Aloha, ES!

ES!

Evening ES how are you doing this evening??

Eureka!

I have not seen or heard of Clutchy Hopkins.

nahant, are you going for the Digg?

Some funky shirt is afoot, ES! Wow, Darcy’s house, now Beutler’s life…! 8-(

Good evening all.

Who is Beutler, CT?

Dugg Neuro…

somebody please do, I have to step away for a few minutes.

Dugg!

One school board member objects: Hung Up America

US teacher is suspended for letting pupils read bestseller

Suzanne Goldenberg in Washington
Thursday July 3, 2008
The Guardian

An Indiana teacher who used a much lauded bestseller, The Freedom Writers Diary, to try to inspire under-performing high-school students has been suspended from her job without pay for 18 months.
The effective book ban by the school authorities in Perry Township has outraged teachers and education reformers.

…

Teachers’ union officials say that a single board member objected to swearing in the book. The school board member allegedly persuaded the other six officials to ban Heermann from teaching the book. It remains available in school libraries

…

dugg, thanks

Read about him here!! There be some fuckery going on and it is only July…. Worst is yet to come… mark my words… the rethuglians aren’t going down with out doing as much fuckery as possible!!

FBI to begin using race and religion in threat-profiling US citizens.

the post before yours, es, about attackerman’s friend

twerps

Before we jump to conclusions: Do they have a shooter, and did the Darcy fire have a suspicious origin?

Maybe the students should all get together and burn their book…to be certain they aren’t reading anything unapproved.

That’s insane, but unfortunately, not surprising. Suspended for 18 months for teaching a book that’s available at the library, no wonder Sean Hannity has an audience.

excellent point

the shooting was during a robbery – robbers asked for cellphones is what i heard – no in custody

i heard the darcy fire was still being investigated but appears that her son saw smoke coming outta a lamp in his room and yelled for mom and dad.

Well, my random thought- Roman Polanski is still alive? Brilliant but twisted mind. Anyone ever seen “The Tenant”?

Suspended for 18 months for teaching a book that’s available at the library, no wonder Sean Hannity has an audience.

Prescient, funny, sad.

fuck.. maybe i can tag along as kirk’s friend when he moved to canada

Thx, Suz. Haven’t been around to gather up all the infos today. Apparently my employer expects actual services in exchange for the paychecks, how very irritating.

A fun song, from a local (San Diego) musician who’s career is definitely taking her places.

I think the Clutchy club just took over a piece of Romans footage and laid down a new soundtrack. *g

not jumping to any conclusions… facts are speaking quite well for them selves… just watch and see…War for Oil… it is all coming out!

This is very soothing music, the Alla Oscar in one of your links above. I can feel my neck getting unknotted. Thanks;)
Had the same experience with David’s orca YouTube last night. The sight and the sounds, in particular, were just blissful.

that is so unfair. i am very lucky here – i am expected to play in the utubes (laughing)

And another one from Anya, but the video has a lot of footage from some TV show the song was used on.

Anyone remember Wet Willie?

hey margot.. how’s your corner of the midwest tonight?

Even worse, they expect ya to show up on time!

Jesus f christ. I am going to start putting myself down as a Pict and worshipper of freaking Wodin.

Re: “FBI to begin using race and religion in threat-profiling US citizens.”

what about posters who link youtube songs by subliminal french dj’s with quasi-subversive videos ?

Never heard of them, but that video was recorded a year before I was born.

Gnite y’all, I got Thunderstorms and shit bouncing off the Rat Hole, time to unplug and unwind!

g’nite busted – stay safe and dry

i feel so old

nite busted
safe dude

Heh, heh.

Wonder if they have teacher’s unions & member/leaders with spine in Indiana.

Off topic – northern California firepups alert: SF public TV KQED is repeating the excellent Enron scandal documentary starring Jeff Skilling and gang.

Margot, When I spent a couple of weeks on a kayak in Glacier Bay, AK… each morning the humpbacks would wake me up.. literally looking me in the eye from no more than thirty yards away. The mist from their breating would hit me in the face. And as we paddled throughout the day they would often pop over and tag along, or so it sure seemed.

Was very good for the soul. Whales are amazing.

Lichtblau on the al-Haramain decision, stressing the silver lining.

Well I’ve taken the plunge and joined the blogosphere. Thanks so much, Margot and ES for your visits tonight!

*waving to npb across monterey bay*

have it on now npb. being off topic is the topic at late late nite :)

night Busted don’t the people’s English:>)

yeah!!! woohoo!!!

scurrying over to look

And a few moments ago I was thinking about posting the French national anthem on 4th of July Late Late Nite. /s

Sorry about that, happens to the best of us.

Wow…the USF College of Education in Tampa uses “Freedom Writers” in several classes training teachers.

k, thanks. I was wondering. I mean, someone brought up Roman Polanski. g.

Bookmarked!
Hey Laura!

talk about Joy in the Morning! What a wonderful memory ES.

I canoed alongside a huge sea lion once, his whiskery face all aglow from the moon. I’m not sure which of us was having the most fun!

Laura- that’s great. Time to change your FDL setting so that your name shows your blog!

how’s your hand doing laura? how’s the rest of ya doing too?

Hey Newton! Thanks!!

Suz, it was really exciting to have Obama visiting here yesterday. I got the local paper and he’s on the cover; my sons waited tables for a few of his security guys (federal marshals?) and so on.

oh yeah, laura, go to your profile and put your URL for your blog in the box for it. that way we can visit your place by clicking on your name

thanks for the reminder vg :)

Hey Laura…looks great! Remember to change your fdl setting, so we can just click on your name and visit your site.
Mine is set up that way, as is Suzanne’s and numerous others.

way forking kewl, margot. does a visit help the economy enough to offset all the negatives like traffic problems and the biggie, having the media types there?

Ok, I’m really unhappy with this shitty band, Thrice, popping up on YouTube when I do a search for Deadbolt. Fucking emo bullshit fouling up my tubes. May they be run down by the Truck Drivin’ Son of a Bitch.

ooooh, i like that. thanks hannibal. too bad busted has left already – he would appreciate it too

Hand’s doing fine, thanks. I’m back to regular life…not working yet, but ran errands and went to the dojo. Can’t take falls yet, but at least I can watch and imagine! Pain v. minimal. Occasional hand-in-the-car-door sensation, but not bad; otc meds take care of it. Life is good.

How are you and your dear lady, nahant?

Yeah. that emo shit is hard to wash off.

Hugs, Laura! I’m glad you let people know about your blog. You have such good ideas.

raw story reporting a woman getting arrested for trading sex for gasoline- sign of the times.

Done. Thanks, Suz, VG, RonD!

does it require special emo bleach or can brain bleach be used ’cause i’ve stocked up a buncha it for the holiday weekend

woohoo.. works mar-veh-lously

by the way, how’s the fish?

Here’s the Smoking Gun on that incident. Includes the obligatory mugshots.

I don’t have a problem with emo, so long as I never have to hear it. Or see it fucking with search results.

Vinegar in the bath water… gets rid of chiggers too. I’m such a hillbilly these days.. I use vinegar on everything. It’s a great non toxic chemical for cleaning around the house.

The fish got a beautiful PLASTIC acquarium the day after disaster struck. They’re happy as clams–though they smile koily!

baking soda works well too. my mom still uses a bar of ivory soap to polish her baby grand with. i grew up using ammonia, vinegar, and baking soda to do most cleaning with.

hahaha good to hear

*snicker*

Um…Suzanne, IIRC, doesn’t vinegar and baking soda make a nice…um, reaction? I remember making volcano models as a kid…

I said that in yesterday’s post, nahant! Blood for Oil…! 8-(

Sorry, I’m broiling some steaks with mashed spuds and farmer’s market zuchinni in a steamer…! I can multi-task…! *g*

http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..inionsbox1

Link to great piece at wapo on the Bush management style. Points out that the piece of shit has zero executive ability.

well, i did learn at a rather early age that it was not good to mix em. i wasn’t saying all at the same time. my mom drilled that one into my head.

My mom used a lot of vinegar for cleaning, and bleach. Lots and lots of bleach.

seem to be MADE for each other!

High octane relationship no doubt.

i’ve got white vinyl tile floors in the kitchen and bathroom that are at least 35 years old. i am well acquainted with bleach – gotta say i’m not gonna miss these floors.

OT, but you know the History Channel is scraping bottom when they are doing a show on NYC rats…which they are doing, right now. (Eastern).

We had no traffic problems, as there was no big event. He just visited Eastside Ministries and talked to the kids there and to some of the volunteers.
Photos here.

Are they HISTORIC rats?

More spiffy music.

Historically large, evidently.

i saw that on KO tonight.. wow, i didn’t realize that was your town.

the history of rats in NYC is not a one show story- could go on for days.

Suz and RonD— hey wait a minute… the combo, plus boiling water, is really good for clearing out blocked drains. I know that for a fact!

When the history of the Clusterfuck administration is written- the bottom line will be “No one was in charge of these fuckers”

I keep tuning it out, while looking at pix of the bike I’m going to buy tomorrow.

What are you buyin? One of my favorite subjects (my brother and I own a bike/Vespa store)

1984 Honda V65 Magna. Any thoughts?

define “emo”

Hannibal- I saw your comment the other eve, and went off searching. I think you left too soon to see what I found. German anthem was terrible perversion of this, a really wonderful piece of music, imho.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFXRWUicWU0

Early night for me.. still catching up from all the excitement… good night Pups:>)

If it’s the bike I think it is, it looks like it ought to have a Viking riding it.
What color?

g’nite nahant

the bottom line will be “No one was in charge of these fuckers”

Man, i so hope this is true, but I wonder. I thought the Reagan Administration was a disaster, and yet he is routinely worshipped in this country.

sweet dreams, nahant.

g’ nite nahant

nite nahant

Huge 600 pound V-4 isn’t it?

That’s one big bike!

Ours stop at 500 cc. Whole different world..

Have fun! and ride safely!

Water cooled, shaft drive, drum brake on the back wheel, no spoke tires?

Ahhh… Bowing out…! Aloha, nahant! I’m awaiting my better half’s return from church… Then num-num’s …! ;-)

At 1100 cc- the motor is bigger than some cars I have owned.

for you motorcycle guys

No, no . Triple discs…decent picture here of a good sample, but the one I’m grabbing is dressed a little more.

Emo: Shit.

Oh good for you rwcole! Am an old Vespa brat and would love to find a great vintage 150 in good running order and regret I didn’t have the wit & foresight to preserve my trusty scooter.

Good evening all.

I only drove one 1100 cc bike .. Suzuki GS 1100.. Suzanne would have thrown me in jail.. if she could have caught me.. which I doubt. I made it from Hayward to SF in record time. been many years and just thinking about how fast that bike was scares the crap out of me.

Thank you.

Anyone like to be more specific?

That’s the one.
Hat.With.Horns.

hard to outrun the radio

I rode a two stroke 150 in high school- sorta burned it out- but it was fun while it lasted. Now I’ve got a 250 cc four stroke- much more civilized- but I miss the shifting.

I’ve wanted that bike since 1983, and I think tomorrow’s the day. As I am not single, I have very little use for Harley’s, except as museum pieces…but I love those old Magnas.

A veritable Rice Rocket, I prefer Hawgs myself… Full-throated… ;-)

God evening, KeithH. What’s on your mind tonight?

I took a motorcycle safety class not long ago- the instructor (who was full of odd and questionable statistics) said that not one percent of riders are really capable of riding a liter bike close to the edge without killing themselves.

Really clean for it’s age. Let’s hope you use yours to much to keep it looking like that. *g

Sweet dreams nahant!

wiki on emo

but I still don’t know what it sounds like

yeah, OK, I know what Hannibal would say it sounds like…

Great lookin bike- enjoy it!

If the stars align correctly, I’m actually hoping to ride it out to Austin for Netroots Nation..but that may take a number of simultaneous miracles.

I love bikes. Not much of a speedster truth be told. All I want these days is an 80 cc 80 mpg on/ off road scooter with big baskets like a chinese cart. Best I can tell from scouring the net, they don’t make what I have in mind, yet.

Thank you. I fully intend to.
Always within the letter of the law, of course.

Well, in response to the bike lovers.
I used to race motocross when I was a kid and was so in love with it.
I once owned
one of these

What was the topic? Just kidding. My ex is a big hawg guy……hasn’t offed himself yet. Glad for my kids.

If you do that you should definitely consider cutting through NW Arkansas.. best motorcycle roads in the US this side of Northern California.

Sufficient, for little jaunts…! No cross-country endurance runs…! ;-)

And i only thought they made chainsaws. /s That’s a pretty snazzy bike!

Glad for my kids.

707!

Oh, you wanted to know what it sounds like. That’s always the tricky part. As Emo fans like to claim every band they possibly can as “Emo.” But actual emo bands are simply annoying as hell. Cliched hard rock, with vocals that remind me of some 16 year old asshole who just read a little Nietsche and Ayn Rand.

I remember the topography of Ft. Chaffee, ES! 8-)

If you’re not a Viking when you get on that bike, you will be when you get off. :)

had a fatal on bear creek about 500 yards east of the entrance into the compound on sunday. lost control, tossed two riders into the creek ravine… driver died, passenger major head injuries (even though both in helmets) and was helicoptered out.

we get several bad motorcycle crashes a month up here on these windy roads.

Ft Chaffee took some severe storm damage this year. Boy they moved you all over the place, didn’t they?

The Continuing FISA Adventure

My problem is that Obama and others have been talking nonsense on FISA for about a month now, e.g., Obama said that HR6304 “restores FISA,” when FISA has no need of restoration.

Today, Obama spokesman Greg Craig made a fool of himself on the pages of the NYT:

Greg Craig, a Washington lawyer who advises the Obama campaign, said Tuesday in an interview that Mr. Obama had decided to support the compromise FISA legislation only after concluding it was the best deal possible.

“This was a deliberative process, and not something that was shooting from the hip,” Mr. Craig said. “Obviously, there was an element of what’s possible here. But he concluded that with FISA expiring, that it was better to get a compromise than letting the law expire.” [my emphasis]

First of all, there was no compromise. H.R. 6304 was capitulation. Glenn Greenwald has amply documented that fact here. Secondly, FISA has been the law of the land since 1978 and has no expiration date. But let’s break for a history refresher:

* 1978: Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, aka FISA,
signed into law.

* August 5, 2007: Protect Amercia Act of 2007 (PAA), which overrode
FISA signed into law.

*February 17, 2008: The PAA expired due to a sunset clause.

* June 20, 2008: The FISA Amendments Act of 2008 passed the house.

* July 8, 2008: The FISA Amendments Act of 2008 (HR6304)is scheduled for final action in the Senate.

* August 5, 2008: The year-long unconstitutional surveillance programs authorized under the PAA will begin to expire.

* February 17, 2009: The year-long surveillance programs authorized
under the PAA will have expired.

After hemming and hawing, Craig acknowledged that Obama’s sense of urgency and concern was not that FISA will expire, but for the surveillance programs authorized under the PAA, which will begin to expire in August.

Who is the lying sack of shit that looks like Barak Obama, and where have they hidden the real person?

From Germany to Korea, and all points between…! ;-)

Yamaha’s working on a hybrid motorcycle, or at least it was, no idea how far along they are. Looks weird though.

g’nite pups. have to get ready for the home inspector and the termite inspector who are inspecting the place tomorrow afternoon.

Ooh, another step closer in the closing…!!! Aloha, Suz!

Wow. It looks like the offspring of a Harley and a Gold Wing, but built on Europa.

Goodnight, Suzanne!
{{{Suzanne}}}

The good thing is I am starting to catch a lot of familiar faces (who haven’t cared at all up until now) on small blogs talking about this for the first time.. and I have been harping about it since last Summer.

Obama is going to feel this if he doesn’t achieve something.. the right something. Of this I feel certain now.

Ah, don’t get your literati in a bunch :”)

rest well Suzanne

That particular model was an exact replica of (at the time) the 500cc world champion’s bike. The only difference was that it was a 250 instead of, I beleive, a 390.

nite suz

I don’t know, they should try to make it look more like this.

lay it down one time and that fiberglass will cost a bundle to repair/replace! Does look slick though.

Here’s an even weirder hybrid from Yamaha.

That is one sick bike.

0230 in Central FL. Been raining for days, and now the frogs and crickets are almost deafening. Thunder in the distance, as I type…
Goodnight, all. The best of all possible tomorrows to you all.

Now that’s what I’m talking about! First new Harley I’ve seen in years that I could get excited about owning. But it needs a seat for the sweetie.

Dirt-racing was really popular where i lived, many eons ago. I tried to learn and crashed in an arroyo.
No more bikes for me.

g’ nite RonD

Obama is destroying his brand. Ian’s earlier post has it right on. But he was a bit too gentle.

Ian’s point is that the Republican’s stock-in-trade is the character attack, and Obama is opening himself wide for such an attack. Both ends of the spectrum are calling him “spineless,” and can cite irrefutable evidence. When somebody says I don’t do cowering, you just know he’s scared shitless.

I saw a drastic shift right after Obama prostrated himself before AIPAC right after the end of the primary. Apparently you were seeing signs of this last summer. I’d like to hear more.

Check out this bike’s posture on the road.

Smoking a cigarette!

It’s definitely nice, but it has its downsides. Isn’t the most nimble bike on the road, but it is fast.

Whadda ya want – it’s a Harley. Sort of.

Oh no. I agree with your spotting the change precisely at AIPAC. I meant I started howling on some of the small /local blogs about PAA/FISA last year. Only noticed a huge uptick in the numbers and personality types who are finally paying attention to the issue. Nobody is for PAA, not even GOPer wingnuts, truth be told. But everyone is looking only one place for leadership, Obama. Not McCain. McCain wins on this even if he does nothing.

I tried it too, really hard. I wanted to be a pro racer but for one, it’s really expensive. A kid needs some pretty wealthy parents to keep it going. So, that was a problem for sure. And then I met the girl, marriage, children, logging to make a living, and then it was goodbye to the bikes.

Definitely not a bike for short people.

I had a friend who drilled a hole in his full-face Bell helmet and installed a tube so he could smoke while riding his Gold Wing. But, he’s now long gone from lung cancer.

They used to put ashtrays on motorcycles.

Why I didn’t die as a teen, I don’t know. I remember riding on the back of a bike, and sparks would fly up from the footpegs as we made turns.

You’re right. Obama is sniveling (though some on this site have lots of reasons why) and JMcCain has become someone else (doing the heh-heh-heh and talking in a voice that is so brand new….scary, really) —– we live in interesting times.

Though this rider seems pretty comfortable on it, and doesn’t seem to be exactly a giant.

Watching Obama do this is like watching an inevitable trainwreck. I want to push him out of the way, but of course I’m powerless. Also, some part of me knows he has it coming. But we don’t, God Damn It.

wow
a little late to the party, but that was some FINE MUSIC, Eurika Springs! just WOW.

i gotta get ME some chucky! it’ll go nicely with my new bluegrass CD.
lol

If you’re amazed by incredible guitarists:

One Robot’s Dream

Oops! I neglected to give the link to Glenn’s conversation with Craig: http://www.salon.com/opinion/g…..index.html In fact, I completely neglected to mention that the stuff after Craig’s quote was from Glenn’s attempt to get some less-than-crazy talk out of Craig.

BTW, both Christy and PeterPierce seem to know Craig and have some respect/sympathy for him.

CampObama is betting that they have an interval, during which they can “broaden” his appeal, and not risk permanently alienating the different factions that swung to him in the Primaries.
I think they have this gamed out pretty well, and they know how to poll it to within days.
But it’s fucking awful to watch, and any hope that he can maintain any patina of Progressivism is gone.

I remember watching Gore sidle up beside Bush-the-lesser in that debate and thinking, ah, shit, Gore just lost. And then Kerry doing dear-in-the-headlights while the swiftboaters upchucked their bile and thought, ah, shit, Kerry just lost. I haven’t had that ah-shit moment yet with Obama, but I’m warning him. I’m warning him.

Maybe he should spend some time listening to Dean and Edwards. Perhaps get some attitude lessons from Webb. Watching him in press conferences lately is just fucking painful.

Hey, variety, spice etc.. Considering buying the first CD myself. It’s only available as an mp3 purchase on amazon. Not sure i want to trust buying a non hard copy. I’m such a DFH luddite. /s

Wow, some people just can’t be satisfied, the better half walked in the door and said where’s the surf…? Out comes some onion and garlic and four bay scallops were sauteed…! I tells ya…! ;-)

If it hadn’t been for the betrayals by Pelosi, Ried, Hoyer, Emanuel, and the rest, I’d probably be willing to give Obama some benefit of the doubt. But, I now feel that we’re living under One-Party Rule, and Obamawankenobe has betrayed us and gone over to the dark side.

If that’s the guy advising Obama on this.. it sure explains a lot, pathetically so. I don’t care who you are, you should admit when you are not the best person to advise.. or at least damn sure go get the right info before you advise.

No excuses!

Other thing that’s got me thoroughly pissed off, and not just with Obama, is how every fucking time a Democrat criticizes McIwastortured, they always feel the need to preface it with some stupid diatribe about what a “Hero” he is. Maybe they should ask the families of some of those sailors who died on the Stennis what they think of McFuckstain.

Exactly. I wanted to puke Wednesday night, when on Countdown Kieth played a tape of Obama insisting that this has always been his real position on FISA. That lying sack of shit!

The fatal “Journey to the Center’…! Ya ‘d think they’d learn by now…!

newt- man, did you ever call that one right, imo. You, among many others at FDL, are a very astute observer.

Siri, if you are still around. Sample this. tempting me, very tempting.

oh. so same here ES. i’ve never purchased an MP3 song in my life. No, I’d like a CD. What I’d REALLY like is to hear him in some dark little basement pub somewhere!
*sigh*

I’m not cutting Obama any slack, or suggesting that anyone else should.
But we knew this was coming, just not to what degree.
It’s a gut punch.

Here’s Christy’s comment: http://firedoglake.com/2008/07…..nt-1524179

I’m still gonna hope that Obama will continue smiling at the Dems who are turncoats while he tries to gather enough support to get something done. But, truth, I don’t know if he has a true base. I like a lot of the people who like him, but if he so pisses off the progressives/liberals so early, who knows what we are in for. I would never (NOT EVER) vote for McCain, but it grieves me that I’ve put my checkbook in the closet for now.

Do not go to the bank!
4 nights before the PA Primary I suggested here that I thought the race was neck-&neck, but Obama’s people wanted it to be a surprise…
I step on my joint more often than not.

yes, i figured he’d break my heart, but I NEVER thought it’d be so soon. now I’m wondering if we should be nervous about him. like who knows WHAT the faithbased thing is going to look like. on the one hand, at least he’s DEALING with those people cause I’m thinking they could be far worse if they were ignored, but on the other, therein somewhere, that group, lies our own authentic American Made religious extremists. I’d really like government to get the hell outa the whole God business!

Whoops. Siri, try here for samples.

ww- I was never an Obama supporter. And, here in GA, it will be a close call come Nov. for Dem v. Rep presidential votes. I am thinking of not checking a box for that part of the ballot. Yeah, I want to see a Dem be President bec. I am worried about the Supreme Court. But….

Yeah, the Faith-Based initiatives is the one that really shocked me into finality.
Obama could have said Chimpy’s efforts were noble, but to try and outsize him? Christ!

Cast it for Bob Barr…! He’s a viable contender… in Georgia! Join your neighbors! *g*

Not a fan of spending any government money on church programs. period. But I think he’s talking about doing it like Clinton and folks before did. Not like Bushco.

And I suspect there is a major African American church base he may be eying on this.

And, I hadn’t thought of it til now, but if Obama is going to go all squirrly on us, why should I pay out for other Dems when we’re all going to suffer four-more-years if he squanders our efforts. Might as well lay back and wait for the next round….if there is one. (After the nasty down-thread immigration crap, sometimes I think it truly might be nice to “migrate” quietly to Tuscany…….. oh, yeah, we really need to do an honest and open illegal immigration thread….if anyone dares.)

That is awesome!!!! So far, lovin’ every note!!
Thank you Eurika Springs!!!
This is great. Where’s this guy from?
ear candy but the inside’s movin here too.

…a major African American church base he may be eying on this.

They’ll certainly distribute it better than the Gov. would…! 8-)

Is that like give churches funding for outreach and programs in their communities? Church based welfare or some such thing?

It’s a mystery! Check out some of the links in the post sometime.. I love the way the mysery and the buzz is shaping up..as much as the music.

Yeah, well, you are forgiven. Seems we are on totally “new” terrain here. The Hil campaign just kept sucking worse and worse as the weeks and days went on. She and her advisers kept pissing people off bec. of teh stupid. Obama was slick, and she was ugly.

Not the best person to discuss the details really. My eyes glaze over when thinking about more faith based tax dollars.. but I did get the impression from Obamas explanation (on his web page, perhaps) that it wasn’t what the media was portraying. (imagine that)

CT- now that is a damn interesting idea! That really would be a viable protest vote!

That’s interesting. I’ve had some connections with AME churches. I don’t know that Obama so much appeals.

will do right now, i need to stop skimming these, then sauntering on in asking questions about my unhit links. frankly, i was just in instant total groove with the music and needed to “pipe up” on THAT.
hehe

I read something earlier this week about his campaign working triple time to get AA’s registered in FL, VA and several other states.. and I mean like damn near 100 percent registration. Only churches could possibly get him close to that, imo.

Btw, don’t make the fatal mistake of checking off emails notices for MyBarackObama, FISA action blog, I had to clear out 200 emails out of my inbox… I was not a happy camper…! ;-)

It’d rattle both GA State Party Bigwigs’ heads in Nov…! ;-)

Roger that. Glad I joined, can’t wait to cancel. It’s impossible to get into the actual blog posts too.

That’s good. But, oh, if he ticks them off like he’s ticking us off, that could be real bad. Who has Obama’s ear? Someone needs, I think, to wise him up…….and fast.

I could not tell you how many applications of cell-phone-tracking technology there are, but government’s ability to track cell phone users might be especially useful in an election year, facilitating the classification of certain individuals as activists opposed to the administration in power based on assembly in certain places with certain persons. In any year, constitutional protections should not be given up with no one challenging their taking; some organizations stay in the front rank of challengers. There EFF and the ACLU go again: Civil Rights Groups Sue Over Government’s Cell Phone Tracking.

Agreed, Dearie. And if you move to Tuscany, can you afford a hard working gardener, real cheap? *g

I’m beginning to think that Obama will turn out to be “Bill Clinton lite”. So sad. I just hope that he doesn’t go all bi-partisan on Supremes’ Appointments.

If I could pull it off, I’d love a gardner, cook, and staff of wonderfuls and we’d all do our share! My dollars, sadly, aren’t equal to their euros……but I can dream, can’t I.

There is no doubt that the nation would be much, much better off under Obama than McCain. That said, we need to hold his feet to the fire. I have no idea what went on in that AIPAC meeting or whatever it was, but after the primary, it seemed that someone had kidnapped Barak Obama and slipped in the look-alike.

ES- maybe we all could pool our minor resources, and move to Tuscany. That does have a certain appeal.

Well, we all know it’s about the Blue America movement.. But we have to fight for the 4th frigging amendment on all fronts at times like this.

I so wanted to catch my Senators on this and ask pointed questions this week.. but they seem to be hiding successfully as always.

Yeah, a commune in the south of France…! I’m game… Maybe not my better half, tho…! 8-)

Kurt Vonneguts last words of advice to us all. ” Join a gang.” If we can join a gang and move to Tuscany, I’m sure he would approve. *g*

Oh, didn’t mean to leave you out! A commune in Tuscany, comprising FDLers!

Help me understand how you know that we’d be better off under Obama. If he can’t stand up, can’t tell truth now, how do we know he will stand up later? Do you know him? I don’t. I know little about him. I’ve yet to see a list of his accomplishments …..I know he worked hard in Chicago as a community organizer. But I know not much about him on the larger scene. I know he is golden-tongued. I called my sister after his convention speech and said, “I’ve just seen a future president” — or words to that effect. I like the man, I think. I respect his wife and family. But he waffled so early. He knows how to tell truth. Just do it, I say. Just do it.

New facebook group. FDL Gypsies.

CT- Snap! as to the commune part! Okay, Tuscany, Provence, whatever!

Uh, but isn’t that kinda public?

I suppose, but aren’t we now? *s

Oops, that’s right Tuscany is in Northern Italy on the other side of the Alps…! ;-)

I mean really, why not?! Old Europe is apparently going to be in need of people, and I’ve got kids and grandbabies to bring along…. What a lark! I’ll bet we all have something to bring to that party. I’m saying to Obama — get your darned act together and help us bring back our USA, our country (not, for god’s sake, our ‘homeland’ — I hate that construct — so nazi, so wrong.) Get on board or get out, BHObama. We are on your side…..as long as you are on our side. But….wouldn’t an FDL commune in Tuscany be rather divine!

But….wouldn’t an FDL commune in Tuscany be rather divine!

Were you here during the primaries?

haha! Yes, you are correct. But, whatever. I gotta say that living in a commune (well NOT that kind of commune) in Tuscany has a huge appeal to me right now. I’m sure we could find a run-down farmhouse…

Heh, spoil sport…! 8-P

Flickr seems to be down.. and you are killin’ me here. I have some photos of Venezia and Firenzie I want to show off during this conversation. Oh well.

Suppose i should take it as a sign and get some rest.

Good night fabulous firedogs.

So damned glad we put our knives away.

1,693 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…

Citizen Dearie:

The question is NOT whether we would be “better off” under Obama than under a more stupid version of George Bush…the real question is how do we force Obama to commit to policies and actions that he seems to be equivocating on at this time out of some closely held plan of political expediency.

Right now, we have an opportunity to pressure Obama with the only thing common citizens EVER have…our votes. We must present to Obama that he can NOT take progressives for granted and that we WILL stay involved in the political process and in the Democratic Party but we won’t vote for HIM unless he give sign that he will honor the values and positions he won the nomination on.

Of course the country would be better off under Obama than McCrazy under any scenario…but that isn’t good enough at this time

KEEP THE FAITH AND USE YOUR POWER!!

True, the well honed cutlery was in use…! Well, I shall bid ya’ll a fond adieu! Aloha Oe!!!

Yes.

nite eureka
nite tuttle

Huh? Oh, right. We’d have to have to do some background checks.

That happened ta ME too ,Brother CT

Supreme court appointments alone would make us better off. McCain is sure to appoint classical Republicans. Statistically, there is a greater chance that Obama would do something else, which would almost surely be better.

Norske, I never thought I would have the chance to call you an optimist, but gosh! The Obama Machine is so much in place that I am not as optimistic as you are.

Norske, I agree with you. But I’m so damned tired of voting for the lesser schmuck. And I’d actually expected a bit better from Obama. I was not one who thought he walked on water. I just thought he might have some innate integrity. I’m not so sure anymore. I don’t know that my country can stand any more years of stupidity and duplicity. That’s all. I loathe Pelosi. I think Harry Reid is a mini-gigantic wimp. There are few heroic types available to turn to. I really hoped Obama would live up to his rhetoric. Silly me.

Actually I think the spread would be wider.
McCain professes love for Samuel Alito – nothing classical about HIS Republicanism – a fascist to the core, and quite possibly wackier than Nino (I know, that’s a stretch).

Here are some sage observations from Glenn Greenwald about the differences that an Obama presidency would make:

UPDATE IV: For those who grab every criticism of Obama and leap to the opposite “no-difference-between-him-and-McCain” extreme: Obama — in addition to supporting the Boumediene/habeas decision which McCain called “one of the worst decisions in the history of this country” — announced this week that he opposes the Constitutional amendment in California to ban gay marriage (which McCain supports). Those differences matter, as no less an establishment critic than Noam Chomsky — no Democratic Party booster he — frequently points out:

In an interview published in The Guardian last weekend, Noam Chomsky added his voice to those advocating that Senator John Kerry (D-Massachusetts) defeat Bush.

Noting that Kerry and Bush share much in common in representing two factions of the business party, Chomsky said that differences do exist: “And in this system of immense power, small differences can translate into large outcomes.”

The ways in which Obama is superior to the Bush-following McCain are both numerous and substantial (unless you’re excited to have Joe Lieberman and Bill Kristol running U.S. foreign policy and Ted Olson appointing more executive-power-worshiping, privacy-eroding Justices to the Supreme Court — and if that’s not enough, see this), and that’s true no matter how many justifiable criticisms are voiced towards Obama. What Obama has done over the last two weeks will drain the enthusiasm away from many of his most intense supporters (as it has even with the intensely pro-Obama Markos Moulitsas), but that isn’t the same — not even close to the same — as deciding that it’s irrelevant if he wins.

Point taken!

Nice pickup from Glenn.
As fluid and infuriating as Obama’s positions appear right now, they are the lesser evil by an enormous margin.

ww- yeah, the Supremes are the issue, imo. Alas.

I just never anticipated Obama as a lesser evil. Such a shame, really. And I think I’ll go do some Toscano dreaming……with no thought to euros! It was good to chat with you. FDL keeps me footed.

I have to keep repeating that, like a mantra or something.

I too am NOT gunna vote for “the lesser evil”…I am gunna vote for Obama if he makes ANY effort to correct the tactical errors he has made with regard to progressives and the history of grassroots opposition to war and terror. He has made a whipping boy of our history in order to attract a few hundred old John Birch Society members to his cause. If he continues to tack to the right, I will devote all my few energies and funds to Act Blue and progressive Democrats. I will NOT vote for the lesser evil and neither should YOU!!

The question is NOT whether we would be “better off” under Obama than under a more stupid version of George Bush…the real question is how do we force Obama to commit to policies and actions that he seems to be equivocating on at this time out of some closely held plan of political expediency.

Exactly! And to figure out how to get him back, I’d like to know exactly what/who sent him reeling off course. He seems to be in a state of madness. There was the end of the primary. And then, on June 4, the session where he prostrated himself before AIPAC. Everything after that seemed crazy.

Obviously, I’m harboring a cause/effect conjecture, but I have nothing but a hunch and the tempting logical error: post hoc ergo propter hoc.

CTuttle,
You can elect to receive those e-mails once a day in “Digest” form.

You’re upset because the attempt to get Obama to change his mind is too popular?

Aloha

Bob in HI

If a history is someday written about the resurgence of this nation as a Liberal Democracy, and a truly compassionate, nimble, smart presence on the planet, it will be because we persevered and made it happen. That mantra is going to come in pretty handy for a few years more.

Previously, Obama has shown an excellent ability to listen to the grass roots. After all, that’s a skill he learned as a community organizer, that stood him in good stead during the primaries. I only hope that he has not lost this ability.

Bob in HI

Thank you!

BTW, I’ve been arguing with some folks over at Dkos, and one of them cited this link: http://www.thedemocraticstrate…..middle.php

It’s not a particularly pursuasive article, but it sound like an interesting group that might have a lot of influence on policy and campaign tactics.

“Help me understand how you know that we’d be better off under Obama.”

Because I am sure that we’d be worse off under McSame?

Bob in HI

I can’t find FDL Gypsies on Facebook.

Where should I look?

Bob in HI

Friends, it is time for me to retire. G’nite.

nite wigwam
same here
take care of the place

FISA judge smacks down Bush: http://www.dailykos.com/storyo…..340/545791

Bob- I image ES was in a forward thinking mode, after earlier conversations this eve. No such fb link, yet.