" That, along with the in-your-face style of politics that Obama is now advocating will only help the McCain/Palin ticket. "

" Can you imagine anything more stupid than to insult Sarah, who is probably the most popular woman in the country now and thereby alienating the Mothers of America.

Nice try Phipps.

Palin is starting to alienate the mothers of America on her own. As more and more is learned about this woman, her poll numbers are starting to slip. Did you know that, John? Perhaps you need to watch something besides Fox news.

And for Martha, I'll take in your face politics over the lies being put out by McCain and his scheming opportunist and floozy, Palin. Even your beloved Fox news is complaining about their dishonesty, lies and deceptive ads.

I would say that when Fox news starts complaining about a Republican, something seriously wrong going on.

But of course Fox news made it clear from the beginning they weren't for McCain and only came on board after he beat out their favorites. I call it the Limbaugh effect.

Something being left out of the equation, by those who are crowing about how Godzilla from Wasilla has energized the base for the Repugs, is that she has done the same thing, if not more for the Dems. Thanks John! In fact, I'll bet Godzilla will the one responsible for Obama's getting elected. When old John has his memoirs ghost written, he probably do a whole chapter on this unwise decision. "

" And what does Mr. Phipps think the cartoons insulting Obama do? AND Martha, it seems that McCain is even more "in your face" in his rhetoric than Obama. I wonder Martha do you have health insurance, are you retired, or nearing retirement and will you be depending (or do depend) on Social Security, do you have a secure job or pension plan at work, how easy is it for you to buy milk and bread and fill up your gas tank these days, are you better off today than you were four years ago or eight years ago (before the Bush administration fiasco)? Social Security by the way, is a socialist program. If I were you I'd start thinking about some serious issues and looking for serious solutions. "

" Palin is the subject of cartoons because she is a joke.
By the way, General, I don't think you are nearly pompous enough. Think you could work on that? "

" The thing I like about Pottymouth's comments is that he doesn't have the guts to say these things to the people's face. He is just another backstabbing Dummycrat. Maybe if he was so smart and has all the answers,why doesn't he run for a political office job? I don't think they would elect someone as stupid as he is.
what if someone said something like that about your wife Pottymouth. Would it make you mad if they called her a floozy. Better clean your own closet out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

" from Michelle Malkin: Barack Obama, you see, is done fixing souls. Its time to crack heads. Prodded by panicked Democrats to take off his white gloves, he issued a Call to Strong-Arms to his legions of angry followers on Wednesday. Hope is out. Hellfire is in. Now, the same analysts who tut-tutted Sarah Palins mild use of sarcasm at the GOP convention are heralding in the words of the Obama water-carriers at the Associated Press Obamas feistier, more sarcastic tone and his push for Democrat activists to sharpen their elbows, too.

When Republicans get aggressive, its dirty. When Obama gets aggressive, its feisty. Exorteth the One: I need you to go out and talk to your friends and talk to your neighbors. I want you to talk to them whether they are independent or whether they are Republican. I want you to argue with them and get in their face.

Team Obama is so committed to this face-to-face shock troop campaign that it is now busing activists from state to state (Drive for Change!) to target undecided voters and offering subsidies to volunteers. In advance of Obamas rally in Nevada, California field director Mary Jane Stevenson organized a pilgrimage to boost the crowd numbers with housing incentives:

Face-to-face contact with undecided voters is the single most effective way to grow this movement. No experience is required, and well help you make the trip as easily as possible with either housing in Nevada or discounted group rates at an area hotel. Yep, a bunch of angry Obama cultists and left-wing ACORN drifters are coming to your neighborhoods to accuse you of racism, call you unpatriotic for not bowing down and forking over more taxes to keep the Mother Ship afloat, and check your tire pressure and thermostats while theyre at it. Feel the power of positive change.***Let me just say that the words ACORN and voter fraud are synonymous. "

" Susan, None of those things are any of your business but let me just say that I will be just fine since you seem to be worried about me. And I will be fine by dint of years of hard work and saving and depending on myself, not the government, to take care of me and mine in my old age. "

" Sarah Palin, the most popular woman in the country now ? Hmmm...I don't think so. I think that would be a statement targeted towards the conservatives. Certainly in my area of life and the people I associate with, she is NOT the most popular. Everybody just needs to sit back, listen and watch. Some of us don't think she is "perfect". She sure isn't ready, by any means, to be in the white house. "

" Martha I don't expect you to answer my questions, few are ever willing to face their own duplicity. I am as concerned for your ignorance as I am for Mr. Vanattas ignorance. A mind is a terrible thing to waste and both of you have shown that there is a glimmer of something in there that just might be worth bringing out into the open. "

" You gotta love it. An intellectually challenged poster laments name calling, by name calling himself, and sadly probably fails to see the irony. Absolutely Hilarious! "

" In case you Republicans haven't noticed, your greedy, corrupt policies of deregulated theft just destroyed the U.S. economy.
If you think this tidal wave of problems can be fixed simply by shifting the debts of the crooked banks onto the taxpayers, you are insane. Adding yet another couple of TRILLION dollars to the national debt will only mean that interest rates will soar, real estate will crash, unemployment will rise and foreign central banks will abandon the dollar, no matter who wins this election.
If your pals Baghdad John and Six-College Sarah Mooselini are elected, at least they can try to further shield the billionaire crooks who pull their strings and who caused this disaster. The rest of us are toast. "

" Considering the fact that the Republicans are seriously proposing this brainless, nasty, religious-nut, nasal-twang, part-time weather gal to be a heartbeat away from the presidency, I can only thank my lucky stars that I was born with the gift of laughter, and the sense that the world is mad. Because it is.
Cue Teleprompter.
"I said, 'Thay-inks but no thay-inks!!!'" "

" cartoons got him votes, lol, i didn't know the kindergartners were voting this year, wait...yes I did lol silly republicans "

" Careful there sh, it's sad but Yeakel and Vanatta are actually two of that sides best and brightest. Ed miller would probably rank about at the bottom of what they have to offer. mjgtm never offers any thing other than whining little hissy fits, so he doesn't even merit a rating, just a laugh or two. LOL!

Sorry gringa, I almost forgot about you. You can be right ahead of eddie miller, just don't go getting a crush on me like ed seems to have developed lately, OK? "

" In a change from the original proposal sent to Capitol Hill, foreign-based banks with big U.S. operations could qualify for the Treasury Departments mortgage bailout, according to the fine print of an administration statement Saturday night.

How about that folks, Yeakel's hero, the compassionate conservative, Bush, is wanting to bail out foreign owned banks now. How about that, Marty?

I'm often reminded of an old Danny Devito movie when I think of Bush's monetary policies, called "Other Peoples Money".

Actually, that's how Bush built his personal fortune, that is by getting the taxpayers to build a stadium for a ball team that he bought ownership in. I believe I read where that sissified little Yale cheerleader walked away with 14 million plus on that scam. More Republican core beliefs, I suppose.

With all of this heat our friend Marty is getting, I expect her to throw one of her childish little hissy fits and swear off this site forever, as she has done several times in the past. Gonna stick with it this time, or do one of your disappearing acts, Martha! LOL! "

" Rove: McCain's Ads Don't Pass 'Truth Test'
"McCain has gone in his ads one step too far, and sort of attributing to Obama things that are, you know, beyond the 100-percent-truth test." -- Karl Rove on Fox News Sunday

It's pretty bad when even Karl Rove starts calling you a liar.

Hmmmm...I though Rove was hired by McCain. Was there a breakup?.. "

" Which of John McCains policies, or long time stances, do you support the most? Which of Palins? What non soundbite things do you really think either of them, can and would do to create change they are running on? Can you count on the two of them, to even lead together? They are probably the most contradicting pair to land on a ticket, in history. Is a Democrat, or just Obama, so frightening that these two are still appealing? Most replies to these questions have been shallow, regurgitated, blame shifting, or lacking conviction.

Unless you are a long lost relative, or know these people personally, prior to late August, we all met them at the same time. Palin is going on a month, and the new John McCain, around the same time. People being drawn to the convergence of these two figures is interesting. Is it real, or just like Raiders fans, this is my team, they might not be the best, but they are my team. Formerly known as Cub fans, but winning their division two years in a row, reduces the application of die hard even in a long drought fans. I am not a Cub fan, but know some. Go Cubs. "

" harry potter or harriet? seems to have the pulse on the mothers of America...
"Palin is starting to alienate the mothers of America on her own. As more and more is learned about this woman, her poll numbers are starting to slip."
probably the convention bounce and the subsequent decline just like men get! i guess most reasonable people will see how she does in the debate then make up their mind without resorting to calling her Moosealini(far funnier than Godzilla from Wasilla by the way)

shumphreys..
"Social Security by the way, is a socialist program."
and it is failing? what is your point? socialism works?

the question...
" Palin is the subject of cartoons because she is a joke."
that comment is so very deep and thought provoking. i bet your a hit at the salon.

cabingirl...
"Certainly in my area of life and the people I associate with, she is NOT the most popular. Everybody just needs to sit back, listen and watch"
my first thought is you need to get out more! kudos to the need we need to find out more! of course. please listen with an open mind.

shumphreys...
"Martha I don't expect you to answer my questions, few are ever willing to face their own duplicity."
um, duplicity how so? do you need us all to post a financial statement now to have an opinion? if so, you go first. okay, i'll bite on the last part tho about being better off? no. do i blame President Bush? somewhat. Congress? somewhat. is my life a living h***? no. i do not trust the government to do much more than provide me a road to drive on, security, a safety net for the most needy in society, buildings to conduct my dealings with the government in and then pretty much get the heck out of the way. is either candidate satisfactory on this point? oh no.

the question...
"If you think this tidal wave of problems can be fixed simply by shifting the debts of the crooked banks onto the taxpayers, you are insane."
I heard '0' plans to vote PRESENT? But here is Captain 'O'bvious today: Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Sunday called the $700 billion price tag for a financial market bailout "staggering" and said the final product must protect U.S. taxpayers and include a commitment to new regulatory reforms.-Reuters
my guess, as a good leftie, it will not be BIG enough. note, he does not disagree with a bailout either. but he makes the "bold" statement the amount is "staggering" and we have to do better....duh.....

there now, all caught up. i've not been around for a bit to post as reading some of these truly tedious diatribes really wears on my spirit.

that being said, i'll end on a postive note and say that i actually like the people on top of each ticket. i agree with one more than the other. sorry if my opinion differs from yours. que sera sera. "

" The traditional press is up in arms over John McCain's latest dishonest ad attacking Barack Obama. MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell called the ad "completely wrong, factually wrong!" The New York Times said it was "a false account of what occurred." The Washington Post said the ad offered "no evidence" to support McCain's claims. And Media Matters tracks the timeline of the smear in detail.

CNN-

McCain running dishonest ads? So what else is new? "

" McCain supported legislation removing oversight and barriers between banks and companies, back in 1999. It took less than a decade to nearly wipe the slates clean, for everyone. Elmer fudd McCain, writes his own scenes in this sitcom. Cartoons are the nicest way to critique this ancient relic. They could just play back his (economy fundamentals are strong), and show him scrapping and eroding fundamentals for decades, like he has his whole time in office. The entire constitution at their disposal to shred some more, this pair might just scrap the whole thing and impose their own. King John, And Princess Palin All hail. "

" CabinGirl wrote on Sep 20, 2008 9:20 PM:
" She sure isn't ready, by any means, to be in the white house. "

Uhhh, she will be residing in the house at the Naval Observatory. If you are concerned with having someone who is "ready", living in the White House, I guess you wont be voting for Obama. "

" The name calling is really getting out of hand here. Yes, I know it's on both sides. But seriously, does it make you feel like a big man to call Sarah Palin a "floozy"? Who even uses that anymore? "

" Obama can only be handled with kid gloves. Plus, the media insulting Obama is akin to the Pope insulting The Holy Mother. Obama has been in the national spotlight a lot longer than Palin. Hmmmm, wonder why HE was never parodied on Saturday Night Live? "

" SNL did parody him this week, and has before, back in the debates, and a few other occasions. "

" How about that folks, Yeakel's hero, the compassionate conservative, Bush, is wanting to bail out foreign-owned banks now. How about that, Marty?
---
Yes, how about that, Yeakel? You think your great heroine, Six-College Sarah Mooselini, wants to fork over a few billions to foreign banks, too? "

" ED MILLER & JOHN PHIPPS... first, while ED likes to cry foul and accuse SNL of not parodying Obama, ED might wanna go through his Tivo to last season.

To JOHN PHIPPS, the thing is that polling has shown the attacks on Palin's integrity have worked, dropping her favorable down to right at 41%.

She might seem popular insfar as the media portrays her, but the facts show her popularity is now so low it is hurting McCain.

I too chuckle a lil each time. "

" So, it doesn't bother you at all (and it's being well noted, proven and aired on all networks, inculding FOX) that McCain and Palin have been lying trough their teeth with pretty much every speech, ad and accusation they have spoken. They take you for fools and you eat it up but just because they wear the badge of conservative you will vote for them. You don't mind our tax dollars going to wall street to bail out the fat cats who already have swindled most of us out of our savings, pensions, 401ks and laughing all the way to their private Swedish banks? You don't have an ethics problem with liars who will say any bold face lie to get you mad at the looney left while at the same time they have gutted the constitution, robbed the treasury, back wars of aggression? None of this bothers you a bit? Well, it sure as heck bothers me!!!! No more! No more! No more!! "

" Kissing the hinny of a politician seems to come natural to a lot of generals, and our local guy doesn't seem to be an exception.

Often times it pays great dividends, such as is did for the Alaskan Guard general who did a 180 on his Palin comments, and was rewarded with an addition star for it, a couple of days later. Generals know where their bread is buttered.

Yeah John, we're all getting quite a chuckle out of Palin too. "

" Some people, just don't parody well. Some however, are walking caricatures, and ease of translating that into a monologue, is just almost too easy. Cheyney doesn't parody well, its hard to get an actor to carry that stick parallel to their spine, without using their hands. Hillary and Bill, George, and John, and little mrs Palin one speech, are readily translated to comedy types. The Palin well, will dry up pretty quick though, I don't think that one goes too deep. Just like paris hilton, there is only so many ways you can say something about nothing much there. "

" Palin is a fad. She became popular at first-but only because no one had any idea of who she was! Now, her polls are slowing down because people are finding out who she is. While her main supporters are the abortion-obsessees and the wealthy, the truth is, there aren't that many wealthy people left. The power of the people will decide this election. Let's hope people vote for the right reasons, and do not vote for Palin just because of abortion, because that is why they voted for Bush, and look what happened. DO you really want things to get worse off than they are now? "

" The letter writer makes a valid point. I know a good number of people who are tired of the leftist media and the condescending, snide remarks from half-witted leftists. The left doesn't get it, though, and continues the childish attacks. I've yet to encounter an Obama supporter willing to "get in my face" in person. They're certainly brave in cyperspace, but in the real world, they are cowards for the most part. "

" sadly for the gop....the cartoons are more truthful than what spews from the wench's mouth. "

" oh.....get over it general

by father bob, exalted high ruler of the universe. "

" If anyone is getting in anyones face, in cyber space, someone is sitting too close to the monitor. "

" I've yet to encounter an Obama supporter willing to "get in my face" in person.

A real John Wayne, huh? LOL! "

" father bob wrote on Sep 22, 2008 4:07 PM:

" oh.....get over it general

by father bob, exalted high ruler of the universe. "



Mike P wrote on Sep 22, 2008 6:53 PM:

" If anyone is getting in anyones face, in cyber space, someone is sitting too close to the monitor. "

These two get the award for best post's of the day. But the question is, will uneven steven get it? LOL! "

" Polls took a bit of a swing, today. Five plus points, difference to the post convention/Palin distraction bounce. Must have been a slow week, for cartoons, and SNL didn't replay Palins one speech for her. Most people do get it. Some never will.

Hopefully two generations from now, this mess is paid off, and behind us.
Eleven trillion, is likely to be twelve plus, since GWB has four months left of emergency discresionary spending left.

Deregulation, and reducaed oversight allowed investment banks, to borrow thirty dollars, for every dollar of assets they held. Thirty to one odds, on any and all bets, is something organized crime gambling, cant even imagine doing. The house can never win, or even cover all the bets.

Property values were driven up, under this false accounting method. Property taxes, drove up along with them. Deregulation, raised property values and taxes. It is a reality of the system they created. If those stimulus checks, covered your total property tax increases, over the past ten years, you came out ahead on the republican model of financing. If you didn't finance an overvalued home, in the last ten years, this wasn't all that big a deal. If your retirement, was not tied to any of the volitile securities, when the bottom fell out, you did better than most. Most losses, won't be recovered, for years or decades. Business as usual is hopefully, and at the same time unfortunately for many honest folks, over. People are the ones who loose, at the end of all this mess. Complete figures of how staggering, and where exactly those losses are, won't be completely known for sometime.

We can't afford to keep letting business and finance, run at whim, without any consequence to their actions.

All the babies in china, 50 plus thousand and climbing, are sick from formula, containing the same stuff that pet food had right here, and are going through the same symptoms sick animals here suffered through. Goverment deregulations, brought that into our country. Luckily its only been lead paint, and poison petfood, I guess. Deregualtion, has done more to export jobs, than nafta. Rules have a value, not just an added shelf price.

Price controls still are mostly in the hand of the consumer. If its over priced, don't buy it, or buy less of it. More sales at a smaller markup, mean more money, than over priced and substancially fewer sales will yield. Business keeps raising prices, because demand for their products is still strong. Stop playing their games, and let your dollars speak for you. It is the only voice you really have in any market, or government.

Walmart's smiley face, is laughing all the way to the bank. They drive out their low overhead competition, then monopolize the market. Its the republican dream in action. "

" i see father bob has the misogynist post of the day calling Sarah Palin a wench. touche! what a man!

and harry p and mike p? hmmm, related? enjoyed each others posts immensely. a mutual admiration society of two?

the letter was about the attacks on Sarah Palin which the other side has either totally quit addressing or jaunted off on some sophomoric field trip to the land of really poor jokes.

I know some of you must truly loathe your neighbors judging by your vitriol but many identify with Palin, especially in more rural areas and suburbs. People know PTA presidents, town coucilpersons, and mayors. You may enjoy your rants against her but they will blow up spectacularly in your faces.

This has been done by the right as well. People LIKED Bill Clinton and the GOP went down that slippery slope and the further they went the stronger he became.

This is the exact same thing. But by all means hoot and holler at Mr. Phipps letter while you are at it. It makes you look rather small. Besides, he is right.

And Mike P, I am near my monitor and I can smell your breath....dang, try a mint or somethin'. "

" "Hmmmm, wonder why HE (Obama) was never parodied on Saturday Night Live?"

Well, he was. But see, some people can't move beyond their little fantasy world where the big bad media is out to smear the Republican Party -- or the notion that the Republican Party has a monopoly on patriotism -- or the concept that it's just enough to wave the flag, attack your opponent, and cry foul anytime mud is slung at you. "

" zeke, that small town people support Palin only makes small town people seem ignorant, unwashed, and ready to buy snake oil from any salesperson who charms them. Thank God there are more intelligent Americans than that.

And all this rushing to her defense over a couple of cartoons sets back the womens movement by decades. Where were all of you rushing to defend poor little Hillary Clinton? The cries of "it's so disrespectful" to treat Palin this way make me puke! If she can't stand the heat of national politics, she needs to get out of the kitchen. "

" Commentary solely on the commentary, is the one thing important conversations lack here. Thanks for filling that void.

Candidates and office holders are going to be microanalized, and examined, to determine how close what they say, and what the do or have done, fit their current stated desired goals. Every one in the process but Palin, has been under the same scepticism, for almost two years.

McCain won his nomination in March, and opted to low profile it, until he went deep into the minors, to get his relief pitcher. At almost the same time, he picked up the banner of change, to paste on the side of the straight talk express bus. Trying to figure out exactly what a candidate represents, should be the gaol of any voter. Even if he has your parties nod for the job.

What does McCain/Palin represent, that you support the most? All their supporters have to do, is give real examples of what they represent, to make their case. All McCain/Palin needs to do, is tell people what they stand for, and how they plan to go about it. Its been going on a month for these born again change republicans, and little substance, has come of what that concept is.

Their campaign, is based, on misinforming and twisting information on the opposing side. If they gave their own plans, instead of only critiquing the oppositions, they would actually elevate their own game. Same could be said about their supporters.

Sticks and stones. Republicans were all over every aspect of every candidate, for two years. Now when its time to lay out plans and policy, they only have fake outrage over unfair questions and double talk to fall back on, as to why they can't do it.

Some see this double standard, as simple minded politics, aimed at impressionable people. By all means support who you wish. Discount all criticism, and galvanize against the opposition. At the end of the day, the vote you cast or opinion you hold, belongs to you, it always has, and always will. Be as informed as you want to, on the issues and events you want to. My ideas are mine, as yours are yours. If any information is completely ignored, it won't be anyone but the person who chose to ignore it, who has to rationalize their own reasons for it.

More to the stories is usually there, and some folks are stuck in their own worlds in their view of reality. Some want to know more than campaign commercials, and one speech about someone in any elected office. Some just gravitate to the facades. It is their choice to do it, and in a free country it is their absolute right to.

Polls reflect the facades are wearing thin. They wasted a month, they cant get that back. Right now, Utah and Alabama are the two remaining substancial leads held by these two. Keep that in mind if relocation ever comes to your worlds. These two places share your views. Thats good to know, when a party and platform, are what guides your trains of thought.

Politics is best if individuals are in it, not folks who only know the IV drip of blather, their party feeds them. But thanks for commenting solely on the comments.

Heres your sign. "

" I am pretty sure a comparison of Palin to Clinton, is rather thin. Clinton could form his own sentences. I believe he wrote alot of his own speeches. He also ran a campaign on issues. So the only similarities, is they both have an I, an L and a N, in thier last names. If thats enough to support a candidate on, vote Palin/ McCain, By all means. "

" and harry p and mike p? hmmm, related? enjoyed each others posts immensely. a mutual admiration society of two?

Welcome back, Doh. lol! "

" Check out the pictures on Fox on line this AM. It appears that the good folks at the Republican news channel can't resist getting in another dig at Clinton, with their tabloid-like reporting. Fox news gets more like the National Enquirer everyday. I expect pictures of pregnant movie stars will be next. "

" I'm really surprised that no one has made an issue of Palin's Holy Roller upbringing. I wonder if there are any tapes showing her rolling on the floor and speaking in tongues?

I do know that her preacher, unlike Obama's preacher got a pass from the media for saying things even worse than Rev. Wright said. "

" McCain was a disaster on "The View." Maybe the Fox News fans who have been screaming for Six-College Sarah Mooselini to appear on "Oprah" had better count their blessings and shut their yaps, eh? "

" ed miller wrote on Sep 21, 2008 10:28 PM:

" The name calling is really getting out of hand here. Yes, I know it's on both sides. But seriously, does it make you feel like a big man to call Sarah Palin a "floozy"? Who even uses that anymore? "


you're right i prefer bimbo "

" Pray tell, HP, please enlighten us on all the things that Palin's preacher said that were worse than Rev. Wright, Obama's mentor and spiritual guide for 20 years. And then explain to us how Obama could have been doing anything but lying when he claimed that he never heard Wright talk like that when the man was selling hate in the church lobby and making money off it.

And EB, nice resort to accusing Zeke of being Doh but I assure you Zeke is not Doh or anybody else that has been on these blogs for a while. Mainly because, Zeke is too smart to be bothered with the likes of all of you and makes me ashamed that I don't follow his lead. "

" From Hahivahd: That small town people support Palin only makes small town people seem ignorant, unwashed, and ready to buy snake oil from any salesperson who charms them. Thank God there are more intelligent Americans than that.

Yea, but, huh, what? You must be from Chicago.

Political cartoons are a product of having politics. They sell newspapers and media advertising time. We are getting so many of them because we, the consumers, are eating them up. The media will follow any desired trend that will make them the most money, and if we want Sarah Palin jokes, they will furnish them. The interesting thing is the number of people who believe these cartoons are adequate representations of who the candidates are. They aren't. They are representations of one person's (the cartoonist's) view, and he/she will keep drawing them as long as he/she keeps getting paid for them. And they will draw the ones that they think we want to see. Money talks.

We keep looking for others to blame for our problems without considering our own roles in helping to make them. I am sure, for example, that there are many now facing foreclosure of their mortgages who were victimized by shoddy loan practices. But how many others, in addition to those mortgages, were also carrying multiple car payments, were maxed out on several credit cards, and paying off loans or financing on other items that they just had to have NOW? How many used their cash flow to the max only to get into difficulty when the incoming cash flow fell below what they were paying out?

Greed is the problem Politicians become greedy for the power that they have been elected to, and handling huge sums of money does funny things to people. And just like many of their constituents, they believe the inflow of funds is limitless and unchanging, so they want to spend, spend, spend. And their constituants are busy buying all the latest gizmos that they don't believe they can possibly live without, and then blaming the government when it hits the fan.

I can only think of one item that is truly worth being subjected to financing...a home. Used cars can be purchased for far less than their brand new counterparts and will still get you to where you want to go, and my five dollar department store watch gets me there on time. My small closet is plenty big enough for the size of my wardrobe and I can still make it through the week without wearing the same thing twice. I do not hold credit cards. They only trick you into spending money that you haven't earned yet, and charge you more for the priveledge of dong so. And I can easily afford to make my Freddie Mac mortgage payment despite the fact that I made a decision to change my job situation and am now making half the money that I had been making before. I took the money that I was not using to make payments, and placed it into a savings account. As a result, recent upgrades of my home were paid for in cash without finance charges to cover. The trick is being able to wait until I save enough to buy what I need. Maybe the government should pay attention.

Politicians will tell us what we want to hear in order to get elected. The media will take whatever angle is necessary in order to get the advertising dollars. Voters will vote based upon whatever tickles their fancy. Consumers and government will continue overspending to get the latest fad items and show off to the neighbors. And we will all blame everybody else when the bottom falls out. Such is modern life. We are a nation screaming "It's not my fault."

Who someone votes for is a personal choice. It does not make them stupid, unintelligent, or any of the other insulting descriptors used in this stream of postings because their choice is different than yours. It doesn't even matter what their reasons were for choosing their candidate to begin with since each has criteria that are specific to themselves. And while politicians in office can make decisions that can influence the life we lead, we are also responsible for part of that life in the decisions we make every day. If you are that concerned and you can see the way to go, get out of this posting and run for office. Coming up with cute, insulting names and arm chair political postings don't seem to be working. "

" As for me, I am young, liberal, and I support our troops. Therefore, I will vote for Obama.
I am excited about the election. Much like a football game, there will be sparring back and forth. It is about time for a leader to emerge- and I have a feeling it's gonna be Obama!:) "

" zeke wrote on Sep 22, 2008 10:03 PM:
" i see father bob has the misogynist post of the day calling Sarah Palin a wench. touche! what a man!""""

thanks....i strive for excellence!!

by father bob, Tsar of the planet Goobern "

" zeke wrote on Sep 22, 2008 10:03 PM:And Mike P, I am near my monitor and I can smell your breath....dang, try a mint or somethin'. """"

mike you prankster!!....turn around and set down!! "

" More from one of Godzillas preachers.

Palins Pastor: God Is Gonna Strike Out His Hand AgainstAmericaPosted by Max in September 5th 2008
Palin's pastor, Larry Kroon, warns God "is gonna strike out his hand against" America
On July 20, 2008, the pastor of Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palins home church, Larry Kroon, delivered a sermon called Sin Is Personal To God. Kroon, the senior pastor of the non-denominational Wasilla Bible Church in Wasilla, Alaska, used the book of Zephanaiah as his reference point for discussing that great day of the Lord when God will finally bring closure to human history a day of wrath. According to Kroon, all things and all people are going to bear the brunt of Gods intense anger. Theres anger with God, he proclaimed. He takes sin personal.

Kroon placed Zephaniah in a modern context, warning that the sinful habits of Americans would invite the wrath of God. And if Zephaniah were here today, Kroon bellowed, hed be saying, Listen, [God] is gonna deal with all the inhabitants of the earth. He is gonna strike out His hand against, yes, Wasilla; and Alaska; and the United States of America. Theres no exceptions here "

" And EB, nice resort to accusing Zeke of being Doh but I assure you Zeke is not Doh or anybody else that has been on these blogs for a while. Mainly because, Zeke is too smart to be bothered with the likes of all of you and makes me ashamed that I don't follow his lead. "

OK, so tell us how do you know who Zeke, or doh for that matter, is Wonder Woman?

I suppose your claim that Zeke is so smart is just because he agrees with you about Godzilla from Wasilla, huh Marty?

I'm starting to smell a rat here, Martha. LOL!

PS, I'll be giving you some regular updates on the Holy Roller Palin's church too.

I'm fair and balanced, so I'll report, you decide. "

" You gotta admit those Republicans are real sportsters. First we learn Cheney shoots wing tied quail getting released from a box from the back of a pickup truck, and now we lean Godazilla shoots animals from a low flying airplane.

It sound like Sara went to the Dick Cheney school of good sportsmanship, huh? "

" father bob wrote on Sep 23, 2008 2:29 PM:
" zeke wrote on Sep 22, 2008 10:03 PM:
" i see father bob has the misogynist post of the day calling Sarah Palin a wench. touche! what a man!""""
________________

oh yeah.....i guess being a woman in the mccain camp, she's probably more used to the "C" name, but hey i'll leave that adjective to johny. "

" Sarah goes to the UN. We just almost bankrupt the world, and now sarah wants to expand her foreign policy trivia answers, by meeting with a few world heads of state. She has never met one. She has no plans to meet ours. World leaders, might give their take on this woman. Surely the meetings won't be one on one. World leaders have a lot on their plate, is now the best time to play model in the UN. She is mostly to be McCains shadow. They have less of a call, on the press access in these situations since the leaders drivers outrank them. Perhaps Sarah Palin unplugged and unscripted, will make it much awaited debut. "

" More on the Holy Roller, Palin:

George Bush, using the coded language understood by evangelicals, is saying Sarah Palin was "an inspired pick" as John McCain's running mate. And whether God had anything to do with it or not, she's been widely hailed as a brilliant addition to the ticket. But her storyline in the media is starting to move away from Palin as political maverick to Palin as nutty evangelical. Some commentators are wondering whether McCain actually might have hurt his candidacy with independents and even with some younger, less conservative Christians by choosing her.

Palin grew up as a Pentecostal, whose followers speak in tongues, practice faith healing and believe in the rapture. That's a little squirrelly even for most conservative Christians. Palin herself apparently recognizes her religious beliefs are potential political liabilities. In 2002, when she ran for Alaska lieutenant governor, she switched churches and now identifies herself not as Pentecostal but nondenominational. (She was paying a visit to her old church in the YouTube video above.)

Once the media start picking apart Palin's faith, Republicans are sure to cast her as the victim again, just as they did when the topic was her pregnant daughter. But it won't work this time. After all the conservative outrage over Jeremiah Wright, a candidate's private religious beliefs are definitely fair game.

Hold on for the ride, Marty. It's gonna get bumpy.

It sort of looks like all the crowing the Repugs did over Rev Wright might come back to bite them on the rear. "

" More on the Holy Roller:

Palin joined Wasilla Bible Church after leaving Wasilla Assembly of God, a Pentecostal church where she delivered a controversial sermon asking her audience to pray that the war in Iraq is Gods plan. When she is working in Alaskas capitol, she worships at the Juneau Christian Center, another Pentecostal church where charismatic displays like speaking in tongues and dancing in the spirit are encouraged. Palin describes herself as a Bible-believing Christian.

Perhaps she was speaking in tongues when she got Marty so excited. LOL!

I didn't see her speech, did anyone notice if she was rolling around in the aisle too? "

" From NationNews.com:

The fact is, the Palin pick was always an act of political desperation, and an insult to the electorate. Yet, given the Republicans' bellicose bawling of 'sexism' at any journalist who inquired into Palin's Alaska record, it took the woman's own painfully undergraduate performance in her first ABC interview to dramatise her unsuitability.

Even then, it was the comedy shows which led the charge in bursting the Palin balloon.

Alongside them, the mainstream media contributed a steady drip of unsavoury revelations that quite undercut Palin's claims to be a reformer, an opponent of earmarks, and a champion of transparent government.

The spread in Palin's 'favorability' ratings went from plus 17 to minus four, a staggering 21-point drop in one week.

Palin retains her ability to excite (sic!) the Republican base; she is, after all, an anti-abortion Creationist with a fetish for big guns. But the numbers are in, and they show she's also energised Democrats including 'Hillary Democrats' and has had virtually no effect on swing voters. It's a fair guess that even moderate Republicans will increasingly develop immunity to her charms as they get a better look at the 'replacement president' John McCain is offering them.

Her favorability rating are going down by the hour.

I hate to be an I told you so, but I said this from the beginning.

Remember you heard it here, Palin will be McCain's Waterloo.

How about them apples, Marty? "

" Harry I just hope that people wise up and start to think otherwise McCain/Palin will be this countries Waterloo! "

" The value of comments from the peanut gallery.

This forum, is the one place the paper has made the right call. Conversations that never would happen, and ideas that might never be considered, are usually the majority of the content.

We know what topics, or discussions, will get an article archived in a hurry. We know local leaders browse these forums. We know some see this as just monday quarterbacking, from people who have criticisms of things, but have nothing more than talk, to do anything about it. Those are called citizens.

Ideas and opinions of all kinds are valuable. Conversations, and interaction, is a good step to increasing knowledge and understanding of any issue. The days of mulling it over, in the barbershop, beauty shop, or coffee shop, are unfortunately a thing of the past. As the world has shrunk, and communication has exploded, those small interactions of people discussing their veiws, has died in its wake. We are able to access infinate amounts of information, these days, but even shooting the breeze with the neighbor, about the upcomming election is a thing of the past. People have to work longer, and harder, for every dime they can, to make as good a life they can for themselves. Real unfettered conversations have become a casualty of that.

This forum is a vent for some, a soap box for others, and a place where most anyone can say what they think, as long as it isn't overly out of a few specific lines. Council meetings, News reporting, and Public hearings don't offer as indepth of exploration, and open thought as this does.

People being able to speak their minds, is a good thing. Often it requires some reflection that usually might not occur, to gather those thoughts and put into comments. Many sides of issues are represented here. Knowing where sides stand, is important to ever someday negotiate something groups can mostly agree on. It is a valuable look at society, and its different views of events and reality.

I don't think the paper should be printing excerpts of the comments. Permission isn't obtained, and there is nothing in the policy stating postings become the property of the paper. Context and previous conversations, are not accounted for, in it trying to be relavent, or make light of its little ant farm. Ideas here can be expanded by writers at the paper. Any outside ideas should be sometimes considered for more effective coverage of our news. News should be individualy expanded and not solely based on comments or outside provided information. Expand and investigate any ideas on your own.

Local entity press releases, are rarely suited to be printed outside of the opinion page. Unless reporter verified and substanciated facts, are the sole composition. Most local government releases, need followup pieces giving the whole story of the actions. If they are on the right path, substanciating it, should be easily done, and if something is not completely honest, we don't wait for a federal investigation, to haul the bunch in, several years later. A local paper has a responsibility to represent people, just like this site has done, more focus on news fact, needs to be the focus of the print edition. If you have to intern more reporters, or partner with the local colleges, journalism classes to get reporting of fact over local fiction, do what needs to be done to make it happen. More needs to be done, ensuring the public trust is being upheld in local entities.

We appreciate this comments forum, but hope it is but one step, to increasing efective public representation in our area. "

" hahvahd writes:
" zeke, that small town people support Palin only makes small town people seem ignorant, unwashed, and ready to buy snake oil from any salesperson who charms them. Thank God there are more intelligent Americans than that."

you mean ones who agree with you, of course. because they believe as you do, they are therfore intelligent. those who don't are ignorant and lack personal hygeine?

why is it not enough to simply disagree with this woman's politics and if she indeed turns out to be out of her league, well then our side will lose.

methinks you are afraid hahvahd. GO YALE! "

" Mike P writes 09/23 3:32 AM:
" I am pretty sure a comparison of Palin to Clinton, is rather thin. Clinton could form his own sentences. I believe he wrote alot of his own speeches. He also ran a campaign on issues. So the only similarities, is they both have an I, an L and a N, in thier last names. If thats enough to support a candidate on, vote Palin/ McCain, By all means. "

I know you must have drawn the short straw to keep HATE POST INC. open all night with your early a.m. post so i bet you were tired. Let me break it down for you, kay?

I did not indicate I was comparing Clinton to Palin beyond the fact of the over the top attacks against a popular, whether you or i like it or not, figure will backfire. I'm not saying that is why I'm voting for McCain/Palin, I'm simply saying it is not a smart campaign to run.

Watch how William Jefferson Clinton and Hillary Clinton have reacted to her nomination? Very smart they are and surely are smiling as the Obamaniacs run rampant not heeding a word.

Get some sleep tonite, Mike, they'll be plenty of time to to misrepresent other posts tomorrow. "

" the question writes 09/23 10:14 am:
" McCain was a disaster on "The View." Maybe the Fox News fans who have been screaming for Six-College Sarah Mooselini to appear on "Oprah" had better count their blessings and shut their yaps, eh? "

by all means, I can no longer support the GOP ticket because McCain did not perform well on "The View." too funny. not exactly sure what he was doing on that show anyway. ? you watch it? that seems more like programmin' six college sarah types would enjoy? please tell me you drank everytime whoopi rolled her eyes or joy behar shrieked some unintelligible comment? man you'd a been wasted! woo hoo!

kudos on mooselini tho. i still find that amusing. perhaps one of the most original things that required some thought i've read in here lately. "

" father bob writes 09/23 5:09 pm:
" father bob wrote on Sep 23, 2008 2:29 PM:
" zeke wrote on Sep 22, 2008 10:03 PM:
" i see father bob has the misogynist post of the day calling Sarah Palin a wench. touche! what a man!""""
________________

oh yeah.....i guess being a woman in the mccain camp, she's probably more used to the "C" name, but hey i'll leave that adjective to johny. "

thank you father bob. she is CLASSY. and you are right I bet she does hear that a lot. i never knew you were such a gentleman. you hide it behind such lame posts usually.

as i said before, what a man! "

" My, my at Obamaloo fair Hillary did surrender
Oh yeah, and John was gonna meet his fate in quite a similar way
But the dim playbooks on the shelf
And it's alway repeating itseeeeeeelff..

Obamaloo - McCain was defeated you'd won the war
Obamaloo - the media darling forever more
bu bu bu bu bu buh
Obamaloo - no Repub could escape if they wanted to
Obamaloo - the right resigned to the fate we're stuck with you

My, my John's pick Sarah P made the ticket stronger
Oh, yes! and now it seems she won't give up the fight
And now Mooselini's big news
Seems like we'll win and you'll loooooose.

Obamaloo, you'll be defeated you'll lose the war.
Obamaloo, it's McCain going thru the White House door
bu bu bu bu bu buh
Obamaloo, shoulda ditched Biden when you wanted to
Obamaloo, thank God our fate's to be free of you

Obamaloo the teleprompter won't be needing you.......

good night ladies and gents time to return to the productive part of society. "

" I thought Mike P might actually have posted something worth a damn to read, but alas I fell asleep after the first twenty-one words.

Damn, what a blowhard, on every fargon thread even - no wonder I don't read anything he posts.

Mike, you're a Sleep Therapist, right?
LOL!

Psst.... Dude, you're boring as hell! "

" Misrepresenting, is being against Palin, is anti PTA, or any other claim to fame she has, that many people get involved in. Our mayor, isn't cut out to be VP. Our Governor isn't cut out to be VP. The fact that she held those jobs does not make her cut out for it, any more than it does them.

The comparison of her to Clinton in popularity, is THIN. Chelsea Clinton, has been more openly substancial, on something that this candidate has.

Blind support for a person or group, is a pop culture thing, just like Paris Hilton, and Hannah Montana. McCain referenced Obamas crouds to Paris Hilton fans. Then he "picked" and sequestered a person who is popular for absolutely no aparent reason. Just like Paris. Paris probably has more qualifications in business, and foreign policy than Palin does.

Palin was picked to pander to women, and the extreme right, that don't see eye to eye with McCain. If she has substance to bring to the ticket, she has had a month and counting to offer any.

Perhaps someone could explain why she is "Popular and Qualified" and what her positions are, beyond the party hand out.

If she is to be in this prominent of a position, and preside over the senate, How much of it should be her, and how much should be constantly generated from the republican machine material? She has had opportunity. She has had time to get up to speed.

Opening day introduction speech is a month old. If she had anything of value to add, she has had every chance in the world, to clear this perception, and make her case to America. If someone has anything we missed, to add, to clear her of seeming a reclusive and shallow person, the floor is always open to cite a source for that information, and quiet a lot of the criticisms in the process.

Again thanks for commenting solely on the comments. Outrage over criticism, of someone people only found out was alive, a few weeks ago, is admirable. Who says chivalry is dead? "

" Excuse me, I was wrong. What I should have said is Zeke is smarter (and funnier) than all the rest of you put together! "

" And EB, nice resort to accusing Zeke of being Doh but I assure you Zeke is not Doh or anybody else that has been on these blogs for a while. Mainly because, Zeke is too smart to be bothered with the likes of all of you and makes me ashamed that I don't follow his lead. "


And you know this, because... "

" Aides Firm Paid by Freddie Mac
foxnews.com


The lobbying firm of John McCains campaign manager was paid $15,000 a month for several years until last month by one of two housing companies taken over by the federal government, a person familiar with the financial arrangement said Tuesday night.

The report comes despite McCains earlier claim that Rick Davis has had nothing to do with it and has broken ties with the firm one of several companies at the center of the global financial crisis.

Oops! caught AGAIN!

No wonder the radio comedian, Rush Limbaugh is trying so hard to tie this fiasco to the Dems and particularly, Obama.

Yeah, old John is all about change in Washington...

If he gets in, all the Bush people will be merely shuffling desks around.

Same old people, same old crap.


Change indeed!

On a more positive note, check out today's polls. As if the Palin selection wasn't causing enough problems for old John.

note the source... lol! "

" $120,349.
Senator Obama received more political contribution money from now-collapsed mortgage banks Fannie Mae [Federal National Mortgage Association] and Freddie Mac [Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp] than all but one of the 353 other senators and congressmen who received political contributions from these two entities which were recently taken over by the federal government.


Even more dramatic is the fact that 19 years (from 1989 - 2008) of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac political contribution statistics show Senator Obama received his $120,349 despite having been in the U.S. Senate for just three years. Only Senator Chris Dodd, Democrat of Connecticut -- who has been in Congress for 33 years (1975-81, House of Representatives; 1981-Present, Senate) -- received more.
http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2008/09/update-fannie-mae-and-freddie.html; accessed September 20, 2008

no hope. no change. "

" For the last few elections folks keep asking if we are better off than we were during the previous 4 yrs and everyone gripes and complains over everything and blaming it on the government. Well, I guess I'm just weird because for the most part I AM better off than I was at any time in the past AND I am retired, and I AM on Social Security AND yes, the price of gas has changed my lifestyle to some small degree but I still get in my car and go. Perhaps if we were all honest with ourselves it is not the government, whichever party is in control, who is to blame but our own unwise decisions that we have made over the space of time. Selah! "

" Sunbeam you are fortunate and your name tells us alot about how you view the world. Don't you have any compassion for those that aren't better off, or do you just not see them? "

" As someone on line said, you have to answer questions if you're applying for a job at McDonald's. Why should the vice presidency of the United States be any different? "

" If that were the case - then Barack Obama would be ahead by 20 pts.

Insulting Palin? Is it an insult to ASK her what she plans on doing for America? Is it insulting to ask what she did for Alaska as mayor and governor?

John McCain INSULTED the Republican Party by selecting HER. They insult YOUR intelligence. "

" What you didn't talk about, Sunbeam, was the Iraqi/Afghan War, and the soldiers over there being wounded and killed. Not only that, our once golden reputation of the USA has now been tarnished by Bush's carelessness. I want to be positive, too, it is in my nature, yet I feel for our soldiers fighting in other countries, losing their lives for us. You may not think about it much and not feel it has affected you, but worldwide, the effects are all over. Many countries do not respect us the way they once did, and this war has actually increased the terrorists, rather than combat them. So think about that before you go to any foreign countries. This war may have consequences for years to come, unless we put someone good, namely Obama, in office, and restore our country's good name. "

" If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising two beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.
If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a great Christian.
If you teach responsible, age-appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.
If, while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence-only with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant, you're wise and admirable.
The world according to Fox News. "

" I see and hear those who are less fortunate than myself and I have compassion on some but find it more difficult though not impossible to have compassion on those who continually make wrong choices and yet expect things to turn out right for them but never change their ways.
I also feel badly for all the ones who die in any war and greatly appreciate those who are fighting to keep me safe. But I also remember the ones who came over here, unprovoked, and killed many of our own people, more than once, plus killed our own people on other soils. That action did not seem wrong to them. They would be delighted to see us all wiped off the face of the earth and if they have their way that is what their intent is to accomplish.
I'm not naive, I just always see the glass half full or running over. May you all be blessed mightily. "

" On Palin's sinking poll numbers:

Part of the problem may be a number of news reports contradicting the campaign's billing of Palin as a spending reformer. Claims that she hasn't sought special interest funding from taxpayer dollars have been proven wrong.

Among the $453 million Palin has sought over the past few years includes $4.5 million for an airport serving less than 100 people, and $9 million to Alaska's oil companies, which are already reaping record profits.

I especially like the part about pork for the oil companies.

Palin the reformer, yeah right!

It looks like this good time Holy Roller is just another wheeling and dealing politician with her snout right there at the trough with the rest of the pigs. "

" Coonbug: I believe that it's McCain and Obama who are running against each other, right? I could be wrong.

Sunbeam: Run away, run away. You make too much sense for most of the posters on these blogs and I of course happen to agree with everything you have had to say so far. "

" Who was it that wrote a letter oozing with praise for Godzilla from Wasilla? Now that she pulling McCain down, our geriatric right winger wants the tongue speaking Holy Roller left out of the conversation. LOL! "

" Can't you EVER be civil Potter. Good thing the moderator never pays attention to the rules, or you wouldn't have any posts. "

" You have to answer questions, to even order at McDonalds. Imagine being behind this gal at the drivethru. Shes fine reading the order off the list she was given, but "Do you want fries with that?" would get the window rolled up, and all communications would break down. "

" Here's an idea for you eddie, when you see my name, just skip over my post and you won't have to continue to be so upset. Your starting to sound as bad as the perpetually confused Arthur whiner, with your complaints.

Another thought: Criticism of any Republican equals a violation of the posting rules, according to the likes of eddie miller. LOL!

And help me out, eddie, was that you bragging about McCain and Palin's
poll numbers few days ago? Or was that gringa? You two seem to be using the same playbook, so it's hard to distinguish you two at times. I would include the delusional old gal too, but I would want to insult you that much.

It looks like the public is starting to see right through your favorite two hacks, McGoo and Mooseilinni. "

" With poll numbers falling no wonder mcCain wants to suspend his campaign and postpone the debate. The longer he and Palin stay out of the public eye the better their chances of winning. "

" Gee, General, it doesn't look like Six-College Sarah the Weather Gal has gained McCain many votes lately, what with the conservatives columnists calling on her to quit and the McCain campaign afraid to let her speak. Are you still chuckling, General? "

" if we did we'd vote for McCain right? "

" And if they banned posts for stupidity, ed, you would never get anything on here. LOL! "

" This letter is quite interesting since I've seen it posted on the Republican newspaper - the Chicago Tribune.

I have frequently wondered if McCain's campaign group sends out basic materials and guidelines for their older followers to dissiminate to prepared lists of newspapers and television. Apparently so.

The majority of people - both parties -feel pity for Palin but recognize she is a disastor ready to happen as the second in line leader of our country. We cannot assume this risk.

Residents of Mattoon who want FutureGen will have a shot with Obama as president. McCain is another "forgetaboutit". "

" Harry Potter wrote on Sep 28, 2008 5:24 PM:

" And if they banned posts for stupidity, ed, you would never get anything on here. LOL!

ain't that the truth! "