Comments on: Chuck Schumer: We Will Fix the Bankruptcy Bill

By: prostratedragon

prostratedragon — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 01:54:41 +0000

And, btw, I’m category 4, in Washtenaw!!

Whoo-hoo!!

Say, is anyone out there GIS capable? It would be nice to have the CFC zones mapped out. All you’d need would be a counties shapefile and the data extracted from CFC’s pdf, which I think I can do.

Probably it could be done using GoogleEarth as the engine, but even with my middling GeForce graphics that route is slow enough to make you cry.

You could mail me at churiken on gmail.

By: bmaz

bmaz — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:31:48 +0000

No, that is exactly a part of what I mean by the “baggage” the Clintons bring to the show. I know I have a habit of defending the Clintons, but it is not an intentional desire. I fully recognize and admit the shortcomings of Bill clinton, and, again, state for the record that Hillary is not my chosen candidate. Al Gore was my choice, and absent that, John Edwards. But as not just a result of my profession, but even more so the part of it that I have inhabited, and to a limited extent still do inhabit, I am well schooled in bare knuckle war with intractable and powerful adversaries. I am cognizant to bring a gun to a gunfight, not a knife. the Clintons have all kinds of well earned baggage, but they bring guns and know how to use them; and we are most certainly, and unfortunately, not yet past the point to where that is needed. I don’t know what really happened in that interlude described in your quote; may be innocent, may be foul, probably is somewhere in between. The grave problems this country are far more serious than the pissant junk the press is focussing on though; that stuff doesn’t mean much to me. That is only my personal view; I may be arrogant enough to express it, but I am certainly not belligerent enough to think, or advocate, that it should have any effect on you or anyone else.

By: Neil

Neil — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:59:44 +0000

Here’s another perspective on Barack. Shelby Steele has an interesting book called “A Bound Man.” He’s articulating what he sees in and about Obama in light of how black men engage society in america, i.e. Louis Armstrong, Bill Cosby, Barack Obama. CSPAN Video Steele at Cody’s Books in Berkeley, CA. 41 minutes.

By: bobschacht

bobschacht — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:52:40 +0000

TheraP & RFW,
I appreciate your discussion. One of my anxieties is that the next president will face a lot of pressure to “let bygones be bygones” and to not “tie up the government in knots” with “gotcha” politics and recriminations, i.e. the litany that Gerald Ford cited when he pardoned Nixon, and that George W. Bush recited when he pardoned a batch of Iran-Contra felons. We’ll be asked to “move on.”

Now, I can tolerate a certain amount of foregiveness, but only after driving a stake through the heart of the vampire. In this case, to be clear, I am not thinking of any one person as the vampire, but rather
(1) the principle of the Unitary Executive.
(2) the class of felons who, if unpunished and branded as felons, will surely rise from their (temporary) political graves and inflict another generation with their poisonous doctrines (I’m looking at Elliot Abrams and Doug Feith, among others, right now). Elliot Abrams is Exhibit A. Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld would be examples, too, but they weren’t actually convicted of anything. And Henry Kissinger is a whole ‘nuther chapter.

So, to “move on,” I’d be OK with commuting the sentences of (but not pardoning) these felons– after conviction.

Bob in HI

By: radiofreewill

radiofreewill — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:47:45 +0000

You know I’m “lookin’ out” for you, Doc!

By: TheraP

TheraP — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:30:41 +0000

I think you’re underestimating me, rfw. In no way am I a devotee of the “all love approach.” Indeed, if I am discussing therapy, I would call that approach a false or fraudulent therapy. One must be able to confront. But the confrontation need not be abusive. I have no problem calling something immoral, unethical, or illegal. It’s crucial to use the right language. If someone as been raped, it’s “rape.” If by a relative, it’s “incest.” I would have preferred impeachment, if that’s what your getting at. I would still like to see these criminals in the Hague, in cells, for life.

For me the first question is, does the person have a conscience? If not, there’s no dealing with them, except to hold then accountable for what they’ve done. I’m not into “converting” the criminals. But I do think the citizens of this land need to be inspired to get on board a “change” process.

It takes all kinds to get the job done. I’ll do my part. And you’ll do yours. (like via trolls) But I won’t take part in becoming “like” the dark side. Whatever tactics I use, they must be legal and they must not destroy my soul in the process.

I love the interchange here! Glad I’m on your side, buddy!

By: phred

phred — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:28:21 +0000

Interesting gathering. Was it just to give the Dems an opportunity to get their message out or did you get a real sense that the Dem leadership in Congress is ready to stand up to the Rethugs and to start delivering to their progressive base?

By: BlueStateRedHead

BlueStateRedHead — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:21:00 +0000

Clinton have a lot to offer vs. nasty goopers, but seem to have learned alot too, e.g. how to create free speech zones so nobody gets to speak. From the NYT:

As Mr. Clinton shook hands with members of the audience after his speech, campaign aides blocked the only exit from the press area, leaving reporters corralled behind metal barricades until the former president was ushered backstage.

Is this what you mean Bmaz? Not snark, not provocation. I am neutral until the general. Really curious if this is what we want to see, again.

By: radiofreewill

radiofreewill — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:12:26 +0000

TheraP - You are Fine Ambassador for the All-Love approach, imho, wherein there is Good to be found in Everything! I’m all for it amongst people who strive to self-correct and be consciously accountable to their community.

However, there are times when it’s more important to Point Out, without adding a helping of mitigating ‘goodness,’ that A Group of Criminals, With Mal-Intent, is Hiding Amongst US.

These are times that Call for Focusing the Awareness of the Masses, like a Beam of Radiation, on the Bush Cancer. Public Scrutiny - bringing the squealing weasels into the light - is what shrinks this threat, and makes it easier to remove procedurally.

We can’t deal with the plague by converting the rats - we have to put them in pens away from the rest of US - if We want to stay healthy ourselves.

It’s not abusive to Stand for the Rule of Law, and it’s not strength to take Abuse without End.

By: BlueStateRedHead

BlueStateRedHead — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:09:15 +0000

if an OT can be permitted for a lite note and as a harbinger of spring. some baseball news. Santana is going to the Mets.