Sunday Morning Talk Show Thread 20 August 2006

Various big media television networks ^ | 20 August 2006 | Various Self-Serving Politicians and Big Media Screaming Faces

[Dad yer funny]

bookmk ping-a-ling

. . . go through this thread later

[A.Hun]

There are so many issues I agree with you on and desperately want but am forced to settle for what is doable and what is not.

I understand that very well. Indeed, I used the President's own tactic in my letter, namely, ask for the moon and settle for something reasonable.

We are making progress in the PR front, but will it be in time to convince enough independents and dissatisfied conservatives to keep our majority in both Houses?

If we lose the majority in either house, George Bush's effectiveness as a leader will be gone, and we may not have the opportunity available today in the future.

[gov_bean_ counter]

#269

On this point I must respectfully disagree. I think the Dems are framing the debate and the most frustrating thing for me is they do it with shallow, mindless,Clintonesque sound bites that almost never get challenged by elected representatives.

Many statements by the likes of Pelosi and Reed need to be lampooned. To try and answer them intellectually elevates the original comments to a level of importance they never deserved.

This in addition to trying to force the Dems to attach meaning to the terms they use. While they talk about "the rich" being the top 1 or 2 percent of income earners, the reality is their last big tax increase (under Clinton) impacted people who made as little as 34,000 per year (as Dan Quayle said it would). Hardly rich.

BTW, thanks much for your commitment to this weekly gathering.

[Gucho]

Thanks for the ping, Tonk.

[maica]

"It always makes me laugh when they say free health care..."

####

And in America, the same people say " have no health care" especially when referencing children, when they mean "have no private health insurance."

There is not a child in America who is refused health "care."

[rodguy911]

My theory is that McCain and Lieberman will run on an Independent National unity ticket.

If you tell McCain he can be on MTP every other week he will run in any party!

[gov_bean_ counter]

#368

And you know Rush wasn't going to have anything to talk about after Clinton left office either. There are many good reasons to have just a few libs around, one of which may be simply the entertainment value.

[rodguy911]

He seemed to have a great time with Hillary in Alaska as well.

[MNJohnnie]

Yeah. And I'm the dad trying to persuade the teenage daughters.

Nope, you are the teenage daughter rebelliously refusing to listen to a single fact or objection that does not valid your emotion based preconceived opinion. The fact that not ONE Freeper has sided WITH you should be setting off warning bells in your head.

The fact that your personal desire for McCain's victory is NOT at all shared by ANY of the political activists people who hang out here is pretty strong evidence that McCain is NOT the politic powerhouse people think he is. See Freepers are by nature political activists. When you cannot even get a significant number of them to side with your candidate, your candidate is in SERIOUS trouble.

However this is simply a waste of our time. Like the usual teenager, when you can not intellectual challenge the other posters viewpoint, you fraudulently attempt to claim a moral or intellectual superiority or mindlessly fixate on some utterly inconsequential comment made to you to avoid having to actually address the points made by your opponents. It is a tactics called diversion. Unfortunately FReeper are old and tried debaters. They will not fall for the diversion.

You seem to think this will bolster your failed position. It does not. Another habit in common with the petulant daughter is your habit of stating your opinions as a statement of fact. Your opinions are not facts. It is a logical fallacy to state them so.

.

[rodguy911]

Go long Samantha I'll' pass it to you!

[Bahbah]

One nice thing about the morning talk fests was that none of them discussed the JonBenet case. I watched Wolfie for a bit. He was talking to some Lebanese "journalist." He asked him about the abduction of Centanni and Wiig. After the oblicatory "of course no journalists should be abducted", he went on to imply that it was the fault of American policies, in particular support of Israel. He thinks we should become more reasonable in our approach. What this translates to is that we should abandon Israel, give stuff to the terrorists (which is what they all are), and then we terrorists will be nice to you. This is the Bill Clinton way. The problem is that they well be "nice" until they have gathered enough strenght to kill us.

Wolfie also talked to Livni. I don't know much about her, but she came off as a very smarmy empty suit.

[malia]

team clinton's PR machine IS the DBM!!!

[Bahbah]

There is not a child in America who is refused health "care."

There, that is another one where our side always lets them frame the issue. This response should be given every single time that this lie is told.

[jackv]

"they want her to stay in NY as a Senator,they do not want her to run for the Presidency..."


Yes I guess you are right. She won't be the nominee. So they'll elect her then keep her. Ugh!! Watching her try to be nominated will be great fun. What a cow!!

[Phsstpok]

Honorable Mention Awards for 8-20-06 (alphabetical list)

A.Hun

• #215; "(Lindsey Graham's) opponent in the last (primary) election is the man that will replace him in 2008. This cycle, he is running for State Treasurer... If the Upstate had not voted so heavily for Graham, Ravenel would have beaten him. ... Here is his website. http://www.ravenel2006.com/biography/index.htm" (reply to shalom aleichem's post #198)
• #223; "Hey guys...Ya'll know what a strong supporter of the President I am, but I sent him a letter this morning. I have it posted here. ... An Open Letter To My President ... If the President wants to keep this nation on track, he needs some bold moves. I suggested a few."

AZConser

• #158 "... Ah... the NYSlimes, WaPo model of allowing the public to "know what your Government is doing at all times". I agree with you it is sickening and we need a Secrecy act that will prosecute the press when they knowingly print classified information - if the Constitution needs to be changed so be it. BUT I suspect the problem is really with the broken Judicial system in this country."

Beagle8U

• #152; "... I wish they would have "Newscaster Debates". I would love to see Brit Hume debate current news topics with all the lame talking heads on the other channels, Mr. Tater Head, Tweety, Dan Blather,Keith Ogarman, Katty C**tlick,..."
• #361; "... my sense is (McCain's) not being a team player unless he is the beneficiary. ... His CFR bill is a disaster. His lukewarm endorsement of Bush while playing nice with Kerry. His comments about the Religious Right. And the gang of 13. His support of The Wicked Witch of NY. How many do you need? He doesn't think he needs the base."

bray

• #243; "So what, they did everything they could to get Kerry elected including Rathergate; and look at the results. The Stone-age press is not the Monopoly it once was and does not have the power to elect anymore. We do!" (in response to Bahbah's post ##112)

Fishtalk

• #126; "... Let us start the day with a rant... " (it's a goody)

freedom1st

• #241; "After watching Hagel on Fox and Lieberman on Slay the Nation, Lieberman was more supportive of the Commander in Chief than Hagel. You would think Lieberman was the Republican and Hagel the 'Rat."

GoBucks2002

• #154; "Leave it to Chrissy Wallace to make Hagel look reasonable. ... Which he just did. ... But then Hagel blew the chance whining that the Republican Party has lost its way. Because, you know, they were so much more in favor of free trade and smaller government back in 1968. (How many agencies did Nixon spawn? How many free-trade agreements did he sign?)"

gov_bean_ counter

• #139; "... The biggest problem the Pubbies have is allowing Dems to frame the debate with incorrect assumptions (the rich will hold on to their "tax cut", Muslim crazy a$$ fundamentalists would never work with secularists, etc, etc) and undefined terms like the ones listed above... The Conservatives must today begin to reestablish the parameters and retake the language. Challenge the assumptions, their "fact" and seriously questions the analysis, which is usually just about as shallow as standing water after a summer shower."

HawaiianGecko

• #272; "You'd be hard press to find someone with a rating to the right of Peter King.... " (reposts contents of Peter Kings political ratings from the On The Issues web site)

johnny7

• #35; "... Turly has also teamed up with Leon Panetta and the UFO wing-nuts in seeking information on 'Area 51' through the courts. I saw Turley on Hardball last week and he literally made me sick to my stomach. There isn't anything this lefty believes should be classified... and that whatever the president can do... the courts can do better."

kempster

• #147; "Chuck Hagel is a Republican?"

MNJohnnie

• #133; "... As the prime pusher for the Senate's Al Qeda Protection Act which he sleazily slid into the 2005 Defense Appropriation bill, McCain has a demonstrated record of NOT being serious about the WOT. He fails Social Conservatives, Fiscal Conservatives, Defense Conservatives. McCain will not be the 2008 Nominee nor a Candidate. That just plain political reality. Next to no one in the Republican base likes him. He is toast"
• #235; "... Well looks like the NY Treason Times Reporter is as incompetent a poll watcher as they are a "Journalists" ... From Rassmussen Reports. Personally I think it has more to do with the drop in gas prices but what do I know... " (approval / disapproval ratings provided, including URL for Rasmussen)

OldFriend

• #175: "McCain states that his priority will be to consult with our allies, then he complains that the French are not meeting their commitments.... That proves that McC is simply talking without thinking.......as usual."
• #196; "OY, mad at Israel for cutting and running from Lebanon but want the US to cut and run from Iraq... My head is spinning."

rockrr

• #240; "My favorite part of the interview was when Chris Wallace compared Hagel to Ned Lamont (in regards to their similar stated stance on several issues). The look on Chuckie's face was priceless! ... It softened (somewhat) the disgust that was rising in me over this klowns triangulation at Bush's expense. Wallace points out that Hagel's recent stances (via his voting record) is a huge left turn. Hagel gets upset and insists that his "conservative credentials" speak for themselves. Of course he frames it in the context of 12 years of Senate service, not his choices within the last two or three years. Chuckie, your chances of snatching the presidential golden ring are slim to none!"

shalom aleichem

• #198; "Remember, you can only beat someone with somebody else, not just a phanton or ABL ("anyone but Lindsay"). Identify an up & comer and get behind him or her. Someone in Congress or State legislature, or a governor past or present."
• #221; "Peter King is also a staunch supporter of Sein Fein (IRA), for what it is worth (not that there is anything wrong with that?)"

snugs

• #145; "It always makes me laugh when they say free health care living in a country where we supposedly have that we know that we actually pay for it by our national insurance contribution and our employers national insurance contribution... So at the end of the day probably per person there is more spent by individuals and employers on health care to the government than most Americans pay for private health care... There is no such thing as a free lunch. All governments do is put up your taxes in one form or the other."

STARWISE

• #290; "That's a MAJOR factor in the Sunday talkshows, and the networks should reveal if THEY invited the guests, or if they received the availability for the shows from the folks directly. I'd sure like to know if Rand Beers sent in his CV, and said he was available or if the network requested his presence due to current relevance .. and the same with all of them. ... When a new face appears now, especially of the ilk of Beers, it's obvious that the DNC is going to be flooding the shows pre-election, illustrating an agenda from the show that's being concealed from us. Who knows, there could be a bidding war going on behind the scenes that we have no clue of, jockeying for face time to serve agendas? Every minute of every talkshow and TV appearance hence forward leading up to the elections is critical... I expect we'll now be seeing some ex-CIA rogues, decrying W's war/terrorism strategy, and platoons of preening ex-generals, doing the same. I want to know who approached who for the appearance. ... There are no accidents, few innocents and we'll be seeing a symphony of planted, coached, and prissy anti-Bushites, candidates, candidate handlers and operatives. I bet probably the most obscure and the one with the most depth on the bench and the hardest to connect are the affiliates of: THE EVIL SHE. ..." (includes a chart showing interrelations amongst political players, including the Wilsons, Sandy Berger, John Kerry, Rand Beers, Mary McCarthy, Dana Priest and William Goodfellow)

[samantha]

#212, Thanks you will notice that freepers do the best when they are fired up and then play off each other's posts. Sunday freepers especially seem so in tune with one another we could be sitting around a large table in someone's Dining room watching these shows,hitting homeroom after homeroom with analysis,speculation,insight, and great ideas. We are sometimes agreeing to disagree,but for the most part we have one thing in mind,helping Great Leaders to save America and the entire World from the Terrorists,radical Muslims,and left Wing nut Democrats that endanger us all. we can be thousands of miles away from each other,but very close in Heart,Mind,Faith and Spirit. It is indeed a pleasure to be a part of this thread and FR.

[Phsstpok]

Top 10 for 8/20/06

Tenth Place Miss Marple

• #141; "A few thoughts: ... 1. This Katrina thing is getting old.... 2. McCain, is, as many have pointed out, emotionally unsuited for the presidency.... 3. I never want to hear anything from Jimmy Carter ever again... 4. I hope Shep Smith goes to CNN, which will appreciate his talents...." (much more in the post - read the whole thing)

Ninth Place PerConPat

• #86; "In the Navy, there used to be a maxim that went like this: I can handle a Commanding Officer that is consistent- harsh or soft- but there is no way to deal with a CO that is all over the map. Schizophrenic leadership is lethal to morale and, in turn, destructive to the mission. IMHO, McCain is too eager to move back and forth across the ideological divide to ever provide effective leadership."
• #207; "I just watched the McCain MTP segment with Gregory. The senator is really a tragedy. His inner struggle to stay away from positions that alienate the moderates, of any party, is palpable. His "glowing" tributes to President Bush while at the same time attacking Rumsfeld merely indicate, once again, how deeply committed he is to seducing those who hover around the "safety" of the middle... McCain talks about sending more troops to Iraq, to please the hawks; and he continues to interfere with Administration's conduct of vital interrogation policies etc., to please the doves. I really can't listen to him."
• #360; "... I just listened to his chat with Steponallofus; another fifteen minutes of: "I'm Johhhhnn Kerrrrrry, and I can do a better job." Flipper and friends will not, or cannot, perceive the reality that President Bush spoke of, strongly at that, after the idiot judge's ruling on the NSA terrorist monitoring program. ... No amount of talk with jaded foreign governments, Dim attempts at appeasement, or wishful thinking on the part of presidential wannabes will alter the fact that we are on a collision course with Iran etc.. ... In time the, American public will realize the value of the Iraq effort etc. in the overall war against the extremists that Dubya forcefully reminded us of this past week. The only issue in doubt is whether this realization will come before or after it is too late to avoid a terrorist strike with WMD on the homeland."

Eighth Place samantha

• #199; "... Dems want to win. Look for another Southern Governor that can get some GOP Votes like Warner from Virginia. I was watching GSN on Satellite last week and they had an old "What's my Line" on from 1974. I was amazed that they had this simple,sort of mealy mouthed,soft spoken, totally unknown Governor JimmAh Carter on,and he mostly talked about making Georgia a viable Movie Making Community. He bragged about Georgia being the State where "Deliverance","the Longest Yard",and other Well known films were made. Two Years later this hayseed was elected President. What in the Hell happened in that two year period is very scary. The Dems do not want to lose again... "
• #347; "#149, I found that to very amusing. Hagel's facial expression reminds me of a beaten/abused coon dog that is rescued buy the Animal Rescue/Humane Society on Animal Planet. I will watch for the repeat and see if he looks like a surprised, beaten hound dog when Chris Wallace actually asks him a pointed question."
• #362; "#154, Ronald Reagan was the originator of Free Trade, and as usual was ahead of his time. Hagel clearly has no vision and no ability to see more than 1 inch in front of his nose. He needs to remember that he is a Registered Republican,and whining,and bleating is not a normal Pubbie characteristic,it is so metrosexual DUmmocrat."

Seventh Place Laverne

• #55; "Hagel saying he thinks the President over-stepped his authority with the "wiretapping" program, but admitted that technology has so changed since FISA went into effect, that new laws need to be written. My personal opinion of these senator's who make these kinds of statements is that they think they are the President, and that they have the authority to limit presidential powers. Of course, Hagel is running for President, and thinks he is smarter, wiser, and has a better strategy that President BUsh and his cabinet."
• #67; "Boy! Chris Wallace really took on Hagel, stating that Hagel's position on Iraq and the GWOT are exactly like Lamont's (at least that is what I heard Wallace say). Hagel got pretty defensive, but it is true. He is a weakling on National Defense. He is right when he talks about the divisiveness in this country over the war, but he doesn't put the blame where it belongs. Democrats have done everything they can to undermine the GWOT, but Hagel refuses to admit that. When the dems sided with the French and the UN about Iraq, they demonstrated at that point in time, they have no leadership qualities. When they chose to defer important decisions to Kofi and Krew, the dems wrote their own ticket to minority status. I don't believe for a minute they will take the House of Senate this year."

Sixth Place Bahbah

• #10; "* would speak every two weeks to the American people... Good grief, I would have to listen to this ego in wingtips every two weeks. Nooooo, please nooooo." (in response to anita's #7)
• #63; "McCain is very (forceful tone of voice and furrowed brow) disappointed with the French and their failure to send troops to Lebanon. The French, I think, got inordinate influence on the UN resolution by stating that they would have 10,000 troops there, so they deserved a say-so. Then they reneged. They did the same thing to Powell."
• #112; "We are going to have to find another word for "cover" because that is not what they are doing (regarding Hillary), not in the ordinary sense of the word. They are there to bolster her position and return the Clinton co-presidency to the WH and they will do everyting they can to achieve that result."
• #149; "When Hagel's appearance on FNS was announced, apparently they received quite a few emails pointing out that he is in actual fact a dem. LOL. FReepers, fess up. That part where Hagel tries to prove he's not like Lament is pretty funny...AND it didn't work."
• #220; "Just saw a teaser for the Spike Lee appearance. He asks how the RCMP from Vancouver got to New Orleans before the federal government. Spike unfortunately missed all of the Coasties saving all of those lives before anyone else was able to get their pants on. Go Coasties...and thanks again."
• #229; "Hah, Steffie tries to get John Reid to say that our presence in Iraq is creating more terrorists and lead to the London plot. Reid points out that Germany just stopped a plot and they don't have any ties to Iraq and that people will always make up excuses for the things they want to to anyway. Very good, Mr. Reid."
• #336; "McCain also believes in "global warming." I see "global warming" as a tool to get more and more control over people. That is what appeals to McCain. Remember, McCain also said he would put "clean government" over the First Amendment. There was nothing "clean" about CFR. McCain made sure that it favored him. He said the business about contributions from tribes would be fixed. It has not."

Fifth Place Alas Babylon!

• #246; "Tom I think part of that problem is the acquiescence of the driveby media. They not only let Clinton get in front of an issue, they ASSISTED him in doing so. For President Bush, they've been muffling or just not reporting his speeches, comments, defenders' comments, etc. The appearance then is Bush isn't defending himself, whereas in reality he is, but the media is just not letting you or I hear it."
• #269; "The Dems haven't been framing the debate, the driveby media has. Then again, the DBM has become so partisan that they might as well BE the Dems. ... Still, we all say the Republicans are not doing enough of this, or their opponets are doing that, when in reality the supposedly non-partisan Fourth Estate have become the arbitrators of what is or isn't newsworthy, the judges of what is or isn't partisan, and the jury on the rightness and wrongness of political thought. ... The media has taken a side and because of this they are not accurately, fairly, nor objectively reporting what is happening."
• #287; Or when President Bush urged them to evacuate that Friday night and they didn't until Sunday morning. I clearly remember Nagin saying on that Friday night he wasn't sure he had the authority to announce a madatory evacuation! Living in Southern Alabama had me closely watching the storm and all the talk back and forth about her. ... But, as Kenye said, "Bush doesn't care about black people." And then the driveby media went on a tear to prove Kenye was right. Today the driveby media makes sure you don't remember the facts, rather just the spin (that they created)."

Fourth Place anita

• #7; "... McCain - Exclusive? [as if he is the prize-get]. Now, this is McCain unfiltered in Iowa, just this week... McCain was asked to define his priorities if elected. He did..."
• #13; "... Sen. John McCain said Tuesday there is "lingering resentment" among some Republicans because of his primary fight in 2000 with George W. Bush. Those feelings may complicate his decision whether to seek the presidential nomination for 2008..."
• #18; "... Atleast, they should be truthful in identifying guests. Rand Beers should be identified by his latest - Kerry's advisor. Likewise, when they talk about Jonathan Turley, he should be identified as Conyer's Bush-impeachment consultant and not as constitutional scholar."
• #22; "... Cable is all over JonBenet & my cute li 'l brother was questioning me why they arrest the man who beat Liebermann."
• #56; "Vali Nasr, an Iranian-American an expert on Shiite Muslims and Iran, who is a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations was invited for lunch by the President last week. NYTimes speculated that President was frustrated on Iraq. ... No doubt Gregory would press him to say something against the President or his policies, because Tony Snow didn't budge on that subject at WH preeser."
• #109; "Here 's this sunday's Media Nuggets... " (always a joy)

Third Place rodguy911 - impassioned and spot on - always a great combination

• #26; "... That leaves a budget very near "in balance" which would be far better than the last few years of the Clintonistas since we don't really know what they did since they cooked the books so hard and basically lied their way through the last few years with bubba being otherwise occupied. Mccain lets us know in no uncertain terms why we don't want anything to do with him. He cannot be trusted to support his party and should run in the Assho__e party since that's what he is."
• #75; "... Can't remember where but I saw Rudy on t.v not too long ago and he really looked Presidential. He seems to be running and also seems to be modifying some of his positions to be more acceptable to conservatives. Rudy will never be a hardcore conservative but sadly a hardcore conservative probably would have a tough time getting elected... The msm/dbm still has just a little too much access to voters minds, this slowly changing but we need another 4 or 5 years for them to become irrelevant."
• #94; "It's desperation time at the MSM and the howling will only get louder and louder as the DBM creates, spins and fabricates any story they can get any traction at all to try and demagogue the wot... The hate they have for GW is so thorough that in concert with the DNC they(msm/dbm) will do anything to make the election about GW, his war and how it is a civl war and we should cut and run!,p> Hopefully people are not that dumb and it won't work..."
• #108; "The msm/dbm lives by and will die by polls, endless polls. It's their only salvation. They know that sooner or later they can twist and turn the polling questions into something that will yield the desired result... Her is an example of a typical msm polling question: ...
  Are you tired of GW Bush's insane wot, would you like to stop spending billions on a futile civil war and get free health care instead! Doesn't GW seem mean, can't we all just get along and sing koom by yah?"
• #197; "... I just watched him(McCain) on MTP and he literally already thinks he is running against Hillary!! Talk about the higheth of all arrogance. It's as if he thinks he has already won the primary and has now skipped over to running against Hillary!!Even Bubba is not that arrogant! ... If you will notice McCain's' answers to Neanderthal Dave's weak questions they are solidly right with the pubbies and then 30 seconds later solidly left with the rats. McCain brings a whole new dimension to the word triangulation. He really thinks he is "the" player... Sorry John old buddy but we have some bad news for you, you will not be the nominee! We all loved Ronald Reagan and we all think the world of GW,you can't even carry their jock straps you are so lame, so just go away!"

Second Place TomGuy - Excellent responses and a way of framing some fundamental questions and answers that brought new insight

• #87; "There are 535 members of Congress. Why these same tired old guests? ...Because it is rather like a defense attorney: Know what the witness is going to say before you ever put him/her on the witness stand. Don't ask a witness a question you don't already know the answer to... Show hosts basically know what their 'guests' are going to say, so they know whether it fits within the intended direction they want. These 'news' programs are not designed to elicit real information; rather, they are little more than propaganda tools for furthering an agenda." (in response to AHWilde's post #27)
• #111; "I'm sick of hearing Bush/Rice were 'the biggest losers" in the U.N. ceasefire deal. If the GOP had an effective PR machine, ... Therein lies the problem, however. And it has been an ongoing problem for the Bush 2 Presidency. Team Clinton got out in front of every issue. Team Bush has had to be dragged into defending his policies and decisions again and again; but by then, the perceptions have been cemented in the public's mind. ... That big if has been posed and discussed many times in many threads on FR. Many have wondered why it existed. Even the current Press Sec tsk-ed in wonderment in his previous talk-show-host life at the Administration's lack of PR. It has improved some, but it is still woefully lacking."
• #150; "CNN Reliable Sources is talking about Hezbollah's winning hearts and minds after the war. ... Their correspondent on the ground referenced their handing out $12,000 to 'victims', then said: 'Let them come work for FEMA...that's what a lot of American journalists are saying'... Hezbollah is better than FEMA! Ha Ha Ha... Oh, wait. I guess that has a ring of truth if one believes FEMA deliberately killed innocent victims who were doing nothing more than hunkering down in their squallid homes!)"
• #309; "... JohnnyK can still say nothing in 5,000 words or more.... "

First Place Timeout - Very good analysis and there were posts that spawned great discussions, always a bonus

• #39; "... I'm sick of hearing Bush/Rice were 'the biggest losers" in the U.N. ceasefire deal. If the GOP had an effective PR machine, the losers would be John Kerry, Howard Dean, the MSM and every liberal who has endlessly demanded a multilateral, peace-at-all-costs approach to the war on terror... The RNC and all Republicans should be shouting from the rooftops that the U.N.'s and France's perfidy and fecklessness are a total repudiation of everything the libs have demanded since 9/11. (They could start with this morning's talk shows.) ... This deal encapsulated every liberal prescription:  ..."
• #245; "Anyone listening to this drivel from Sen. Feinstein? (Obviously, Specter isn't...he offers no coherent rebuttal). ... Feinstein in essence says we need to "clear up" the issue of Iran sending weapons to Hezbollah. She talked and talked but, in the end, what she prescribes is that we "talk" to them. [she says, "For the life of me, I've never understood this attitude that we don't talk to people we disagree with!"] She cites the illegal Iranian weapons shipment confiscated by the U.S. and----we need to go talk to them about it. "This constant use of threats just doesn't work". ... And there sat Specter. Perfect opportunity for him to ask: "What does 'clear up' mean? Are you implying they just mistakenly shipped the weapons? That it's all a misunderstanding? When you and your colleagues say we need to 'talk' or 'clear things up' or that 'threats don't work'---that's just meaningless drivel. Before Americans can take you seriously, you need to put some specific proposals on the table. Implying that the enemy would be satisfied with 'talk' is childish at best and mortally dangerous at worst". ... Of course, in the real world, Snarlin' Arlen reserves all his snarlin' for Republicans and George Bush."
• #263; "IF I'm not mistaken, Specter signalled on CNN that he has no intention of forwarding a statutory remedy to the question of FISA/NSA intelligence gathering. ... Rather, he said this needs to get to the Supreme Court. So, not only will Specter not propose legislation that could put the Dems on serious defense right before the election. He's abandoning this important question to the whims of SCOTUS."

 

[samantha]

#214, You are right it is not happening fast enough to suit me either. Let's help it along,and then we can rest after the fact.

[Phsstpok]

I kind of rushed through today to get done what I could get done before my eyes give out. I'm going to take out my lens and rest for a bit and will likely have limited posts the rest of the day (famous last words).

Have at it and congratulations to all

[jackv]

I was watching some 9-11 show on A&E last night with all the NYT critics. I thought, there they are again criticising as if they would do everything perfectly. What is with the NYT, that people always consider their "expert" opinions??? Monday morning quarterbacks I think!!!