Not again!

Congrats, Gnome!

I held back, trying to give others a chance. Oh Well.

top 5?

Evenin’ all!

FunnyD

Why did the CMA move the award show to Las Vegas…? Ain’t that disrespecting Nashville or Branson…?

Is everybody still at the gay bash downstairs?

Me, too

Just going to waive good night ….. go to Huffpo and see the pictures of the Obama rally in Portland Oregon….. used to work not far from the waterfront…. amazing pictures

CT – the Celtics won! (I haven’t paid attention to them in years, but still its nice to have the hometown win.)

Does Gnome have the secret code? Lotsa zeds!

Hi ES, how are you tonight?

I know! It was the longest two minutes of my life, after it was 89-88…! ;-)

Branson has respect? /s

Heh! Good question!

And made Elmore the Teevee guy very happy…… If they had lost he would of had to fly to the next city [Detroit?] at 7am……

Still smiling, after watching your video du jour.

And I wasn’t even lurking in the corner tonight. I just swung over from the TReehouse and there is was, just begging to be had.

Or check this diary.

Gread vid, ES!

goodnight, katymine!
glad Elmore the TV guy does’t have to travel in the am!

Hi, ES, et al FirePups!

FunnyD

Astounding.

Please show your appreciation by Digging this post HERE.

Thank you!

Can anyone tell me how to find my way to Edward Teller’s blog?

I left my enthusiastic concurrence EPU’d downstairs. (Not worth a both.)

Right here.

Eureka – another very eclectic selection. Very nice.

http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/

Wow!

progressivealaska.blogspot.com (I think)

Does what happens in Branson stay in Branson?

Someday, he’s going to gravely disappoint me. And that’s the day I will need new reading glasses.
I’d give anything for that careful foresight. But I read Salon, instead.

click the link at Huffpo and they have a video and slide show that show just how many people were there…..

If you are lucky. Note, Eureka Springs is about 70 miles from Branson.

http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/
Where has ET been? I haven’t seen him.

I know I mentioned downstairs that it will be 109 tomorrow….. the part I forgot to mention is that my AC is on the fritz waiting for parts…….

Ok….. now heading off to bed… Nite all

doesn’t matter, I should think. Not a whole lot of blackmail-able hanky panky goin’ down in Branson.

Housemate’s parents were bored silly after a couple days. Not much to do but shows 3x a day, and apparently they’re over-amplified for the under-70 set.

FunnyD

That guy is so damn good that I’m tired of telling people that “today’s Glenzilla is a ‘must read.’” Like the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. I’m tired of announcing the inevitable. Now I just tell them that the sun rose again, and then we all chuckle and sip our coffee.

It’s just great to see that level of interest!

Yikes, that’s hot.
The Australians hang wet bedsheets from the ceiling to soak up heat and cool the air a bit.
FunnyD

Yep. As Boehner changes his shorts for the third time in the last 24 hours.
Their panic must be full-tilt-boogie.
Here is the Times piece.

What I love about it is that it is a sea of white folks. That should give the racists pause!

I don’t know how the media or the polls can think that Clinton or McSame have a chance against that kind of enthusiasm. When have we ever seen crowds like that? (Maybe Boston in 2004 when the Red Sox won the World Series for the first time in 86 years.)

OK I have a question for you all. Does the use of the word “linchpin” by Bill in Kentucky bother you at all?

This article:

Bill Clinton calls Ky. linchpin in primary season

PADUCAH, Ky. — Former President Bill Clinton, in a second day of campaigning in Kentucky for his wife before Tuesday’s primary, continued to urge voters to look past the condemnations of her campaign as a failed effort.
Advertisement

Sen. Hillary Clinton can win the nomination, her husband told thousands yesterday at rallies in a fire station parking lot in Madisonville, a gymnasium at Kentucky Wesleyan College and a Paducah convention center.

Bill Clinton also stressed that Kentucky could be a linchpin in the presidential primary season.

thanks to all of you who pointed me to Progressive Alaska.

I didn’t get any responses to that question on the previous thread!

Linchpin:

linch·pin Audio Help /ˈlɪntʃˌpɪn/ Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[linch-pin] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. a pin inserted through the end of an axletree to keep the wheel on.
2. something that holds the various elements of a complicated structure together: The monarchy was the linchpin of the nation’s traditions and society.
Also,

That one looks rip for pick’n now matter where you stand.

When I’m bored (jeez, what a geek), I reread stuff from here. Like these, on occasion…

FDL Book Salon — Conservatives Without Conscience, Week 1

FDL Book Salon — Conservatives Without Conscience, Week 2

Some lineup.

Well here’s some fun…

Ailes called Zucker on his cellphone last summer, clearly agitated over a slam against him by MSNBC host Keith Olbermann. According to sources familiar with the conversation, Ailes warned that if Olbermann didn’t stop such attacks against Fox, he would unleash O’Reilly against NBC and would use the New York Post as well.

I’m sorry, neuro, I meant to go look for it but got distracted. (As often happens, lol.)

Yes I know.. It just bothered me in a different way.. I am not one who is generally prone to jump on things like this, but it just struck a nerve when I read it and I can’t quite convince myself it was innocent on his part.. Especially in that audience..

I guess it may really be nothing.

huh…I thought Portland had a significant African American community as well. But you’re right, a lot of non-African Americans, myself included, have decided this is someone they can get behind. Not perfect. Not a make-it-all-better for us right away and easily. But clearly a significant change from the last 8 years. Coupled with the kind of style and personality that motivate a lot of us toward doing better and maybe being our best selfs more often.

FunnyD

ES, I don’t know.
I hadn’t heard it until you mentioned it. I can’t tell, really, what my reaction would be if I had not heard your question along with the word and the context.

You can’t make this sh*t up…

New Watergate book says John Dean ordered break-in

This is so good to hear.. The blogs (Dem blogs) in AR are simply beside themselves, bordering paralysis, in fear of the anti black vote.

No. That word has a legitimate meaning in the way he used it, nothing to do with murdering black people.

sounds like a good excuse for an FDL chat me!

I get what you’re saying, and the way they have conducted themselves (The Clintons) in this campaign, you have to ask yourself…
But i’m betting it was innocent. There’s nothing to be gained anymore by stirring racial division.

Bill’s poor word choices have been a startling surprise in this campaign.

well, yeah. Mostly because I feel as though the Clinton campaign has said that about every state that’s “next” when Obama’s either won or come in a much closer 2nd than comfortable.

Oh, and it begs the question of whether any single primary/caucus could be THE linchpin. Or whether there even is a single linchpin. I think it’s too big and diverse of a country for that.

I mean, didn’t Iowa and New Hampshire used to be the “linchpin” states?

Sorry, Mr Pres, but all y’all is running out of linchpins to grab hold of.

FunnyD

For John Dean… Not the ‘author’ James Rosen, right…? ;-)

Bill Clinton also stressed that Kentucky could be a linchpin in the presidential primary season.

I choose to believe that he didn’t mean it that way and didn’t realize that it could be a red flag. That said, I would have. And, without doubt so would David Neiwert, who hears dogwhistles where I don’t.

But then again, I guess one should never underestimate the deviousness of Bill Clinton’s mind…it was an unfortunate word choice if anyone took it in the wrong way.

I’d rather listen to Dean but I’m sure the mods would have fun with Rosen :)

Woodstock was half a million strong…but look at all the bands that were there! This is a politician!

Both of those were great sessions. I’ve been a big fan of John Dean ever since his first appearance on TV in the Watergate testimony. What an impressive mind!

I don’t suppose Obama had to warn anyone about the brown acid, did he?

I agree 100 percent

I’m sure the pups would make him feel right cozy… Being a Fox progeny…!

Bring ‘em on!!!

Man, I must be getting old, I don’t recognize half the award nominees or recipients…! ;-)

Is anyone going to Book Expo America in L.A.? There’s a lunch with a panel featuring Markos and Michael Moore.

What do you mean? They’re afraid people will vote for McSame to be voting against Obama?

Geeks Unite, man!
Nothing wrong with revisiting posts that are informative and thread discussions that enlighten or get the critical thinking motor revved up!
And I love it when people point back to great posts/threads that were before my time here or that I missed for some other reason.

It’s great that there’s so much great, new stuff here every day. Part of what makes it great is its staying power with FirePups, whose average attention span is off da chart compared to the wider, low-information population.

FunnyDiva

I was too young to remember Dean on TV in the Watergate era but thought he did a great job speaking to the Senate about executive overreach.

OMFG! Right-tard revisionism at its finest!
Fox News Channel correspondent tells us all we need to know about dat crocka shit.

FunnyD

Forgot about that.

No they think Clintonistas and GOPers will not vote O under any circumstances due to skin color.

I keep telling myself, AR is not a part of the Obama math.

When? Where?

John Dean on Senator Obama

1: Barack Obama’s Smart Speech “A More Perfect Union”: Did It Reveal Him To Be Too Intellectual To Be President?

2: Is Senator Barack Obama Truly Too Elite To Be Elected President? Further Thoughts on Obama’s Intelligence and Education as Possible Barriers to His Victory

Very interesting reading so far…

So true! It’s enough to make you want to quit your job and read all day.

That’s what I’m hearing people say here (ohio).

I don’t think the elitist label can fly. He’s speaking to Americans as though we have brains.

I truly can hardly wait for the debates. Except that part of me thinks that McCane will just refuse to debate.

Saturday, May 31st, 12:00-2:00, Book Expo America, Book and Author Luncheon featuring Richard Engel, Markos Moulitsas Zuniga, Michael Moore, and Christopher Buckley, $50.

You have to be an industry member–librarian, bookstore owner, publisher, author, etc.–to attend.

John Dean is one very smart mofo. But, with all that has happened, I don’t understand how he can still to this day identify himself as a conservative. Conservatism, yes his beloved Goldwater conservatism, degenerated into “Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Fuhrer.” And that was predictable from the very beginning. He understands that conservatives are congenital sociopaths. Still he identifies with them. Sigh!

Oh, and Book Expo America is taking place at the L.A. Convention Center.

Thanks. I am none of the above.

Think it’s worth attending?

Smart and principled is all we can ask.
The rest is what we got from our environments.

I bet McBush will run for the lowest common denominator.

Perhaps, but he will have to run uphill to get there.

Or be carried by a pack of lobbyists.

And Hillary is not? She went to Wellesley and Yale Law School. That is not as elite as Harvard Law I guess.

Heck yes!

Shit – we thought Chimpy had to lower expectations in the 2004 debates – this is going to be pathetic by comparison.

John McCain believes in absolutely nothing.

Per John Dean:

Frankly, I have been waiting for this GOP anti-intellectual strategy to backfire, and for Americans to declare that they have had enough of these efforts to dumb down the presidency. After all, eight years of President George W. Bush’s anti-intellectual stance, staggering inarticulateness, and clear pattern of incompetence may well encourage Americans to vote for a chief executive/commander-in-chief with brainpower commensurate with the demands of the job.

Yup. We’ve had a dumb fuck for president for the past eight years.

So, everybody, how has that worked out for you?

It IS pretty cool, isn’t it? I’d like to hear what they have to say as it relates to freedom of the press and the internet.

Could’ave swore I saw him mention that he’d vote dem. I just did a quick look but couldn’t find it. I think it was in the chat he id on his birthday.

John McCain believes in absolutely nothing.

More precisely, he can’t remember on Thursday what he believed on Tuesday. And, that’s not an ageist attack. He’s been this way all of his life.

Is this another one…?

McCain campaign advisor quits over lobbying ties

A top adviser overseeing finances for Republican Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign has quit over his ties with lobbying, a McCain campaign official confirmed on Sunday.

Former Texas Rep. Thomas Loeffler, a national finance co-chairman, is the latest McCain adviser to step down amid concern over potential conflicts of interest among lobbyists in the campaign.

I can see the 527 ads now.
Chimpy at his most inane – 5-8 second clips of his “best,” and the interposed graphic:
“How’s that working out for you?”

I’d certainly believe it. He’s had it with those clowns. But, for reasons I still don’t understand, he harbors an ill-founded fondness for Goldwater and his bullshit.

I believe so, yes. Sunday night news dump?

Even better. Yep.

“How’s that working out for you?”

I love taunting local conservatives with that line. It’s so damn devastating.

Remember those spinning ballerinas on the musical jewelry boxes? That’s what McSame can be while Obama answers the questions brilliantly during the debates.

Beats me, I imagine most people would not totally reject their roots.

Dateline says Monday…! Dang, they’re dropping like flies…! ;-)

Remember those spinning ballerinas on the musical jewelry boxes? That’s what McSame can be while Obama answers the questions brilliantly during the debates.

No way in hell! I just got done watching a re-run of the Thrilla in Manilla, and that’s what I want to see in this year’s debates. Yes!

See what you can find out about the new Fareinheit 9/11!

Sounds like a small setting where you might have a chance for Q&As.

Does anyone know the origin of that popular phrase? I’m always interested when I suddenly start hearing lots of people saying a phrase that I don’t remember anyone previously saying. Was it on TV or in a movie?

He is the fifth person who worked on McCain’s campaign to resign recently over links to lobbying activities.

Newsweek magazine reported that Loeffler’s lobbying firm has collected nearly $15 million from Saudi Arabia since 2002 and millions more from other foreign and corporate interests, including a French aerospace firm seeking Pentagon contracts.

Hmmm…

Just published in the NewsBox.

Will do. I’ll report back!

Maybe he wants the republican party to return to its roots. (Impossible now)

US tells UN it detains about 500 juveniles in Iraq, 10 in Afghanistan Bagram base

EW YORK: The U.S. military is holding about 500 juveniles suspected of being “unlawful enemy combatants” in detention centers in Iraq and has about 10 detained at the U.S. base at Bagram, Afghanistan, the United States has told the United Nations.

A total of 2,500 youths under the age of 18 have been detained, almost all in Iraq, for periods up to a year or more in President George W. Bush’s anti-terrorism campaign since 2002, the United States reported last week to the U.N.’s Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Civil liberties groups such as the International Justice Network and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) denounced the detentions as abhorrent, and a violation of U.S. treaty obligations.

Tied in with what US admits…and we are building more prisons in Afghanistan.. WHich seems to be where a lot of Gitmo folks are being transferred.

“Fight Club.”

I read that Obama does not want 527s. He wants his campaign in complete control of the message. I can go with that. It’s been brilliant so far!

To bad we can’t make headlines like that flash..)

Has anyone noticed that Michelle wears dresses in public? Maybe she’s leaving the pant suits to Hillary.

Sometimes I like to view things as epic struggles, and a key struggle in the human condition is the tension between competition and cooperation. You can see how in higher primates too competitive doesn’t work out and too cooperative doesn’t work out. There needs to be a balance in everyone’s life. This year’s presidential candidates sort of epitomize that epic struggle. In fact, McCain is getting ever more pugnacious as he listens to himself bullshit.

Hi All,

I just finished reading Murat Kurnaz’ memoir: Five Years of My Life: An Innocent Man in Guantanamo. If you haven’t read it yet, I think all citizens of the US, all citizens of the world, owe it to humanity to read it. What’s being done there is even more devistating than even my nightmares envisioned.

Sadly,
Heather

McLobbing lobbyists overboard, one at a time

Hi Heather, nice to see you stop by for a late swim.

Thanks,
but I’m not a pundit. Don’t have any insight into other regions–even in my own state. Just going on my gut feeling. However, I did caucus for HRC at precinct level, so I’ve worked through a lot of my gut-level mistrust of a charismatic, popular candidate. That’s my blind spot: everybody thinks this is cool and great? Careful, there, Diva, don’t wanna get caught up in any irrational mass hysteria or anything.

Sorry your state Dem blogs are getting bogged down being scared of (percieved) voters who are scared of/irrational about non-white people. Maybe it’s easy for me to say, but mightn’t it be more productive to give these perceived people the benefit of the doubt that they actually are capable of thinking through issues and examining their own prejudices? Maybe by keeping more of a lid on the emotional involvement and making an effort at treating these “other” folks as though they’re people we like and respect but maybe don’t agree with us yet? I’m thinking some sort of silent, subtle, yet sincere appeal to their better selves.

Yeah…for my next trick, I’ll fix the rest of the world’s problems later this week. (Thank you. Try the veal. Don’t forget to tip the waitstaff.)

I guess what I’m trying to get at in my usual verbose way is that there are probably significantly fewer “won’t vote O no way no how because he ain’t white” than they (your dem blog(ger)s) fear. And that they might want to think about whether their reaction to this fear is more likely to turn off the waver-ers or to make them comfortable/welcome joining us in our big tent even though their personal journeys their took longer.

Another thought…spending too much energy being afraid of the truly hard-core “not votin’ for a black pres” is a bit like trying to appeal to the hard core “not votin’ Democrat, no way no how”. Very low return-on-effort, and likely to really piss off a lot of the base (well, progressive wing, anyway!).

Hope that makes some sense. Actually Christy’s post where she did a composite of Clinton, Edwards and Obama’s speeches and challenged us to identify which parts were from which candidates might be worth linking to. I certainly couldn’t attribute gender or race to any of those quotes without googling up the actual transcripts.

Whew! Gotta get caught up now instead of replying to everything.

FunnyD

Would that be Airbus?

Good evening, Heather.
Thanks for the lead. How are you this evening?

Oh, is THAT why I’m still unemployed after (mmmmph) months! *g*
The combination of substance, community and just plain good company really is delightfully addictive!

FunnyD

Does anyone know the origin of that popular phrase? I’m always interested when I suddenly start hearing lots of people saying a phrase that I don’t remember anyone previously saying. Was it on TV or in a movie?

It’s such a perfect line for this campaign that I want to think that I thought of it myeslf without hearing/reading it first. But, my best subconscious instinct is that I picked it up from either Jane or Christy, and most likely Jane.

But, damn, it’s just so damn perfect. No need to get belligerent to underscore just how dumb-ass we as a nation have been in repeatedly electing these evil fools. All you’ve go to do is ask: “How’s that working out for you?”

Seems like the next logical step from “Are you better off now than you were 4 years ago?“

Apparently, it’s not just an American phenomena for Conservatives…

Tories distorted abortion study, say scientists

The Conservative leadership has been attacked by leading scientists for distorting evidence to try to restrict abortion and limit key research on so called “hybrid” embryos.

Hi ES and Newton :)

Thanks for the welcome :) I needed a dip with liked-minded folks after spending the day reading the book. Thanks for being here.

Hugs,
Heather

jus cogens!

Isn’t “It’s working out well for them.” from Barbara Bush’s comment about New Orleans inhabitants who were sent to Texas?

nnnooooo not the blink tag!!!111

Very cool. Say hi to Kos from FDL folks!

“an iPod for every chicken.”

Probably… They don’t really say…!

Pun brings the Hoover!
Suck it up, dude.

Hi Heather, haven’t seen you in a long while!

here ya go

Nah. They’ll just have to work quietly now.

I’m thinking some sort of silent, subtle, yet sincere appeal to their better selves.

Yes, but the silent part doesn’t work on a blog format.. That old complicity meme starts ringing in my head.

And that they might want to think about whether their reaction to this fear is more likely to turn off the waver-ers or to make them comfortable/welcome joining us in our big tent even though their personal journeys their took longer.

Agreed, and I am taking this approach as well as trying to point out their focus on it to the point of acceptance / all consuming paralysis.. is the main thing the bigots bank on. I really think a lot of these folks would be afraid to admit in person that they actually support Obama, much less would they consider countering a lot of bigots who do speak up.

The south has a long way to go.

Our very own version of Marie Antoinette – bless her puny, obsidian heart.

Oh. Fight Club?
I thought it was Dr Phil’s stock respose to anybody’s rationalization for (Dr Phil Defined) irrational behavior or for not changing a self-destructive habit or something. Oprah’s show is nothing if not pop-culture!

FunnyD
sorry if this is a repeat of someone else. Can’t resist chiming in.

Cooperation versus Competitiveness…interesting. From a scientific point of view point cooperation is more efficient. A better mouse trap? A better government? Each set of circumstances grings a different approach. Katrina situations demand total cooperation…Elections are competititve. Wierd.

Viva FDL goes Vegas on McBush news items! /s (Ray Ban sales soar!)

Hi Loo Hoo :)

I’ve been hibernating in school, slaving over a hot laptop on essays.

It’s good to be back for a few mintues at least though :)

you’ll never see an appeaser with one of those

Too funny!

You are so right!

The thing I like about “How’s that working out for you?” is that it goes to bigger picture issues than one’s personal welfare, which may be up or down but doesn’t directly involve the evils that best the nation. “How’s that working out for you?” can refer to anything that a person cherishes and/or cares about, e.g., the rule of law, the international repute of our nation, the welfare of our troops, etc. It leaves open the possibility of responding on very abstract levels. And, even the most conservative American’s are thoroughly disgusted with where we’re at.

The other thing is that I like that use of the word that, because it can refer back to whatever we were arguing about. And it can refer to very simple things: We’ve tried turning the country over to a dry drunk for the last four hears. How’s that working out for you?

It sort of reminds me of Bill Ingval and his constant refrain: “Here’s your sign.”

Love it!

It’s only somewhat higher level animals that say hunt in packs. Dolphins. Wolfs. Chimps. And of course humans. But even bees have their cooperative hives. And ants have their colonies. And some researchers speak of “swarm intelligence,” in which the swarm behaves more intelligently than any of its members (contrary to human experience).

Good night all!

Yes, but to discourage people from helping 527s support down-ticket candidates is not so cool. I’m hoping somehow the established, responsible progressive 527s could somehow agree with the Obama campaign that “OK, we won’t go off half-cocked trying to ‘help’ your campaign, but could you please publicly acknowledge to your supporters that we do have a legitimate role in helping down-ticket candidates—you do want to work with more and better Dem congress-critters and governors and such, right? Right?”

FunnyD

Good night tw3k :)

Heh, I love it! Aloha, tw3k!

I don’t think we’re too far from not being stunned by the hijinx of the “First Family.”
The bar is so low now that outright crime on camera is nearly all that’s left.
Billy Carter and Roger Clinton – fine by me.

Well, we’ve had nothing but a swarm of republicans for a long ‘ol time. How’s that working out for you? *g*

And you – i listened for the famous “Wallstreet” laptop-crashing glass sound, and there it was!
nite tw3k

Nighters. I should go to bed, but I’m not tired…

Who could forget Billy Beer! ;-)

Aloha, Loo Hoo!

Can 527s work for down ticket candidates? I suppose so. I don’t think Obama is trying to control anyone’s campaign but his own.

“It’s the best beer I’ve ever tasted. And I’ve tasted a lot.”

Well, CT,

As a Canadian, I could make a comment about American beer, but in the interests of harmony, I’ll refrain

It’s pretty much possible, when it’s known with a high degree of detail what issue points and specific attacks will be aired by Republicans in campaign ads, for Democratic strategists to write sample ads and draft detailed defenses against them, along with counter-offenses. Preparation can be much like war-gaming. I wonder whether Democratic strategic planners and advisors are thinking that way.

Knowing what’s coming in opposition ads should help in drawing up a list of topics to study in detail, so as not to be caught unready. I wish there were an online suggestion box the contents of which the nominee’s team would definitely read.

woops … that was supposed to have a VERY BIG GRIN attached, but I messed up the html, sorry.

You don’t let that nasty old CT stop you – we know where we’re weak!
Fire away!

I’m still waiting for the sandman.

LOL … well … I’ve heard the beer drinkers of my aquaintance refer to it as a bucket of warm p… LOL

Don’t worry, no offense taken…! It was a nasty brew… I’m an Ex-pat, myself, I was born in Edmonton…! *g*

Look at how quickly Obama responded to being called an appeaser. It seems almost impossible to plan. It seems it’s a matter of having the right people on board.

Sorry…! ;-)

Try this.

VERY cool, CT :) I’m in Vancouver, but have spent many weekends in Edmonton and Calgary both :)

OMG. This has always struck me as really bizarre. A slide show of the “Purity Ball.”

Loo Hoo – that image will definitely not help you sleep.

I and some colleagues spent several weeks in the summer of 1966 in Montreal drinking Molson and Labatt. When we got back to the U.S. and Budweiser, one of my friends muttered, “This shit is like a warrior and his squaw in in a canoe.” Of course, I had to ask. “It’s fucking near water.”

It was pretty forgettable, as I recall…

I think Jane would disagree. I can look for links tomorrow if you like. As I recall from at least one of her recent posts, the Obama campaign has actively discouraged supporters from donating to 527s and this has had a noticible, negative impact on their fundraising for downticket progressive candidates. When an organization in that position with that much enthusiastic support makes a blanket statement against this or that tool of the Progressive wing of the Dems it’s going to have a chilling effect, whether or not they intended to or admit to wanting to “control” other campaigns.

FunnyD

LOL

I’ve got relatives in Vancouver, I like Stanley Park…!

Hey, lots of us Americans say the same thing about our Big Famous brands o brew. And the Aussies say worse about Foster’s!

FunnyD

Maybe he wants the republican party to return to its roots. (Impossible now)

IMHO, you’re completely correct. Can you believe the party of Abraham Lincoln supporting torture and the sort of vile racism we’re seeing from WaPo?

Wow! Very cool. I’m happy that all the buildings got put back together. (Made me think of China though :( )

paradoxically, I might add…

Good nite, folks.

I find it ironic that Foster’s uses the motto “It’s Australian for beer”, every Aussie I’ve meet despise it…! ;-)

Aloha, neuro!

nite neuro. no piss-water sleep aids, now…

I’ll grant that being quick on your feet certainly helps preparedness, as does well-controlled passion.

G’nite Neutro!

Please, let me know what you find. Thanks, funnydiva!

He was thinking pretty well there.
Our nominees still has some work to do in debate prep.

I would love to see him have a chat with the voters, instead of rifling through the file cards in his head, looking for the “right” answer. But I believe it’s a presentation problem, and certainly not a lack of ideas or intellect.

Sort of like the most popular Mexican beer, Corona. My Mexican friends (properly) prefer almost any other Mexican beer.

Well I must call it a night.. Big drive to Berryville tomorrow.(Pop 4,000)

Good night fabulous firedogs

Hey!
Nite Eureka!

I agree about having the right people on board. In my mind that means having team members who are good at the kind of OppoResearch(?) yonodeler is talking about PLUS the kind of in-the-moment fast thinkers you’re talking about. The underlying “soft on terra”, “never talk to da enemy terrists like those pussy liberals” smear memes should have already been on the radar, as it were. But “no one could have imagined” that W would have stepped so unequivocally, inappropriately over the line while addressing the Knesset. I’m soooo happy Obama was so quick and decisive in his response. He picked up that fumble and ran it back down the field a long, long way.

FunnyD

Good night, ES. Why did you give us the population?

Welcome to the Lake! I haven’t seen ya in these parts before…! ;-)

It is the jewel in the crown :) Although they are having to take down the hollow tree, because it’s in danger of collapsing, so it is going to becoming the horizontal hollow tree, after consultation with our local First Nations.

Aloha, ES!

Good night ES :)

Sigh :( The cats are telling me “It’s time for bed, Mom.” Have a restful and inspiring sleep. everyone.

Hugs,
Heather

Seconded. Welcome yonodeler!

I’ll say. My aussie friend is very blunt: “Foster’s? It’s Australian for shite, mate!”

‘cept she doesn’t really say “mate”.

FunnyD

nite heather
so glad you visited tonight

Aloha, Heather!

Goodnight, Chacounne.

I wonder whether Democratic strategic planners and advisors are thinking that way.

I’ll bet they do think that way. But their problem has been getting off the dime.
So, here’s to getting off the dime.

And welcome yonodeler!

I’ll do ‘er, and if I forget and you’re wondering “where’s my links, Diva”, rattle my cage when you see me on a thread.

Hope the sandman comes soon, if you’re wanting him to. Otherwise it’s always great to have your company.

FunnyD

This must be why the white voters are nervous about Obama. What an incredible beauty.

Thanks! I get into weird sleep patterns, and there’s no sense in going to bed to toss and turn!

Thirded or fourthed. Welcome yonodeler! Once you delurk, it’s hard to go back. Hope you’ll chime in often.

Is there a story to your “handle”?

FunnyD

Our nominees still has some work to do in debate prep.

Ahmen. I’m still pissed off at watching Kerry get the same golden opportunity handed to him in two debates, and he was prepared neither time: “Well, he had access to the same intelligence information that I had.”

Were that true, it would represent almost criminal incompetence on the part of the U.S. president. Were it not true, Bush was a lying incompetent sack of shit. But, IIRC, I heard that line from Bush in two distinct debates, and Kerry got embarrassed and changed the subject. Sigh!

Here’s some stuff on Reagan’s preparation for the debate with Carter in 1980:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/de…..eagan.html

Does melatonin work for you? I get pretty good results, but I have to risk the tossing and turning and be in bed, lights out thinking sleepy thoughts–if I’m up, I just blast right through it.

FunnyD

She is indeed a stunning beauty.
But this is why they fear him so much.
A sea of voters, every one of them going to the polls and taking their friends.

OMG. 200 rescue workers in China buried by a landslide.

Let me predict another week of FDL ignoring the pending US aggression against Iran.

It seems the little toy soldiers of the progressive blogosphere have been instructed not to raise this awkward issue.

Only awkward because both candidates of the sainted (D) Party are unwilling to even oppose the first use of nuclear weapons in an attack against another country that poses no threat to the USA – like Dick Cheney they both believe it is just another ‘option on the table.’

Mooting their rhetorical opposition to the debacle in Iraq, which has now become a valuable wedge issue to use against the (R)’s.

But for those for whom moral abhorrence at further death and suffering does not suffice, consider the possible electoral consequences for Team (D) if Bush has another war underway in November….

They may not fare well under a full-out media propaganda barrage, they will likely tack to the right and try to sound ‘tough’, but this will not convince those swayed by jingoism and fear, and may alienate voters who sincerely oppose further wars of aggression.

The solution is win-win: do the right thing now and stoutly declare that further attacks are not in America’s interest, and slurs against patriotrism are crass deceit.

If a candidate cannot do this now, perhaps they do not deserve to win anyway.

good grief

Clinton very clearly told Bush that he had no right to go into Iran. Obama didn’t even like the idea of Iraq.

And how in the world would this be FDL’s fault?

Sporkovat, have you ever read my posts at M&C? Try this one on for size…! ;-)

Beautiful lady, but I’m not getting why she’s supposed to make me ‘fraid of BO.
Enlighten, please
FunnyD

I’m just thinking that maybe the racist types have a completely different mindset of what black means than this woman (or Barack Obama). They may be struggling between the taught and the learned right now.

Oh, hell. Was it that 6.1 aftershock yesterday? 200 souls all working on the same pile and taking their lives in their hands. The tragedy, and the humanity, of that is just huge, innit?

FunnyD

Did that make any sense? I really better hit it!

If I haven’t said it yet, I really like yor spot over there.

Mahalo, I have some fun…! *g*

MSNBC says 80,000 for Obama today!

I wonder how Morning Joe will handle it…? ;-)

i think when you said “white voters” you meant the block that we’ve been talking about here – Indiana, Pennsylvania – the voters Senator Clinton was appealing to with her now famous “working, hard-working Americans, white Americans” remark. NO?
nite loo hoo

The handle? Well, to start with, it’s not about Y. (Yoko) Ono, although I wish her well. Often it’s hard to trace what comes to my mind, which is frequently in bits or chunks or streams or sprinkles. Some of them coalesce seemingly on their own. So let’s see…

I was reading about information technology, a subject area I don’t know a lot about. As I thought about network nodes, I happened to start to yodel. Before I knew it, I was yonodeler. Sorry, I can’t verify that story. Thanks for your interest.

Ah. Thanks.
Dang! the man can’t win with the scared of non-white people types can he? They get to be scared and anti-Obama because they believe their ugly stereotypes AND because he’s all up in our faces showing how those ugly stereotypes ain’t true!!!
If I get all excited about a win-win that makes me such a small, mean, shrivel-souled excuse for a human being, please whack me upside the head. Then if I persist in my error, take more drastic measures.

‘Course, I must admit that beautiful women of any ethnicity don’t trigger my irrational “eek, not like me” fear response the way a group of thuggish looking guys would.

FunnyD
Nope, not colorblind, just willing to acknowledge that and try to think through my automatic reactions.

Well, I shall bid ya’ll a fond adieu! Aloha Oe!!!

Heh. Ya don’t got to have a story, I just get curious about handles I have to read and “sound out” to get them in my mind correctly. But nodes and yodeling works for me!

As for the reading up on a subject you don’t know much about…gee, I think we must be related–to each other and a lot of FirePups.

IOW, you’re gonna fit right in.

FunnyD

Aloha, CTuttle!

How did you take your handle, funnydiva?

Aloha, CT
I’m fading fast, too, so goodnight fabulous firepups. Rest well.
FunnyD

I was spelunking youtube earlier tonight and ran into Jewel.

nite tuttle
nite diva

Hey, y’all, it’s gotten to be that time.

G’nite.

Elliot Spitzer can relax. (MSNBC)

LONDON – A bizarre sex scandal involving a top motor sports official and the prostitute wife of a British spy has raised urgent questions about the screening procedures employed by the MI5 security service.

The Sunday Times and Sunday Telegraph reported that an MI5 officer had been forced to resign after it emerged that his wife was one of five prostitutes who took part in an orgy with Max Mosley, president of Formula One’s governing body, the FIA.

A security source contacted by Reuters did not dispute the reports but said any suggestion the orgy had been an MI5 ’sting’ operation to entrap Mosley was “nonsense.”

I’m a singer and always liked to make my voice teacher crack up. Found my sense of humor and comic gift in my 30’s. So, in 2002 when I wanted to be FunnyDiva for my yahoo account, they said “already taken, how about…” and adding the year seemed like a reasonable option. Bringing the concept over to my Lake persona was automatic. Heh. And you’re lucky I don’t use my other account much; it’s funnysassydiva. Which is actually a pretty succinct way of saying “nyah, found my voice, my wit and I’m not bein’ a quiet little good girl any more!”

FunnyDiva
You couldn’t PAY me to go through my 20s again!!!

A security source contacted by Reuters did not dispute the reports but said any suggestion the orgy had been an MI5 ’sting’ operation to entrap Mosley was “nonsense.”

I love this!
MI-5 wasn’t there to entrap – they actually came for the sex.

OK, for realzies

G’night, wigwam. G’night, Loo Hoo. G’night, John Boy. G’night, Sue Ellen. G’night gran’paw.

G’night pups.

FunnyD

And Nazi inspired kinky sex at that!

Night, Funnydiva. Sweet dreams.

The Brits know what they’re doing. That is, like, 6 scandals for the price of one!
-hookers
-spies
-hookers married to spies
-formula 1
-British internal security
-nazis

Just wait – the Crown will be entangled in this mess before it’s all sorted out!

No it’s more. It’s so freaking bizarre. There’s a video at Huffpo. I do not understand how/why people like pain.

Whenever I come in here, I can always count on Loo Hoo for some good S & M links.
Off I go to HuffPo.

Stop it!

Oh boy, do I wish I hadn’t seen that!
Wow!

That’s why I said that Elliot Spitzer could relax. Hell, Larry Craig can exhale.

Geez, yeah. Where’s Suzanne with the brain-bleach when you need her?

Exposure of the lurid orgy led to calls for Mosley, the son of Sir Oswald Mosley, the wartime British fascist leader, to step down from his post as president of the FIA, the governing body of world motor sport.

Whoops.

don’t disagree with your larger point, but the uss truman has left the ME and we’re back down to one carrier with the 5th fleet. that, at least, looks like there is less danger of an immediate attack.

thanks. Gobissa so sweet to hear this morning.
put Timbuktoubab in my queueueue

ok way, way epu’d sorry…Loo Hoo Does the word “obliterate” ring any bells? Hillary also voted for Kyl-Lieberman, designating an arm of the Iranian govt “terrorists” which would give the legal eagles at the WH all they needed to ‘justify’ their next attack under the AUMF, or some such creative reasoning.

Ctuttle – thanks for the link – I’ll start checking out yr blog.

selise & ctuttle – I sure hope signs like the number of carrier groups in the gulf and certain failed propaganda efforts indicate a decreased likelihood of the aggression they so clearly yearn for.

but, wouldn’t it be nice to have an opposition party that could be counted on to strenuously oppose such madness?

And, I am curious whether blogs like fdl and others in the ’sphere are genuinely ‘progressive’ – are they able to put issues like social justice and opposition to the insanity of state murder over and above the electoral success of the (D) faction in even numbered years?

According to Seymour Hersh, a guy who has seen it all and does not mince words at this stage in the game:

When George Bush and Dick Cheney talk about their plans to bomb Iran, they are told “You can’t do it, because every Republican is going to be defeated”–that’s what a Republican former intelligence official told legendary investigative reporter Seymour Hersh. “But,” the former official went on, “Cheney doesn’t give a rat’s ass about the Republican worries, and neither does the President.”
I recently spoke with Hersh, whose new piece, “Target Iran,” is featured in The New Yorker this week.
When I asked Hersh who wants to bomb Iran, he said, “Ironically there is a lot of pressure coming from Democrats. Hillary Clinton, Obama, and Edwards have all said we cannot have a nuclear-armed Iran.

from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/…..67229.html