too. Blacks can be air traffic controllers, but people 60+ years old cannot!

They can't hold ATR ratings (the license needed to fly a commercial jet). Very archaic if you asked me.

[AZhitman]

Hmm, I guess the FAA has an insulting double standard, too. Blacks can be air traffic controllers, but people 60+ years old cannot!

...add to that the fact that no matter how many times you sue, you'll never be admitted to the Girl Scouts...

Better call the ACLU.

The point? You missed it. Yep.

[skylndrftr]

...add to that the fact that no matter how many times you sue, you'll never be admitted to the Girl Scouts...

if theres grass on the field play ball...if not

AZ, I don't think observing the obvious (McCain is really 106 and Obama is malcolm X) is anything anyone should get upset about. If they do they probably aren't a source worth noticing.

As for the fairness doctrine. Its a perfectly valid concept, however given what we call news today it doesn't look like it. If we held our news to the standard that they should be this wouldn't even be up for debate. The government licenses the use of the public airwaves (my/your/our airwaves) and we should expect them to be used properly. They are a privlege to use as a revenue stream, not a right.