"Republicans have been 'set aside and castigated as the party of no,' Steele said. 'We've been put in that position -- well, I'm here to tell you, yes, we're the party of saying no to expansive government, no to an increase in taxes and spending.'"

This is rich. For the last eight years, how much did the REPUG administration expand government?

How much did they increase spending?

How much did they increase taxes? Oops, they didn't. They left it for others to pay. Because the rich don't pay taxes in the Repug universe.

At Food Lion? Is the expiration date 2008?

Drudge: What a tool.

"Monday, Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C. said that he believes Obama will fail on healthcare reform because 'he's trying to convince America to be something other than America.'"

You mean something other than greedy SOBs who only care about the bottom line -- their bottom line -- and certainly not about dying people?

From "virtue"001: "Or that the CBO says there's no way to pay for this NEW trillion dollar piece of shit?"

Do you know that Americans spend over one trillion dollars every year on health expenses? Do you know how our health insurance companies work?

Well, they work because their bottom line depends on how many claims they DON'T have to pay. Not only are their execs rewarded with sky high salaries and bonuses, but Wall Street rewards them by upping their companies' values the fewer claims they pay for sick people.

Yes, health insurance companies want to reward their shareholders. They sure don't want to reward their customers.

So, "virtue" and others: how does that sound to you? Sound like you want to give your trillions to your "friendly" insurance company?

Will there be fraud and corruption in a government plan? Sure. But at least it won't have the sole mission of screwing those people who can least afford it.

Why on earth are police allowed to arrest you for "mouthing off?" Especially in your own home. If you are acting in a threatening manner, that's a different story. And if the police officer thinks that the "mouthing off" will turn into threatening behavior (e.g., he's in a Meth Lab and the burly guy is starting to shout), I could see an arrest being made. But many cops are out of control and think anything goes.

THAT WAS A VERY STUPID THING for the cop to do in this case. It's his JOB to act reasonably. There was absolutely no evidence that this was a dangerous situation. Instead, the cop let his ego get in his way. Did Mr. Gates let his ego get in the way? He certainly did. But it's not his job to be polite in his own home, is it?

Once, again, the cop acted stupidly. And I'm glad Obama said it. (Instead of being all mealy-mouthed, "No comment.")

Add to that, we have a black man who is being humiliated in his house. Sound familiar? Just think of the past 400 years of American history.

My last comment: The officer wrote that Mr. Gates said something about the cop's mother. (1) Really? Strange that a professor suddenly starts talking "street." (2) Really? And you can't take that? It's your job to remain level-headed.

The police acted stupidly. Period.

. . .and many others in Congress are being paid by the insurance companies to keep the status quo.

The insurance giants are quaking in their boots and spending over $1 million PER DAY on countering health care reform.

Believe me, I don't have much faith in Congress, and certainly no faith that these people can withstand the insurance companies. They are just not that strong, and they'd rather win another election (by accepting all kinds of money) than do what's right for the people they are supposed to represent.

Count me as disgusted.

thinks he's got a huge future in the Repug Party (and he may be right), but he's not running for governor of Minnesota again, so he's become more outspoken.

This is the man who let a bridge fall right outstide my office window. But he sure hasn't raised taxes, bless his heart. [Sarcasm, for those who don't know me.]

. . .we know a little more of the story.

The person making the call did NOT identify the two men as black, and she said she wasn't sure if they were breaking into the house, because there was luggage on the porch.

Officer Crowley made the assumption (or covered his ass) that these were back-packs, possibly containing burglar tools?

Bottom line: Officer Crowley behaved like an ass and got all macho. Prof. Gates behaved like an ass and got as macho as a frail, older man can. However, Prof. Gates was in his own home and it's not against the law to act like an ass. Conversely, Officer Crowley was doing his job and he did it extremely stupidly.

What I'm trying to say is, both men acted stupidly. But only one of those two was on the job -- the job of protecting and serving us. Hmmm.

Last of all, Gene Lyons is a donkey. A huge one. ("Liberal media" my butt.)

I was born at home and I don't HAVE a birth certificate.

My mom had to go with me and swear I was her daughter so that I could get a passport.

Too bad Obama's mother is dead. But actually, that wouldn't shut up the "Birthers."

And regarding this article: Amnesty International says that Jawad was as young as 12 when he was captured and tortured by Afghan police. Regardless, we've either made another terrorist, or we've driven someone crazy.

America, as always, can be so proud.

He's so obviously delusional -- reasoning and logic will have absolutely NO effect on him.