Hell Duhbya can't speak English yet the pant pissers re-elected him.

Obama Answers Critics on Language Comments

Yes, but he should have answered in Spanish.

Si, pero el deberia haber contestado en sspan~ol.

I'm actually very surprised Obama doesn't speak a foreign language. I assumed taking a few semesters of a language was mandatory everywhere as an undergrad. I also thought law school was like most other graduate programs, with some sort of foreign language requirement.

I am sure he knows a fee Latin phrases, being a lawyer and all.

I believe the foreign language requirement for Affirmative Action students is Ebonics.

The language BHO approximates when he is off tele-prompter.

The great orator of the left!

"I believe the foreign language requirement for Affirmative Action students is Ebonics."

Good for Obama! Call this xenophibic motherfers for what they are. This NeoSCUMS are anti critical thinking. Finally the American people are waking up.

"This NeoSCUMS are anti critical thinking."

Liberals are all for critical thinking, as long as you don't use your critical thinking skills to question global warming. If you do, they will fire you and threaten to put you on trial for crimes against humanity.

Good for Obama! Call this xenophibic motherfers for what they are. This NeoSCUMS are anti critical thinking. Finally the American people are waking up.

Posted by AngelofTRUTH at 2008-07-12 04:01 PM

Are you nuts? Obama has been doing a backpedal like crazy the last two days trying to spin his story about what he really meant when he said we in this country needed to learn Spanish first before the illegal immigrants here bothered to learn English. "Oh I didn't mean this and I didn't mean that." This has exploded in this face and showed him to be some pandering snot-nosed elitist.

How did he get out of college and law school not taking a foreign language? Obama is the one who in his speech arrogantly put down average Americans who didn't know the language of every foreign country they visited but he doesn't speak a foreign language as a U.S. Senator????

I'll tell you one thing, he may pander to these socio-ethnic-interest radical groups like La Raza, but Hispanics were only 6% of the vote in the last election and most Hispanics born here and in this country legally aren't any more thrilled with millions of illegals being here than anyone else is.

Obama still wants to give all the illegal aliens here a driver's license (not a good "tough on security" stance by Obama since two of the 9-11 hijackers here illegally on expired visas were able to board the planes with drivers licenses obtained in a state which handed them out to illegals), his "virtual only fence" forever insures a wide open border, and now Obama is pushing to wipe out our tradition of "e pluribus unum" where all new immigrants coming here learn English first. Well if Obama loses the election, you'll know why. If we're stuck with McBush you can thank the arrogance of Obama. And BOTH these candidates are losers.

insures = ensures

I've rarely met someone in Europe who doesn't speak a second or even third language.

The even more pitiful thing here in America is how few young people can even speak properly or spell.

CC, since we live in the Western Hemisphere (you know...North and SOUTH American continents), American kids SHOULD learn Spanish. We live in a global economy. If you want to do well in business it would serve someone well to at least learn passable Spanish.

I'm actually very surprised Obama doesn't speak a foreign language. I assumed taking a few semesters of a language was mandatory everywhere as an undergrad. I also thought law school was like most other graduate programs, with some sort of foreign language requirement.

Posted by katieberry at 2008-07-12 03:22 PM

I know that I took two years of German in college, plus three more years in High School. But it's been so long since I used any of it, I wouldn't say I spoke the language. Learning it is one thing, using it and keeping up with it is something else entirely.

I travel to Europe often.
I speak only English.
I've managed to get by - barely.

I'd love to learn German or perhaps French, however, when asked, every European has said that learning Spanish (as spoken in Spain, not Mexico) would benefit me the most when traveling. Spanish is similar to many other languages and between knowing English and Spanish I should be able to understand and be understood when traveling abroad better with that combination of languages.

What makes us so arrogant that we here in the U.S. think we can get by only knowing one language -- and that one barely? I guess the same thing that makes us so arrogant that we refer to ourselves as 'Americans' and excluding the rest of North and South America when we do so.

I travel to Europe often.
I speak only English.
I've managed to get by - barely.
* * * *

Then you're not going to the right places. I lived in Europe for years, speaking Slavic languages, but managing just fine in Western Europe too, speaking neither German nor French nor Spanish nor Italian nor Dutch nor any of the others.

Imagine if New England were made up of eight different countries. Would it surprise you to be conversational across state lines, given your proximity? Of course not. The reason Americans don't speak foreign languages has nothing to do with arrogance or laziness--after all, there are plenty of arrogant Germans and lazy French--but more to do with the fact that we're surrounded by the world's two largest oceans, and our neighbor to the north shares our language.

Get over yourselves. If you want to learn a foreign language, go ahead. But don't ask for changes across the curricula just because you think someone else's kids should have to learn what you didn't.

I've rarely met someone in Europe who doesn't speak a second or even third language.

Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2008-07-12 04:48 PM | Reply

We learn what we need to use -- if someone isn't going to Europe, they have no use for French or Flemish; Euros speak multiple languages because they need them.

I also speak fluent German, passing French, decent Flemish, Bisaya and Tagalog. All languages I need

But don't ask for changes across the curricula just because you think someone else's kids should have to learn what you didn't.

Posted by rightisright

Yes the horror of expecting our students to educate themselves!

Much better to remain an ignorant arrogant nation.

BHO misrepresented his own remarks:

Taking 2 semesters of foreign language and speaking it when you're 40 are two differnt things, idiota.

"I also speak fluent German, passing French, decent Flemish, Bisaya and Tagalog. All languages I need

Posted by vernon "

Being able to say "where's the can", "gimme a beer", and "how much for a blow job", while important, does not make you "fluent".

It cracks me up how the liberal elite want to tell us how to live our lives, yet they seem exempt from it themselves (I googled Obama and definitely he does not speak a 2nd language). Just like Gore telling us to cut back on our energy usage, [but not applicable to him].

We 'unwashed masses' are to heed and not question the elite. Interesting how so many here chose to heed and not question their leaders' lack of compliance to their own utterances:)

English is the official international language. All Europeans are required to learn English and speak it very well. That has been the going on for decades. If they tell you they can't speak English, they are pulling your leg.

I think Obama is admiring Bush for his ability to speak Spanish.

Hell Duhbya can't speak English yet the pant pissers re-elected him.

Posted by itsme

Neither can 'the ears' when he isn't reading from a tela-prompter. He dosen't have one coherant thought that makes it past his lips.

CC, since we live in the Western Hemisphere (you know...North and SOUTH American continents), American kids SHOULD learn Spanish. We live in a global economy. If you want to do well in business it would serve someone well to at least learn passable Spanish.

Posted by AMERICANUNITY

Is that going to be the new language of business?

If I go to Mexico I'll speak Spanish but here in the USA the language is English! English is the language of business all over the world.

Rightisright, you are right.

There is no need for us to speak another language.

I believe everyone should have to learn to yodel and juggle chainsaws. With those lttle twirly things on our nipples.

Everybody in the north should have to learn to speak formal as well as conversational southern redneck.

I'm getting extra credit because i am learning southern black.

Yes the horror of expecting our students to educate themselves!

Much better to remain an ignorant arrogant nation.

Posted by 726
* * * *

Uh huh. Which is why so many hundreds of thousands of wealthy families all over the world send their children here to our schools and colleges. Which is why all the Nobel Prizes go to places like Ecuador and Iceland--just to mention two places off the top of my head celebrated for their multilingualism.

Fair enough, though. Just because some bureaucrat in Washington hasn't deemed foreign language study worthy of America's attention, doesn't mean YOU have to be dumb. So how many languages do YOU speak, 726? And answer carefully, because there will be a quiz on it later.

I bet Obama's kids don't speak any foreign languages either. He's just a big bullshitter.

Obama only speaks English?

That's bullshit. His copy of the Koran is in Arabic and he has it memorized!

FWTHOM

Who says Obama's kids aren't studying another language?

You were DEAD wrong on the Vietnam vets in Canada - you didn't even know they were pardoned decades ago.

JEFF

You're too smart to repeat that bullshit - or so we thought.

It was a joke, AU.

I enjoy twisting the titties of staunch Obama supporters.

My most common method for doing so is an Islam reference.

Or maybe he was just joking. Why are libs so touchy?

That's what's going to be so great about the Obama administration. It's going to be a laugh-a-minute, but with everyone afraid to crack a smile.

That's almost as funny as the future day when the chicoms activate McCain.

That's almost as funny as the future day when the chicoms activate McCain.

Posted by BetelG

Actually, that will be funny as we'll see the term PEST resurrected from the trash-heap.

Have you seen Cindy? Mighty fortuitous, mighty fortunate, to run in to a gorgeous blond twenty years younger with loads of cash to fund your political career...

Obama thinks merci boucoup is Spanish. The shine is starting to wear off of old flop ears when he is speaking off the cuff and not reading from a prepared text in the Rev Wright style.

FWTHOM-
"You know, it's embarrassing when Europeans come over here, they all speak English, they speak French, they speak German. And then we go over to Europe and all we can say is 'merci beaucoup!"' Obama said, laughing.

You're too stupid for words. How do you manage?

FWTHOM

You obviously are talking out your ass yet again.

Obama's a very articulate person.

Bush can't put a complete sentence together without a teleprompter.

Yet, you voted for him didn't you?

Birds of a feather.......

AU,

Obama is a very articulate speaker when he's orating a rehearsed speech. Actually, GWBush has had some pretty good rehearsed speeches.

When it comes to speaking off-the-cuff, Obama is average. Admittedly, Bush is terrible off-the-cuff.

Jeff-
Just because Tush says it a hundred times doesn't make it true.

Bet,

When I've watched Obama speak off-the-cuff he's come off as average. Certainly better than the abomination that is GWBush under similar circumstances, but nowhere near the oratory God his supporters claim him to be.

I don't know of any of his supporters who claim that he is anything but just like you and me.:)

Obama has one good quality, he is not a Clinton. Hillary is still waiting like a snake in the grass. When Obama secures the nomination we will go after him in earnest. Rev Wright tape 24/7 and the new Michelle Obama tape calling those blue dogs whitey. Red meat for purple states.

JEFF

What I've noticed about Obama is he thinks about what he's going to say. Usually his answers are right on point.

Better to have a thinker than someone who says the first thing that comes out of his mouth, that's for sure. McCain's birth control answer, and his confusing Shiite and Sunni when he was in Iraq are two examples where it would have served him well to think before opening his mouth.

I wonder when the competing memes of Obama the elitist and Obama the stupid will collide in a frenzy of "who cares".

PS Jeff

I got to see the Tigers-Twins game on TV today. Sorry they lost. We don't get a lot of Tiger games on TV around here.

My sister was a HUGE Tiger's fan. I brought back tons of shirts and jerseys after she died in April. We used to go to a lot of games when I'd visit her.

Only complete morons would call Obama an 'elitist' - a guy who grew up in a single parent household and went on to great heights.

McCain was born with a silver spoon and then married a silver dinnerware set.

Ya, sure dude.

"and the new Michelle Obama tape calling those blue dogs whitey."

Gee. I've heard so much about this tape, but haven't seen it. Have you, Jeff?

FW-
Would you link me to the "whitey" tape, please.

When you tell your children you voted against Obama and for Bush's third term, do you think the "I thought he was an angry revolutionary negro who was out to get whitey" explanation will make any sense to them?

I certainly hope not.

Obama has one good quality, he is not a Clinton. Hillary is still waiting like a snake in the grass. When Obama secures the nomination we will go after him in earnest. Rev Wright tape 24/7 and the new Michelle Obama tape calling those blue dogs whitey. Red meat for purple states.

Posted by fwthom

So now all you losers have is the hope that Hillary will save your ass? That's pathetic.

JEFF

One other thing you forgot:

Obama's written TWO books all by himself. No ghost writers.

They're very well written as well. I read a lot and don't just say that.

You're absolutely right about Bush. The guy who doesn't even read books.

AU,

I was at today's game!

Despite the loss it was an entertaining game:

A bit of a rally in the 8th to make it close and then bringing Zumaya into the 9th - a guy who was expected to return in August, at the earliest, with no assurances as to how he'd perform. Well, he hit 100 3 times in his 1 inning, with countless other pitches above 97.

They've disappointed thus far this year, to say the least. Nevertheless, baseball is a long season and they have the talent to put themselves in the mix by September. Their biggest weakness (pitching) coming into the season has steadied. It's now just a matter of getting the bats to be consistent.

PS - My favorite pro-team in Detroit is the Red Wings. Not only did they sign Brad Stuart to a sweet deal (something I didn't see happening, BTW), but they sign Hossa to an absolutely ridiculous deal! Hell, without Hossa they are going to be strong contenders for the cup again.

Jeff, why can't I find this Michelle Obama "whitey" clip anywhere?

AU,

When Obama is able to articulate under his terms, he does so very well.

When forced to speak off-the-cuff he's mediocre. In the same setting Bush is terrible to the point of being downright emberrassing.

Cool Jeff,

I was there in spirit (and thinking about my sis)

If you've been going to Red Wing games for a few years you've heard the "Red Wings..My Red Wings" song at the games. I don't know if they still use it, but they did starting when Ilych (sic) bought them. They used it for years in radio spots too. Have you heard it or did they quit using it some time ago?

Jeff J-
Say something positive about McCain or the Republican Party. C'mon...you can do it!

I went to two games when the Angels were in town in April.

What a beautiful ballpark. I'll still go every time I come up that way. I'm also waiting for them to renew the bricks you can buy outside the stadium. I was disappointed to find (after my sis died in April) that they weren't doing it at present.

Jeff will always support the party that lines his pockets.

why can't I find this Michelle Obama "whitey" clip anywhere?

3 possiblities:

1. It hasn't surfaced yet.

2. It doesn't exist.

3. It exists but won't surface.

If I were to gamble I'd say that 2. has at least an 85% chance of being the correct possibility.

Rasta-
I don't think so, but that motherfucker will vote Republican again for reasons he can't or won't express.

AU,

I've attended at least a couple of Wings games every season since '94.

I am not familiar with the song you are referring to.

JEFF

Obama may take his time forming his thoughts, but when you read what he said it's very well though out.

And ya, Bush is awful. Terrible!! Atrocious!! LOL

3 possibilities:

1. you have your head up your ass

2. you have your head up your ass

3. there is an 85% chance that you have your head up your ass as you have heard about this "whitey" clip for months and have seen absolutely nothing to support it, so for you to still cling to it is pathetic.

JEFF

The guy who did the 'Bring out your best....Budweiser Light, Larry Santos, sang it.

I know they used it for at least 10 years starting about 1984.

No biggie. I didn't make royalties anyway.

BETELG

It's just like the "Obama's a Muslim" rumor that it was proven was started at FreeRepublic by some blogger who said, "I heard somewhere Obama's a Muslim".

Idiots fall for whatever's thrown in front of them by their fellow idiots. LOL

AU,

What a beautiful ballpark.

Yes, it is. We got down there early today and took the boys (ages 4 and 7) on the Ferris wheel. I've attended no less than 5 games per year ever since they built that park. What's funny is that through all of their years of horrible teams (prior to 2006) their record for games that I actually attended was better than .750. No shit! I had a knack for attending games that they won during seasons when they didn't win many games. Since 2006 my average has dropped below .500.

Go figure.

They did an even better job (believe it or not) with Ford Field. The problem is that Ford Field is the home stadium of the never-ending disaster know as the 'Detroit Lions'.

AU-
I'd say you have a %100 chance of being correct.

syntax error. bad my

JEFF

My sister's ashes are sprinkled all over the outfield and warning track at Comerica Park as per her wishes. Got a lot into the bushes to the right of the scoreboard too LOL

They had an onfield clinic the week she died. Willie Horton spoke. It was pretty cool. I used to go to games when he played back in the day.

that motherfucker will vote Republican again for reasons he can't or won't express.

Actually, I've expressed my reasons on countless occasions on this blog, Bet.

It is not I who constantly avoids making declarative statements.

I don't vote reflexively, Bet.

At the same time, I don't deceive myself in some ideological stupor that any candidate perfectly represents my viewpoints.

When it comes to voting, I am pragmatic. I vote for a viable candidate who most closely represents my views when compared with viable competitors.

The fact that I voted for Bush twice does not mean that I support all of his actions. In fact, I think he's turned out to be a pretty lousy president.

Where you make your crucial mistake is that you believe that my vote for Bush was reflexive, simply because he has an (R) after his name. Well, reconcile that bit of specious reasoning that I've always voted for Carl Levin (D), despite his party affiliation.

Secondly, the fact that I recognize that Bush has been a lousy president yet still voted for him over whomever your beloved Democratic party picked should speak volumes to you about your party's nominees.

Secondly, the fact that I recognize that Bush has been a lousy president yet still voted for him over whomever your beloved Democratic party picked should speak volumes to you about your party's nominees.

Posted by JeffJ at 2008-07-13 02:41 AM | Reply

Wrong. You've yet to adequately explain how kerry could have done a worse job than W.

I've really tried to figure that one out, and I just can't.

My sister's ashes are sprinkled all over the outfield and warning track at Comerica Park as per her wishes. Got a lot into the bushes to the right of the scoreboard too LOL

They had an onfield clinic the week she died. Willie Horton spoke. It was pretty cool. I used to go to games when he played back in the day.

That is WAY cool!

Last summer I received a phone call around 8 PM - my dad was on the other line and he asked me if I was watching the ballgame. I wasn't. He informed me that Verlander had a no-hitter going through 7 innings. I rushed to get my boys ready for bed and the 4 of us (me, my wife and my 2 boys) watched the final 2 innings. After he completed his no-hitter I explained to my oldest (then 6) how rare a no-hitter was. I went on to explain that the last no-hotter thrown by a Tiger Pitcher was Jack Morris in '84. I then mentioned that they went on to win it all that year. He asked me questions about that season at a ferocious pace. The conversation then morphed to the '68 Tigers and he became even more animated. It was at that point that I suggested the perfect Christmas gift for his Grandpa (my dad) - a DVD of the 3 most recent Tigers World Series victories - my dad went ot a boatload of games during '68. Well, my son loved the idea and we rolled with it. On the first day of Spring Training my dad drove over to my house; he and my oldest went to McDonald's for lunch and then went to my dad's house to watch the video together. I really primed my son for this. Obviously, the '45 season wasn't that interesting, but I let my son know how many games my dad watched duruing '68 and '84 and how cool it would be to have his Grandpa narrate during the video.

Neither my son or my dad ever really elaborated on their experience outside of the commonly-agreed upon assessment that it was fun. I suspect....no...I know it was much more than just fun. The fact that they don't talk about the experience is my proof.

Kerry worse than this?

You've yet to adequately explain how kerry could have done a worse job than W.

Well, it's a hypothetical scenario.

If we had 2 planets and all other variables were held constant, we could compare and contrast the differences between a Bush 2nd term and a Kerry 1st term. However, we don't have that luxury, so all we can do is speculate. Any speculation I can offer you can refute without being correct or incorrect.

You'd have to go pretty god damn far to convince any normal person that Kerry would've been worse, jeff.

I'm hard pressed to say anything positive about the current Clown In chief at this point. He's a total embarassment to our country.

Enjoy your McCain vote.

JEFF

The '68 Tigers were a blast!!

I remember Mickey Lolich hitting a game winning homer. Game 6 (I think). Detroit needed that one after the riots, et al.

I've seen Kaline a couple of times around town.

Once, in '84 I went to eat and most of the Tigers were eating at the next table. They weren't too nice though. Without interrupting their conversation I just said one word, "Congratulations", and they all ignored me and went on about their conversations. So fuck 'em LOL

AU,

Much of the '84 Tigers don't give me the warm-fuzzies when it comes to personality.

I really liked Trammell and Whitaker. Lance Parish seemed cool as well. As for the rest of them, I don't know. I DID meet Dan Petry in person twice and he seemed a very nice guy, ad did Alex Delvecchio (Red Wings).

You'd have to go pretty god damn far to convince any normal person that Kerry would've been worse

Define 'normal', Alex.

One of Kerry's first initiatives would have been to try and nationalize our healthcare - a HUGE no-no as far as I am concerned. Secondly, I favor Supreme court justices who take a more constrained view of the Constitution. Kerry would have nominated anything but...he would have tried to push through Earl Warren clones.

For me, both of these issues are so hugely fundamental that any other areas of strength he might have had over Bush were overshadowed by these issues.

Please note - I am grossly simplifying here, but hopefully you get the general gist of my viewpoint.

kerry wouldn't have been able to push through 'radical' SCOTUS justices. Period.

He would have been fighting a republican congress, and ended up with moderate SCOTUS picks. All polls at the time showed that the repuns were gonna control congress in 2004 until at least 2006.

I've told you this dozens of times now over the years. And you've NEVER countered it.

It boggles my mind how at this late date anyone can still believe Kerry would have been worse GWB. It defies rational inquiry. Wow. On the other hand, I'm sure that every elected candidate in history, no matter how horrendous or incompetent, have had their core supporters to the bitter end. Count JeffJ among these type of adherents.

3. there is an 85% chance that you have your head up your ass as you have heard about this "whitey" clip for months and have seen absolutely nothing to support it, so for you to still cling to it is pathetic.

Posted by BetelG

I have never "clung" to it.

In fact, I have never even made a modicum of an attempt to sell the notion that the tape exists.

If you can prove otherwise, have at it, toughguy. if not, consider creating a new handle (again).

kerry wouldn't have been able to push through 'radical' SCOTUS justices. Period.

He would have been fighting a republican congress, and ended up with moderate SCOTUS picks. All polls at the time showed that the repuns were gonna control congress in 2004 until at least 2006.

For the most part, the modern process of 'advise and consent' for SC justices is a bit of a sham. Ever since 'Bork' it's become a bit of a stealth process - candidates tend to be selected for their lack of "expressed" views. John Roberts fits this mold. What I find shocking is that Justice Alito, whose jurisprudence was very well-documented, managed to sail through without more resistance from the Democratic party.

My point being, if Kerry was elected, he would have likely sought a stealth candidate who would vote in favor of an agenda that would never pass muster in the Legislative body due to a lack of a majority opinion on a nation-wide scale.

It defies rational inquiry.

Yah. Kerry couldn't have outspent George if he nuked the treasury. Kerry couln't have packed a court with justices that offer dozens of 5-4 decisions. Nor would the international red cross be calling him a war criminal, since he wouldn't/couldn't be choreographing fucking torture.

And there is also no way he could act like the total blithering idiot clown Bush does. Every time that man opens his mouth when near other world leaders, I lose a little more of my will to live.

My point being, if Kerry was elected, he would have likely sought a stealth candidate who would vote in favor of an agenda that would never pass muster in the Legislative body due to a lack of a majority opinion on a nation-wide scale.

Posted by JeffJ at 2008-07-13 03:31 AM | Reply | Flag:

Please. You know the difference between reps and dems. Unless the justice was slightly to the right of jesse helms, the reps would pull every dirty trick in the book to halt the nomination process.

Dems try it and the MSM and reps call them obstructors, and demand up/down votes.

Reps do it and the dems cave after a few weak filibuster attempts. and being hammered by the media daily.

You're surprised Alito got in? REALLY? These dems have been caving to bullying republicans since reagans time, and you're SHOCKED by now?

Pay fucking attention! The reps are much better at turning all issues into black/white mindless slogan drivel for the average ignorant voter to swallow.

Dems lose because they wander around in nuance, and some of them at least make the attempt to treat the voters as adults. SOME, anyway.

It boggles my mind how at this late date anyone can still believe Kerry would have been worse GWB

Of course it does - you see your opinions of the world as absolute.

Here is my evidence:

Wow. On the other hand, I'm sure that every elected candidate in history, no matter how horrendous or incompetent, have had their core supporters to the bitter end. Count JeffJ among these type of adherents.

This speaks for itself. No specifics and certainly no reproduced commments issued by me that substantiate your characterizations.

This is simply a proclamation that I am wrong simply because I have the temerity to express my opinion without any care as to what you, or anyone else thinks of said opinion.

Consider a new job, Counselor. You've displayed an appalling lack of argumentative skills with your last comment

Democrats = Mom. Often right, but weak and less aggressive.

Republicans = Dad. Strong and wrong.

Libertarians = Crazy uncle. He doesn't make much sense, but the drugs are great.

Green Party = Cousin you never met. Who?

Yah. Kerry couldn't have outspent George if he nuked the treasury

Bullshit! He would have easily 'outspent' Bush.

Don't conflate spending with deficits. Kerry would have spent considerably more on almost every social program conceivable than Bush has. Whether or not that would have been money well-spent is a different debate. However, to suggest that Kerry, or any Democrat since Cleveland would turn off the spigot of government spending is abject ignorance.

Kerry couln't have packed a court with justices that offer dozens of 5-4 decisions.

Bullshit!

First off, 5-4 decisions are not uncommon among any court.

Secondly, move Ginsburg (who I like, BTW) and Stephens off and replace them with (via a McCain presidency) another Roberts and Alito and you'll see fewer 5-4's that you so abhor.

Would that make the court better in your eyes - more 'unity'?

Bush inflated the govt to huge degree with the DHS.

He's outspent JIMMY CARTER while taking more vacations than anyone.

Not to mention the trillion we've put down for the iraq war. Put vernons calculator away, jeff.

W Has run up record debt. He beat out REAGAN,, who also cut govt assisstance programs to the bone BUT ran up a huge war machine debt that outdid the cuts. Star wars! Plus tax cuts that tageted the rich. (trickle down)

Some "conervatives" you guys keep voting for...

A better court would have a chief justice that could bridge the partisan gap. Roberts doesn't even try.

Kerry would have had to run SCOTUS nominees against a republican majority in congress. "Compromise" would have been forced. And you're actually arguing that this is WORSE than a republican president getting nominees through a republican led congress? Both of whom showed themselves to be extremely arrogant and derisive toward the opposition party?

GIVE ME A FUCKING BREAK! USE SOME COMMON SENSE. Any party shouldn't gain that much of an obvious advantage in power.(I am really nervous about the dems doing the same in 2008) You can see what the lack of oversight has done to the DOJ. It's a sham now.

Please. You know the difference between reps and dems. Unless the justice was slightly to the right of jesse helms, the reps would pull every dirty trick in the book to halt the nomination process.

And you think the Dems are any different?

Grow up.

This shit has always happened but reached a disgusting pinnacle during the Bork confirmation. That shit was instituted by the Democratic party. It's been mostly a stealth process ever since.

The Republican party sucks ass, but don't even try to blame this shit on the Repubs - this joke of a confirmation process of SC justices is the fault of the Democratic party.

To sum up:

Kerry and rep congress = more moderate justices.

Bush and rep congress = Alito.

If you wanna argue that Kerry could do more damage to the SCOTUS by being forced to put in moderates, I'm gonna call "partisan bullshit" on you, jeff. Face reality: Your vote was bad. It was based off of emotion, and not the best interests of the highest court in the land, or the treasury. Kerry couldn't have outspent W if he tried. And we probably wouldn't be in iraq anymore, either.

But you refuse to learn anything from your mistake. And McCain will be your next one, vuz Obama likes an ersatz universal healthcare, and you don't.

If McCain wins he'll continue on in Bush's footsteps and further fuck the country and the dollar. Then you'll spend the next 4-8 years ignoring that Obama couldn't have possibly been a worse choice.

This shit has always happened but reached a disgusting pinnacle during the Bork confirmation.

Hardly. The dems of today are spineless pussies and you know it. Reid and Pelosi are worthless. They voted in alito for fucks sake. And Mukasey!

The media is not on their side in these SCOTUS fights either. Check out the language they always use. Dems are obstructing, reps are filibustering. The dice are loaded. Reps will use the nuclear option and require up/down votes. When Dems ask for the same, they get cricket churps.

And you want to give republicans even more power than they already have? Get a clue.

A better court would have a chief justice that could bridge the partisan gap. Roberts doesn't even try.

You have no idea what in the fuck you are even talking about.

Let me quote a couple of your lefty bretheren on this site (From memory - very slightly paraphprased but I am 100% confident that I captured the gist of said comments- furthermore, both of these individuals are liberal Democrats):

'Montecore' regarding a comparison between Scalia, Thomas and Roberts: "Another Roberts? We could only be so lucky. Scalia and Thomas aren't even qualified to carry Roberts' briefcase."

'Leftcoastlawyer' regarding your howling protests regarding the number of 6-4 deciscions:
"This court does not have an unprecedented number of 5-4's. I am not a fan of Roberts jurisprudence but all in all I'd have to rate his first term as a B+."

PS - both of these guys are lawyers. They both have a bit of a perspective thay laymen like you and I lack.

I'm just going to reiterate this point in case you missed it. Then I'm going back to bed, jeff.(since we've covered a lot of ground here)

The international red cross is accusing bush of being a war criminal!(when did that ever happen ffs?) According to their records, and CIA testimony, along with records from the WH of choreohraphed "enhanched interrogation" techniques(the 6 principals)...it is no longer a question of whether they have tortured people. They have.

Think this shit would have happened with Kerry as president? Cuz I call bullshit. Kerry started his political career by giving testimony to congress about war crimes, which hurt his image pretty badly! He took a great personal risk exposing a wrong, and it cost him the presidency in 2004.

Would he be ordering waterboarding and beatings? Do you believe he'd be the first president of the United States of America to be called a war criminal by the International Red Cross? (like bush now is)

Think about it. Please. Really give that some thought and tell me how you feel.

Kerry and rep congress = more moderate justices.

Hmmm......The last time we had a Democratix president and a Republican majority in congress we ended up with Breyer and Ginsburg. Neither or terrible justices, but I wouldn't use the term "moderate" with either one of them; particularly Breyer.

Jeff- Saying that alito and scalia are so terrible at law that they make Roberts look good, aint saying much. Roberts IS qualified to be a justice. Just not the chief justice. He fails at bridging the justices, and they're setting records for 5-4 decisions now. He does not have the age or experience to lead. Not yet.

Scalia on states rights: Sometimes, maybe, never. Recuse myself for already making a public statement on how I'd rule on this case? Nope. I promise to be "fair" lol. Waterboarding isn't tortute, but I promise if a torture case comes up I'll keep and open mind! and fuck you mr. cameraman!

Alito: Whatever scalia just said.

Your vote was bad.

Yes, it was.

based off of emotion

Nope. Not even close.

the best interests of the highest court in the land, or the treasury.

Actually, you named 2 of my biggest 3 concerns and W fared better INO than Kerry on those fronts.

Kerry couldn't have outspent W if he tried.

If Kerry had his way he'd nationalize 1/7th of our entire economy (healthcare) on TOP OF the monstrosity that is our federal government.

Neither or(sic) terrible justices

Which is the point, really. I consider thomas, and scalia to be pretty awful at law after reading their decisions. Especially scalia. He really has no legal consistancy past his personal and extreme ideology. A strict constructionist wouldn't ban medical marijuana, giving that power to the fed govt, then say that STATES have the right to ban abortions. He just tried to have it both ways, his standard of reasoning being whatever he feels, and it just painted at as stare deicis. after he's made up his mind. His positions on states rights are hypocritical at best.

Roberts knows his stuff, but he's too young to lead.

Alex,

You raise a solid point regarding torture and waterboarding.

In all sincerity, Kerry would have sanctioned less than Bush. That being said, don't fall prey to ignorance. What has happened in this regard during Bushco is actually more restrained than what has happened during the last 100 years in this country.

Godfather 3: They keep pulling me back in!

Really going now. Here's the goodbye I meant, and I'll try it again in hopes that it sticks this time. I feel this post is more important than any of my other ones, and I hope you really think about it, jeff:

I'm just going to reiterate this point in case you missed it. Then I'm going back to bed, jeff.(since we've covered a lot of ground here)

The international red cross is accusing bush of being a war criminal!(when did that ever happen ffs?) According to their records, and CIA testimony, along with records from the WH of choreohraphed "enhanched interrogation" techniques(the 6 principals)...it is no longer a question of whether they have tortured people. They have.

Think this shit would have happened with Kerry as president? Cuz I call bullshit. Kerry started his political career by giving testimony to congress about war crimes, which hurt his image pretty badly! He took a great personal risk exposing a wrong, and it cost him the presidency in 2004.

Would he be ordering waterboarding and beatings? Do you believe he'd be the first president of the United States of America to be called a war criminal by the International Red Cross? (like bush now is)

Think about it. Please. Really give that some thought and tell me how you feel.

Posted by Alexandrite at 2008-07-13 04:11 AM | Reply | Flag:

. I consider thomas, and scalia to be pretty awful at law after reading their decisions. Especially scalia. He really has no legal consistancy past his personal and extreme ideology.

Between the 2, Scalia is more moderate. He's much more beholden to a constrained view of the Constitution. Taking it a step further, he's much more adherent to the principle of Starre Decisis. If Roe, in its most base form, were to ever come before SCOTUS again you can count on Thomas reversing the ruling - it was (IMO) a poor judgement. That being said, it is now an ingrained part of our culture/society. I've listened to Scalia talk about Starre Decisis on C-SPAN. He talks about it with reverence. As much as he disagrees with Roe, I'd be surprised if he were to turn it over given his reverence for precedence.

The closest thing we have to a Conservative activist judge on this court is Thomas. Scalia - not so much.

One of Kerry's first initiatives would have been to try and nationalize our healthcare - a HUGE no-no as far as I am concerned.

Posted by JeffJ

Fuck the poor... that is your favorite thing right?

that is your favorite thing right?

Nope.

You are so wrong that I don't even know where to begin.

Yes, we have always tortured to some degree. But now it's naked, it's right out there. Instead of hiding it...these scumbags are arguing that it's legal and neccesary.

THis damages us as a country far more than hiding a few atrocities along the way. We are blatantly showing the world how little we think of our laws/constitution/ international laws/treaties we signed.

We are ruining the spread of freedom and losing hearts and minds. This conduct screams "don't adopt of system of govt, keep your theocracies...we're hypocrites"

In WWII we played chess with nazi captives. Now we torture guys for 5 years while ignoring habeus corupus, and a bunch of the people we're doing it to were sold to us by the taliban, cuz they saw an opporutinty to make bounty money and get rid of political enemies.

It's a sad state of affairs. Our current POTUS could be pursued and detained by foreign courts for war crimes after he leaves office.

Can't believe I just typed that. Makes me fucking sick.

And you think there's any possible scenario where kerry could have been more of a disaster for this country than W? Get real.

Yes, we have always tortured to some degree. But now it's naked, it's right out there. Instead of hiding it...these scumbags are arguing that it's legal and neccesary.

As opposed to arguing that it is illegal and necessary. Then hiding it and assuming an even more Draconian stance toward it and in particular when the subject of torture is raised?

THis damages us as a country far more than hiding a few atrocities along the way. We are blatantly showing the world how little we think of our laws/constitution/ international laws/treaties we signed.

So, you'd prefer 'dishonesty'? A nod and a wink coupled with a public denail but with the exact same tactics actually being employed?

In WWII we played chess with nazi captives.

Uh huh. And now our captives have unlimited access to the Koran and actually gain weight mowing down on Rice Pilaf.

Now we torture guys for 5 years while ignoring habeus corupus, and a bunch of the people we're doing it to were sold to us by the taliban, cuz they saw an opporutinty to make bounty money and get rid of political enemies.

You raise a fair point here. You've got to remember, we are not dealing with an opposing military. These guys don't wear uniforms. These guys don't even come close to following 1 edict of Geneva- not 1. Sadly, this is the nature of this type of warfare. I suppose we could say that they are too mean and that we can't do anything to oppose assholes who don't follow a single rule of warfare yet expect us to follow ALL of said rules, to the letter.

Roberts knows his stuff, but he's too young to lead.

Roberts is older than Obama.

Jeff come on. Just be honest. I already know what you are.

I've rarely met someone in Europe who doesn't speak a second or even third language.

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, WHO GIVES A FUCK ABOUT EUROPE?????????? If you liberals would care about your own country, we might be more united than we are. If you assholes like Europe so much, GET THE FUCK OUT!

If you liberals would care about your own country, we might be more united than we are.
Posted by boaz

Riiight... you mean we'd be more like you... that's always the condition for the right's idea of compromise, do what we want, period.

Seeing positive aspects of Europe doesn't mean that we like it MORE than the US.

If you assholes like Europe so much, GET THE FUCK OUT!

Posted by boaz

This is our country as much as it is yours, d*ck.
If you don't like us so much, why don't YOU GET TF OUT!!!!

". that's always the condition for the right's idea of compromise, do what we want, period."

That's what the right means by "common ground." Which is why all that rhetoric about "bipartisanship" and "reaching across the aisle" isn't worth a hill of beans compared to a veto proof majority.

you mean we'd be more like you

If caring about my country is "being more like me", I will take me anyday...

If you don't like us so much, why don't YOU GET TF OUT!!!!

I dont have to, but you are a bunch of pussies anyway.

Because of liberals, this country will be attacked by other enemies, and most likely taken over because of liberal morals and policies. I will die in the fighing, but you will forced to succumb to your new county, once you come from hiding, you will be forced to sit and watch while our once great nation is raped...

Posted by rcade at 03:04 PM

"We should want our children to have more skills. There's nothing wrong with that. That's a good thing," he told the audience at a campaign event. "I know, because I don't speak a foreign language. It's embarrassing."

Why Obama should be a polyglot. He does acknowledge that he speaks English. He lived in Indonesia as a youngster and attended school there. The language of Indonesia is Bahasa Indonesia, probably the fourth most spoken language in the world. And why doesn't Obama acknowledge this language skill that he acquired? Is it to distract attention from his origins and background?

Oh yes, he also studied the Quran in Arabic. Gosh, doesn't he reacall any of that language either.

Come on, Obama, you're a polyglot, a "trilingual," English, Bahasa Indonesian, and Arabic. And come to think of it, during your years as a street organizer, you did learn to speak Ebonics also, didn't you. So, you're quadrilingual. Come on Obama, parade your cosmopolitan complexity.

Languages Obama speaks:

1. English
2. Balasa Indonesian
3. Arabic
4. Ebonic

Here's a man trying to present himself as less sophisticated than he is. Is Jesse Jackson right? Does Obama speak down to black people? Are black people just tools to be manipulated to further his personal ambitions and his ideological imperatives?

Time will tell.

RIR,

"If you want to learn a foreign language, go ahead. But don't ask for changes across the curricula just because you think someone else's kids should have to learn what you didn't."

Right, I suspect it's worse than that.

Being an American makes him feel uneasy when he goes overseas.

I would never be "embarrassed" for speaking only English.

But he is.

The quote that is attributed to his wife about being proud of the US for the first time makes a lot more sense now.

They're both ashamed of being American.

Here's a man trying to present himself as less sophisticated than he is.

Oh, if only it were true of our current POTUS.

And Johnson, if Obama had noted the languages you assert he has some proficiency in, the right would assail him for it and you know it.

Ebonics? Please, I'm embarrassed for you.

Because of liberals, this country will be attacked by other enemies, and most likely taken over because of liberal morals and policies. I will die in the fighing, but you will forced to succumb to your new county, once you come from hiding, you will be forced to sit and watch while our once great nation is raped...
POSTED BY BOAZ

Boaz has done it. He has concisely stated the pant pissing right's manifesto. He is afraid that he will be left alone to fight while the democrats cower and convert. This thinking is absolutely pathological. A fear condition shared by many on the right.

It seems to be a collective PTSD that developed post 9/11. While the left and some on the right set out to find long term diplomatic and strategic solutions to preventing future attacks, a solid base on the right began to view everyone that did not share their exact worldview as threats to their safety. They jump at loud noises, cannot sit with their back to the door and are unusually quick to anger.

Critical thinking skills are extremely impaired in this constant fight or flight condition. Unfortunately the prolonged release of the hormones of fear often due irreversible neural damage.

Critical thinking skills are extremely impaired in this constant fight or flight condition. Unfortunately the prolonged release of the hormones of fear often due irreversible neural damage.

Ha Ha! What a bunch of crap!

Your inability to see what is in front of you is no reason to seek some imagined natural response.

The grossly biased media would never allow a Republican candidate with Obama's baggage to get this far. 57 States...Cling to Guns....Wife not proud.....multiple shady real estate deals....radical associations.....drug user....no military experience....radical religious beliefs.

Obama could set half of the US on fire and still be ahead of McCain by "15% in the polls"

What a sham....an empty suit. Our media is an embarrassment.

Your inability to see what is in front of you is no reason to seek some imagined natural response.
POSTED BY MATO

Neural damage. Case in point!

Posted by tigerbalm at 2008-07-13 10:42 PM

Ebonics? Please, I'm embarrassed for you.

And Ebonics seems to be more of a "creole" language. (Now don't rush to judgment with suggestions of being "offended" by the term. The term "creole" is not related to race and black people particularly, but is a generic term. Look it up.)

Obama certainly learned Ebonics during his time as a street organizer rallying black people for "community action," securing input of benefits, by focusing hostility on whites and portraying blacks as victims, who need to "extort" more from the larger community to insure that there is not disruption, but peace and tranquility.

Are you suggesting