Here are just three priceless samples:

“Obama is just as complicit in the torture of people, as Bush was.” -- Conservativeslayer

“I think Obama will embrace all of Bush's policies. From torture to tapping it will be more of the same. We are a failed nation. The empire is crumbling. The fools in Washington are clueless and that includes Obama.” -- Peacepipe

“We backed him. He sold us out. In less than a month.” -- Jim White

Ahhh, life in an alternate universe. How amusing just three weeks into a new presidency. Barry, we hardly knew ya!

That's the way it is "all over America"!?! OMG, Joan, you just make things up whenever it's politically expedient, don't you? In your rabid, irresponsible quest to make the case for Obama's "stimulus" package, you cite your daughter's aging school and then make a incalculable leap to "that's the way it is all over America."

Problem is: It's simply not true.

The Milwaukee Public School system, for example, would receive $88.6 million over two years for new construction projects under the "stimulus" -- even though the district currently has 15 vacant school buildings and declining enrollment.

"In general, Milwaukee Public School facilities have been described by school officials as being in good to better-than-good condition," reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which goes on to state, "The kind of situations that create urgent needs for renovation or new construction in some cities have not been on the priority list for Milwaukee Public School officials in recent years."

And that's just ONE example, Joanie-baloney. I could give you plenty more, including one based on my own first-hand experience in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where the schools are spectacular and don't need a dime. But you don't think that will keep Governor Corzine from pigging-out on the pork, do you?

No, that's what most politicians will do -- the irresponsible thing, supported by dishonest journalists like you, Joan, who also do the irresponsible thing.

But I think Camille Paglia put it best today:

"Obama's stimulus package -- a mammoth, chaotic grab bag of treasures, toys and gimcracks... Common sense would dictate that when Congress is doling out fat dollops of taxpayers' money, due time should be delegated for sober consideration and debate. The administration's coercive rush toward instant action, accompanied by apocalyptic pronouncements of imminent catastrophe, has put its own credibility on the line."

Sadly, Joan, the "stimulus" package is as dishonest as what you try to pass off as journalism day after day after day.

You're welcome, Joan. But it's not torture. I simply enjoy spirited debate and listening to as many points of view as possible. Because at the end of the day -- we all love our country. We just have very different ideas on how to best help it prosper, given the overwhelming challenges that lie ahead.

If you had read the quote from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Lou, you would have understood that the issue is much bigger than simply Milwaukee's 15 used schools. The fact is, there is no need for renovation or new construction in ANY Milwaukee schools.

Here is the quote once again:

"In general, Milwaukee Public School facilities have been described by school officials as being in good to better-than-good condition. The kind of situations that create urgent needs for renovation or new construction in some cities have not been on the priority list for Milwaukee Public School officials in recent years."

And yet they're due to receive $888.6 million dollars in "stimulus" anyway. I have no problem with targeted spending on infrastructure -- but this is 100% wasteful spending. And it's just ONE example of how "well-targeted" this "stimulus" bill actually is.

Shocking? Maybe that's because you conveniently neglected to mention Gregg's motivation for bowing out, Joan. Namely, the fact that Obama yanked the responsibility for the 2010 census out of the Commerce Department and into the White House. And THAT underhanded powergrab showed a lot more disrespect for Gregg by Obama than any "disrespect" Gregg ever showed his would-be boss. Besides, what did Obama expect? You don't ask someone to head up the Commerce Department and take away his most important job as soon as he's accepted. The truth be told, the politicalization of the 2010 Census is the only thing that's shocking here, Joanie baloney.

"What's more worrisome, of course, are a couple of moves Obama has already made -- his Department of Justice used the same Bush administration "State Secrets" defense in two important civil liberties cases, one having to do with warrantless spying and the other with five detainees who are trying to sue the U.S. claiming they were tortured. In both cases, the DOJ is arguing the trials shouldn't proceed because they would reveal state secrets that would damage national security."

Has it ever occurred to you -- even vaguely -- that there ARE cases when state secrets are warranted for the sake of national security? And has it ever occurred to you -- even vaguely -- that perhaps Obama, in discovering these how critical it is that these secrets are kept, is simultaneously discovering why Bush acted on these cases in the manner he did in the first place? The fact is, Joanie-baloney, there is NO room for transparency when it comes to keeping critical intelligence secrets. You'll need to learn to trust that Obama will do the right thing, just as any responsible president would. Otherwise, you can look forward to objecting to a plethora of other intelligence policies as Obama digs in and learns how the underbelly of the intelligence community world works.