bmags

well, that would be the first time going to the bottle legit, but it's at the abbey pub.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Jul 30, 2008 -> 09:13 PM) As I said, I'd like to open a separate thread about this... because some of this stuff I'm for (hilighted in bold). But, I think that any president is delusional about PAYGO, because Congress is a bunch of idiots when it comes to that (without regards to party). I have a lot of questions that I want serious answers to. PAYGO f*d BushI over when it was the first law to limit congressional spending that had worked, and consequently had to increase the taxes. I think, one point you are missing in this whole thing, is that a president can be more than just what his executive office grants him. A president can embody the temperament and culture of the country at the moment. They can reflect and influence the mood of the country. After 9/11, Bush was the confident leader that we were all looking for at the time and it helped unite all of us despite whatever politics we had, and since then we've suffered some of the most divisive politics I've seen in my life*. Beyond what I like about him as a candidate, I think his ability to get the country to move, not only the government, in a more positive way with his speeches and attitude that you backhand swipe him with is something very special that Obama brings. For instance, after his race speech, people once again got on the soap box of "well what did he propose, just more empty talk" even though it was one of the more substantive speeches we've seen from a politician recently. Somethings government policies can't change, as I'm sure you'll agree. Race relations, education, service, humanitarian efforts, these are all things we as individuals must participate in actively. Obama has been able to foster these debates, and in my opinion, he'll keep these things on the table, and our country together can heal these problems and wounds, not just the government. Much of the institutional governmental problems we had have been overturned, but the societal problems from those lingers. And people find in Obama the motivation and encouragement to go out and let's get this done. *I believe due to the 90's bitter fights being largely over morality and politics, they are not close to the bitter divide of the 00's, with the heavy and very much strategically placed division between the mid-US and the coasts, especially degrading entire regions with such heavy innuendos questioning their patriotism and loyalty.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 30, 2008 -> 06:49 PM) Are the health care costs for cancer figured in that? If that is a high causation for cancer, I'm sure the # of people no longer appearing in court and overcrowding jails would be comparible.

QUOTE (jasonxctf @ Jul 30, 2008 -> 06:28 PM) check out the latest McCain ad... pretty sad. Didn't know that Obama was just like Paris Hilton or Britney Spears. In fact I wonder if Spears or Hilton can sue to remove their likeness from an ad? How would that be any different than Coke using a picture of Hilton? (or Hilton doing coke... ) I question why they used those two celebrities, you know? Of all the people with huge fame in america, they chose paris hilton and britney spears to be paired with Barack Obama. Trying a little sub-conscious workings are you McCain?

the thing is negative advertisements for the most part are more educational, except for the one's that just attack character or ads like willie horton that are very loose, but that's where the media is supposed to come in, right? (oh, right, all they do now is show the ad and ask how it will be perceived by the audience and if the ad was good strategy, I forgot) Sometimes I think a negative ad is healthier for our democracy than "Hey, this is me with my family making cookies, see, I'm just like you, except rich people give me money all the time to push their policies. Vote for me!"

legalizing marijuana would save the states so much money.

QUOTE (LosMediasBlancas @ Jul 30, 2008 -> 08:11 AM) Dude, WTF r u waiting 4? It's one of the things I miss most about home. but I'm in Missouri los

kudos on the subtitle.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Jul 30, 2008 -> 03:54 PM) I don't understand the question. As far as Obama and Europe, if you look at all of the rifts we've had with them under the Bush administration e.g. Kyoto protocol, invasion of Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, backing out of the ABM treaty (I really don't know why we did that), and then see where Obama is on those issues compared to Bush - then add in Obama's general tone towards them compared to the contempt Bush's people treated them with in his first term that they haven't forgotten. Add all that up and your answer is in there somewhere. I read a fair amount of their news, btw. when I was in Europe they were truly excited over the first black man/first woman narrative as well. In Germany they know so much about politics. One person asked me what I thought of AG Mukasey.

you guys do realize that Stevens is actually in a competitive primary right now?

QUOTE (LosMediasBlancas @ Jul 30, 2008 -> 07:46 AM) Congrats, you finally made 21. How do you like The Empty Bottle? 22 now and still haven't been since I've turned.

and right on cue: from her press release: Palin said she has no interest in leaving her job as governor should the Republican Party look to find a replacement for Stevens on the election ballot.

QUOTE (MHizzle85 @ Jul 29, 2008 -> 11:11 PM) Didn't hear about this, details please 3-day passes are still available for $205 on the website but you can find em cheaper on ebay/craig's list. I was off on the location. Saturday night 9 pm at the Abbey Pub.

I just wanted to say this has been a very interesting discussion. I recently read a paper about the public school system in America, it said that one of the key policy issues is what goals people wanted it to address. One of the distinctions of these goals was whether someone viewed education as a public or a private good. (I think by nature education is a public good but it's an interesting read). if people would like I can upload it or link it.

From Roll Call: Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), who has been indicted on seven counts of making false statements on his financial disclosure forms, has stepped down from his post atop two committees, according to a senior GOP aide. Republicans may vote as early as Wednesday afternoon to select replacements. Consistent with GOP bylaws that require Members who are under felony indictment to relinquish their ranking posts on committees, Stevens, the longest-serving Republican Senator, has officially stepped down as ranking member of both the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

well, this gives a huge rundown of what I'm alluding to. The guy sounds like a scumbag who deserved to be fired, but obviously a Gov. can't do this if it's true. I suppose they'll have to wait for the investigation. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/45694.html

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Jul 29, 2008 -> 09:58 PM) Well, they had elected a governor who has taken on the corruption there, so who knows. Since it looks like she won't get the veep nod, maybe she will take Stevens' seat. hmm...I believe she's in a scandal now too.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Jul 29, 2008 -> 07:34 PM) y'all know Alaska will elect someone just like him?! I really think they are starting to clean up, this probe wiped out a lot, but he's running in a primary despite this being Ted friggen Stevens, THE alaskan political figure since before Alaska was a state. And he was supposed to eek it out. The party will probably replace him, I believe.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 29, 2008 -> 08:03 PM) Can we have him shipped out in some sort of pneumatic tube? "It's a SERIES OF TUBES"

Hope everyone doesn't have any problems

I picked school.

Okay, Balta, found you an answer, from MSNBC's story: Per Republican Senate caucus rules, if a member is indicted, he or she can no longer serve as chairman or ranking member of a committee. Stevens is a ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/7/2...8612/592/558752 hahahaha this is my district. I am a big fan of Judy Baker, but this Brock Olivo thing is really funny. So, he is a former U of Mizzou running back, one of the few players with his name and number on our stadium's wall. And so the 9th is where columbia is situated. He's basically running on his name, admitted to never voting in an election and honestly has absolutely no idea on any policy people ask him about. It's a seat vacant by the pretty popular Kenny Hulshof who is leaving to run for governor. He won by heavy margins in a pretty liberal area. The republicans couldn't find anyone to get this seat, while the dems through hugely popular Judy Baker and Mo's Speaker of the HOuse. bahahahaha, please watch that

QUOTE (Texsox @ Jul 29, 2008 -> 06:16 PM) I do not know enough about the national test to draw a comparison. I do know that we have a major controversy here about "teaching to the test" and the many, many, classroom hours that are devoted to "test taking skills" that have no other value other then learning to take standardized tests. There is a lot of pressure placed on schools to have their students do well on these tests. That has been a seismic shift over the past 10-15 years. Careers and made and lost on how well students do on the tests. I'd like to know if the same students took both tests. How large of a sample size was used and how well distributed it was. It would also be helpful to know if either test was administered in Spanish. Bottom line, teachers have curriculum in place that helps kids to sort out answers and other test taking strategies. I fail to find much value in that. Interesting. We'll see how NCLB pans out in it's successes, but I can't see it being renewed.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Jul 29, 2008 -> 06:09 PM) Election year politics I guarantee you the Dems would much rather Young and Stevens on the tickets than off them, Tex.