Good news for everyone else!

This is not the AP I knew.....

Seriously, its not

Funny. It didn't look lost to me two years ago.

Change he can't believe in

re: #3 Dianna

Funny. It didn't look lost to me two years ago.

Obviously you weren't paying close enough attention to the AP then.

/

Has Obama claimed credit yet ?

re: #7 Shug

Has Obama claimed credit yet ?

Well, his Joint Chiefs has a hand in it

re: #7 Shug

Has Obama claimed credit yet ?

Just wait five minutes. I'm sure he will.

re: #7 Shug

Not till tomorrow on the Sunday news shows.

John Bolton rips into Obama's Berlin speech.

Comments similar to what was written here live.

One world? Obama's on a different planet
The senator's Berlin speech was radical and naive.

[Link: www.latimes.com...]

Bad news for Obama? This from the comments on HotAir:

Omama makes one trip and the war is won. . . Messiah
spreads his wings . . .

Texyank on July 26, 2008 at 3:48 PM

/

Awwww! Surely Pelosi and Reid can do something about this!

/channeling you-know-who

Doesn't this merit the flying pig?

Are we sure that this is 'the real' AP and not some comic version of it?

Now that I've won the war I will remove our troops as President!
/BHO

The Big O will change that.

Bush=Truman (sort of)

History will judge him more fairly than the fu*king AP ...

Screw them

“The United States is now winning the war that two years ago seemed lost.”

And the headline comes right after his visit.

Barack must have sprinkled some of his magic dust.

re: #7 Shug

Has Obama claimed credit yet ?

Yep.

McCain has long opposed Obama's call for a 16-month timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq. On Friday, though, McCain said, "I think it's a pretty good timetable, as we should — or horizons for withdrawal," echoing a phrase Bush used in recent days. "But they have to be based on conditions on the ground."

At his news conference, Obama jumped on that to say there was now some convergence "around a proposal that we have been making for a year and a half."

[hat tip: solomonpanting]

Reposting what I said a few threads back:

Obama is like an isolationist whose position in 1941 is, "there is no need for us to be at war with Germany"; in 1942, "no need for us to be at war with Germany"; 1943, 1944, and 1945, "no need for us to be at war with Germany"; and in 1946, as Truman is drawing down troop levels in Europe, "See! I was right all along!".

Wow.

I wonder if AP will ever print that Al Qaeda has abandoned their central objective of reestablishing the caliphate in Iraq.

re: #11 opinionated

John Bolton rips into Obama's Berlin speech.

Comments similar to what was written here live.

One world? Obama's on a different planet
The senator's Berlin speech was radical and naive.

[Link: www.latimes.com...]

If he had submitted it to the NYT, they would have rejected it till it mirrored Barry's speach.

re: #18 _remembertonyc

quite possible,the prism of history takes the long veiw,and has the benefit of hind-sight.how events unfold in the next,20,40,60 years will dictate how his presidency will be judged.

re: #11 opinionated

John Bolton rips into Obama's Berlin speech.

Comments similar to what was written here live.

One world? Obama's on a different planet
The senator's Berlin speech was radical and naive.

[Link: www.latimes.com...]

Pretty much sums up obambi. Oh, and un-american as well.

re: #19 opinionated

And the headline comes right after his visit.

Barack must have sprinkled some of his magic dust.

Hey I was sprinkling some magic fairy dust today. I put that expoy coating stuff on my basement floor and I called the little speckle things magic fairy poof dust. Does that count?

At this very moment at the AP office, there is a writer and an editor cleaning out their desks for letting this story slip through

re: #22 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

If we get lucky and there is a President McCain, the first clue to his Presidency will be whether he finds a very influential position for Bolton.

re: #25 JohnnyReb

Hey I was sprinkling some magic fairy dust today. I put that expoy coating stuff on my basement floor and I called the little speckle things magic fairy poof dust. Does that count?

Did the Jihadists scatter?

re: #26 sattv4u2

more like taken out in the street and shot,then run over by a herd of critical massholes

Gotta admit I'm lovin this. Not hearing the phrases "stay the course" and "stand them up so we can stand down" uttered with sneering disdain any more. Not once did THIS family experience ANY doubt we'd ultimately prevail, and I took a lot of shit about it.

No possible way we can thank these young men and women enough for their effort and sacrifice.Said this before, I wore the uniform with PRIDE, and that pride remains as strong as ever.

re: #28 opinionated

Nope, the dog already took care of those guys.

AP is trying a hat trick, I think, to wit;

The war is won, so it's OK to vote for Our Guy even though you know he's a clueless, narcissistic jerk with zero credibility. Who cares?- it's Party Time!

Either that or the reality in Iraq is now so blindingly obvious to everyone (in spite of MSM spin to the contrary) that they're trying to jump on the bus in the hopes of salvaging what's left of their credibility. And hoping that we'll buy it - or at least develop selective amnesia about their "unbiased coverage" up to this point.

/yet more proof that they assume that those of us in Flyover Country are inbred hicks with IQs smaller than our shoe sizes.

cheers

eon

USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

Spinning wheel of death.

re: #26 sattv4u2

At this very moment at the AP office, there is a writer and an editor cleaning out their desks for letting this story slip through

These are senior writers.

EDITOR'S NOTE _ Robert Burns is AP's chief military reporter, and Robert Reid is AP's chief of bureau in Baghdad. Reid has covered the war from his post in Iraq since the U.S. invasion in March 2003. Burns, based in Washington, has made 21 reporting trips to Iraq; on his latest during July, Burns spent nearly three weeks in central and northern Iraq, observing military operations and interviewing both U.S. and Iraqi officers.

Now, no new comments?

re: #25 JohnnyReb

Hey I was sprinkling some magic fairy dust today. I put that expoy coating stuff on my basement floor and I called the little speckle things magic fairy poof dust. Does that count?

No, but I bet your basement floor looks really nice!

:)

He'll never admit it. He can't even admit the surge worked. Tool!

this is not the war i knew

He was WRONG about Iraq.

Do NOT give him a chance (as president) to be WRONG about Afghanistan.

re: #34 VegasRick

look into the spinning wheel of death.....you are in my power...

Is Jet A aircraft fuel too expensive charles?

Gas up the pig! He needs to take flight.

re: #37 SteveC

Reminds of of being back on a ship. Navy grey and little speckles of magic fairy poof dust. Getting a bit homesick here.

re: #38 vapig

sucks when you bet on the wrong horse and paint yourself into a corner.

Letter from the troops: Obama is a buffoon, a charlatan, a hindrance

According to messiah Bush and McCain are coming around to the Obama's views on the war. Now that is truly rich.This guy would not recognize truth if it bit him on his elitist er uh ah umm AZZ!

re: #42 astronmr20

Is Jet A aircraft fuel too expensive charles?

Gas up the pig! He needs to take flight.

$5.36 a a gal in May.

While I was taking a walk downtown I mused a bit on the names or terms that have been conjured up for the phenomena and his followers.

God King
Obamatons
Obamanation
Church of Obamatology
Obamadroids...

re: #41 Boondock St. Bender

look into the spinning wheel of death.....you are in my power...

Back to normal, or at least as close to normal as I usually am.

re: #42 astronmr20

Is Jet A aircraft fuel too expensive charles?

Gas up the pig! He needs to take flight.

the pig runs on solar

re: #48 The Other Les

i like the exalted one

re: #51 pegcity

i like the exalted one

Good.

Others?

This really is telling about Obama's Character. He cannot admit an error under any circumstance: Not just the war, but his association with The hater Wright and Tony Rezko, among other things. Anyone who is so arrogant and narsissistic to think they can do no wrong is a poor choice for president.

re: #48 The Other Les

While I was taking a walk downtown I mused a bit on the names or terms that have been conjured up for the phenomena and his followers.

God King
Obamatons
Obamanation
Church of Obamatology
Obamadroids...

I'm still partial to Obamalama-ding-dong

And the ever reliable

ACCURSED MOUNTEBANK!

re: #52 The Other Les

I prefer to call him runner up

And since Bush removed fed offshore restrictions and began jaw-boning Congress look at oil. Reid and Pelosi must be getting a little antsy. Bush and McCain have got to continue hardball.
It ain't over til it's over.

Drill here, drill now, pay less.

re: #50 Shug

the pig runs on solar

Methane, light a match and awaaaaay we go!

Whoa... did kill the thread?

re: #55 Shug

I prefer to call him runner up

Also ran

This is not the war I ... er ... uh ... knew.

re: #48 The Other Les

While I was taking a walk downtown I mused a bit on the names or terms that have been conjured up for the phenomena and his followers.

God King
Obamatons
Obamanation
Church of Obamatology
Obamadroids...

Obamaniac
Barackalackey
Obamagasmans

re: #52 The Other Les

I try to always refer to him as the Obama. It just seems proper.

this is not the quagmire I knew

re: #53 sojerofgod

This really is telling about Obama's Character. He cannot admit an error under any circumstance: Not just the war, but his association with The hater Wright and Tony Rezko, among other things. Anyone who is so arrogant and narsissistic to think they can do no wrong is a poor choice for president.

Anyone who believes that he is infallible has already failed.

re: #53 sojerofgod

This really is telling about Obama's Character. He cannot admit an error under any circumstance: Not just the war, but his association with The hater Wright and Tony Rezko, among other things. Anyone who is so arrogant and narsissistic to think they can do no wrong is a poor choice for president.

He will admit an error, as soon as he thinks he has made one !

re: #21 Pythagoras

Wow.

I wonder if AP will ever print that Al Qaeda has abandoned their central objective of reestablishing the caliphate in Iraq.

No, because they refuse to accept Al Qaeda had anything to do with the war in Iraq, or that Osama bin Hidin' and Amin al-Zawahiri ever delared Iraq their "central front" against the "Crusaders". That's probably why the pig is still in the hanger.

barack n roll

re: #59 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Also ran

LOSER!

re: #59 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Also ran

Loser

re: #45 reine.de.tout

Letter from the troops: Obama is a buffoon, a charlatan, a hindrance

Mister Obama's motorcade drove up from the flight line and entered the dining hall toward the end of lunch time. Diners were chased out and told to make other arrangements for food, in the middle of the duty day.

No words.

re: #60 pre-Boomer Marine brat

This is not the war I ... er ... uh ... knew.

PIMF -- pegcity beat me to it

*hangar*

PIMF and all that...

re: #52 The Other Les

Good. Others?

The Savior of the World
The Redeemer of All Mandkind
The Prince of International Peace
The Child of Light
The Light-Bringer Unto the Children of the World
The Breath of the Holy Spirit

or, if you perfer the moniker mor colloquial:

Senator Bad-Ass
Tower of Power
Barack the Bold One
The Iron-Pumping Prince of Peace
Senator Sweat-Free

My favorite is: Barack the Bullshitter

re: #2 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

This is not the AP I knew.....

Seriously, its not

Took the words out of my mouth...

Charles, I thing you should open the hanger.

Just up at Dirty Harry's site:

[Link: dirtyharrysplace.com...]

re: #3 Dianna

Funny. It didn't look lost to me two years ago.

You probably did not stand to profit politically or monetarily.

/

re: #68 jcm

Is there an echo in here?

What's ironic is - as even Repub pundits seem to forget to mention - The Iraq front is succeeding exactly the way predicted by the Bush Doctrine's original strategy design - that Iraqis of all backgrounds and religious groups would begin fighting al-Queda on their own soil, after getting 1) fed up with the Muslim-on-Muslim bloodshed in their nation done to advance extremists, and 2) having U.S. support committed (and re-committed by the surge) to do exactly that.

re: #73 NemoParticularis

The Savior of the World
The Redeemer of All Mandkind
The Prince of International Peace
The Child of Light
The Light-Bringer Unto the Children of the World
The Breath of the Holy Spirit

or, if you perfer the moniker mor colloquial:

Senator Bad-Ass
Tower of Power
Barack the Bold One
The Iron-Pumping Prince of Peace
Senator Sweat-Free

My favorite is: Barack the Bullshitter

The Big B.O.

re: #45 reine.de.tout

Letter from the troops: Obama is a buffoon, a charlatan, a hindrance

He knows they despise him.

re: #45 reine.de.tout

Letter from the troops: Obama is a buffoon, a charlatan, a hindrance

Heretics! Warmongering Neocons!

/

re: #48 The Other Les

how about

"former senator and presidential candidate,,,,,,"

One hit wonder

re: #82 sattv4u2

how about

"former senator and presidential candidate,,,,,,"

Check his refrigerator.

obamarosa ( michelle)

re: #70 MandyManners

No words.

GWB in the mess hall.

re: #84 The Other Les

Check his refrigerator.

Michelle is so cold they don't need one!

re: #86 jcm

GWB in the mess hall.

Notice how Bush failed to respect the standards of food sanitation by refusing to wear his paper hat.

/Silly people, Bush is evil!

re: #86 jcm

GWB in the mess hall.

Look at that. Black soldiers, White soldiers, male soldiers, female soldiers! Who knew, after looking at the photos from Barry's Excellent Asian Adventure !

re: #80 MandyManners

He knows they despise him.

You know, one would think so. But I'm not so sure he does know that. He has an easier and more charming manner, but Obama is even more arrogant and self-absorbed, imo, than Bill Clinton ever was.

Incredible.

re: #70 MandyManners

No words.

Behaving like privileged aristocrats.

Not a surprise given their ideology.

re: #45 reine.de.tout

Letter from the troops: Obama is a buffoon, a charlatan, a hindrance

This letter has been discredited, and the person who wrote it has been disciplined by the military. As reported in Army Times and the NY Daily News.

It turned around ONLY after the great one went over there. He is a citizen of the world you know.

re: #86 jcm

GWB in the mess hall.

Leader of a free nation.

Not a God King.

The American military in Iraq has thrown Obama under his own campaign bus.

According to the Associated Press, “The United States is now winning the war that two years ago seemed lost.”

Wow. AP is really on top of things.

Next thing we know, they'll be telling us that Gorebull man-made warming is nonsense and the earth has actually been cooling.

re: #88 OldLineTexan

Notice how Bush failed to respect the standards of food sanitation by refusing to wear his paper hat.

/Silly people, Bush is evil!

ROFL, give the CinC an Article 15!

re: #90 reine.de.tout

You know, one would think so. But I'm not so sure he does know that. He has an easier and more charming manner, but Obama is even more arrogant and self-absorbed, imo, than Bill Clinton ever was.

Incredible.

Bill pissed me off for eight years running, and tried to trash my rights.
I would not trust the man with a burned-out match, but he would probably be OK to have a beer with.

Barack? I kind of doubt it.

re: #87 sattv4u2

Michelle is so cold they don't need one!

Not much room in Michelle for stashing the Chicago cash.

Semi OT via Hot Air: The greatest story ever told

/"King Bill the Priapic" LMAO

AP admits truth?!
And it contradicts BHO?

I think I just had an O-gasm

re: #92 JustMyView

You mad a comment on a previous thread re: government intervention. That you are in favor of "intervention on behalf of the common good". Tell me, do you agree with the phrase "From each according to their ablity, to each according to their needs" with respect to the rich paying more taxes to help the "common good"?

re: #92 JustMyView

This letter has been discredited, and the person who wrote it has been disciplined by the military. As reported in Army Times and the NY Daily News.

Doesn't appear to me to be the same letter. Does it appear that way to any one else.

re: #11 opinionated

John Bolton is the ONE man Mr. Water Dog worries about in re: my affections.

It's not the mustache, either. Srsly. It's the braaaaiiiinnnnnn!

Obama's a pipsqueak with a predictable --oh, bother...don't get me started on what O is or isn't. He's simply not my kind of people.

re: #101 _remembertonyc

AP admits truth?!
And it contradicts BHO?

I think I just had an O-gasm

LOL!

re: #92 JustMyView

This letter has been discredited, and the person who wrote it has been disciplined by the military. As reported in Army Times and the NY Daily News.

Whoops! I think I'm wrong. It was another soldier's report that was discredited. It was posted here a couple days ago. Sorry for the error.

re: #90 reine.de.tout

You know, one would think so. But I'm not so sure he does know that. He has an easier and more charming manner, but Obama is even more arrogant and self-absorbed, imo, than Bill Clinton ever was.

Incredible.

And I have to admit, at least President Clinton had executive experience.

I see nothing likable in either man because both come across as phony to me.

re: #92 JustMyView

This letter has been discredited, and the person who wrote it has been disciplined by the military. As reported in Army Times and the NY Daily News.

"some of the information" was wrong.

re: #103 Crimsonfisted

Doesn't appear to me to be the same letter. Does it appear that way to any one else.

Good catch.

re: #106 JustMyView

Back to our regularly scheduled Barack bashing.

re: #102 sattv4u2

You mad a comment on a previous thread re: government intervention. That you are in favor of "intervention on behalf of the common good". Tell me, do you agree with the phrase "From each according to their ablity, to each according to their needs" with respect to the rich paying more taxes to help the "common good"?

I believe in progressive taxation and believe that, in an affluent society, government should, if necessary, supply the basic human needs of individuals: food, shelter, medical care. I'm not in favor of radical redistribution of income.

re: #103 Crimsonfisted

Doesn't appear to me to be the same letter. Does it appear that way to any one else.

I think you're right. There is another e-mail. this one appears to be a different one.

re: #92 JustMyView

This letter has been discredited, and the person who wrote it has been disciplined by the military. As reported in Army Times and the NY Daily News.

It is a different letter, as you have already noted.

re: #111 JustMyView

Wowzers! Can I take next year off (thanks to progressive taxation, food, whatnot, medical care) to *ahem* finish my book? Thanks!

how abt. a nice big crow casserole for pelosi, asshole murtha, turbin durbin, dingy harry, jon cary, and all the rest of the coward sell-out bastards.

This is Good.......

This is What We Want......

re: #103 Crimsonfisted

Doesn't appear to me to be the same letter. Does it appear that way to any one else.

Yes, I corrected myself. It was another letter that was discredited. Unfortunately, I don't have a link to it, but it was posted on LGF a couple of days ago. Perhaps someone else remembers.

re: #111 JustMyView

I believe in progressive taxation and believe that, in an affluent society, government should, if necessary, supply the basic human needs of individuals: food, shelter, medical care. I'm not in favor of radical redistribution of income.

A simple "yes" would do.

Long winded ...

re: #111 JustMyView

I believe in progressive taxation and believe that, in an affluent society, government should, if necessary, supply the basic human needs of individuals: food, shelter, medical care. I'm not in favor of radical redistribution of income.

I disagree.

The Federal government, according to the Constitution, has no business in welfare or education--both should be local matters.

I also thing income should be taxed at one rate. Those who make more will pay more. It doesn't seem right to penalize those who are successful.

Obama spoke about tearing down the walls between Christians, Muslims and Jews.

Personally, I want the Christians and Jews on one side and the wall to be reinforced.

One reason:

Killing For Religion Is Justified, Say Third Of Muslim Students

[Link: www.telegraph.co.uk...]

re: #111 JustMyView

I believe in progressive taxation and believe that, in an affluent society, government should, if necessary, supply the basic human needs of individuals: food, shelter, medical care. I'm not in favor of radical redistribution of income.

The government supplying the basic needs of individuals like food, shelter, medical are - that is exactly what redistribution of income is!

The government's business is overal safety and security of the nation, not providing for individual needs!

re: #114 Pigtown Water Dog

Wowzers! Can I take next year off (thanks to progressive taxation, food, whatnot, medical care) to *ahem* finish my book? Thanks!

You missed the "if necessary" phrase.

re: #33 Idle Drifter

that reminds me of the rally they had in chicago just after sept 11 the crowd in the 10 of thousands was chanting USA USA and the dumb fuck liberal pol did not know what to make of it. mad americans they did not have an answer for

re: #122 JustMyView

You missed the "if necessary" phrase.

Please explain "if necessary".

do people actually eat crow?
well, i mean other than dems?

re: #111 JustMyView

I believe in progressive taxation and believe that, in an affluent society, government should, if necessary, supply the basic human needs of individuals: food, shelter, medical care. I'm not in favor of radical redistribution of income.

From each according to their ability, to each according to their need?

re: #119 goddessoftheclassroom

I disagree.

OK. That's allowed.

re: #111 JustMyView

I believe in progressive taxation and believe that, in an affluent society, government should, if necessary, supply the basic human needs of individuals: food, shelter, medical care. I'm not in favor of radical redistribution of income.

aside from the fact that "progressive taxation" to supply " the basic human needs of individuals: food, shelter, medical care" is by any other name radical redistribution of income, could you please answer yes or no, do you agree with "From each according to their ability, to each according to their needs"? Yes or No ?

re: #117 JustMyView

We cross posted I think.

re: #122 JustMyView

Trust me, it's necessary. I sez so. Just can't much done on my book what with having to go to work every day, and all.

re: #111 JustMyView

I believe in progressive taxation and believe that, in an affluent society, government should, if necessary, supply the basic human needs of individuals: food, shelter, medical care. I'm not in favor of radical redistribution of income.

Why? Why shouldn't people be responsible for themselves and their families?

And charity is charity. It's not a right.

re: #124 VegasRick

Please explain "if necessary".

If people are unable to provide for themselves, we should, as a humane society, try to help them. Taking off a year to write a book doesn't constitute a necessity. Providing minor children with basic healthcare, in my view, is a legitimate use of public funds.

re: #131 Dianna

Why? Why shouldn't people be responsible for themselves and their families?

And charity is charity. It's not a right.

The definition of 'radical redistribution' ought to be a beaut.

re: #111 JustMyView

What about the people who don't contribute to society? If they're fed, housed and get free medical treatment then what's their incentive to work and pay taxes?

Theoretical Communism: Four legs good, two legs bad
Actual Communism: Four legs good, two legs better
In Texas: Four legs smoker, two legs grill

/wings don't count

re: #132 JustMyView

I don't have any kids. Can I take the money that was allegedly alloted for my offspring (which did not materialize) and use it as a book-completion grant?

re: #132 JustMyView

If people are unable to provide for themselves, we should, as a humane society, try to help them. Taking off a year to write a book doesn't constitute a necessity. Providing minor children with basic healthcare, in my view, is a legitimate use of public funds.

Should welfare recipients be required to work at all? Clean a park? Paint over some graffiti? Anything?

re: #54 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

The cult of the Obama.

Appetites vary, for work, for leisure, for food, etc. ad infinitum. If someone's appetite for work is not as great as mine, he suffers if his appetite for other things is greater. The Government shouldn't try to equalize the results of varying appetites.

re: #128 sattv4u2

aside from the fact that "progressive taxation" to supply " the basic human needs of individuals: food, shelter, medical care" is by any other name radical redistribution of income, could you please answer yes or no, do you agree with "From each according to their ability, to each according to their needs"? Yes or No ?

I'm not going to endorse a communist slogan, so no. The role of politics is to sort out the responsibilities of the state. I doubt you feel that there are no legitimate areas in which government should act to meet the needs of individuals. I may feel that there are more such areas than you do. That's why we have elections. There's not a right answer; there are only answers that we arrive at through democratic competition.

re: #134 Killgore Trout

A hot ride w/a jammin' sound system?......and cool rims?

re: #136 Pigtown Water Dog

I don't have any kids. Can I take the money that was allegedly alloted for my offspring (which did not materialize) and use it as a book-completion grant?

No, but I can redistribute ya a couple kids if you would like.

re: #132 JustMyView

If people are unable to provide for themselves, we should, as a humane society, try to help them. Taking off a year to write a book doesn't constitute a necessity. Providing minor children with basic healthcare, in my view, is a legitimate use of public funds.

And here we have a New Orleans "needy" person, receiving public assistance for medical care and housing, which allows her to own this gigantic TV.

In my mind, that TV is a luxury, and perhaps she should perhaps forgo the giant TV, and perhaps provide for her own housing, medical care, etc.

re: #92 JustMyView

This letter has been discredited, and the person who wrote it has been disciplined by the military. As reported in Army Times and the NY Daily News.

Actually, not quite true. The person who sent the first letter has admitted that it contained some information he later found out was incorrect. It's not the same as the letter posted above. There is a link to the discredited letter in the original link above.

re: #132 JustMyView

if by "those who cant take care of themselves" you mean invalids and orphans than I think we all would agree. If you mean babymomma who has three kids by three different guys and thus needs welfare, or the lazy ass person who thinks the government should take care of him from cradle to grave and he never goes out to work hard or get an education, then everyone here will pretty much disagree.

re: #142 OldLineTexan

How are their mad editing skillz?

re: #134 Killgore Trout

What about the people who don't contribute to society? If they're fed, housed and get free medical treatment then what's their incentive to work and pay taxes?

Programs should be designed to minimize the number of such people. Every effort should be made to ensure that people are educated so that they can support themselves. Contrary to popular belief, living on public assistance is not a terrific amount of fun.

re: #134 Killgore Trout

What about the people who don't contribute to society? If they're fed, housed and get free medical treatment then what's their incentive to work and pay taxes?

That sounds like certain politicians that I know......
Oh wait, you're talking about poor people, right?

Good evening Killgore, long time...no post.

re: #111 JustMyView

I believe in progressive taxation and believe that, in an affluent society, government should, if necessary, supply the basic human needs of individuals: food, shelter, medical care. I'm not in favor of radical redistribution of income.

A right is intrinsic to the individual, it operates outward only. A right can be exercised. A right cannot place demands on another individual. All the rights enshrined in the Constitution do not require a 2nd party to actualize. An individual can choose to exercise them or not.

When something that is provided by taking away from someone else is not right.

re: #143 reine.de.tout

And here we have a New Orleans "needy" person, receiving public assistance for medical care and housing, which allows her to own this gigantic TV.

In my mind, that TV is a luxury, and perhaps she should perhaps forgo the giant TV, and perhaps provide for her own housing, medical care, etc.

Read the article. Now I need a new lunch.

re: #143 reine.de.tout

And here we have a New Orleans "needy" person, receiving public assistance for medical care and housing, which allows her to own this gigantic TV.

In my mind, that TV is a luxury, and perhaps she should perhaps forgo the giant TV, and perhaps provide for her own housing, medical care, etc.

Sounds like we'll be busy having a vote for each particular instance.

I blame Bush

I knew he was a fucking commie.

re: #145 francisco d'anconia

if by "those who cant take care of themselves" you mean invalids and orphans than I think we all would agree. If you mean babymomma who has three kids by three different guys and thus needs welfare, or the lazy ass person who thinks the government should take care of him from cradle to grave and he never goes out to work hard or get an education, then everyone here will pretty much disagree.

You meanie!

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Obama defended his proposal to negotiate with Iran today and said he would use "big sticks and big carrots" to persuade the country's leaders not to develop nuclear weapons.

Oh no, not the BIG sticks and BIG carrots! There's no way Iran can possibly stand up to that.

/Obama is a [expletive deleted] idiot

re: #136 Pigtown Water Dog

I don't have any kids. Can I take the money that was allegedly alloted for my offspring (which did not materialize) and use it as a book-completion grant?

Money allotted for your offspring? Am not sure what you're talking about. (By the way, depending on your topic, there are a number of private and public sources you could apply to for that book-completion grant. Or, like most writers, you could write it when you get home from your day job.)

re: #149 jcm

A right is intrinsic to the individual, it operates outward only. A right can be exercised. A right cannot place demands on another individual. All the rights enshrined in the Constitution do not require a 2nd party to actualize. An individual can choose to exercise them or not.

When something that is provided by taking away from someone else is not right.

By what right?

Obama is arrogant. He is a flip-flopper and now he is gonna say that I made the surge happen.

aaarrgghhhh

re: #146 Pigtown Water Dog

How are their mad editing skillz?

Oh, you want the ones I like...

Seriously, the fifteen year old girl is a straight-A student, top in the district in 4th and 8th grades, headed for Year 2 of high school. She still works cheap, too.

The eleven year old girl reads like my son eats - constantly. She is also a top-flight student.

You want to mail them something, my nic is blue. Send it to me, and I'll pass it on.

re: #155 Killian Bundy

How about unmitigated self seving fathead? Or more succintly, fucking idiot?!

re: #155 Killian Bundy

Oh no, not the BIG sticks and BIG carrots! There's no way Iran can possibly stand up to that.

/Obama is a [expletive deleted] idiot

I feel sorry for him, having to deal with these assholes for the next ten years or so.
/

obama claims to support the IMPERIALIST WAR IN AFGHANISTAN that should make moonbat heads explode.

either that or they will do some 'rimming' and love it.

re: #155 Killian Bundy

Oh no, not the BIG sticks and BIG carrots! There's no way Iran can possibly stand up to that.

/Obama is a [expletive deleted] idiot

screw the carrot get a big stick, about the size of say,I dont know, an aircraft carrier.

re: #122 JustMyView

You missed the "if necessary" phrase.

Interesting how those who implement the "if necessary phrase" legislatively tend to stretch its definition, which expands the bloc of voters who can be relied upon to keep those same legislators who promote it in office.

re: #147 JustMyView

Programs should be designed to minimize the number of such people. Every effort should be made to ensure that people are educated so that they can support themselves. Contrary to popular belief, living on public assistance is not a terrific amount of fun.

How? How do you propose to design a program to minimize the number?

Public assistance isn't nice; however, an astonishing number of people would not move off it until forced to.

As I continue to insist, this is charity. Charity is not a government program.

re: #119 goddessoftheclassroom

yes but without the system we have now,we wouldn't have
paved roads crossing most of the midwest/western states
electrical infrastructure in the rural areas.
I myself do feel that we as americans have a responsability to assist our fellow americans where needed.the wo examples i listed would have been impossible for the local or state economies to afford.
Abuses of this system are of course unacceptable.

re: #132 JustMyView

If people are unable to provide for themselves, we should, as a humane society, try to help them.

Society should, and does, help them. Private charity.

Public charity is not the function of the government.

re: #164 runrabbitrun
Panem et Circenses:
" .. Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man,
the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time
handed out military command, high civil office, legions - everything, now
restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things:
bread and circuses"
--Juvenal

re: #165 Dianna

How? How do you propose to design a program to minimize the number?

Public assistance isn't nice; however, an astonishing number of people would not move off it until forced to.

As I continue to insist, this is charity. Charity is not a government program.

The Great Society was sold as an end to poverty. 40 years and 3 trillion dollars the situation is worse.

Quote:

"The last election just laid the foundation for the next 500 years of Dark Ages." speaking of the 1981 election ...

Frank Zappa or William Ayers.

That's Frank Zappa.

For God's sake. I love the rotating Frank quotes, but he was off-his-ass as much as he was ever on.

Drugs might have helped.

re: #90 reine.de.tout

You know, one would think so. But I'm not so sure he does know that. He has an easier and more charming manner, but Obama is even more arrogant and self-absorbed, imo, than Bill Clinton ever was.

Incredible.

A single word comes to mind....

AS*HOLE!

re: #164 runrabbitrun

Interesting how those who implement the "if necessary phrase" legislatively tend to stretch its definition, which expands the bloc of voters who can be relied upon to keep those same legislators who promote it in office.

The Gulags were filled with people who questioned "necessity."

re: #45 reine.de.tout

If it's real, what a great letter. I love this:

Victory comes from winning, not from "change."

Truth. Awesome.

Posted earlier on a dying thread:

Get a load of this comment from "Baffled Democrat" at Real Clear Politics (linked from Neo-Neocon's blog):

(I edited for spelling and grammar)

Baffled Democrat

I am a college professor, as far to the left as you can imagine and what Obama is doing is beginning to horrify me. If you watch any - any - documentary on Hitler, you bound to notice frightening and striking similarities between the rise of Hitler and the Obama campaign, to say the least: the lack of self-irony, huge deliberately staged rallies, fear of debates, inability to engage in rational criticism, reliance on charisma and rhetoric, branding (logo, seal, etc), fainting women, religious iconography, tightly controlled messianistic self-image, hope/change/unity platitudes, bildungroman autobiography, indoctrinated youth followers, the use of new media in crafting and controlling the message, etc. Electing a democrat is extremely important to me, but it is begining to dawn on me as well that democracy is not guaranteed and it might be better to put up with McCain for four years than have someone who uses Hitler's spectacular strategies to manufacture power and gravitas.

[Link: comments.realclearpolitics.com...]

Wow! Sums it up pretty pithily, eh?

Some interesting responses in that thread as well.

re: #165 Dianna

How? How do you propose to design a program to minimize the number?

By having eligibiity requirements, time limits, incentives to move into work, job counseling. It's not easy, but it requires more in the way of effort than imagination.

I am certainly not in favor of sustaining a permanent underclass. It's not good for the people in it, and it's bad for the rest of us too.

re: #169 jcm

The Great Society was sold as an end to poverty. 40 years and 3 trillion dollars the situation is worse.

It has, hasn't it? We'd have been better off just handing out stacks of money and getting out of the way.

re: #169 jcm

The Great Society was sold as an end to poverty. 40 years and 3 trillion dollars the situation is worse.

Gee, maybe it should have been bigger and greater and go on for unlimited five years terms.

re: #173 godfrey

If it's real, what a great letter. I love this:

Truth. Awesome.

I think it was established that this was not the "fake" one, this was a different letter that appears to be accurate.

re: #174 neocon hippie

You had to edit a "college professor"'s letter?

Ouch.

re: #166 Boondock St. Bender

yes but without the system we have now,we wouldn't have
paved roads crossing most of the midwest/western states
electrical infrastructure in the rural areas.
I myself do feel that we as americans have a responsability to assist our fellow americans where needed.the wo examples i listed would have been impossible for the local or state economies to afford.
Abuses of this system are of course unacceptable.

Roads always have been a legitimate function of central government as far back as the romans. Electrical infrastructure was not put in place by the government, electric companies did that (granted sometimes it was subsidized). We have the right to pursue happiness, not to actually be happy. People also have the right to fail miserably.

re: #155 Killian Bundy

Oh no, not the BIG sticks and BIG carrots! There's no way Iran can possibly stand up to that.

/Obama is a [expletive deleted] idiot

At least he's not threatening to use broccoli.

re: #174 neocon hippie

You know what? That old lefty is right.

re: #147 JustMyView

Contrary to popular belief, living on public assistance is not a terrific amount of fun.

Many Brits I've talked to consider it living off benefits as a valid career choice. Especially young women seem to have no problem choosing to have have a child just for the government check. What's unemployment in London these days. 20% or so? You wouldn't know that from walking around the city. People have plenty of time and money for shopping and pubs.

re: #178 reine.de.tout

Happy to hear it, Reine!

re: #179 OldLineTexan

You had to edit a "college professor"'s letter?

Ouch.

Haha!

Actually it smells like moby to me.

174 Neocon hippie,

That quote is amazing.

Problem is, there's no proof it's not just some Republican plant, is there?

re: #159 OldLineTexan

Congratulations on your children! Sounds like a wonderful (and ultimately useful) bunch of American patriots. Wish we had more of 'em.

Seriously. The problem with this redistribution plan that libs are so fond of is that there is no reciprocity. The entitlement mentality, writ large and small, does no one any good (I am exempting the truly infirm, elderly, etc.) Think Marshall plan, not handout. Invest in people. Grameen bank as a model.

re: #183 Killgore Trout

I met some young men in London on a pub crawl, who had received a UK government grant to start a roof-repair business. The first action of the business was to take a trip down to London and drink up the grant.

re: #183 Killgore Trout

Many Brits I've talked to consider it living off benefits as a valid career choice. Especially young women seem to have no problem choosing to have have a child just for the government check. What's unemployment in London these days. 20% or so? You wouldn't know that from walking around the city. People have plenty of time and money for shopping and pubs.

Shari'a will fix the problems.
* No single women
* No out-of-wedlock children
* No need for many shops - burkas are remarkably similar, and so are tunics
* No pubs

re: #11 opinionated

John Bolton rips into Obama's Berlin speech.

Comments similar to what was written here live.

One world? Obama's on a different planet
The senator's Berlin speech was radical and naive.

[Link: www.latimes.com...]

That piece makes me proud to say that John Bolton was the winner of the first LGF Anti-Idiotarian of the Year award.

re: #167 Racer X

Society should, and does, help them. Private charity.

Public charity is not the function of the government.

You overestimate what can be accomplished through private charity. For instance, every year, the Washington Post runs a fundraising drive to raise money to provide free care at Children's Hospital. The paper prints stories describing the most deserving recipients of free care you can imagine---very sick children, some born with birth defects or other congenital problems. In a month or so of daily stories, they raise about $500K. This is a very affluent area. There are many poor people in DC, but the surrounding counties are among the most affluent in the U.S. If in these wealthy, relatively liberal areas, it is extremely difficult to raise this relatively small amount of money for these very innocent children, I don't think we can count on the kindness of strangers to help kids whose stories aren't in the papers.

Here's what I wrote a couple of years back, I remember one of the Bens' and I getting in a headbutting discussion on my theory of loyalists which ended by him calling me a troll. We made up after.

[Link: noblesseoblige.org...]

crow casserole

re: #166 Boondock St. Bender

yes but without the system we have now,we wouldn't have
paved roads crossing most of the midwest/western states
electrical infrastructure in the rural areas.
I myself do feel that we as americans have a responsability to assist our fellow americans where needed.the wo examples i listed would have been impossible for the local or state economies to afford.
Abuses of this system are of course unacceptable.

I agree with your examples and argue that since they address national security and commerce (interstate), they are completely appropriate.

re: #187 Pigtown Water Dog

America is doomed to failure because at some time the people will realize they can vote themselves entitlements from the public largesse and bankrupt the country.

Alex De Toqueville
1790?

(paraphrasing if anybody wants to find the actual quote, be my guest)

re: #193 nyc redneck

crow casserole

durn it,
didn't work. i'll try again.

re: #191 JustMyView

I'm supposed to feel sorry for people in D.C.? They elected a crack head for mayor - twice.

It's funny, well actually really sad, how "Progressive" ideas turn out to create more widespread misery and worse living conditions for the majority of people whenever they succeed in being implemented in the real world.

re: #140 JustMyView

I'm not going to endorse a communist slogan, so no. The role of politics is to sort out the responsibilities of the state. I doubt you feel that there are no legitimate areas in which government should act to meet the needs of individuals. I may feel that there are more such areas than you do. That's why we have elections. There's not a right answer; there are only answers that we arrive at through democratic competition.

You already have endorsed that "communist slogan"....it was the Cliff's Notes version of what you said in that one paragraph upthread.

Da, comrade?

re: #191 JustMyView

Well you ststed the problem yourself, relatively liberal areas,conservatves give more generously to charities.

re: #198 Shay4l
"Public Housing" immediately springs to mind.

Hey AP

So now we're winning, eh? No thanks to you. No thanks to the "professoriate." No thanks to Obama. No thanks to "progressives" who claim to love liberty -- as long as its only their own.

*spit*

JMV, I actually more or less agree with you on the function of welfare. It should be a last resort, BASIC safety net.

I hope McCain uses the clip from one of his speeches about the 58 states, on a TV ad campaign.

There is no such thing as 'bad for Obama.'

Everything that is Bad for Obama=Good for Obama. Now repeat that over and over until November....

re: #191 JustMyView

Those stories are essentially cherry-picked, and if you actually dig into them, well...you won't feel quite so sad.

I work in non-profit world. It's not what you think.

There's plenty of charity, and the need isn't overwhelming.

re: #180 francisco d'anconia

heavily subsidised.(same for water/sewage etc.)in most rural areas.
The utility companies would have no motivation to run miles of poles and lines for only a handful of customers.but we cannot have americans cut off from the advantages of modern life.

BTW I also support progressive taxation. It seems to most practical and fair approach.

re: #175 JustMyView

By having eligibiity requirements, time limits, incentives to move into work, job counseling. It's not easy, but it requires more in the way of effort than imagination.

I am certainly not in favor of sustaining a permanent underclass. It's not good for the people in it, and it's bad for the rest of us too.

What I can't stand is people on welfare/social assistance in boom times. Why are they sitting on their asses collecting free money when there are jobs to be found anywhere? I have known welfare families that are 3 generations old. Jobs haven't always been that hard to find.

re: #191 JustMyView

You overestimate what can be accomplished through private charity. For instance, every year, the Washington Post runs a fundraising drive to raise money to provide free care at Children's Hospital. The paper prints stories describing the most deserving recipients of free care you can imagine---very sick children, some born with birth defects or other congenital problems. In a month or so of daily stories, they raise about $500K. This is a very affluent area. There are many poor people in DC, but the surrounding counties are among the most affluent in the U.S. If in these wealthy, relatively liberal areas, it is extremely difficult to raise this relatively small amount of money for these very innocent children, I don't think we can count on the kindness of strangers to help kids whose stories aren't in the papers.

Could it be that they feel that being "affluent" that they're already contribiting to the welfare state you so eloquently espouse through your lovely "progressive" tax...

re: #197 Racer X

I'm supposed to feel sorry for people in D.C.? They elected a crack head for mayor - twice.

Is there a statute of limitations on that? I'm not a DC resident, but the current mayor is good, and so was the previous one. Many indicators of life in DC are positive, but there is still a lot of poverty and crime and a fair amount of government corruption--although there have been some impressive efforts to get rid of that recently.

re: #209 BlueCanuck

The lack of basic education is often a problem.

re: #197 Racer X

after they knew he was a crack head!

re: #187 Pigtown Water Dog

That's just two out of five. I have one I will send you.

/

Workfare seems to have worked.

I read an article (sorry, will not be able to supply a link, this is from memory) where a public housing project actually organized residents (hey! maybe it was Barack, eh?) to do WORK as contribution for using the highly-subsidized apartments. Men and women who had trouble finding jobs but were capable of working were painting, repairing, keeping the grounds, etc., while being given job training. Those less capable actually organized a daycare that assisted the others working.

The idea was to MOVE OUT.

Seems to me that this goes against the average attitude found in these programs.

In Houston, for example, there was a public housing SLUM known as Allen Parkway Village. They practically rioted when the big bad government wanted them to move so that the place could be renovated. It was disgraceful how attached some were to their freebees, even when they were rundown, dangerous, and nasty.

Last night, I was channel-surfing and they were broadcasting a replay of this mass that took place a couple months ago in the city's biggest stadium.

The theme: "God Bless Israel: 60th Anniversary."

/goooood morning...

re: #206 Dianna

Those stories are essentially cherry-picked, and if you actually dig into them, well...you won't feel quite so sad.

I work in non-profit world. It's not what you think.

There's plenty of charity, and the need isn't overwhelming.

I don't doubt the your beliefs, but "there's plenty of charity" is not a very compelling argument. Plenty for whom? For what?

BO reminds me of some poor kid who is average in every way but whose mother thinks he's the most gifted child in the world and drags him out to preform for her social circle.

re: #186 Pastorius

174 Neocon hippie,

That quote is amazing.

Problem is, there's no proof it's not just some Republican plant, is there?

FWIW, he has this to say later in the thread:

Having grown up in communist Eastern Europe and learning about Hitler since very early age, you simply cannot escape the comparison. No matter how hard I try to convince myself that it is just my post-communist paranoia, I can't get Hitler out of my head. I can't believe myself I could think something like this about a Democrat, but it is so blatant, it simply inescapable.

This comment was in response to:

> Having grown up in Hitler's Third Reich - and
> remembering his speeches - I find it most
> interesting that some democrats begin to think of
> Hitler when they describe Obama. They hit the nail
> on the head!

re: #212 godfrey

The lack of basic education is often a problem.

My sister is college educated, an educator, yet she made it her goal to become a "ward of the state". She finally succeeded.

Flat tax discussion. Intelligently tweaked, this is the way to go.

re: #191 JustMyView

these wealthy, relatively liberal areas

There's your trouble.

It's the bitter white clingy middle-class in flyover country that contributes the greater share of their wealth to charities than any other group.

re: #147 JustMyView

Programs should be designed to minimize the number of such people. Every effort should be made to ensure that people are educated so that they can support themselves. Contrary to popular belief, living on public assistance is not a terrific amount of fun.

Yes, staying in bed all day after spending the entire night getting drunk is such a chore, especially when someone else pays your bills. It's hard work not having to make responsible choices, like deciding it's more important to get the kids to a tutor rather than getting a shopping cart full of junk food. I'm sure they'd all rather finish school, have to learn a usable trade, take responsibility for themselves, get out of bed every morning and actually work for a living. How else do you explain the crowds of welfare recipients desperately trying to get off the dole.

Ohh, wait...

One consistent failing of the left is to account for human nature. If given the choice, a large segment of the population will take the money not to work.

re: #211 JustMyView

that sort of thing kinda sticks with a place for a while.

re: #212 godfrey

The lack of basic education is often a problem.

I call Bull S**T on that old onion. Lack of basic education would have been by choice in some cases. Other cases were people that had some college education and were "gaming" the system. Others were just average education say a high school diploma. If your parents got a free ride, and your grandparents got a free ride. . . . . . .

re: #216 JustMyView

Which would you prefer - a hand out, or a hand up?

Teach a man to fish and all that.

re: #198 Shay4l

It's funny, well actually really sad, how "Progressive" ideas turn out to create more widespread misery and worse living conditions for the majority of people whenever they succeed in being implemented in the real world.

Gosh, you mean the War on Poverty isn't going well? Where're all the libs yelling "Quagmire!" on this war?

It's just hard to comprehend why people want to expand a program that has so obviously not worked as intended, and also created an entire host of additional programs.

re: #209 BlueCanuck

What I can't stand is people on welfare/social assistance in boom times. Why are they sitting on their asses collecting free money when there are jobs to be found anywhere? I have known welfare families that are 3 generations old. Jobs haven't always been that hard to find.

As godfrey said, education is a problem. A BIG problem. Also, although nobody likes to hear about it, you can't rule out discrimination. Last night, I watched a show in which a researcher who was studying employment patterns said that a black male stood the same chance of finding a low-wage job as a white make w/ a felony conviction.

CNN is showing a couple of programs called "Black in America" tonight. You might want to check it out.

re: #220 godfrey

You're talking on the Fair Tax, right? I've opposed it mainly because it'll tax the poor more...

/some people's situations can still be pretty bad.

Give a man a fish and he eats for one day.

Teach a man to fish and he sits in a boat drinking beer every day.

re: #225 Racer X

why would anyone need encouragement to go fishing?

re: #210 CynicalConservative

Could it be that they feel that being "affluent" that they're already contribiting to the welfare state you so eloquently espouse through your lovely "progressive" tax...

I'm sure they are, but I think most could spare another hundred bucks to provide medical care for people who need it.

War is, and has always been, about one side convincing the other that it can't win. National Will.

When one side is convinced that they can't win, the End is near. This is also known as the "tipping point".

The "tipping point" for the "insurgency" happened last fall. Since then it's been all downhill for AQI and their allies.

Despite the Democrats best efforts, they were unable to break our National Will.

That's why I hate the Left.

Time to pat ourselves and especially our servicemen and women on the back.

re: #227 JustMyView

I grew up in Central Ontario, where there is very little cultural diversity. Most of the people I am talking about are the perfect example of white trash. All examples I used were Caucasian.

/never assume

re: #227 JustMyView

Illegals don't seem to have a problem finding work....must be those great educations they have.

re: #226 mossley

It's just hard to comprehend why people want to expand a program that has so obviously not worked as intended, and also created an entire host of additional programs.

I think it's because, for the most part, the money is coming from someone else. If you can pay a few hundred a year to salve your conscience and pretend to be doing something about poverty, how much better to know that people who have made more effort to improve their lives have to pay even mor than you.

How can the AP possibly report this at a key time.....suggests the "top people" hve talked and figure McCain gets 4 years and then it's a toss-up.

re: #227 JustMyView

As godfrey said, education is a problem. A BIG problem. . . ..

Education is available to all in this country.

Individuals have a responsibility to take advantage of it.

If they fail to do so, then are you saying that those folks have a right to have the rest of us take care of them?

re: #234 BignJames

Illegals don't seem to have a problem finding work....must be those great educations they have.

They do speak Spanish, for the most part.

re: #225 Racer X

Which would you prefer - a hand out, or a hand up?

Teach a man to fish and all that.

Heck, I'd prefer a lifetime income of around 250K/year. (Don't want to be greedy.) Of course, I'd need additional funding for services: housecleaning, gardening, the poolboy, social secretary.

re: #220 godfrey

I'm not so sure how practical it is in modern successful economies. It's popular in the old soviet union states. I'm not sure if their economic growth can be attributed to flat tax. They're still getting accustomed capitalism so I'd be very surprised if their economies weren't growing.

more; pimf

crow recipes

Simple poverty prevention.

Get a HS diploma.
Don't get pregnant before marriage.
Don't get married before age 20.

re: #233 BlueCanuck

I grew up in Central Ontario, where there is very little cultural diversity. Most of the people I am talking about are the perfect example of white trash. All examples I used were Caucasian.

/never assume

I was thinking about the U.S., where discussions of intractible poverty frequently involve issues of race, but thanks for pointing out that the same problems exist everywhere.

re: #239 JustMyView

Heck, I'd prefer a lifetime income of around 250K/year. (Don't want to be greedy.) Of course, I'd need additional funding for services: housecleaning, gardening, the poolboy, social secretary.

As the joke goes, so now we're just dickering about the price.

re: #231 JustMyView

I'm sure they are, but I think most could spare another hundred bucks to provide medical care for people who need it.

I appreciate the sentiment, but every cause wants their hundred bucks, it's exhausting mentally and financially...

re: #234 BignJames

Illegals don't seem to have a problem finding work....must be those great educations they have.

You can't expect me to wash dishes do you? I might get my $150 Nikes dirty.

Actually, I've come to believe that good news on Iraq is bad news for McCain. Bad news for Iraq is bad news for McCain.

McCain will not catch a break on Iraq because the media is in the tank for the bright shining lie. Obama will benefit from coverage that the situation in Iraq is improving because it provides a forum on which he can mount his 16 month timetable for withdrawal.

It was only a few months ago that Obama was calling for that same timetable for withdrawal, except it was in defeat and retreat as he was claiming the surge couldn't, shouldn't, and didn't work (even before the surge was even operational).

Yet, few in the media will call him out on this, and the public is indifferent to the situation in Iraq since our casualties have dropped tremendously there. People are more concerned about energy prices and the economy.

So, McCain will not catch a break here and that means he and the GOPers have to work that much harder to convince people that he's the right guy for the job.

re: #244 JustMyView

I was thinking about the U.S., where discussions of intractible poverty frequently involve issues of race, but thanks for pointing out that the same problems exist everywhere.

Appalachia being loaded with minorities.

re: #243 jcm

Simple poverty prevention.

Get a HS diploma.
Don't get pregnant before marriage.
Don't get married before age 20$20,000 annula income.

re: #243 jcm

Simple poverty prevention.

Get a HS diploma.
Don't get pregnant before marriage.
Don't get married before age 20.

Why, there otta be a law!

re: #227 JustMyView

As godfrey said, education is a problem. A BIG problem.

Is ignorance hereditary?

re: #243 jcm

if a can add a few.
don't spend most of your off time in a bar
" " " " " " " on drugs
when you get knocked down,get the fuck back up.

re: #250 OldLineTexan

"annual".

Sheesh.

"annula" sounds like a biology term.

There can be no bad news for Obama. Just good news or lies.

re: #231 JustMyView

I'm sure they are, but I think most could spare another hundred bucks to provide medical care for people who need it.

Last year the 'spare another hundred' bucks ate up 37% of what I made.

re: #248 lawhawk

I agree. Obama is actually getting lucky because he's "right" in the same sense as a broken clock. The war has been won and it's about time to start withdrawing troops.

re: #256 jcm

Last year the 'spare another hundred' bucks ate up 37% of what I made.

I didn't get spanked that badly, but eventually the damned well runs dry.

re: #253 Boondock St. Bender

if a can add a few.
don't spend most of your off time in a bar
" " " " " " " on drugs
when you get knocked down,get the fuck back up.

'zactly,
Those 3 things are born out by census data. Every few people who did those 3 things reside below the poverty line.

re: #232 reno911

My contemporaries have already been pushed long past that tipping point.

/age 21, just so ye know...

re: #224 BlueCanuck

lol

Well, my grandparents were immigrants with little education. They were literate, and not a great deal more. They worked hard, never went on welfare, and raised big families. The next generation did great. So yes, lack of education doesn't determine everything.

But what's the expectation here? Let's say you have Ms. A, whose mother was a drug addict. Ms. A has a baby and is barely literate. Her schools were virtually useless. She has few skills, few aspirations, no husband, and no local culture to support her escape. What can we reasonably expect Ms. A to do?

We could expect more if she could read, write, and do arithmetic. Many of them simply can't (currently). I know. I've been to their schools. I also know a few of them who have busted their asses to put themselves through Practical Nursing programs, despite huge odds. So yes, it can be done.

But it's a big hurdle.

re: #256 jcm

And I didn't get a stimulus check, either.

re: #254 OldLineTexan

ARUGULA.

/ q: