Open Thread

Robin Weirauch in OH-05 asks union members for their help:

On the web: Robin Weirauch for Congress
Blue Majority ActBlue page
Ohio Daily Blog

Recommended diaries at 9 pm, Tuesday, Dec 04, 2007 :

Goodbye, My Friends by ThisDudesArmy (1) Read this (2) Stab self in eye with fork (3) Repeat by The Termite John Edwards Wins NPR Debate - Slams Rush to War with Iran by jsamuel Why I've Changed My Mind and Will Be Voting for Barack Obama by Shane Hensinger The NIE is precisely why Iran must be bombed now by clammyc Clinton campaign hates 'presumptous' Obama, launches Rovian smear campaign (UPDATED) by Geekesque Thoughts on the Iowa caucus from a newly registered democrat by Superunknown Clinton and Dodd Sowing Division in Iowa by psericks

•  Lots of News Tonight!

  Overnight News Digest pre-Whoring!

  Opens @ 11:55 pm EST

  by ek hornbeck on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:30:49 PM PDT

  •  Tease :p n/t

    by Trix on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:31:47 PM PDT

    •  Yes I am.

      And on schedule.  Toot Toot!

      by ek hornbeck on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:32:41 PM PDT

  •  Now that is the most

    amazing diary whoring I have ever seen.  Bravo!

    by gchaucer2 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:51:28 PM PDT

  •  Now Open for Business. n/t

    by ek hornbeck on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 08:58:07 PM PDT

•  Class and Labor: Educational Support Professional

  is the title of today’s entry in the weekly series "Class and Labor".  Seems especially appropriate on this open thread.

  I may be  teacher, but I know the importance of custodians, aides, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, etc.   I urge you to visit the diary, perhaps to comment, and all recommendations will be accepted as honoring ans respecting education support professionals.

  Peace.

  by teacherken on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:31:58 PM PDT

  •  When I was teaching

    I went out of my way to befriend the people who actually made the school run.  Not only was it the right thing to do, but you'd be amazed (or maybe not) at how easy it was to get things done in a pinch when I needed it!

    by MLDB on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:33:58 PM PDT

    •  amen; school secretary and custodian . . .

      keep things moving.

      by timbuck on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:39:18 PM PDT

    •  Same here

      I have always made it a point to say hello and build a friendships with them.

      There's an elderly custodian where I work and he and I have become good friends. He's also a minister at a local church and has such a good heart. Without his help, the building would not run efficiently.

      by Pitias on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:43:25 PM PDT

      •  It's not just schools.

        The one thing I've learned practicing law: it as if not more important to get along well with and to know the clerk, the bailiffs, the "bridge men", the jailers, the court security than it is to know the judge.

        You wanna find out what the definition of "morass" is, get one of these essential people on the wrong side of you.  

        by davidseth on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:50:04 PM PDT

      •  A living principle of mine...

        Everybody deserves a hello.  

        It's disturbing how many people don't think that is true.

        by MLDB on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:51:44 PM PDT

        •  so too, all work is honorable

          by timbuck on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:52:50 PM PDT

•  I hope there are

  no plans for the president to travel to Georgia any time soon.  With all their water shortage problems there would not be enough water to put out his pants.

  by MLDB on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:31:58 PM PDT

  •  O.k., it took me

    3 seconds but Bwaaahaaaaa!

    by gchaucer2 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:52:26 PM PDT

  •  ROFLOL!

    Great comment! Whew, I needed that laugh.
    Thanks :-)

    by mommaK on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:13:26 PM PDT

•  tonight's photo

  Another light drawing:

  

  by juliewolf on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:32:26 PM PDT

  •  Very cool...

    I was just reading about light painting a few days ago.

    by Trix on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:33:23 PM PDT

    •  Cool

      what were you reading about it?

      by juliewolf on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:34:45 PM PDT

      •  There was a post about it on MetaFilter.com

        which I can't seem to find now.

        by Trix on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:37:17 PM PDT

        •  I was just curious.

          I rediscovered this technique a couple months ago; at the time I thought it was a lost art, but now that I'm doing a lot of it, I keep hearing about other people who are playing with it-- not the way I'm doing it, but definitely playing with it.

          by juliewolf on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:39:36 PM PDT

          •  Found it...

            Here you go.

            There was also a duplicate post which was subsequently deleted.

            :-)

            by Trix on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:42:22 PM PDT

            •  Not a duplicate really...

              the links are different.

              by Trix on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:43:22 PM PDT

              •  The links contained in the links, I mean :) n/t

                by Trix on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:45:45 PM PDT

                •  I knew what you meant :)

                  I've got to go do dishes now-- I'll look more in the morning.  Thank you.

                  by juliewolf on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:46:26 PM PDT

            •  Thanks

              I'm really enjoying keeping my work away from the urban areas-- not nearly enough time to get a good image with that much light.  My goal is to do this in a town park with absolutely no artificial light except for the props I use.

              by juliewolf on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:45:54 PM PDT

  •  juliewolf, you are amazing!

    by timbuck on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:36:56 PM PDT

    •  Mostly I'm just persistent

      and probably a little insane, since I go outside to do this almost every night in the freezing cold.

      This is what happens when I get a new hobby that requires me to be outside in the dark.

      In November.

      In Vermont.

      But it's a lot of fun, especially with digital as an option.

      by juliewolf on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:38:30 PM PDT

      •  psst. julie. it's. december. it's. cold. out.nt

        by davidseth on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:51:53 PM PDT

        •  That's why I MOVED to Vermont, dammit

          I like the cold.

          Unfortunately, in ten years, I won't be able to find it this cold without moving to Canada.

          by juliewolf on Wed Dec 05, 2007 at 04:46:26 AM PDT

      •  Persistence

        is entirely undervalued.

        It is, in fact, the only thing that succeeds over time.

        :)

        by mem from somerville on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:23:39 PM PDT

  •  Beautiful, julie

    thank you!

    by gchaucer2 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:52:53 PM PDT

•  TV Alerts

  updated daily here.

  Charlie Rose: Fred Thompson (R-TN) 12/4

  Tavis Smiley (PBS): Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA) 12/4

  GMA: Caroline Kennedy 12/6

  "Sand and Sorrow" HBO documentary on Darfur narrated by George Clooney, 12/6, 8pm.

  Bill Clinton, Don Imus and others on Barbara Walters' 10 Most Fascinating on 12/6

  by Newsie8200 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:32:46 PM PDT

  •  Does Charlie Rose have a live audience?

    I only ask because Fred requires applause before speaking.

    by Trix on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:35:18 PM PDT

    •  Not usually.

      Most CR interviews are in a solitary studio, just CR and the guest(s).

      by FoundingFatherDAR on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:49:44 PM PDT

      •  Thanks... that's what I figured :) n/t

        by Trix on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:51:15 PM PDT

•  When did TIME because synonymous with FOX?

  When is Ann Coulter going to move from their cover to the editor?

  by SemDem on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:33:20 PM PDT

  •  yeah, and glenn beck was o'reilly's guest tonight

    I want Jon Stewart back; that was real news!!!

    by timbuck on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:35:59 PM PDT

    •  How FAIR and Balanced!! Right vs. SUPER-Right

      Maybe Coulter will replace Klein as the Democratic Response for TIME?

      by SemDem on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:43:29 PM PDT

    •  I want him back too...

      And America needs him back. Read this:

      Stop Hurting America: The WGA And The Daily Show
      The campaigns are already at cruising speed and the media is hurtling forward with their usual fare of speculation, conflict and the inane horserace chatter that they think passes for news. What’s missing is the perspective of what has become the most insightful segment of the commentator class in the 21st century - Satire.

      by KingOneEye on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:51:34 PM PDT

  •  "Time" = AOL and Time Warner Cable

    And with their internet and VOIP services I'm guessing they have good reason to be worried about FISA immunity.

    by bernardpliers on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:24:17 PM PDT

•  craigslist equivalent for iceland?

  I want to visit there over the summer and spend as little as humanly possible to do it, perhaps find some people to stay with, etc.

  really not sure where to start with organizing this, has anyone gone there before? suggestions?

  by abben on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:35:06 PM PDT

  •  mmmmmmmmmmmmm

    Loved it.

    But I stayed in a hotel-ish thing.  But all the rooms had little kitchens, and the grocery store was right up the street.

    Room with a View

    And went here before the flight home: Blue Lagoon Spa

    Now, I'm so shameless that I would write to the contact folks on any of these and ask about stuff.  But I think there is a tourist bureau office right in Reykjavik.  Will look.

    by mem from somerville on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:39:47 PM PDT

    •  Ok, this is the one

      I was thinking of.  Right in downtown Reykjavik:

      http://www.visitreykjavik.is/...

      Write to them.  Their english is excellent, of course.

      by mem from somerville on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:43:15 PM PDT

  •  virtualtourist.com

    a travel based community.

    by MTmofo on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:29:51 PM PDT

•  Our tax dollars at work

  Today, in need of a link to its members, I visited the home page for the House Armed Services Committee.  Glancing over the topics, I was surprised to find one  called "Republican Views."

  Curious, I clicked on it.

  That click took me to an official-looking page entitled

  Committee on Armed Services

  and underneath, in smaller type,

  Republicans -- Duncan Hunter, Ranking Member

  Included were such gems as the following:

  Ranking Republican Duncan Hunter (R-CA) and members of the House Armed Services Committee will hold a press conference this afternoon to criticize the Democrat leadership’s latest attempt to steal defeat from the jaws of victory in Iraq.

  I was dumbfounded that an official government site that one would assume deals with the matters of a Congressional committee would include a link to what clearly is a partisan website. These sites are intended to address concerns of government, not of partisan politics.

  Is this not a misuse of public resources and funds?

  If you would like to see for yourself, the link to the HASC is http://www.house.gov/...

  by not a cent on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:40:47 PM PDT

•  Happy Chanukah, Kossacks!!

  A diary about the holiday, and wishes from me for a happy holiday to all.

  by davidseth on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:47:44 PM PDT

  •  Happy Chanukah, david!

    Wishing you a very happy holiday with family and friends.

    by gchaucer2 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:55:06 PM PDT

•  Bill O’Pedia: Journalistic Standards

  Bill O'Reilly describes his ethical deficiencies, in his own words, far better than I ever could. From yesterday's Factor:

  

  You certainly have proven that. I can't think of another program that proves it more conclusively, day after day. The complete absence of journalistic standards that you exhibit is truly a valuable lesson by example of what not to do in journalism. And it shows real courage to point out this lack of standards when the company you work for is one of the biggest media enterprises in the world and one of the worst offenders.

  Thanks Bill.

  by KingOneEye on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:47:54 PM PDT

•  Question...

  ...Can Impeachment lead to jail time?

  by RedMask on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:48:13 PM PDT

  •  No, but subsequent

    prosecution for war crimes, crimes against humanity, RICO, etc. can lead to jail time.

    by gchaucer2 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:56:13 PM PDT

    •  Ahh, be still my heart...

      but hey I'm addicted to democracy. And God, could I use a fix right now.

      by dansk47 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:34:21 PM PDT

    •  Thank you

      by RedMask on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 09:37:14 PM PDT

•  Diary Preview

  Watch for my diary tonight at 12am Eastern. It may change the way some people think of Huckabee as a "nce guy".

  by RandySF on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:51:06 PM PDT

  •  Holy moley

    first ek, now you with pre-diary whoring -- pretty impressive.  Wish I had thought about it myself.

    by gchaucer2 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:57:16 PM PDT

    •  It's up on MyDD if you like to read.

      by RandySF on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:02:04 PM PDT

    •  I realize it is odd for me

      But that is how serious I am about the topic.

      by RandySF on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 08:49:38 PM PDT

•  One of first surfers at Mavericks drowns.

  http://www.sfgate.com/...

  A big wave rider died Tuesday at the unforgiving surf break known as Ghost Trees, a Monterey County spot known for its fast-moving 20-foot and better waves.

  Peter Davi, 45, of Monterey, lost his surfboard and was attempting to swim to shore, but never made it, witnesses told authorities. Friends of Davi lost sight of him and later found him floating in the water unconscious.
  {snip}
  According to the official Mavericks Web site, Davi was one of the early pack of brave surfers to test themselves at Mavericks after word got around about its massive waves.

  by FoundingFatherDAR on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:52:15 PM PDT

•  Man, I am spitting fire tonight.

  Watch out.  I don't know what happened to me today, but I am challenging everything.  Even stuff I like....

  ?

  by mem from somerville on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:53:31 PM PDT

  •  did you watch the Bush

    presser?  That might explain alot.  Hmmm, want to challenge me to a Middle English verb declension contest?  You might win.

    by gchaucer2 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:59:07 PM PDT

    •  You know,

      that is what started the downhill slide today, funny you should mention it!  But that's certainly not the only thing that sparked today.

      Good eye.

      [Middle English sparke, from Old English spearca. V., from Middle English sparken, from Old English spearcian.]

      by mem from somerville on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:10:11 PM PDT

      •  Oops

        should have cited that:
        http://www.thefreedictionary.com/...

        Man, some people have no respect for the knowledge they steal...

        by mem from somerville on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:11:23 PM PDT

        •  Heh, I steal from

          any and every dictionary I can.  Have a peaceful night, mem.

          by gchaucer2 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:14:12 PM PDT

      •  The presser wrecked my day

        as well.

        Great catch on sparke and sparken -- more colloquial is egges and eyren -- both meaning egg.

        Hope you can wind down and have a better day tomorrow -- no presser scheduled.

        by gchaucer2 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:13:22 PM PDT

•  Is Mark Penn a Republican plant?

  And if so, is he sabotaging her campaign from the inside?

  by Village expects idiot home soon on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:53:42 PM PDT

•  Boston Legal

  Denny Crane tasered and arrested for tapping his foot in the bathroom stall.

  Too funny.

  by Pitias on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:01:58 PM PDT

  •  Not tasered, geeze.

    Maybe I'm being a jerk but can't even something as basic as this get reported acurately???

    by Memory Corrupted on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:20:19 PM PDT

    •  Watch again

      He fell to the floor after being tasered

      by Pitias on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:27:06 PM PDT

      •  I don't have Tivo, I'll have to wait for youtube

        by Memory Corrupted on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:38:33 PM PDT

        •  Given your moniker...

          ...my money's on Pitias.

          by kck on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:57:10 PM PDT

          •  ABC.COM has the video... Pay up,

            Never judge a book by it's moniker... lol

            by Memory Corrupted on Wed Dec 05, 2007 at 06:40:01 AM PDT

            •  Hee Hee

              Your next one's on me...(pretend)

              by kck on Wed Dec 05, 2007 at 08:29:34 AM PDT

•  I just half listened to

  the replay of the NPR debate.  Slam me if you will, but I was impressed with (in alphabetical order) Biden, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards and Obama.  Not so much the other two.  I thought the debate was civil, generally informative and the moderators were far superior to anyone on teevee.  Compare with any and all of the Repugs and you will realize we will have a credible candidate, no matter who is chosen.

  by gchaucer2 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:02:27 PM PDT

•  OMG

  Boston Legal Spoiler:

  Denny Crane just got busted for toe tapping

  by MLDB on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:02:45 PM PDT

•  Cleaning Up After Bush: The Scandal at Interior

  It may take a decade or more of investigations and trials, but eventually the full corruption of the Bush Administration will be in full view for the American people to see. It will be a time of remorse.

  Here is one nasty scandal that nearly killed of dozens of protected species. The Julie MacDonald scandal took a major turn late today. Finally someone is actually "Protecting the Homeland." Hats off the inspector general at Interior.

  http://blog.oregonlive.com/...

  by greendem on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:03:56 PM PDT

  •  Remorse suggests the

    criminals involved feel any -- the rest of us will continue with our contempt, disgust and hatred for the ravaging of the global environment by these amoral punks.

    by gchaucer2 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:08:58 PM PDT

•  Which do I watch?

  Boston Legal on ABC or scantily clad Victoria's Secret bunnies on CBS?

  by framecop on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:06:23 PM PDT

  •  If you're a guy, it's probably a no brainer

    by Pitias on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:09:24 PM PDT

    •  I dozed off, woke up at 10:55 angry I missed both

      by framecop on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 08:53:51 PM PDT

  •  Well, if you enjoy

    vacuous hard bodies with baby voices and wings, I'd suggest Boston Legal.

    by gchaucer2 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:09:51 PM PDT

  •  If You Have to Ask...

    ... it better be Legal!

    by Uthaclena on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:11:25 PM PDT

  •  Well ABC is a Repub Network That Carries No

    progressive talk radio, whereas Victoria Secret has or had major Repub donor as CEO and uses child sweatshop labor.

    If that makes the choice any easier.

    by Gooserock on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:21:14 PM PDT

•  Wow, just heard on

  the BBC that archeologists found a helmet with 2000 year old glue -- and it still works!  I hope they figure out what its components are and market it.  Most glue is crap for multi-use -- and never, ever, buy gorilla glue.

  O.k. now that was a really stupid comment, but I found it interesting.

  by gchaucer2 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:07:29 PM PDT

  •  The Observation About GG Fits My Experience

    On the other hand, don't bed any hardware to your boat deck with 3M 5200 if you ever want to get it back off without destroying the deck.

    by Gooserock on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:22:49 PM PDT

    •  Well, I don't have a boat

      but I have a friend who has a beauty of a 1961 wood crisscraft -- I'll let him know, but the little beauty is getting stripped and revarnished this winter, so hopefully it won't need any gluing.

      by gchaucer2 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:25:47 PM PDT

•  The First Amendment Does NOT cover snark!!

  Teacher arrested for snarky comment praising Columbine shooters.

  The teacher is a former union President who was using a conservative blog as a snark box to ridicule anti-union sentiment; it backfired with his arrest for sarcastically praising violence against unionized teachers.

  by xynz on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:08:24 PM PDT

  •  Doesn't Cover It In Airports Either nt

    by Gooserock on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:23:28 PM PDT

    •  Airports are controlled, restricted access areas,

      where joking about a bomb is like shouting "fire" in a crowded theater: it represents a clear and present danger to public safety.

      A blog is nothing of the sort and comparing the two is a false equivalence.

      by xynz on Wed Dec 05, 2007 at 02:24:09 AM PDT

•  Amendment

  I know this is far-fetched, but I was thinking about what would have to be a new amendment.

  Overly simplified, it would make null any pardon granted by the executive (maybe even include state execs) for crimes which that exec was directly complicit, e.g. Casper Weinberger's pardon would be revoked if H.W. were found to have involvement in Iran-Contra.

  I'd love to make it retroactive to 1976 (let's put Watergate behind us), and and cover all the tawdriness of Reagan, H.W., and Clinton.

  I'm just curious, if anyone's bored enough to weigh in, if it's feasible as an ideal. I understand I have a greater chance of planting a big, sloppy wet one on Mrs. Claus and stealing her away from Santa while he's off delivering presents than it actually passing.

  But hey, unless someone pops my reality balloon, I'm sure I'm missing something, I might write a letter to my Congresswoman (Boyda, KS-02). She's kooky and not long for her office, who knows.

  Sometimes it's nice to shout at the wind.

  by kafkaesque on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:09:53 PM PDT

  •  Amendment Fantasies

    I don't think you can retroactively make people guilt (again).

    Myself, I'm trying to imagine amendments that would create a 3-coequal-branch structure under our Constitution.

    by Gooserock on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:24:57 PM PDT

    •  I know this is a terrible answer...

      but once you put it in the Constitution, you can do anything you want. That's the beauty of the rule of law.

      As far as your search, I don't think you need amendments, just a reversion to the original expectations, and include Judicial Review to give that branch the power it needs.

      The Jacksonian notion that a president should veto bills on pure whimsy should not be acceptable. He started that tradition by killing the National Bank. Such a monstrous entity that we went ahead and resurrected it TWICE!.

      And Congress needs to reclaim the legislative initiative, which brings me to my last point...

      the public needs to stop looking at the president as a monarch, nor elect that person to rule and be the embodiment of the will of the nation. That is Congress. The president is the executive and is charged with carrying out that will. And for the love of god what is with the population looking at the president as commander in chief when a) we're civilians and b) it's peacetime (I still hold to the declaration of war standard)

      by kafkaesque on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:41:35 PM PDT

      •  Wait a minute, I totally lost ya...

        Let me try to put this into normal terms:

        So, we're the owners of the company.
        Congress is the board of directors, setting direction.
        The President is the manager tasked with hiring the people needed to get all this stuff done.

        I don't know what it is with people these days trying to describe things without using business terms. Jeez.

        by mike101 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 08:37:45 PM PDT

•  Swift-Kids

  My apologies if you've seen this, but I followed the link at Huffington Post today, and really laughed at the amusing Swift Kids.

  by smartcookienyc on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:10:07 PM PDT

•  Worth a look

  http://www.dailykos.com/...

  by Lefty Coaster on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:12:04 PM PDT

•  I hate Dan Abrams. However..

  I loved his first segments tonight and last night.

  I love listening to the neocons blathering on.

  :)

  ::::

  by nowheredesign on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:13:35 PM PDT

•  40 Hours put into a diary between 2 members &

  we need some support. We put together a diary that ourlines just about every major problem our Veterans are facing and obstacles to their getting proper care. PLEASE read this. We have thirty or so links to articles, other websites covering many issues. Most people do not know how bad our Veterans are being treated and the horrendous things happening to them. We need the support of ALL on Kos with this matter. Just the Vet sites are not enough. Isn't the democratic party the party of the people? Vets are people and they are being screwed over. Something is wrong when I write three different diaries on veterans issues one of which makes the rescue list and they average 25 comments and I write a diary titled "Why is Hillary so devisive and polarizing" and I get over 100 comments. Does anybody else see an issue or am I nuts? Does anybody really care about the horrendous treatment of 2.5 million people in the services?? I know our primary purpose is to elect democrats but the president we elect in 2008 is going to be a WAR TIME president. Veterans issues and their positions on these should be an important factor when electing a WAR TIME president. Not just if and when they are going to get us out of Iraq but what are they doing with and for our military and Vets. Currently if things are not fixed our entire nation is going to have an epidemic when all the vets return from the middle east that will impact every one of us. When the House sub committee estimates 65% of all combat vets will have brain damage we have a problem. Suicides, homocides, alcoholism, drug addiction, homelessness and more because the funding, programs and needed support are not being provided and these issues will affect all of us. Without question the repurcussions and devastation to our military percentage wise is going to be worse than any war in the last 100 years and for many reasons.

  HEY, do you REALLY support the troops?

  http://www.dailykos.com/...

  by TKK on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:13:45 PM PDT

  •  Read and rec'd TKK. Great diary. n/t

    by mommaK on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:43:07 PM PDT

•  GOTV MS re-vote

  Hinds County election commissioners on Tuesday granted veteran Jackson-area lawmaker John Reeves a revote in four precincts where voting irregularities occurred during the Nov. 6 general election.

  The commission's 4-1 decision represented a partial victory for Reeves, a Republican who lost the District 71 seat to Democrat Adrienne Wooten. He also had requested a revote in three other precincts overseen by a Democratic commission member.

  "The partial relief granted by the commission is appreciated," Reeves' attorney, Bill Spell, said. "We will review the commission's order to determine if further action is appropriate."

  The revote will be held Dec. 18 in precincts 72, 92, 93 and 96.

  Time to GOTV

  Source

  by Silent Lurker on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:14:29 PM PDT

•  Coincidence?

  NBC:

  If Iran stopped developing weapons four years ago, why did it take so long for President Bush and his advisors to get the story right?

  Newsweek:

  The new Iran intel report disrupts Clinton's new strategy.

  by tln41 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:24:25 PM PDT

•  Anybody Hanging Any Peace Wreaths This Yr?

  

  I see there are some vendors offering them, in addition to the always-available homemade option.

  by Gooserock on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:26:05 PM PDT

•  I'm sorry, but I don't like her platform.

  She's fear mongering and full of Repub vocabulary, urban legend claims,etc... This pushes "it" to my limit where being blue might not be enough.  Of course, this might be Ohio politics but it won't get my money.
  
  (blog: American Standard) American Standard announced it is moving production from Tiffin overseas – putting the jobs of 165 of our neighbors in jeopardy. This is another blow to Northwest Ohioans –Washington trade agreements like NAFTA cost us jobs and encourage a wave of illegal immigrants.  
  blog: Consumer Safety:

  Washington is broken, and the way this crisis has been handled is all the proof we need. Like Ohions, I was absolutely stunned to learn that the Consumer Product Safety Commission has only ONE person testing the toys being shipped to the U.S...We’ve seen Halloween masks that contained unsafe levels of lead paint and toys which contained chemicals that when ingested, turned into the date-rape drug GHB

  by Memory Corrupted on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:31:27 PM PDT

•  I-35 is the "Holy Highway" -- damn, my commute

  Just got upgraded to extra-holy.

  35 is the highway that goes from Duluth, MN to Texas and includes the 35W bridge which (in rather unholy fashion) collapsed.  Apparently people think the bridge collapse was some sort of sign.

  http://wcco.com/...

  I'm wondering if my daily drives on 35 will make up for me, you know, never, ever going to church?

  by decembersue on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:33:49 PM PDT

  •  yes

    I'm wondering if my daily drives on 35 will make up for me, you know, never, ever going to church?

    yes it does.

    Unless you were really looking for the
    

    by Silent Lurker on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:37:30 PM PDT

    •  hehehe I seem to find that highway constantly

      even when I'm not looking for it :)

      by decembersue on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 08:07:00 PM PDT

•  Bush Slam-Dunk Contest !

  Join in the fun!  Help slam-dunk the Spinner-in-chief tonight!

  Headlines, bumperstickers, one/two/three-liners, poems -- haiku and/or gringo, song lyrics...  Anything goes!  Whatever ya got, bring it!

  I'll start:

  BREAKING: World War Three Broke

  SPOOKS SLAM-DUNK BUSH!

  Bush's War Without End, Phase 2: CHECKMATE!

  World War III On Hold While Prez Spins Like Top

  Mr. Bush caught with hand in causus belli jar

  Slam dunk, eh, Mr. Bush?  Looks like YOU de' dunkee this time, buddy-bubba...

  National Intelligence Estimate of President's
  credibility: Zero to None

  Causus belli turns out to be Wussus belli

  Bush turns Spin Control to FULL - CENTRIFICAL!

  Ah-oooooo-ga! Ah-ooooo-go!  Dive!  Dive!  Dive!
  Ah-oooooo-ga! Ah-ooooo-go!  Spin!  Spin!  Spin!

  Your turn.

  by QuoVadis on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:52:05 PM PDT

•  AP: Huck "bristles" at creationism question

  This joker wants it taught in schools because "we should indoctrinate kids on what to think."  Sure thing, Huck. Hey, I don't "believe in" gravity; I think it is the Lord's will that we all don't float up to where the air is too thin to live.  And think of how we would keep our desks orderly without His Intervention.  Papers all over the place!  The guy is a loon with a pleasing personality ... and we'd better hope he doesn't get the nomination, because (1) our party won't want to "offend" the "religious" by attacking him, and (B) the press will surgically attach its collective lips to his now-bony butt.

  by Tuffie on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 08:04:57 PM PDT

  •  Wish I could rec you twice.

    Nicely and necessarily said.

    Cheers!

    by WSComn on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 08:26:34 PM PDT

•  SHOULDN'T indoctrinate ...

  Talk about a Freudian slip.

  by Tuffie on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 08:06:07 PM PDT

•  Not Safe For Work

  http://www.fuckthiswebsite.com/

  Yeah.  Go This Way, or That way.

  by otto on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 08:11:12 PM PDT

•  Weiruach is pronounced 'Y-Rock'

  http://en.wikipedia.org/...

  I'm in the mood to donate money, so I'm off to:

  http://www.robinweirauch.com/

  by LNK on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 08:58:51 PM PDT

  •  Oops, spelled Weirauch

    I can't trust my fingers. Or my dictation software. Or my eyes for proofreading.

    by LNK on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 09:01:32 PM PDT