Stuff + Stuff = Democracy!

9/11 + anything = STFU!!

"I think Hume's Ghost- whose criticism of Obama's economic plans sounds a lot like Krugmans, and generally is wrongheaded- was referring to lost revenue relative to the status-quo ante, which is the correct comparison, and which is, btw a very accurate statement."

Yep, except I was more troubled by the "tax relief" aspect of it.

http://dailydoubt.blogspot.com/2008/06/paul-krugman-saves-me-trouble.html

I'd appreciate having the wrongheadedness explained to me, though, which I would consider a favor since I'd prefer not to hold wrongheaded views if I can avoid it. Economics is not a strong subject of mine so I would not be surprised if I overlooked something.

When we write about topics that touch us deeply...

language becomes spare and direct [with time and wisdom].

My apologies to Ralph Keyes. I hope. I learn there is daily elements of risk.

When we write comments, REMEMBER, try to leave out the parts reader skip.

Glenn,

You might want to read Al Giordano's post of July 1 called "Smart Dissent" before you blast Obama's positions or positioning on the various issues you've been criticizing him on.

In case you're not familiar with Giordano, he has been spot on about this election from October 2007 on... and completely understood how Obama's community organizing skills would get him the nomination and probably the presidency. Giordano's political skills and reporting talents have been consistently the most insightful and original during this election cycle. Here's the link to his website, the Narcosphere...

http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield

In fact, it's worth everyone who's been commenting here and smacking Obama to read the post.

This may be way off and very old information. So much is at stake. I reasoned, O, May as well try anything. The thought of :wow. The analysis vs opinion. I finally got it. GG. slowly. But better late than never.

~

I once wrote:

Citizens National Bank,

of Southern Pennsylvania.

10-12 W, Maine Street.

PO BOX 191

Waybesboro, PA 17268.

Main Office 35 North Carlisle St.

Greencastle, PA 17225.

Dear Mr, xxx,no`xo,tho.

It went on for 3-pages.a bore. cc. etc.,

`

Sincerely,

hush. delete. black-out. gloss.

P.S. It's important to be clear.

This is Elder, retired, and a law firm that The Honorable Birch Bayh Sr., worked, and NOT the younger Senator Bayh, who is on the Bank Chair-Whatever-C. (what do they do) (?). The Honorable Birch Bayh Sr. did not respond.

The Sr, Bayh letter was on April 3rd 2001 with the firm:

cc. Oppenheimer, Wolf, Donnelly, & Bayh LPP. (wise? decide.)

This is the BS that in the Middle East has given us fanatics like the Taliban.

I knew it. All the pieces are in place. Soon there will be Radical Madrasahs on every street corner, competing with Al Qaeda to train Islamofascist Suburbanites that Obama can then spy on using his new found powers as the King of Democracy.

Talk about a win/win. That Obama is one shrewd dewd.

Are you referring to your own close encounter with Glenn earlier today?

Per my previous post, I'm not suggesting that Obama will fund Islamic Fascist religious organizations in America....

But...I'm so, so glad I didn't have to bow down to ANYTHING in order to get an education.

You said: "…it's only because you don't want to accept that your beloved candidate is… "

Whoa- back it up. I said, clearly, that legitimate criticism is necessary but that it looks like you want to generate a meme of reversals. I'm not an acolyte of anyone’s – yours or Obama’s and I think either is disturbing. to me it appears that the thread you’re pulling together is tenuous and you’re distorting Obama’s words and positions to fit in with a story. I also said I don’t understand enough about FISA – I’ll look back on your columns again but I remember them being high on conclusions, low on analysis. I’m trying to learn more and will happily read more about it.

I don't agree with Obama on the SCOTUS death penalty decision or the gun control decisions and have said so. It is lamentable that he is in the Scalia/Thomas camp but blame by association is a weak argument and he has been consistent.

By framing your list under : “The choices Obama makes about how he campaigns and the positions he takes are extremely consequential in how political issues in this country are perceived. In the last two weeks alone, Obama has done the following…” it flows as if you are implying two weeks of reversals and flip-flopping. Those SCOTUS rulings and other issues, like the FISA bill, came up in the last two weeks- but that is a coincidence of timing and you know that a presidential candidate has to voice their opinion on every important topic of the day – that is why those issues came up Obama hasn’t been out stumping for the death penalty to child rapists or even to compromise on FISA. He may have some influence on the legislative agenda if congressional leaders consult him but it sure doesn’t look like they going out of their way to throw softballs.

On the patriotism speech – I really think you have to willfully misread it to say he is impugning the patriotism of protesters and the counter culture- that is precisely the opposite of the point- two sentences later:

“Most Americans understood that dissent does not make one unpatriotic, and that there is nothing smart or sophisticated about a cynical disregard for America's traditions and institutions. “

We want smart and nuanced in our leadership right? Why do we tear it down as soon as we see it? You can say it is foolish to protest by burning the flag but I still won’t call you unpatriotic and will defend your right to expression, right? I think that was the point of the piece. Was it cheap to take a shot at Moveon? Probably – I’m a member and I think the betray us ad was stupid because it was the wrong approach.

I think we can keep our nominee honest but we need to be honest too. I’m sorry if it feels like a piling on – but I’m not someone who is completely uncritical of the candidate. I’ve already accepted there will be things I disagree with and concessions he’ll have to make to the mainstream that as disgusting to me as a total bleeding heart. Perhaps you didn’t mean it that way but the way you’ve framed the article it reads like a litany of here’s more reversals. I’m sorry about assuming bad intentions on your part to create the narrative – even without the intention, that is how that list comes across and that comes across in the comments on the article.