Jack & Jill Politics

Reid Shifts On Gitmo After Obama Speech
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/21/reid-o...

Did we call it or did we call it?

Still the highlight of Reid's response for me is "Many Americans have had concerns about terrorists coming into our communities. We received today a broad vision from President Obama and that's important that he did that. We're all awaiting the details of his plan. And he's going to come up with one," said Reid. "We're wanting and willing to work with him to come up with a responsible solution."

My question - who the heck arrested these people and who put them in Gitmo using US tax payers dollars? Sooooo it was okay to stockpile these people like slaves on a ship in someone elses country but after you realized the magnitude of the mess you made and recognized ya can't hide it and that it has to be cleaned up. . . no one wants to man up and do the right thing? Punk a*s b*tch*s and Reid is talking about a "responsible" solution????? that is the problem. Under Bush's leadership, the courts found approximately 250 of these detainees should be released but because no one thought about what to do if this judgment was found those people are still there. . . clearly no one was remotely interested in being any where near responsible. Just bury it in someone elses back yard, fund it with taxpayers money and pretend it doesn't exist. Shame shame shame

Go ahead Mr. President. Be the adult in the room and give them ALL a spanking, make them own it and fix it even if it isn't easy.

Harry Reid need to retire and go to Vegas. He'd do better at working with
this: http://www.talentonline.co.nz/vegas/blackjack-r...

you know spirit - I don't hold much for folks who are aware of a serious problem that was a result of their making or they at least contributed to it or even the ones who know we have problems that have to be resolved . .but they are only interested in standing by and complaining about EVERYTHING and have zero solution to offer. 0, zilch, nada. you ask them specifics on a possible realistic solution and you get nothing but they can stand by provide a 1000 page dissertation on what you are doing wrong and the reasons why they are not willing to help clean up the mess.

ok I feel better now after that rant. co-signing on Reid's new line of employment. :-)

AFTERNOON THREAD IS UP!!

Serious question - What was the stated purpose of former VP Cheney's 'speech''? Was it supposed to be the Republican response?

yes it was. The few remaining sane republicans warned against it and told him to go away immediately but the GOP talking heads, the ones who have lost their minds after the election of President Obama, the same ones who brought you the GOP budget, insisted Cheney keep up the appearances and speeches because he is helping the party.

I wonder what color the sky is in their world.

I have no idea

Dems Making Massive Gains As GOP Deteriorates: Pew Poll

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/21/obamas...

I'm GLAD Cheney is disrespecting Obama.

I want the Republicans, every last one of them, to quit being snide little bitches and openly come out and disrespect Obama.

Instead of talking about "socialism" and all that BS, they need to come out with the real reason they dislike Obama. Dont' be shy.

Someone's got to be first, and that's the person who's going to be the 2012 nominee.

And then I want to watch the GOP spend the next 15-20 years in the Wilderness, wondering "whut happened???"

But, would it matter..really? If they call Obama "nigger" tonight. Tomorrow when he opens his eyes, he'll still be THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES....as he keeps telling us.

So, should we be distracted by the racial stuff? Obama has arrived, he has grabbed the brass ring. He is the occupant of the white house, this is the reality.

Now what?

People have emerged from comas with a more clear view of reality than these numbnuts leading the GOP.

I luv you, Town.

Town, you know they want to call the president a NIGGER. They are busting at the seams that black man named Barack Hussein Obama got elected President of the United States of America and is POPULAR.

They are livid and their IMPOTENCE has been fully EXPOSED!

Town, you know they want to call the president a NIGGER.


Tell.The.Truth., Spirit!

You know they want to!

HA! Come on, Town,; break it down.

:-) and there you have it.

Ed Schultz Defends Obama Against Entire Cast Of Morning Joe (VIDEO)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/21/ed-sch...

What a sorry ass, TRANSPARENT, hating bunch, that Morning Joe crew.

Here's Joe Scarbourough every time he opens his mouth:

http://blog.blazingangles.net/whatsthis/tipsand...

Nine year old Damon has more journalistic talent than Joey Scar. Notice how he cranks up the volume and talks over his guest to drive his drivel-filled agenda.

Mark Halpren is a disdainful prick.

Mika B.'s she just empty window dressing used to set up and defend the attacks on President Obama.

We see you haters!

TELL 'EM ED! He took all of them mofos on!

*bumps I Ain't Neva Scared*

Joe is the typical pompous, obnoxious, privileged white boy. And Mika is the typical airhead cheerleading the football star white girl.

When Ed told those assholes that they're going after Pelosi because she's a woman, I loved how Mika said that that wasn't true and that she doesn't care about gender. I guess she thinks we forgot how she acted during the primaries.

Ed rocks

RNC Hits Obama For Criticizing Slavery

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/21/rnc-hi...

This is inevitable. Obama is the criticizer of anyone(black) who criticizes racism...
He thinks it his obligation to draw contrasts between how he would phrase things and how they did.

This is a brilliant strategy to get black people hyper defensive of Obama, so they forget to seek their OWN good.

The hate has consumed them to the core. They're so disoriented - you're not supposed to laugh at someone actually having a nervous breakdown, but this is kinda funny.

Did anyone else hear that SOB Cheney critique the length of the President's speech when he began his with this snide commentary:

"it's pretty clear that the President served in the US Senate and not the House of Representatives where we are limited to 5 minutes when we speak'

WTF?

This is stuff that just makes me furious.

The President of the UNITED STATES gets to speak for howEVER long he wants on National Security.

It is your ass that should not have any time!!

whiterosebuddy - it is all good. you'll see.

The MSM is giving Cheney a high diving board to jump off. He'll hit the pavement soon.

I hope no one calls 911!

To Dick Cheney:

Jump mofo jump!

BWA HAHAHAHAA

lol no sympathy Justice?

Val

Cheney is so damn dirty. And now he is determined to undermine our President to the American people.

I wanna see the mofo perp walked in handcuffs!

did you get that Spirit? I got that. Even if that is not their intention.

I have been site hopping and the commentary from the American public . .. . indicates Cheney is successfully pulling the GOP over the cliff that they are all hell bent on falling off of.

These people are so idiotic.

Oh yes, I got it. The GOP base are the only ones falling for this nonsense; Lawdy, I hope so!

I sho hope you & Val are right.

Cheney is disrespecting the President!

As for Andrea Mitchell .....Saaaaaaaa>>>>lap

Andrea Mitchell for me is a pain in the patoot. I hope someone asks her about her husband during an interview.

Wasn't Alan on Anderson Cooper's list of CULPRITS RESPONSIBLE for the Wall Street Meltdown?

http://bostonkayakguy.wordpress.com/2008/10/16/...

YES

Go ahead Spirit. **handing you a cookie. ** I WISH someone would throw that in her face. at least the question would be fact based vs. that garbage she loves to spew on her show. She has some nerve.

Thanks, Val, yummy cookie! :-))

Yup! I should email that to her ass and say...

You see that face, Andrea, this man is responsible for the meltdown! .......What say you now, Angie baby!

But who is responsible for the meltdown of her face?

Town: Town! Town! SPEAK!! :>)

Her EVILNESS plays a BIG ROLE!!

Annnnnd, Ain't ENOUGH BOTOX in the world 2 RE-STORE IT!

SAG - BABY - SAG!! :>)

BWA HA HA HA HA HA

**DEAD**

*dead*

BWA HA HA!

snicker. snort. lololol
Town --- Town.. . . . I thought it but I did not say it. RAOTFLMAO.

yes. Yes. YEEEES!!!!

"Cheney is disrespecting the President."

It's Impossible, since Cheney has no respect for himself.

I put a diary up on Daily Kos about Ed Schultz slammin Joe Scarborough, it is video intense.

Thank you Iceberg

Well,well as the church lady liked to say,"Isnt this special"
Porter Goss Won’t Say Whether He And Pelosi Were Told About Use Of Torture
Porter Goss, the former GOP Congressman who was in the room with Nancy Pelosi during their 2002 CIA briefing on interrogations, is declining through a spokesperson to say whether the two of them were told that enhanced interrogation techniques had been used.

Goss’ reticence raises still another round of questions about the accuracy of the recently-released CIA documents purporting to detail what members of Congress were told about the use of torture.

The CIA documents say that Pelosi and Goss, then the House Intelligence Committee chair, were given a description on September 4th, 2002, of the enhanced interrogation techniques that “had been employed” during interrogations. Republicans have seized on this as proof that Pelosi was told that torture, including waterboarding, was already in use, which she has denied.

I asked a spokesperson for Goss if he would confirm that he and Pelosi had been informed of the use of torture. Goss was out of town, so it took her a while to get back to me, but now she has: She declined to answer the question, saying that Goss would not elaborate beyond what he said in a Washington Post Op ed last month.

In that carefully-worded piece, Goss did not write he had been told that torture had been used. Rather, he merely wrote that members of Congress were told that the CIA was “holding and interrogating” suspects and that EITs had been developed. He said that members should have “understood” that EITs “were to actually be employed” in the future, without saying that they were even told this, let alone told that they’d been used.

This does not contradict Pelosi’s claim that she was only told that such techniques were legal, not that they had been or certainly would be used — the crux of the GOP’s attack.

So I asked Goss’ spokesperson directly: Were he and Pelosi informed that EITs, including waterboarding, had already been used, and were they given a rough sense that Abu Zubaydah had been waterboarded more than 83 times the previous month?

Her answer: “He believes that his Op-ed makes it very clear and is not engaging beyond it at this time.” She declined repeated requests to elaborate.

So here’s where we are: The Republican Congressman who was in the room during Pelosi’s briefing won’t directly vouch for the accuracy of the CIA’s claim that she had been briefed on the use of torture.
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/torture/porte...

So once again, the folks who claim to 'put America first' when it comes to torture refuse to speak out if it is not in their PARTY interst.

Just sickening.

One thing about the "CIA lying" - does NO ONE remember the bullshit the CIA was involved in the 70s and the 80s? Guatemala, Iran, Nicaragua, Chile, Columbia, El Salvador......

Leon Panetta needs to keep his mouth shut about what's happening under "his watch" because it just started and he has no real clue what Tenet with the guidance of Cheney did. The CIA is NOT a trustworthy organization. Gimme a fucking break.

And another thing - this working deal is getting in the way of my politicking & blogging.....goddamnit.....

/muttering...walking away kicking the wall..../ sumabiches....

You and me both!! (about this working interfering with my day)

Couldn't agree with you more on Panetta.

LOL!!! "And another thing - this working deal is getting in the way of my politicking & blogging.....goddamnit.....

/muttering...walking away kicking the wall..../ sumabiches....

ROTFLMBAO!!!! Oops! quiet, co-workers next door.

New article in Time on the First Lady, interesting note, some at the White House postpned retirement so they could work for the Obama's. I would have too!!!
see the rest of article & pics at
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,859...

"The Meaning of Michelle Obama
By Nancy Gibbs and Michael Scherer Thursday, May. 21, 2009

It was just two days after the Inauguration when an e-mail went around to Michelle Obama's staff, instructing everyone to be in the East Room of the White House at 3 that afternoon. The First Lady's advisers arrived to find the room filled with ushers and plumbers, electricians and maids and kitchen crew gathered in a huge circle, and Michelle in a T shirt and ponytail, very casual and very much in charge.

"This is my team that came with me from Chicago," Michelle said, pointing to her communications staff and policy people. "This is my team who works here already," she went on, indicating the ring of veterans around the room. Many of the household staff had served for decades; some had postponed retirement because they wanted to serve an African-American President. And so the two groups formed concentric rings and spent the next hour or so making sure that everyone had a chance to meet everyone else. I want you to know that you won't be judged based on whether they know your name, Michelle had warned her advisers. You'll be judged based on whether you know theirs......."

From the article:

The President refers to what he calls "Michelle time," when he takes a break during the day and retreats to the residence.

Oooh, somebody's getting their afternoon delight on. Good for them (LOL).

and the Camp David time with their friends and family......so neat!

rikyrah: Still investigatin': Hmmmm.

+ Jesse Jackson Jr. Pays Campaign Funds to Chicago Alderman Wife

Representative Jesse Jackson Jr.’s congressional campaign organization has paid his wife at least $247,500 since 2001, including at least $95,000 after Sandra Jackson joined the Chicago City Council two years ago, according to federal election records.

Jackson’s political committee also gave at least $298,927 in cash and in-kind contributions to Sandra Jackson’s campaign fund, which bankrolled her races for a city council seat that pays more than $100,000 per year and an unpaid position on the Cook County Democratic Committee.

Sandra Jackson, known as Sandi, received the $95,000 for political consulting after pledging during her campaign to give “my full attention” to the alderman’s post.

Jesse Jackson got a Federal Election Commission advisory opinion in 2001 saying his campaign could pay Sandi Jackson for consulting work without violating a ban on personal use of political donations. Even so, the Chicago Democrat’s fundraising is so entangled with his family’s interests that he’s pushing the limits of propriety, said Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a nonprofit ethics watchdog group.

“Much of this may be legal, but let’s refer back to an old quote: the scandal in Washington often is what’s legal,” said Sloan, whose group in 2007 reported on relatives who profit from their ties to members of Congress. “Mr. Jackson is availing himself of the full range of loopholes by which he can transfer money to his family.”

Aides say both Jacksons take care to avoid legal or ethical conflicts.

‘Unique Synergy’

“Congressman Jackson and Alderman Jackson are each other’s biggest supporters” and “do their best to follow all federal, state and local rules, laws and ethic codes,” Rick Bryant, a spokesman for Jesse Jackson, said in an e-mail.

The Jacksons have a “unique synergy which enhances the value and quality of life for the constituents they serve,” Sandi Jackson’s spokeswoman, Crystal Adkisson, said by e-mail. “Both the congressman and alderman take pride in being in compliance with federal, state and local laws, and rules and ethics codes.”

Jackson, 44, said last month he is the subject of a House ethics probe into his contacts with ousted Illinois Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich about the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama. Blagojevich faces federal charges that he tried to sell Obama’s seat.

A grand jury indictment of Blagojevich alleges that the then governor believed he could get as much as $1.5 million in political donations from Jackson supporters if he named the congressman to the job. Jackson has denied wrongdoing, saying he rejects “pay-to-play politics” and is cooperating “fully with any and all investigations related to this matter.”

Political Dynasty

Jesse and Sandi Jackson have been building a political dynasty as a power couple on Chicago’s South Side, sharing personnel and campaign assets.

Jesse Jackson hired Sandi Jackson’s chief of staff, Bonita Parker, as a “special assistant” on his taxpayer-funded congressional staff in April 2008, paying her $22,000 through March 31, federal records show. Over the same period, Parker made an annual city salary of $77,724 in 2008, which rose to $80,052 on Jan. 1, said Constance Buscemi, a city spokeswoman.

Parker left her part-time job in Jesse Jackson’s office as of March 31, said Bryant, who called her “uniquely qualified for the dual role because of her extensive experience in community service with the public and private sectors.”

Parker is former chief operating officer and said she is still on the board of the Chicago-based Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, a civil rights group started by the congressman’s father, the Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr.

In a brief telephone interview May 19, Parker declined to comment about her employment by the Jacksons.

Voter ‘Favorite’

Last November, Sandi Jackson’s political committee paid for a statewide poll showing her husband as “the favorite” among Illinois voters to fill Obama’s Senate seat.

After his wife’s victory, Jesse Jackson opened a House district office down the hall from her aldermanic office. Bryant said the new location was picked for “accessibility and visibility.”

Jesse Jackson won a 1995 special election when he was 30 years old and has been re-elected to the House of Representatives seven times.

Sandi Jackson, 45, worked on Capitol Hill and in Democratic campaigns before marrying Jackson in 1991. She has been vice president for congressional and external affairs at the U.S. Export-Import Bank and deputy director of training for the Democratic National Committee.

‘Considerable Experience’

She was sworn in as alderman for Chicago’s Seventh Ward in May 2007. In February 2008, she won a separate election to be the Seventh Ward’s Democratic committeeman.

The FEC noted Sandi Jackson’s “considerable experience and expertise” in its July 17, 2001, opinion clearing Jesse Jackson to tap political contributions to pay his wife as a campaign consultant. Sandi Jackson got a payment for $3,500 11 days later.

In the advisory opinion, then-FEC Chairman Danny McDonald said Jackson told the agency in a phone conversation that his wife “will be working full-time for the campaign,” yet might do “occasional consulting work for her current non-political clients.”

Sandi Jackson has continued to get money, receiving $5,000 payments from her husband’s political committee in 19 of the 22 months between her swearing-in as an alderman and the end of March, the last month for which federal campaign-expense filings are available. The 2008 total of $55,000 was more than she received in any previous year.

Campaign Services

Bryant, of Jesse Jackson’s office, said Sandi Jackson provides “campaign-related services, such as fundraising and administrative support.”

Questioned during the City Council race about living in Washington, Sandi Jackson wrote on a campaign blog that, if elected, “it is my intention to reside full time in Chicago and to give the ward and its residents my full attention.”

Jesse Jackson’s FEC reports list payments as being made to J. Donatella & Associates, which Bryant described as “Sandi’s sole proprietorship” for her consulting work. The couple’s oldest child is 9-year-old Jessica Donatella Jackson.

From 2003 through mid-2005, the recipient is shown on Jackson’s reports as “Lee Stevens” or “Lee Steven” at the J. Donatella firm. Sandi Jackson’s middle name is Lee. Her maiden name is Stevens.

Different Names

“Using all these different names to describe the same person raises questions as to whether they’re intentionally disguising information on their FEC reports,” said Jan Baran, a Republican election lawyer at Wiley Rein LLP in Washington and a former FEC official.

Sloan, of the CREW group, said the filings create the appearance that Jackson “made efforts to hide some of the expenditures to his wife by using names different from how his wife is known.”

Bryant, of Jesse Jackson’s staff, said a “software glitch” during one reporting period caused the report to list “an abbreviated version of Sandi’s legal name, Sandra Lee Stevens Jackson.” In FEC records, variations of the Lee Stevens name appear on reports spanning parts of 2003, 2004 and 2005.

“Many lawmakers hire their relatives to perform campaign- related work,” Bryant said. “Clearly the arrangement is permissible, ethical, public and quite common.”

Financial Disclosures

Sandi Jackson identified the J. Donatella firm as a source of outside income on her 2007 financial disclosure with Chicago’s city clerk.

Jesse Jackson listed his wife’s firm on personal finance disclosures for 2001, 2002 and 2003, but didn’t mention her consulting work on filings for 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Earlier this year, Jackson amended those reports, saying the Donatella firm was omitted by mistake.

While he isn’t the only candidate to hire a relative for campaign work, Jackson was the first to obtain an FEC opinion on the practice, agency spokeswoman Judith Ingram said. Since 2001, “it appears that many candidates are relying on” the opinion’s guidance, she said.

In addition to payments for consulting work, Jesse Jackson’s political committee has transferred more than $227,000 to Sandi Jackson’s campaign organization since October 2006, according to his campaign reports. He provided in-kind benefits of $71,914, including billboard space worth about $66,000.

Campaign Funding

Federal election laws permit members of Congress to contribute their campaign funds to candidates for state and local offices. Jesse Jackson requested an FEC opinion in 2007, which said he also could give unlimited amounts to Sandi Jackson’s race for her Democratic Party post.

The congressman got some reciprocal benefit when the “Friends of Sandi Jackson” campaign bankrolled a Zogby International poll that showed Jesse Jackson atop a list of 10 possible contenders to replace Obama in the Senate. Sandi Jackson’s campaign reports show almost $26,000 paid to Utica, New York-based Zogby two days before polling began.

Kenneth Edmonds, Jesse Jackson’s chief of staff, said by e- mail that the Jacksons are “now reviewing the circumstances of the poll, to determine whether reimbursement is appropriate.”

Timothy J. Burger, Bloomberg

I'll WAIT 4 a response!!

Blego is going to take JJJjr w/ him.

RobM: SURE looks this way!! :>)

SOMEBODY's TRIAL is gonna B soooo WORTHY of bein' TELEVISED!! :>)

Hi, GLH:

Hope you're doing better. Those of us familiar with all of the Jacksons, from father to son to daughter-in law, have two things to say:

1. Birds of a feather flock together
2. They are who we knew they were

sagittarius: THANK U! LUV YA!

Havin' a "little betta moment!" A little L8R - - -gotta do some TESTIN' & RESTIN'.

Thank 4 the info on the Jacksons.

Still wantin' 2 know WHO ELSE is bein' "investigated!"

In case anyone was wondering Lawrence O'Donnell doesn't like Cheney. He is going off about his speech. He might punch somebody.

Good on Lawrence. And if Lawrence doesn't, I WILL!

I just saw a snippet with The Dick. he's the first VP with experience as Sec. of Defense. Big FUCKING DEAL. The thing with Cheney is simply put - he's a coward parading around as a bully. The 5 deferments, the hanging in a bunker, the permission to torture - that's about FEAR. The man is AFRAID.

I also saw snippets of Mr. President. He was being a tough ass. ...."we inherited a fucking mess...." Oh wait - that's me! We inherited a mess! He said it HARD as in - GodDAMNIT! When are you people going to get it?

Wordsmith: MR. PRESIDENT WAS - - -FIERCE!!

Lawrence is a very well-modulated - - FIERCE!! :>)

Love! HIM!! :>)

I like Lawrence, he just gets right to the point. Cheney is deranged. He's starting to look like he's stalking the President ..(lol).

whats he saying?

Cheney is a liar and anyone who falls for his bullshit are idiots.That is all.

Another speech with so much to digest, I simply don't know where to begin.

How in the universe does he do it?

Citizens all across this country, whether we agree with him or not, are honored to have this gifted a (hu)man as our president.

Yes. Let us all print off his speeches on our Lexmarks and pore over it for hidden treasure.

That speech made me want to put on the uniform and serve. If the American public is still too dim or still too afraid to appreciate the blessing they have been given of a once-in-a-generation leader (something I never thought I would have in my lifetime) then fuck them!

Preach!

Tell it. Preach it.

go ahead NMP. preach

Yes, we are.

Obama covered a lot of ground in his speech today, particularly about the 'rule of law' and upholding our values and not relinquishing values under the auspices of security. Sounding like Ben Franklin, when he said 'he who relinquishes his rights for security deserves neither.'

I am disturbed about what I see as the politics shaping up around this issue. It affirms for me that this is a nation founded by barbaric, brutal humans who would enslave and speak with forked tongue in the name of power. Because those of the individuals who are responding to Cheney's 'ends justify the means' approach to national security.

It is almost like Cheney is Obama's Robert E. Lee. Cheney is doing nothing but riling up fear, same as slaveowners riled up the nation with the fear of free negros.

Which places into stark reality once again how it is black folks who truly believe in the US Constitution, it's principles and the rule of law in this democracy. It is black folks who have consistently marched, protested and become martyrs to make America live up to her ideals. The majority of white folks only believe in the US Constitution, Bill of Rights, when it serves to entrench their power. If following those principles does not allow them to rule with an iron fist, they ignore it. Obama is saying NO. And they are MAD. They want to pillage, rape, torture and plunder whenever they feel the need to and still think they are all mighty America.

Obama is no different, than most of those in this nation who are not 'privileged' by money or class, he knows the Democratic principles in the Constitution enabled him to rise to his fullest potential and in that sense. His speech is remininescent of Douglas Fourth of July speech, only Obama has to persuade the republic to UPHOLD those principles that have been set forth for themSELVES and not be swayed by fear.


America is at a crossroads, and National Security is the new wedge issue, it is not 'anymeans necessary & torture" vs. US Constitutionals, principles and values'

Fear should not be allowed to carry us down into tyranny.

I've been saying for how long that Black folk were the TRUEST Americans - we're the ones who, bottom line, fight for this country to live up to its creed.

we're the ones who, bottom line, fight for this country to live up to its creed.

...Except with teh gays.

TOO long!
Keep earning that red tail.

Say it!

yes, inDEED....we are the Americans who believe most in the principles set forth by the founding fathers. NO other Americans have had to come so far based SOLELY on those principles..so yes we hold them dear and are FAR more patriotic, than all of them combined.

Not the Irish, nor Jews, Italians or Polish...have had to fight as WE have.

AA are the TRUE Americans when it comes to UPHOLDING the Constituition and Bill of Rights.

The rest of these folks got it by default, WE are the only Americans who had to give our BLOOD to get those rights.

Imagine the courage and loyalty of nation it takes to love a country and put your life on the line for it when it doesn't love you back!

So true, NMP. Remember when our black soilders went into battle and fought side by side with fellow Americans and then go to a 'COLORED ONLY" barrack.

Then come home from battle to face the same shameful, disgusting, behaviors from white folks.

Exactly!!

We fought the Civil WAR and in all other wars, even though we did not have FULL citizenship rights. Never, never, never, do I forget how our men came home from WWII and STILL faced discrimination in terms of jobs. Not to mention, the JIM CROW laws...while in full UNIFORM.

AMERICANS need to understand that we are TRUE Americans and NEVER question our patriotism, EVER.

And that goes double for MY President!!!

Don't question him..he is REAL

That is what Joshua Dubois said of the president last night.

I can't wait to hear his speech.

What'd he say, Spirit?

I can't wait to hear President Obama's speech.

Joshua was top notch. He said President Obama writes all of his 'KEY" speeches. He asks for input from his administration, but he writes his own speeches.

I'm still typing up my notes from last night. I'll post them when done.
I'm glad I went and can see why he's on Team Obama!

Are you watching Cheney's speech?

Why won't that demon go back to he'll?!

Hell no.

That's the way to GO! BOYCOTT the BULLY BASTARD!

Ditto.

ROFLMAO - I actually FELT that "Hell no"

Me, too - Miranda. I was right there with Craig saying it, too.

I agree Craig. It was well done and articulated e'thing he's stated during the campaign. Al Giordano has a nice re-cap over at The Field.

The President's Speech

Dick Cheney is a mean ass bully using 9/11 to keep scaring people. Throw the bully in jail!

that is what I don't get. all the talking he is doing he needs to be put UNDER the jail.

Under is to good for him. Jesse says one hour and a waterboard he'll admit to the Sharon Tate murders. I say 15 minutes in Rikers, Cook County or Grateford on Saturday night you'll know who George Bush's daddy really is.

you mean cheney say, 9/11, 9/11 9/11 boooo 9/11 al qaeda and sadaam, 9/11

That's the one! I'm surprised - no mention of WMDs?

lol yeah.

Nude Photos of Rihanna and Prejean Which One Is The Slut?: Two nude women; both slut shamed, however one has been reclaimed to do the good work of spreading her special hateful brand of morality with the world. Of the two, clearly Rihanna should be the more sympathetic victim, after all it was her body that was beaten and assaulted, however the color of her skin works to ensure that she is considered tainted goods.

Neither is a slut. That is a womans word I do not understand.
One's just plain ignorant and Rihanna is betrayed.

You are sadly mistaken when you say that this is a womans world. Both of these women have been slut shamed for their photos though I agree neither of them deserve to be attacked in such a manner.

Word not world.
I've almost never heard straight men calling a woman "slut" unless you take a trip on the way back machine to SNL Ackroyd vs Curtain. Male homosexuals used it as well(and I won't go into detail).

No women I ever ask what it meant would give me an answer. The theme I always picked up was envy they couldn't express their sexual needs and desires the same way.

My reaction to the Rihanna photo was, "damn, I wish I had her body". And if Chris Brown released the photos, he's more of a little bitch than I thought he was. The photos cast no aspersions on Rihanna or her sexuality.

I agree the photos don't make her a slut my problem is that she has been repeatedly referred to as one in a continuation of the shaming that occured after her the DV incident. My issue is that too many are far to willing to forgive Prejean her indiscretion and don't give Rihannna the same slack.

Endemic of the lack of respect and value of Black.

Endemic of the lack of respect and value of Black.

I don't know that anyone has called Rihanna a "slut" for the nude photos. Many seem to think it's not her in the photos, and those who do are like "That girl is smoking hot."

Carrie Prejean is being called a slut more than Rihanna because Carrie Prejean strutted around like she was Miss Purity Christian 2009 and then the photos and the boob job news came out.

I think it's easy to come to that conclusion if you are trying to find it. I don't mean to sound rude and I don't want to disagree with you because your posts and links are always insightful and on point. But Prejean has been called every version of slut imaginable by a multitude of people in the media/bloggers/casual observer. Rihanna, on the other hand has little negative feedback that I have read beyond "damn she's hot" and "wow".

This could come from the fact I think Prejean is worthless and love Rihanna so maybe I only hearing what I want to hear. But from what I am hearing Prejean gets little respect except on Fox News. But really, that's no surprise or any big endorsement. I'd rather be in every magazine and in commercials being called a Cover Girl like Rihanna.

We cannot always agree and you were far from rude.

I think Prejean is being called names because she has been exposed as yet another Neo-Con, Christian morality police hypocrite. Plus, she lied about those pics saying that she told the photographer that she didn't want to be topless, that she wasn't topless and that the wind blew her top/vest open. Heffa, please!

Rihanna's case is different (although on some black gossip blogs, she is being called everything but a child of God by commenters, but I think those folks are extreme fans of another pop star, but I digress...) because it's being rumored that Chris Brown's people leaked the photos, Rihanna's image is that of an edgy "good girl gone bad" so those pics fit with that image. Plus, there's room for doubt on whether that's her in the pics because her face isn't shown.

Yes, that's it.

WGAFF

Is C-span NOT covering Obama's speech this morning?

Couldn't find it on livestream!!

Spotted: Duckworth Formally Sworn In- Nice photo!

She's been on the job since late April, but Veterans Affairs Assistant Secretary Tammy Duckworth returned to an important spot in her life today and made it official.

With boss Eric K. Shinseki in tow, Duckworth took the oath of office during a special ceremony at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. The facility is not part of the VA system, but played an important role in her recovery from injuries suffered during the Iraq war in 2004.

"Walter Reed is where I first saw how effective the DoD-VA partnership in caring for our Veterans can be," she said. "My VA coordinator had an office at Walter Reed, and I saw her on a weekly basis even before I was discharged to VA care."

Duckworth served in Iraq as an Army helicopter pilot and lost both legs and partial use of one arm when her helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade. She spent 13 months recovering at Walter Reed.

The previous director of the Illinois state veterans office, Duckworth now leads VA's public affairs and intergovernmental efforts and programs for homeless Veterans and consumer affairs. She is currently working to enroll military veterans in the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/20...

CHILLING TERROR PLOT THWARTED
* 4 SET TO 'BOMB' BRONX SYNAGOGUES * EYED PLANE 'SHOOTDOWN' UPSTATE

Last updated: 9:45 am
May 21, 2009
Posted: 9:35 am
May 21, 2009

Four homegrown Muslim terrorists on a mission from hell were arrested last night as they planted what they thought were high-powered plastic explosives at two Bronx synagogues, authorities said.

The men were also allegedly plotting to use a Stinger missile to shoot a military plane out of the sky in upstate New York immediately after the bombings.

"They stated they wanted to commit jihad," NYPD Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said in a press conference this morning. "These men meant to do some serious damage. ... They were certainly intent on doing damage, on killing people."

SHUL MEMBERS IN SHOCK

IT'S GIT-NO FOR BAM BID TO SHUT JAIL

VIDEO: TERROR PLOT FOILED

http://www.nypost.com/seven/05212009/news/regio...

Ummm.... interesting

So lets invade the Bronx,kill thousands of civilians,while we at it we can throw in some ethnic cleansing and set up a government that fleeces millions from US taxpayers.It worked so well in Iraq when we "thought" they had terrorist.

and no waterboarding hmmm, just good police work.

Obama Will Try to Quell Concern on Detainees
Speech Today Comes As Congress Resists Guantanamo Shutdown
By Karen DeYoung
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 21, 2009

President Obama will attempt today to answer critics of his dismantling of Bush-era policies on detention and interrogation, in a speech reminding Americans that strong national security and adherence to laws and national values are not mutually exclusive.

Beyond this lofty reassurance, senior administration officials said, Obama will also repeat the case he made on his third day in office that the Bush administration's system of dealing with "enemy combatants" -- resulting in three prosecutions in seven years and challenged by U.S. courts and allies -- was not sustainable.
Four months ago, Obama announced his intention to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; release, transfer abroad or try all its remaining inmates; and outlaw the harsh interrogation techniques he defined as torture. But the implementation of those executive orders has proved far more complicated than he expected.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...

Personal Finance: It's the Poor Who Pay More
Michelle Singletary

The writer James Baldwin said, "Anyone who has struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor."

Recessions have an awful way of proving this true.
These days "you have to be rich to be poor," Post staff writer Deneen L. Brown wrote in a fascinating piece for the Style section.
When you are poor (and according to the Census Bureau, more than 37 million Americans live below the poverty line), you pay more in money, time, exhaustion and hassle, Brown so sadly illustrates in her story in which she details the "economics of poverty." Here are a few of the basics discussed in the article:

• More Money: You don't have a car to get to a supermarket, much less to Costco or Trader Joe's, where the middle class goes to save money. You don't have three hours to take the bus. So you buy groceries at the corner store, where a gallon of milk costs an extra dollar. Example: At the corner store, a loaf of bread costs you $2.99 for white, $3.79 for wheat. At a Safeway in Bethesda, the wheat bread costs $1.19; white bread is on sale for $1.

Read on.
http://mail.google.com/mail/?hl=en&shva=1#inbox...

These speeches are gonna be interesting...

...but Cheney shouldn't be at AEI; that's a home field for him. He should've gone to a left-leaning think tank and made the case there.

Almost willing to bet money the Jan. '10 "plan" (for what it was) comes off the table. We'll see.

Hey D, I dont want to burst your bubble but cheney, the AEI and the rest of the neo-cons,you dont matter anymore.You lied us into war and once you got the war you wanted it wasnt about victory the only thing that mattered was lining the pockets of the war industry.So please cheney and the rest of the chickenhawks STFU!!!!

djchefron, the sorry ass democratic congress can take some lessons from you.

I am new to this blog. I ususally read Huffington Post and Daily Kos. I am really bend out of shape over the lethal criticsm and threats from the Left; Obama is under constantly ridicule. The Left does not own Obama...and who said everyone that voted for him supports the Left's points of view. His plate is so full he does not have time to immerse himself in distractions; there is too much to do. DADT, prosecuting Bush and company, "which I feel will go nowhere" can be put on the back burner for awhile. If the media and the Left had raised such hell over the last eight years maybe Bush would have been impeached, GITMO closed, and the ecomony in shape.

They did "raise such hell" over the last eight years.

Is anyone else offended by how the media is treating today's speeches like American Idol? I really wish the WH had scheduled the President's speech on another day to avoid this silliness. He is the President. A sitting vice president isn't his equal, most certainly not a former vice president. On another note, but same theme, why yet again is David Axelrod giving an exclusive interview with MSNBC? We're supposed to trust that he has the President's back when he cators to a network that during the day attacks the President relentlessly?

Dial 1-866-PRES-009 to vote for Obama!

Dial 1-866-VPRES-08 to vote for Cheney!

OK!

Town - you got me for a sec. I thought they really did that. lol You are so good. lolol

Is anyone else offended by how the media is treating today's speeches like American Idol?

I am. Last time I checked, Barack H. Obama is our country's President and Commander-in-Chief, not Cheney. Obama's word reigns supreme over Cheney, so as far as I'm concerned, the media giving that war criminal equal footing is yet another example of the MSM disrespecting Obama.

I really wish the WH had scheduled the President's speech on another day to avoid this silliness.

I don't. It is not PBO's fault that the MSM is being disrespectful. If anything, we, the people, should be flooding the cable news networks with calls denouncing this. But alas, we don't.

And if the WH did re-schedule, the left/progessives would've complained about the WH cow-towing to the right.

"You can't win child, you can't get even, and you can't get out of the game....."

"It is not PBO's fault that the MSM is being disrespectful. If anything, we, the people, should be flooding the cable news networks with calls denouncing this."

Exactly. Great idea actually. will do that.

You can't win child, you can't get even, and you can't get out of the game.....

yep looks like the scarecrow was right

how are they going to give Cheney air time for a speech
opposite President Obama
that is an insult
they are treating Cheney like he's is still in office
MSNBC should be ashamed and so should CNN FOX doesn't matter

It's more than an insult.

It's irresponsible.

TOTALLY irresponsible. I won't watch. It's long walks, gardening and theater for me this summer!

YES!!

Deeply offended that ANY former VP would be given the same stature as a sitting US President.

This is completely absurd and a disregard for the power and prestige of the Presidency.

Moreover, never in our history have we even had a former administration with the temerity to challenge a sitting President as if they know the answers when they no longer sit in the seat of power.

One of the great things about America is that our democracy allows for a smooth transition of power. Cheney, aided by the media, is being given a platform to challenge and that is WRONG!

whiterose agreed. but it is going to blow up in their faces.

You know it will blow up in their faces. Every time these mofos drag out the same old tired lies and fear tactics, President Obama comes before the American people and neutralizes their shit.

I won't watch any of this Cheney stuff, it's like that bastard is running for office, and no one's told him we have elected a new POTUS. The dumb fucker; he and his ilk are biding their time. I want them all to FRY!!!!!

The media IMO is trying to frame the debate because deep down they know who butters their bread.If we truly had a free press we would never would have been in Iraq, there would have never been a Katrina disaster and our economy would have never been wreaked.All you ever needed to know about the parasitic bond between the media and the Reich wing was when David Gregory and Karl rove did a two step together.

I agree! How dare the media give Dick's speach the same coverage as our Commander and Chief, President Obama's. The questions is, what is to be done about it? I'm livid and confused by the presidence it sets.

I am confused by what it does as well in terms of precedence. Giving Cheney equal footing undermines the office of the President in a way that has never been done before in this country.

This is a powder keg, and someone is going to eventually light a match, and it is going to split the nation.

Agree. Were you able to get live streaming on C-span of President Obama's speech?

No, I did not ever get live streaming on C-span....were we being forced to watch cable networks so that Cheney would get equal ratings?

I saw it on MSNBC.

Not a contradiction, really. I just turn the channel to the food network or the tennis channel or turn the TV off all together and go back to the gardens or this new toy the minute the president stops speaking.

Very nice. Craig, I can see you like to get down and dirty too!

That's nice...very nice. It's made out of hard polycarbonate, or something similar, right?

You still watching cable news?

The average addict relapses 3 times before complete recovery. :-)

Turn off the news channels (seriously). It's not like you'll be any less informed and your blood pressure will be lower.

I can't listen to Air America without needed hypertensive medication. I also can't take Rachael Maddow, Keith Obermann or Mr. Ed anymore. What the crap has happened. I should have seen this coming when Obama sat down with Rachael for an interview and he told her in so many words that she likes to "make issues". I should have seen this coming when she used to open her radio show with -- Why Obama makes me sick! I should have seen this coming when she suggested Obama be Hillary's VP. I should have seen this coming when Keith got so tight with Rachael, (you know how the bad kid corrupts the nicer one). I should have seen this coming when you are loved like a superstar, because people love to lift you up only to drag you down. So since I saw all of this coming why am I so MAD!

I get my news from JackandJillPolitics, HuffPo, Washington Post and then International News. In that order. I stopped watching cable news in February of this year. Oh yea, if I know there is a speech from the President I hit CSPAN.org

I have followed suit. No cable except CSapn for a POTUS speech.

Punditry makes me puke!

I've given up on the MSM acting with any resembling responsible journalism.

Well I slept on it and I'm still not happy about the American Idol results.

Today's Conversation Non Conformity As Resistance to Mediocrity http://snipurl.com/ihgr0

I stopped watching American Idol after my girl Fantasia won. That was the last "legitimate" win. Everything else is clearly staged.

I stopped watching American Idol after Taylor Hicks won. It became crystal clear this "reality" contest show wasn't ever going to crown the best singer/performer ever again. If not for my husband who can't be away from any episode of AI for a single minute, if it wasn't for the fact that he plays the program on full-volume so no matter where in the house I am, I'll hear snippets of the performances through a wall, floor, or open door, I wouldn't have known that the final two, once again, didn't feature the best singer/performer, and as has happened a majority of all the years the show has been on the air, the best singer/performer -- objectively -- lost. Why is anyone still surprised by this? Why does anyone take it seriously? Like too much processed sugar, it's harmful to your health.

Only the market of public opinion as expressed trough record sales, tickets sold, and awards given, will decide which contestants, whether the producers choose them to win the damn show or not, will succeed.

Kelly Clarkson won the 1st year but now that you mention it I remember Tamyra Gray and how good she was thinking she should have ended up in the final at least. Bo Bice was amazing but Carrie Underwood was willing to conform. Fantasia is great. If Jennifer had won that year who knows if Dreamgirls wouldve happened? I've skipped a few seasons but def know Adam was robbed. If the Kris Allen CD flops we'll really know his audience was based on voting against Adam not for him. Either way he said Adam shouldve won and that's a lousy way to start off

Kelly Clarkson won the 1st year but now that you mention it I remember Tamyra Gray and how good she was thinking she should have ended up in the final at least. Bo Bice was amazing but Carrie Underwood was willing to conform. Fantasia is great. If Jennifer had won that year who knows if Dreamgirls wouldve happened? I've skipped a few seasons but def know Adam was robbed. If the Kris Allen CD flops we'll really know his audience was based on voting against Adam not for him. Either way he said Adam shouldve won and that's a lousy way to start off

I stopped watching after the Sanjaya season. Not because Sanjaya wasn't a good singer, but because American Idol KNEW he wasn't a strong singer. They put him up there for laughs and giggles and figured he'd be voted out early. They got skurred when he kept lasting week after week. They also threw Blake under the bus by making him sing a song that was more suited for people with big voices.

But the show was shown to be a joke when Taylor Hicks won. Both he and Kathrine (the #2) got dropped from their labels for not selling. Meanwhile Daughtry and Elliott are still plugging along and releasing records.

I think the whole thing about Adam maybe being gay had something to do with him losing.

Yep. I read that Bill O'Reilly asked his audience to vote for Chris. Elisabeth Hasselbeck is a Chris supporter.

Pattern.

Everything the reich wing does is a pattern.Case in point the Pelosi non story instead of the real story of torture.

Good morning All:
The disparate sentencing structure between crack and powder cocaine will be the subject of focused attention during today's House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime will hold a hearing, “”Unfairness in Federal Cocaine Sentencing: Is it time to Crack the 100 to 1 Disparity?” 2141 Rayburn House Office Building at 10:00 am. This is an important step in moving forward legislation to eliminate this unfair law and racially biased law. The move to eliminate the 100:1 disparity in sentences for crack vs powder cocaine offenses is supported by the Obama Administration. "President Obama and Vice President Biden believe the disparity between sentencing crack and powder-based cocaine is wrong and should be completely eliminated." <li>http://www.whitehouse.gov</li>

Currently, the federal crack cocaine law requires that a person convicted of possessing or distributing 5 grams of crack cocaine is subject to a 5-year mandatory minimum prison sentence; conversely, that same person would get a 5-year sentence for distributing (not possessing) of powder cocaine only if the quantity reached 500 grams. If convicted of distributing 50 grams of crack cocaine a person is subject to a 10- year mandatory minimum, while it takes 5,000 grams of powder cocaine to receive the same mandatory sentence.

No Difference
· Many of the assumptions used in determining the 100 to 1 ratio have been proven wrong by recent research. Numerous scientific and medical experts have determined crack cocaine is no more harmful than powder cocaine – the effect on users is the same no matter the form of the drug.

· Regardless, if a person smokes crack or uses powder cocaine, each form of the drug can be addictive. We should focus federal resources on providing drug treatment to people who are addicted to drugs.

· Research indicates that the negative effects of prenatal crack cocaine exposure are no worse than the negative effects of prenatal powder cocaine exposure.

Racial Justice
· 82.7% of crack cocaine defendants in 2007 were African American (2007 Sourcebook of Federal Sentencing Statistics, Table 34.) despite the fact that only 25% of crack cocaine users in the U.S. are African Americans. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2007 National Survey on Drug Use & Health (Washington, DC: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Sept. 2008), Table 1.34a.) While there is less data available regarding drug sellers, research finds that drug users generally buy drugs someone of their own racial or ethnic background. (K. Jack Riley, Crack, Powder Cocaine, and Heroin: Drug Purchase and Use Patterns in Six U.S. Cities, National Institute of Justice, Dec. 1997, p. 1.)

· African-American drug defendants have a 20 percent greater chance of being sentenced to prison than white drug defendants. (The Sentencing Project, “Federal Crack Cocaine Sentencing,” January 2009.)

Poor Use of Taxpayer Dollars
· The annual cost to taxpayers is more than $23,000 to incarcerate each nonviolent prisoner. Many would be better served by drug treatment options that range from $1,800 for a year of outpatient treatment to $6,800 for residential drug treatment.

Congress Considering Legislation
· During the 111th Congress, several members have introduced crack cocaine reform bills:
o Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) introduced the Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act (H.R. 265), which would eliminate the crack/powder disparity and establish a grant program to provide substance abuse treatment to people in prison.

o Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) introduced the Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act (H.R. 1459), which would not only eliminate the crack/powder disparity but also eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for crack and powder cocaine offenses.

Broad Support Among White House, Supreme Court, USSC
· As a senator, Vice President Biden introduced the Drug Sentencing Reform & Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act, which would have eliminated the disparity between crack and powder cocaine offenses and saved approximately $450 million taxpayer dollars over a 15 year period. (Figures from US Sentencing Commission, Special Report to Congress: Cocaine and Federal Sentencing Policy. (Washington, DC: US Sentencing Commission, May 2007).)

· On December 10, 2007, the Supreme Court in a 7-2 decision in the case of Kimbrough v. United States held that federal judges can sentence crack cocaine offenders below the federal sentencing guidelines, if they disagree with 100 to 1 statutory disparity between crack and powder cocaine.

· On December 11, 2007, after holding a hearing and receiving public comment from over 30,000 individuals and organizations, the United States Sentencing Commission (USSC) voted unanimously to apply retroactively reductions to the sentencing guidelines for crack cocaine offense.

· Effective March 3, 2008, the USSC’s decision made an estimated 20,000 persons in prison eligible to apply for a sentence reduction expected to average just over two years. The releases are subject to judicial review and will be staggered over 30 years.

Even with these developments, it is critical to remember that these changes represent only incremental progress in the effort to reform the federal crack cocaine law. The Sentencing Commission’s guideline changes do not address the long mandatory minimum sentences that many people are serving for crack cocaine offenses.

Congress still must act in order to eliminate the statutory 100 to 1 disparity between crack cocaine and powder cocaine. Please support H.R. 265, the Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2009, which would equalize, at the current level of powder cocaine, the penalties for both forms of the same substance.

Below is a link to sample letters you can send to your Congressional representatives:
<li>http://www.crackthedisparity.com/309_Sample</li>
Visit: www.hearmyvotes.com to download application that lets you send messages to your reps from your Blackberry or IPhone.

There is a key word missing in this statement:

"Regardless, if a person smokes crack or uses powder cocaine, each form of the drug can be addictive."

True, but not equally so. The drugs are not equally addictive. We have never seen mothers abandon children using cocaine, heroin yes...but not cocaine. Crack and heroin are so powerfully addictive that mothers leave their children homeless.

This has been made possible by the election of Barack Obama. Remember this the next time you want to know what he has done for Black people. This benefits Blacks almost exclusively.

It 'benefits' blacks becasue the disparity was intended to 'exclusively' PENALIZE blacks.

Now that the meth epidemic is as pervasive among whites as crack has been among blacks, the rules are changing....cause they can't incarcerate all those white folk!!

I'm a cold bitch, but I'd almost be willing to keep the crack sentencing..

AS LONG AS YOU MADE METH SENTENCES MATCH THE CRACK ONES.

Yeah, throw all them White folks in jail.

I feel the same way. What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

i feel u Rikyrah.

Specially, cause I have seen and heard, how they "need help' and we are geting all theese rehab and social servies springing yp to serve the meth additcted white population.

UGH!

racism in America...ain'y none of them goig to jail cause all of a sudden they
'need help'

riiiight

the bottom line is they can't pay enough in taxes to house all those white folks...black folks incarcerated would have to give up their 'spot;


I HATE race in America.

you betta tell it.

I see you didnt get the memo.Small white towns build prisons to house black and brown people who had to have bad luck to get caught, We can kill two birds with one stone.Pay uneducated whites to watch POC just like the good old days.

The fact that the Prez is even considering a "preventive detention" plan makes me uneasy (ok, pissed off). It sounds suspiciously like the indefinite incarceration he campaigned against. Aren't we a nation of laws!? If they are a threat, try them in a court of law. I do not understand this "they can't be tried." Am I missing something?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/us/politics/2...

I feel you, but politically the chattering class would use upholding the rule of law against President Obama.Just this morning the meme that is going around is that 1 in 7 prisoners have returned to terrorism.Nevermind that it was bush/cheney who released them.President Obama will be damn if he do and damn if he dont.

OK, now. Bo Obama is too dang big to be pulling and tugging on that leash. Get him some obedience training ... now.

he is just a puppy. he'll be fine.

He's big, but he's still a baby.

She dont get the hype but if you enjoy music dont sleep on her
The Return of Leela James
'Let’s Do It Again' is James’ collection of 11 classic soul and R&B songs. And it says more about her stature than any amount of record sales ever could.
http://www.theroot.com/views/return-leela-james

Leela James was completely off my radar but i'll definitely check her out, thanks for the tip.

Didn't know that Angela Bofill was sick, I hope she makes a full recovery.

Angela Bofill is sick? What up?

Hi, Spirit:

Angela had a stroke a few years ago and she had a setback in her recovery. There were reports that she suffered another mild stroke.

I'm sorry to hear that. Here's to a speedy recovery, Angela.

Hey Spirit...how was the program at Fitzgerald, last night?

Hi WRB, It was relaxed & informative. I'm took notes and will post them
later today.

You would have enjoyed the evening.

Hi WRB, It was relaxed & informative. I'm took notes and will post them
later today.

You would have enjoyed the evening.

oh i love leela james. . . can't wait to hear this! thanks for the tip.

Deal or No Dealership
Why is Chrysler closing 789 car dealerships?
Chrysler disclosed in a bankruptcy filing last week that it plans to close 789 dealerships—about one-quarter of its total. General Motors, meanwhile, told the owners of 1,100 dealerships that it will drop them from its network. How does shuttering dealerships help car companies?
Read More
http://www.slate.com/id/2218761/

I'm thinking that slicing off some dealerships makes sense only when those dealerships are severely under-performing and carrying excess inventory that could be sold elsewhere.

Just a thought.

They need to consolidate.In my my town of just under 50,000 we have a GM dealership and a Cadillac dealership.Now correct me if I am wrong but dont the same carmaker build the same cars on the same platforms.

DJ...GM and Cadillac are not Chrysler. Chrysler's top of the line luxury vehicle never had it's own separate dealership from the rest of the line. Most folks can't even tell you the name (Imperial) of the model of Chrysler that competed with Cadillac and Lincoln, which have separate dealerships under GM and Ford, respectively.

Do you think their should be Toyota and Lexus, dealerships? They are both the same mfgr.

Regarding your question, it depends on the model. The Impala and Cadillac were always built on the same platforms and Lincoln and Marquis were built on the same lines.

True. GM and Chrysler are pretty redundant. While it's no secret that all the car companies cross-pollenate with their platforms, GM and Chrylser went overboard in terms of the various brands using the same platform.

Consolidation is the order of the day. Unfortunately, it'll mean some contracting of dealerships.

Good Morning Classic remix by Larry Levan.Enjoy
Lenny Williams- You Got Me Running (re-construction mix)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSeJaXeXqOI

Can't think of Larry Levan without thinking about The (Paradise) Garage. That was the bestest club ever, when they closed it was the end of an era.

Never visited the Garage being from Chicago I went to the Music Box(Ron Hardy) and the Warehouse(Frankie Knuckles)To this day NY and Chi still argue over who had the best Dj's.LOL