Sunday, July 15, 2007

More Tears Than Laughs in Sicko by Michael Moore



A young child gets sick with an imminently treatable virus; her temperature soars to 104° yet the hospital refuses to treat her. She has a seizure, followed by cardiac arrest. Still no medical care. Eventually, she dies. Was this little girl an impoverished Haitian? A rural African or better yet, an inner city kid from Detroit? No, she was a white American with health insurance whose carrier insisted that she be transported to another hospital within the network. How could that happen?

In his finest film to date, Michael Moore provides a devastating critique of the US health care system, or the lack thereof. He opens the movie by talking about the 50 million Americans who don't have any health insurance but quickly moves on to focus on the remaining 250 million who are insured, largely by health maintenance organizations whose sole goal is profit at any expense.

Moore traces the origin of the HMO to a highly inflammatory conversation that President Nixon had with an aide back in 1971 whereby Nixon announced that it would be a terrible idea for government to expand its role in health care but a wonderful prospect if it were to be privatized. And so we find ourselves in the sorry state that we have today where people work their asses off, believing that they will be protected if they get sick but in fact, they are routinely denied coverage and/or benefits by HMOs for any reason under the sun. Pre-existing conditions can disqualify people from getting insurance. Failure to disclose a benign and ridiculous problem such as an ordinary yeast infection led Blue Cross to stop payment on a hospital bill for a distraught woman with endometriosis who had been faithfully paying her Blue Cross premiums.

Moore contrasts the American system with that of other countries and points out that the United States is the only Western industrialized country that lacks a universal health care system. He visits Canada, Britain, and France -- and even Cuba, in a particularly daring, in-your-face maneuver that only he could pull off -- concluding that they are vastly superior to the US.

What Moore doesn't mention is that most of the countries above, as well as Australia and New Zealand, have a parallel private system. He tends to glorify Canada with his selective perspective and interviewing techniques, dismissing news reports about long waiting lists for procedures and lack of proper equipment in Canada as being sheer propaganda; he interviews Canadians in Windsor, Ontario who claimed that they had only been waiting for 20 minutes or so to see a doctor.

Having had the advantage of living in the US for 26 years and the remainder of my 28 years in Canada, I can say with confidence that any time I've had to go to the emergency room in Ottawa, I've waited four to eight hours. I also waited 18 months for a hip replacement that I needed at the age of 47 as a result of a car accident; and there is a marked shortage of MRI machines in Canada's capital. As a result, a small private system has emerged in Québec where people go across the line to pay $700 for their MRI so as to discover a tumor before it metastasizes. Canadians also pay for medications, physiotherapy and dental care, although these services are subsidized for those with low income.

Despite these minor problems with the Canadian system, I would choose it hands-down any day of the week over American health care. Canadian Medicare is unquestionably better which is why it wouldn't have hurt Moore at all to have made a more balanced presentation of the facts.

Aside from the outstanding medical care that Michael Moore managed to subversively obtain for some 9/11 workers in Cuba, the country that stood above all others in his analysis was France -- 35 hour work weeks, five weeks paid vacation per year even for part-time workers, full universal health care, nannies who are sent out by the government to help new mothers (and even do their laundry!), excellent subsidized day care, and romantic couples kissing in parks along with families relaxing, so unlike their American counterparts, filled with road rage as they drive home after their backbreaking 10 hour day to pick up some fast food at Kentucky Fried Chicken. The French have it all, including the pastries.

What Moore doesn't address is the recent election in France. Why was the left-wing government voted out and replaced by a strong right-winger if everyone was so happy with their idyllic situation?

Lastly, Moore asks what's wrong with the American government. I ask what's wrong with the American people. They're only 435 members of the House of Representatives, 50 members of Congress and a handful of people in the White House. If there's power in numbers, the people have it. Why aren't they using it? When did they become so complacent? Why aren't they marching in the streets, holding dead children in their arms and missing fingers that they couldn't afford to reattach? Has the Bush regime rendered them all terrified? But the problem predates Bush by a long shot and didn't seem to improve during the eight years that Clinton/Gore had in office.

Don't buy the argument that the government can't afford universal health care -- according to the Associated Press, US taxpayers are spending an estimated $10 billion a month in Iraq. Ouch.

I loved Sicko and I'll see it again on DVD so I can pause, rewind and reflect on the horrors of the American health care plan. No one says it better than Moore and I've been a fan of all of his movies, however, he always has his POV (point of view) and it wouldn't hurt him to balance things out just a tiny bit. That won't prevent me from giving this documentary a five-star plus rating but I didn't find it as funny as others did. Sarcastic, yes. Black humor? Definitely. Laugh-out-loud funny? Hmmm. I missed that! But don't you miss this brilliant, acerbic exposé.

Review by Sigrid Macdonald

Sigrid is a friend of mine that has written an amazing book titled D'Amour Road which you can learn more about by going to her blog at D'Amour Road

269 comments:

  1. Good review Lydia,

    Healthcare in America has become a nightmare and a joke.

    Not only are there over 47 million Americans uninsured, but millions more underinsured.

    The healthcare industry has become an industry of profit, not people.

    Millions more fear losing their healthcare because of affordability, and an increasing number of companies are eliminating healthcare for their employees, due to cost and greed.

    This is the Bush healthcare system.

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  3. Excellent review. I do intend to see "Sicko" - went to Fahrenheit 911 when it came out also. I do agree with the point that his movies tend to come with their own point of view on things, not always "fair and balanced," but the issues he brings up are always very important and his movies really get you fired up to try to do something.

    And I think that's one of the problems with the American people, the reason no one is proclaiming what an outrage the health care situation is - pure apathy. No one gets fired up anymore, as they did back in my day (late 60's, early 70's). I guess without a draft, even young people find better things to do than protest the actions or inactions of our government.

    As one of those "aging Baby Boomers" everyone talks about, I fear losing healthcare coverage more than anything. I'm trapped in my job because I have a couple of "pre-existing conditions" so I'm afraid of going anywhere new and possibly not qualifying for the health insurance.

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  4. Waiting times in U.S. hospitals and clinics are becoming so lengthy that even one of the nation's biggest insurers, Aetna, has admitted to its investors that the U.S. healthcare system is "not timely" and patients diagnosed with cancer wait "over a month" for needed medical care, said two leading organizations of doctors and nurses recently.

    Lost in the recent flurry of attacks on Canada and other nations with publicly funded healthcare systems, spurred by the popularity of Michael Moore's "SiCKO," is the reality of the huge hurdles faced by many American patients, said the Physicians for a National Health Program and the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee.

    "As the cost and service failures of the U.S. health system become unbearable, those who profit from the system - the private health insurance giants and big drug companies - are bringing out the propaganda attacks on the experience in the many countries which have chosen a public insurance plan. As always, half truths and lies are the scare tactics of these profiteers," said Quentin Young, MD national coordinator of PNHP.

    "There's been a lot of clamor lately about delays in care in some other countries. But if you want to see some really unsightly waiting times, look at U.S. medical facilities," said Deborah Burger, RN, president of the 75,000-member CNA/NNOC.

    In his talk, Troy Brennan conceded that "the (U.S.) healthcare system is not timely." He cited "recent statistics from the Institution of Healthcare Improvement… that people are waiting an average of about 70 days to try to see a provider. And in many circumstances people initially diagnosed with cancer are waiting over a month, which is intolerable," Brennan said.

    Brennan also recalled that he had formerly spent much of his time as an administrator and head of a physicians' organization trying "to find appointments for people with doctors."

    a University of California San Francisco research report last year that documented average waits of 38.2 days to get an appointment with a dermatologist to examine a possibly cancerous mole.



    This is the Bush heathcare plan.

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  5. Hi Mauigirl,

    20 million children are without healthcare in America.

    That is not acceptable.

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  6. Lack of insurance is not the problem - it's the insurance industry itself. A Zogby/UPI poll in February found that 42 percent of Americans said their insurer had refused to pay a medical bill. A USA Today/ABC poll in March found one in four Americans had trouble paying for medical care in 2006. Two thirds of those were insured.

    Those elected officials have the best healthcare in America, why can't the rest of the country have the same?

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  7. Providing quality and affordable health care tops concerns of likely voters
    29% of likely voters believe “providing affordable quality health care” should receive the “greatest attention from the government at the present time.”
    22% said “ensuring homeland security in the United States”
    19% said “reducing government spending and taxes”
    13% said “improving public education
    39% of likely voters ranked “making health care more affordable” as the “most important goal for the country and should receive the greatest attention in reforming our health care system.”
    Uninsured
    82% of likely voters believe “there are moral and ethical reasons for making sure everyone in the U.S. has health care. Access to health care is a matter of human dignity.”

    71% of likely voters believe “the federal government should take financial responsibility to cover uninsured children,” and 51% “would be willing to pay more in taxes to help pay for health insurance for children.”

    Why don't the politicians consider these thoughts of the people?

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  8. What Moore doesn't address is the recent election in France. Why was the left-wing government voted out and replaced by a strong right-winger if everyone was so happy with their idyllic situation?


    This smacks of exactly what the reviewer is complaining about. There was no rush to the right in France; the election was painfully close, and hinged more on xenophobia than any other reason. Wingnuts always, always appeal to underlying racist currents. For more on this, see "The US elections, 2004."

    I also know quite a few Canadians who would disagree with the oft-repeated mantra about extensive waiting for threatening procedures.

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  9. I can't wait to see Sicko.

    On another note, did anyone see the fiery debate between Lindsey Graham and Jim Webb on Meet the Press this morning?

    They were debating the war in Iraq, and it was pretty heated.

    Graham was on his pompous arrogant republican best, and Webb was up to the challange.

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  10. "There was no rush to the right in France; the election was painfully close, and hinged more on xenophobia than any other reason. Wingnuts always, always appeal to underlying racist currents."

    Hell, the wingnuts must have stolen it. Who in their right mind wouldn't want socialism?

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  11. At least you guys are consistent. No matter what country in the world you're talking about, you always back the commie.

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  12. Typical Idiot Reich Winger associating left wingers with communism instead of Democract...........the little dunce even tried to lump hitler and the Nazi's in with the legft wing despite Numerous evidence that they were Reich Wing Fascists that favored tyranical dictatorship and rascism and despised equality.

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  13. Put on ypur dunce cap and go sit in the corner Dolty!

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  14. Whats happening here, is the right wing is getting desperate.

    Like a wounded animal backed into a corner, they’re lashing out in anger and fear. If you saw Lindsey Graham ignorantly lashing out at Jim Webb (the only one of the two who had ever fired a shot at the enemy, or been shot at in combat) as he lectured Webb on Iraq, and how he had been there and Webb had not, so therefore he knew better.

    The right wing is backed into a corner and they are severely wounded, which makes them more dangerous than ever.

    We have seen over and over how the terror alerts have always coincided with damage to the right wing, whether to Bush or the party as a whole.

    Now, when they are at there lowest, is it any wonder that “suddenly”, Osama Bin Laden is back, to frighten us all back into crawling under the skirts of the right wing?

    Watch your backs America.

    The right wings scared, and in serious trouble.

    And that means terror threats, and attacks.

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  15. Wrong again Mikey.

    Royal WAS a member of the SOCIALIST party in France. (As is Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)

    And since you're such an expert on Nazi's, just WHAT did "NAZI" stand for? (hint: National Socialist German Workers' Party)

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  16. "If it had not been for Iraq, I think we'd be better off on the war on terror"

    Pat Robertson
    7-15-07

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  17. See Fascists and Nazi's all try to be sneaky and label themselves and their opponents the opposite of what they are ie............

    Hitler called his party National socialist etc.....When the truth is he was a fascist dictatator NOt a socialist, same for GWB calling the Muslims Islamo fascists when Him and his cronnies are the fascist, not the Islamists there are clear definitions of Fascism and the Muslims fail to meet almost all of them whiler the Neo Cons meet essentially ALL of them.

    Another example is the Neo Cons saying they support and favor Freedom, Democracy and freemarkets when the truth is they loathe freedom and democracy and much prefer a fascist police state, as for free markets they prefer rich powerful coporate monopolies that control and manipulate the market and stick it to consumers rather that a true free market with choice and divewrsity same for the MSM they prefer to control and censor it rather than diversity of oppinion.

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  18. Doltron said...

    And since you're such an expert on Nazi's, just WHAT did "NAZI" stand for?


    No surprise here that you would know that. After all its tatooed on your upper arm.


    In German of course.

    Volts tattoo;

    Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei von Volksturm

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  19. Seig Heil to herr Busch!

    Seig Heil!

    Seig Heil!

    Seig Heil!

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  20. It doesnt matter what the Stupid Anacrony for Nazi staood for you dope........just like it doesnt matter what GWB lies and says he or others stand for........actions speak louder than words and Hitler and the Nazi's were clearly Right Wing............I could instantly provide 10 sites to support that if I wanted to but there is no need........ANYONE who would be dumb enough to CLAIM Hitler and the NAZI's wwere a left wing organization is a laughing stocvkj along the lines of Ann Coulter and Dick Cheney and deserves to have his moronic talking points ripped to shreds and be riddiculed like the moronic laughing stock they truly are.

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  21. Sure Bart.

    At least I'm not the one who's admitted to wanting everyone who disagrees with him shot or imprisoned.

    Even Mikey's called for lynching of those who have a differing opinion.

    (by the way Mikey, better chill out on the kool-aid. I think you're about to OD....LOL

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  22. You keep trying to say the Nazi's were lefty wing champ..........just like Coulter keeps trying to say leaving Iraq is Surrender or Cheney keeps trying to say Saddam was in leasgue with Osama and behind 9/11 and had WMD.

    BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


    Put on a pointy hat and go sit in the corner Duncetron!

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  23. Voltron said...
    Sure Bart.

    At least I'm not the one who's admitted to wanting everyone who disagrees with him shot or imprisoned.


    Ahh, back against the wall so out come the lies.

    Don't put words in my mouth bitch.

    Show us where I said that or take it back.

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  24. I NEVER called for lynching anyone with a different oppinion you lying troll.

    Either retract this lie or shut your mouth before you get some help.

    I always am open minded to hear opposing oppinions........theres a diffeence between stating an opinion and lying or attacking someone personally though and you trolls arent aware of that line.

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  25. Seig Heil to Voltron!

    Seig Heil to herr Busch!

    Lange sich das neue tausend Jahr reich!!

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  26. And actually it was your hero FDR who put this country on the road to socialism with his "raw deal", I bet the founding fathers are still rolling in their graves over that one.

    And remember, since the CIA released the Venona papers in '99 we know it was the Dems that were covering for communists in the 50's. They demonized McCarthy to hide their traitorous actions.

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  27. Hey Volt.

    One question. How do you guys get those jack boots so shiney? I mean, with all that leather, isn't it hard to keep a sheen on them like that?

    :|

    Just curious.

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  28. Oh I see what the little troll is doing he cant efend against healthcare so he tries to change the subject and distract..........your lies and dishonest talking points about heathcare arent very effective Aye troll?

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  29. Now do they actually teach goosestepping at Messiah U, or is it just a student activity?

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  30. If you feel froggy Mikey, bring it on. Worf has my address.

    "theres a diffeence between stating an opinion and lying or attacking someone personally though and you trolls arent aware of that line."

    And this is the pot calling the kettle black. I state my opinion. YOU guys are the ones with the constant personal attacks.

    (oh and that goes for you too Bart)
    bitch.

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  31. Seigfreid said...

    And actually it was your hero FDR who put this country on the blah blah blah blah blah


    I didn't ask for you to cover up your lie.

    I asked you to show where I said the LIE you just accused me of, or retract it.

    Now do it.

    MACH SCHNELL.

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  32. Voltron said...
    If you feel froggy Mikey, bring it on. Worf has my address.


    You'd fold like a little girl wimp.

    No one heres afraid of sissies.

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  33. Now SHOW us where we said that or recant.

    Got it bitch?

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  34. BS, FDR ended the Gilded age and the Great Depression and made this country great buy building up the middle class and creating good paying jobs, saftety nets and better quality of life............and you greedy Reich Wing jackasses have been trying to dismantle and undo them EVER since........and have FINALLY succeeeded under Herr Bush.

    What is a testament to YOUR uter and complete stupidity is that Bush is trying to destroy the working class and bring back the gilded age, he is trying to rob from and destroy the middle class and YOU are middle class and you still support this moron, against your own interests like a trained monkey!

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  35. Don't come in here starting trouble, or Mike will make your mouth disappear.


    You freaking wimp.

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  36. I'm not gonna hunt it down for you Bart boy. And I ain't your dog.

    You remember, it was only a couple of threads ago.

    As for you Mikey, Worf deleted your little wish for a hanging because he was paranoid somebody with the government would see it.

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  37. I've never attacked you personally you liar........I may throw a jibe or a name in with my posts but there is always a point its NEVER just calling names and attacking you like Rusty and Moo Moo and many other trolls do.

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  38. I heard Volt learned to fight from his mom. She was a wrestler, "back in the day", and taught him how to beat guys assess, with his lips.

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  39. Voltron said...
    I'm not gonna hunt it down for you Bart boy. And I ain't your dog.


    No, thats your moms job.

    And you're a liar, bitch.

    So I'll have Lydia or Mike remove them from the blog, you lying little coward punk.

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  40. Oh look the troll is trying to twist what I said into some kind of threat..........because he's got NOTHING else I didnt threatened you physically in ANY way I merely said you will not be allowed to lie anymore.

    You either prove your accusations/statements, or retrract or you may just get some help retracting then........unless we choose to leave it stand as a monument to what a dishonest liar you REALLY are!

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  41. The right wings on the ropes Mike.

    They want to try their bully tactics, but all they're going to find is a fist in their big fat mouths.

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  42. How can I show you what Worf deleted Mike?

    As for me starting trouble Bart, I think any sane (non-moonbat) could see the progression of our back and forth. I didn't cast the first stone.

    I guess you'd better have Mikey delete those after all, they pretty much illustrate your character.

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  43. Bullying tactics Bart? In a room where I'm outnumbered with you girls?

    And isn't that the second threat of violence from YOUR side?

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  44. Oh I'm sorry dolt.

    Were you under the mistaken impression that your mockery of us was welcome here?

    I'm sorry.

    Please accept this as your notice, that its not, nor are you.

    Does that clear it up for you bitch?

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  45. Dont twist words little troll I =said I hoped they were brougght to justice for teason, held accountable and hung like all treasous traitors have been in the past..........its that justice thing that gets you every time little troll you cant stand the concept of equal justice for all.........YOU prefer a dictatorship and want YOUR guys to be above the law and have justice not apply to them.

    YOu want a fascist dictatorship and a police state.

    What I said I stand by.......I want these traitors to get a FAIR trial asnd be held accountable for their treason anfd high crimes and get hung or life in prison or leathal injection like any other person convicted of treason........I believe hanging used to be the classic punishment though.

    See thats the difference between me and you I want even my greatest opponents and enmies to have a fair trial and equal justice.........you want a kangeroo court and two standards of justice, one for the powerful inner cicle of the dictator and one for everyone else.

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  46. Threat of violence?

    That was a metaphor you inbred uneductated twit.

    You on the other hand are the only one who tried to translate anything into the physical, talking about giving out your address.

    Of course, we know you're full of shit. I'd have no problem dealing with you bitch.

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  47. Hey stupid I didnt ask you to show me WHAT was deleted.........I KNOW what I said........apparently you and your troll buddies are the ones with the problem with the truth.

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  48. Meanwhile, you're not welcome here, so I think its time for you to leave.

    So go.

    And don't let the door hit you on the way out, bitch.

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  49. Go find your less than one third who still thinks you're cool.

    Cause none of them are here, bitch.

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  50. Well Barty, your lame attempts to goad me into a outburst you could use to excoriate me isn't working, and it's getting boring.

    I have work to do.

    Later girls.

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  51. Like I said bitch, get the hell out.

    And don't bother coming back.

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  52. Go lick George Bush's ass, just like the rest of your inbred family does.

    And don't forget to Seig Heil right before you lap it up.

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  53. That RNC blogger manual was right.

    This stuff really does work.

    BAWAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAA

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  54. Hey Duncetron i'm dedicating the next blog article I write to you!

    Now you have a nice day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


    BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

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  55. Yeah Bartlebe its always fun shredding a trolls dishonest talking points and making them look so stupid they run away with their tails between their legs.

    Trolls loathe facts and truth, its like sunlight or holy water to a vampire!

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  56. The silent surge from the air

    The Air Force is building up some of its forces to increase the air power, which means bombs and rockets raining in from the sky into the neighborhoods and homes of Iraqi civilians, along with larger predator drones armed with rockets and bombs so it is cheaper to bomb the civilians.

    AP: Bomb-laden 'Reaper' drones bound for Iraq

    http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2007-07-15-reaper_N.htm

    Bin Laden needed to hijack planes to get the US to attack him on his home turf, but Bush has the Military Industrial complex to make weapons of mass murder like this to enable him to keep the anger up and the terrorists a comin'.

    George wants to make sure they hate the US, so there will be a good source of terrorists to keep the "war on Terra" going .

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  57. And speaking of holy water to a vampire I think its time to talk about health care and Michael Moore's movie!

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  58. Chris Mathews just said he thinks investgation Bush's commutation of Libby will be the Comstock Lode!

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  59. This is coming from a Repug who voted for Bush twice!

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  60. Thats what I said Mike, remember?

    I said that commuting Libby's sentence will be the straw that broke the camels back.

    It ties Bush to the firings, and opens the door to conspiracy to obstruct.

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  61. doltron reveals his ignorance again,

    Hell, the wingnuts must have stolen it. Who in their right mind wouldn't want socialism?



    Obviously, you don't know sh*t about what was going on in France for MONTHS prior to the election, although you morons all pointed to it as proof that your moronic monkey Messiah was 100% right in going after all those brown heathens in Mesopotamia (since you're an idiot, I'll clarify that for you-Iraq was once known as Mesopotamia.) And you obviously are also clueless about how close that election was (and since the French don't have a Harris or Blackwell that I know of, we can assume that unlike here, the system wasn't gamed.)

    Every time you post, you reveal yet again that you're too stupid to breathe. I don't know why you're still alive.

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  62. Mike said...
    Hey Duncetron i'm dedicating the next blog article I write to you!

    Now you have a nice day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


    BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!


    Now that one I can't wait to read.

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  63. doltron is such an idiot. but he tried again with,

    And since you're such an expert on Nazi's, just WHAT did "NAZI" stand for? (hint: National Socialist German Workers' Party)


    You stupid, stupid little toad. Hitler chose that name not because of any ideology, but.... BECAUSE HE THOUGHT THE LEFTIST ELEMENTS WOULD BE MORE AMENABLE TO THE NAZIS IF THEY HAD "SOCIALIST" IN THE NAME.

    This is a historical fact, something that you and the rest of your diaper-loving, hooker-paying cabal know absolutely nothing of. Facts are to you like yachting is to me.

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  64. But you'll have to write it in monosyllabic words, otherwise he won't understand it.

    ReplyDelete
  65. doltron forgets,

    At least I'm not the one who's admitted to wanting everyone who disagrees with him shot or imprisoned.


    No, you just want them waterboarded and stacked in human pyramids.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Absolutely Priceless, the neo-con mind uncensored;

    Cruising with National Review

    Johann Hari did something truly brave. He went on a cruise sponsored by the National Review in order to see wingnuts in their natural habitat.

    From time to time, National Review – the bible of American conservatism – organises a cruise for its readers. I paid $1,200 to join them. The rules I imposed on myself were simple: If any of the conservative cruisers asked who I was, I answered honestly, telling them I was a journalist. Mostly, I just tried to blend in – and find out what American conservatives say when they think the rest of us aren't listening.

    What he discovered was not comforting. Here's a sample.

    I lie on the beach with Hillary-Ann, a chatty, scatty 35-year-old Californian designer. As she explains the perils of Republican dating, my mind drifts, watching the gentle tide. When I hear her say, " Of course, we need to execute some of these people," I wake up. Who do we need to execute? She runs her fingers through the sand lazily. "A few of these prominent liberals who are trying to demoralise the country," she says. "Just take a couple of these anti-war people off to the gas chamber for treason to show, if you try to bring down America at a time of war, that's what you'll get." She squints at the sun and smiles. " Then things'll change."

    This same mindset is repeated elsewhere but probably nowhere as explicitly as below. The table is discussing Germany's consideration of charging Rumsfeld with crimes.

    A red-faced man who looks like an egg with a moustache glued on grumbles, " If the Germans think they can take responsibility for the world, I don't care about German courts. Bomb them." I begin to witter on about the Pinochet precedent, and Kate snaps, "Treating Don Rumsfeld like Pinochet is disgusting." Egg Man pounds his fist on the table: " Treating Pinochet like that is disgusting. Pinochet is a hero. He saved Chile."

    "Exactly," adds Jim. "And he privatised social security."

    The table nods solemnly and then they march into the conversation – the billion-strong swarm of swarthy Muslims who are poised to take over the world. Jim leans forward and says, "When I see these football supporters from England, I think – these guys aren't going to be told by PC elites to be nice to Muslims. You're going to get fascists rising up, aren't you? Why isn't that happening already?" Before I can answer, he is conquering the Middle East from his table, from behind a crème brûlée.

    "The civilised countries should invade all the oil-owning places in the Middle East and run them properly. We won't take the money ourselves, but we'll manage it so the money isn't going to terrorists."


    Change 'Muslims' to 'Jews' and 'terrorists' to 'communists' and you have a Nazi. Plain and simple. This is the world of the National Review.

    [Which dolty boy and his pink pajama circle jerk boys club of sock puppetry adheres to.]

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  67. doltron fantasized,

    Well Barty, your lame attempts to goad me into a outburst you could use to excoriate me isn't working, and it's getting boring.


    You never do anything but engage in childish outbursts. That's why there's no point in even trying to engage in a dialogue with you; it's easier to call you the idiotic off-product of brother and sister (not to mention that's also a very succinct, accurate assessment of what you are.)

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  68. Every time you post, you reveal yet again that you're too stupid to breathe. I don't know why you're still alive.

    God made breathing automatic, he knew about the people like dolty would exist, and he didn't want to waste his time always reminding them whether they were on

    inhale or exhale

    because he had better things to do.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Doltron is a trainwreck.

    A pathetic rube clinging onto his dream of global domination, and a facist state for America.

    He comes in to insult and ridicule the bloggers in here, and then cries when someone mocks him back.

    Then, invariably, he turns to threatening people, offering them his address so he can have a physical fight with them(he'd never give anyone his real address, or identity, which is the one smart thing about him),all while accusing us of doing these things.

    Well last time I checked, this is a progressive blog, and not a stump platform for homeless neocons with a chip on their shoulder.

    If he doesn't like what we say, then I suggest he keep the f@#k out.

    ReplyDelete
  70. The time for cowtowing to the right wing has long since passed.

    They are squandering human life in an effort to save face in Iraq, and no one should be tolertating anything they have to say.

    We gave them 6 years, and they made an utter disaster of everything.

    They've failed.

    And their 15 minutes are up.

    ReplyDelete
  71. dontron revealed,

    And remember, since the CIA released the Venona papers in '99 we know it was the Dems that were covering for communists in the 50's. They demonized McCarthy to hide their traitorous actions.


    The stupid sack of toxic waste obviously doesn't know anything beyond what C**tler told him was in those papers. Someone with the reading comprehension of a third-grader knows better than this.

    Of all the wingerbot morons I know of, Dolty may hold the title for stupidest of them all. But it's hard to say that with any accuracy, since they all use the same talking points.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Guys if you stop talking about somebody who admits others have to take three showers a day to be around for some reason, watch him come back in to get you all going again.

    Since NOBODY but Worf(probably out of symphony so dolty won't use the rope he told us all he had last fall,) will visit or comment on his pathetic anorexic blog, (just like his hero Anny Tranny) he comes here for attention.

    ReplyDelete
  73. I stupid troll said "Jolly Roger said...
    dontron revealed,

    And remember, since the CIA released the Venona papers in '99 we know it was the Dems that were covering for communists in the 50's. They demonized McCarthy to hide their traitorous actions."

    Demonized McCarthy..............BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

    Only a complete and total moron would attempt to defend McCarthy..............yeah McCarthy was a an unjustly accused Patriot, a great man...........BWAHAHAHa!!!

    May be by Reich Wing standards he was a patriot but the Reich Wing has twisted the meaning of Patriotism from loving ones country to fear mongering and war mongering and blind loyalty and fealty to GWB and the Reich Wing to the extent that ANY and all freedoms and liberties are acceptable to sacrifice if the President says so!

    ReplyDelete
  74. ONLY a brain dead goosestepping Reich Wing Troll could equate

    someone saying A President and VP are guilty of treason and need to recieve a fair trial, proper legal representation and if convicted be held accountable just as any other person convicted of treason was which was usually hanging with merely having a verbal difference of opinion with him and wanting some crazy vigilante to lynch him without a fair trial based merely on a disagrement..........it boggles the mind.

    It also boggles the mind how he can equate The Nazi's with the left wing when anyone with half a brain will KNOW or easily be able to prove they are a Reich Wing organization............

    Another example of Duncetrons idiocy is him claiming people who ACTUALLY DO support fredom, democracy, equal justice for all, the middle class etc........are communists ............how bout some proof there champ to back up your bogus theories and empty talking points that you and Coulter fling out there.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Oh and btw duncetron I did a little research recent all the talking points and slimy little troll tactics You moo moo , Rusty and TT have used came for Coulter..........if anyone doubts you idiots were sent by her you need yur heads examined.......the only difdference between you ad them Dolt is like all Reich Wingers they failed utterly and completely but they realized it and threw in the towel........while YOU just likre your hero GWB that you defend all the time while claiming you dont sTILL think you can win and are still trying..........isnt the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome?

    ReplyDelete
  76. He comes here because he's a troll clif. Either paid or volunteer, he's not here by accident.

    The right wing saw one their own (Named Big K) get his ass handed to him by me a few years back, and called in the reinforcements.

    The trolls have been here ever since.

    ReplyDelete
  77. The time for mollycoddling them has passed.

    ReplyDelete
  78. Just take the shit they give us and hand it right back to them. In spades.

    ReplyDelete
  79. Yes Worf, it's all because of you.
    (no ego or arrogance there eh?)

    LOL

    ReplyDelete
  80. Lydia has posted two consecutive articles and Mike did one, so I would sure like to see The Gallant Worfeus write the Tuesday article.

    Good stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  81. Yo dolt I thought you had something to do?

    Like monitor the blog,

    instead of comment on the blog,

    that is something to do,

    ain't it numbnuts?

    ReplyDelete
  82. So what do the rest of you think?

    Do us trolls come here only because of Worf? Do you agree with what he's inferring about you?

    ReplyDelete
  83. Hey Cliffy, I can check in once in awhile eh?

    Kinda like you do when you're out mowing your lawn at 3 in the morning...

    ReplyDelete
  84. Forget that worthless flea Clif, his alternate personality will show up soon givng his flowery love for Lydia.

    ReplyDelete
  85. Doltron said...
    So what do the rest of you think?

    Do us trolls come here only because of Worf? Do you agree with what he's inferring about you?


    I thought someone already told you to stop putting words in our mouths.

    I didn't say that jackass, nor did I infer it. I said you came in because I handed Big K his ass, and he went for reinforcements, and you've been here ever since.

    What happened to that "work" you supposedly had to do?

    Oh yea, like Clif said you're just monitoring the blog because thats what the RNC asked you to do.

    ReplyDelete
  86. Why doesn't Bush attack the Saudi's:

    Los Angeles Times:

    Although Bush administration officials have frequently lashed out at Syria and Iran, accusing it of helping insurgents and militias here, the largest number of foreign fighters and suicide bombers in Iraq come from a third neighbor, Saudi Arabia, according to a senior U.S. military officer and Iraqi lawmakers.

    About 45% of all foreign militants targeting U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians and security forces are from Saudi Arabia; 15% are from Syria and Lebanon; and 10% are from North Africa.

    ReplyDelete
  87. Are you that desperate dolt you have to pathetically twist what Worf said dolt?

    Because that IS what you just did widdle boy.

    ReplyDelete
  88. And thats a fact.

    When I first came into this blog they averaged about 10 comments a thread. It was quiet and nice.

    Then, I got into a debate with a right wing troll calling himself Big K,and subsequently cleaned his clock.

    He left, and went for reinforcements.

    Lydia caught them telling people in a right wing blog that there was this bible guy in here beating up on trolls, and then you clowns showed up. And you've been here ever since.

    Thats what happened.

    Clif wasn't even here back then. I met Clif on TP and invited him in.

    Mike found his way here on his own a few months later, and then others started coming in.

    It has nothing to do with me. My statement has to do with the desperate and spurious tactics of the right wing trolls.

    ReplyDelete
  89. You're bullies and gang thugs, nothing more.

    Only in here, you're just ballast.

    ReplyDelete
  90. Here is how Bush thinks of Kids:

    The White House said Saturday that President Bush would veto a bipartisan plan to expand the Children's Health Insurance Program, drafted over the last six months by senior members of the Senate Finance Committee.
    That puts Bush at odds with the Democratic majority in Congress, with a substantial number of Republican lawmakers and with many governors of both parties, who want to expand the popular program to cover some of the nation's 8 million uninsured children.

    Tony Fratto, a White House spokesman, said: "The president's senior advisers will certainly recommend a veto of this proposal. And there is no question that the president would veto it."

    The program, which insured 7.4 million people at some time in the last year, is set to expire Sept. 30.

    Since Bush's Twin Tramps are insured at taxpayer expense, Bush sees no reason to help needy kids be insured.

    ReplyDelete
  91. Its funny worfeus, but I remember some very boisterous loudmouthed confident fooles who USED to laugh at us because we were so wrong on everything we said,

    How they CROWED after the very close 2004 elkection which the truth of is in doubt about their permanent reichwing majority...

    Less than two years latter they are reduced to adhominum attacks and propaganda attacks upon what we say even to the point of lying about that to us,

    they have fallen so far with out the majority of the american people understanding the real depths of the crimes, they will be so sad and lonely when the 2008 congress meets with even a larger House majority and the diminished reichwing presence in the senate and of course the white house in a non neo-con hands which would result in real DOJ to investigate the crimes of Bush ET AL


    Oh how they will screech and howl them.

    Oh how they will knash their teeth on the bitter pill of total irrelevance.


    Oh what a joy it will be to obvserve.

    ReplyDelete
  92. Hollywood Reporter:

    The federal appeals court here on Thursday rejected Webcasters' request to postpone implementation of a new royalty rate for music they air over the Web.

    The decision hands a court victory to the music industry and performers who have been warring with Webcasters over the rate. By denying the Webcasters' stay, the court let stand the July 15 "true up" date when they are required to give copyright holders a new, higher royalty payment for digitally delivered music.

    "This is a major victory for recording artists and record labels whose hard work and creativity provides the music around which the Internet radio business is built," SoundExchange executive director John Simson said. "Notwithstanding this victory, we continue to reach out to the webcasting community to reach business solutions."

    SoundExchange was created to distribute the royalty following the 1995 Digital Performance Right in Sound Recording Act. The royalty is split 50-50 between copyright owner, typically a label but sometimes the artists or other entities, and the performer.

    Webcasters had challenged the royalty, contending that a panel of copyright royalty judges erred when they dramatically increased the rate this year.

    Bush and his boys are doing their best to silence internet radio, since it isn't as favorable to them as right wing talk over the airwaves.

    ReplyDelete
  93. BTW Duncetron , the faqct that you felt the NEED to lie and twist my words to TRY to make it LOOK LIKE I wanted the president or anyone in his administration to be hurt by an unlawful act of vigilanteism or tried to lie and make it look like i wanted to hop on a plane and travel to your hose to hurt YOUI when i said NOTHING of the sort.

    Clearly tells me i'm frustrating you by exposing your lies and ripping your dishonest riddiculous talking points to shreds...................and for me thats MISSION ACCOMPLISHED little troll.............see and I didnt even need a banner or a stupid flight suit or people dying unneccessarily to say that!

    ReplyDelete
  94. Sicko actually made it out to the boondocks where I live. I'm gonna see it tomorrow.

    Who Hijacked Our Country

    ReplyDelete
  95. Oh and BTW Duncetron YOU'll be hearing from me REAL soon and just so you dont have to change your panties because you soiled yourself thinking i'm coming to your house to hurt you or do you harm......i'm refering to on the blog little troll.

    Wouldnt want to scare you since I KNOW you Reich Wingers are Afraid of EVERYTHING...........you fools even think a rag tag group of terrorists with no actual airforce, navy or long range nuclear capability could actual;ly conquor OUR country on the other side of the world that clearly shows what an irrational fool you are!

    ReplyDelete
  96. Mike duncetron doesn't care about the facts or truth;

    He lives in his transformer world where he transforms the lies and spin of the reichwing into posts here on the blog.

    Hence his childish name and moniker.

    ReplyDelete
  97. Oh look Duncetron has NOTHING else so he falls back to the Slimy Reich Wing divide and conquor tactic...........does that EVER work for you little troll?

    ReplyDelete
  98. Tom:

    Glad you are here, I was just heading to your blog for my daily visit.

    Sicko is a good film.

    ReplyDelete
  99. BTW Duncetron..............BOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Did I scare you you gutless troll.........you REALLY should see a shrink for those irrational fears and phobias little troll I wouldnt want you to lose sleep quaking in your boots.

    ReplyDelete
  100. BTW, just out of curiousity.....not that i care in any way...........but do you live in an underground bunker do you have timfoil and duct tape on your doors and windows if you have them?

    ReplyDelete
  101. How does such a timid fearful man drive a big truck?

    ReplyDelete
  102. Watch out Mike, trojan trolls espousing their love for Lydia, and their loyalty to this blog will soon surface.

    ReplyDelete
  103. Isnt it about time for one of your sock puppets to attack me.......most likely one of the pretend liberal ones?

    ReplyDelete
  104. It's time for the flowery blogger to appear.

    ReplyDelete
  105. Mike do you mean the one that uses a picture of a hollywood actress as their moniker and claims to also LIVE in the northwest?

    That transparent sock puppet

    ReplyDelete
  106. That and several others Clif!

    ReplyDelete
  107. No Clif:

    This troll has no picture, he appears after veltron and espouses love for liberals.

    ReplyDelete
  108. The one who is NOT Deborah Shelton and like Anny Tranny probably not qualified by DNA to enter the womans room.......

    ReplyDelete
  109. Deborah Shelton is still as beautiful as when she was on Dallas.

    ReplyDelete
  110. Clif:

    The troll I am talking about shows up shortly after Veltron leaves, or when he thinks Lydia is around.

    ReplyDelete
  111. clif said...
    The one who is NOT Deborah Shelton and like Anny Tranny probably not qualified by DNA to enter the womans room."

    Well Clif, im sure thats true, but since the gutless one is missing a set..........I dont know if he's qualified to go in the mens room either.........he usually just pisses his pants!

    ReplyDelete
  112. I bet you're right Mike.

    ReplyDelete
  113. Finally news Bush will like:

    BAGHDAD

    A car bomb packed with explosives detonated Sunday in a central Baghdad square, killing 10 people and wounding 25, the deadliest attack on a violent day that claimed the lives of at least 18 others.

    Still, a U.S. military spokesman on Sunday that the month-old American offensives in and around the capital were starting to have an effect, reducing violence and civilian deaths. He did not cite figures.

    Bush just loves killings.

    ReplyDelete
  114. Lydia
    Healthcare like everything else under Bush is a bad joke on average Americans. It is sickening to see MM ridiculed over this movie. He is right on.
    It was nice to see him on CNN demending an apology that he never got. To the American people and him when Fahrenheit 9/11 was called a farce and it all turned out to be true as we knew it was.
    Responsibility to the average American and our America is a facade only so Bush can pursue his new societal order and his "new America. He has purosely widened the gap between the haves and the have nots and despite what Congress wants, he is not going to undo what he purposely did.
    Like everything else, that will have to wait until 2008 if we are lucky enough to get rid of Bush and his mis agenda.

    ReplyDelete
  115. Here guys.

    If you want the definition of obsessed, just check this out.

    Voltrons latest blog article.

    Monday, July 9, 2007
    When Worfeus is Outlawed...

    Pardon me, I know that this shouldn't be about another blog, but this screed is so ignorant on so many levels, and reflects the liberal mindset so well I just had to dissect it.

    This is Worfs triumphant return after a about a months sabbatical...



    Talk about being stalked.

    ReplyDelete
  116. The rest just sort of goes, blah blah blah.

    Sorry folks, don't mean to derail the thread, but how obsessed is this guy with us?

    The really pathetic part is that after over a month, he's still got ZERO comments

    ZERO.

    In other words, NO ONES reading it!

    How pathetic is that?

    ReplyDelete
  117. Yeah he is an obsessed loon,..........Worf but what I gleaned from that is that as usual he is focusing on the person not the persons arguments or actual facts, he is saying YOU need to be outlawed that is what he put as the title and main focus of his article..........sounds kinda like censorship to me!

    Whats wrong Dolty your lies and dishonest talking points cant hang with real facts and truth!

    ReplyDelete
  118. Kinda interesting how the hippocritical Reich Wing troll fools like Dolty and Moo Moo screech about deleting personal attacks and lies here yet on his blog Dolty deletes most anything he doesnt like includuding news articles and posts that indicate his own hippocrissy or that of his accociates..........Clif has posted MANY examples of this!

    ReplyDelete
  119. an average patriot said...
    Lydia
    Healthcare like everything else under Bush is a bad joke on average Americans. It is sickening to see MM ridiculed over this movie. He is right on.
    It was nice to see him on CNN demending an apology that he never got. To the American people and him when Fahrenheit 9/11 was called a farce and it all turned out to be true as we knew it was.
    Responsibility to the average American and our America is a facade only so Bush can pursue his new societal order and his "new America. He has purosely widened the gap between the haves and the have nots and despite what Congress wants, he is not going to undo what he purposely did.
    Like everything else, that will have to wait until 2008 if we are lucky enough to get rid of Bush and his mis agenda."

    Your absolutely right Patriot, Bush is trying to initiate a New World order and Michael Moore has been maligned and discredited for opposing his lies and propaganda with facts and truth just as we have here by lying trolls.

    We NEED to support Michael Moore as he has been one of the few voices of truth in the wilderness of Reich wing propaganda, lies and dishonest spin.

    ReplyDelete
  120. I actually feel sorry for him Mike.

    Sitting there, writing articles that no one will ever read.

    Maybe I should throw him a bone, and post another comment.

    ReplyDelete
  121. Did you guys see Michael Moore giving it to CNN's Dr Sanjay Gupta?

    He tore him a new one.

    ReplyDelete
  122. I thought Wolf Blitzer was gonna lay an egg.

    ReplyDelete
  123. WORFEUS THE SEER said...
    Did you guys see Michael Moore giving it to CNN's Dr Sanjay Gupta?

    He tore him a new one."

    Did you SEE the look in Gupta's eyes........he KNEW he looked like a fool and got his clock cleaned.

    Moore came across as truthful, honest and credible and he came across as a partisan idiot that had his lies and talking points shredded and KNEW it.....unlike Duncetron who is too stupid to know when he is an idiot.

    ReplyDelete
  124. Mike
    Right on! You know you are right and I agree with you 100%

    ReplyDelete
  125. Like they say in poker if you dont KNOW who the sucker is at the table its YOU.......Volt doesnt even know......and thats pathetic!

    ReplyDelete
  126. Lydia, that is an excellent review. I have seen it and loved it. I am firmly convinced that health care, like police and fire protection, should be publicly provided to all Americans paid for by taxes. Health care is to important to be subjected to greed for profit, as it is today.

    ReplyDelete
  127. What's happenning Tomcat?

    ReplyDelete
  128. Voltron said...
    So what do the rest of you think?

    Do us trolls come here only because of Worf? Do you agree with what he's inferring about you?


    YAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWN

    You're very boring for a clown.

    Amuse us. Juggle three balls.

    Go buy the other two, since you're missing...

    ReplyDelete
  129. Voltron said...
    Well Barty, your lame attempts to goad me into a outburst you could use to excoriate me isn't working, and it's getting boring.

    I have work to do.

    Later girls.


    Ooooh, he almost was successful in staying away from an outburst, too!

    ReplyDelete
  130. Voltron said...
    Wrong again Mikey.

    Royal WAS a member of the SOCIALIST party in France. (As is Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)

    And since you're such an expert on Nazi's, just WHAT did "NAZI" stand for? (hint: National Socialist German Workers' Party)


    Geee....funny then how they picked on the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, innit, asshole?

    Methinks you ought to get you some learnin', you miscegenatin' hillbilly.

    ReplyDelete
  131. Poor Widdle Twucker...left with nothing but John Birch lies and talking points.

    Oh...and criminal stalkings...

    ReplyDelete
  132. The little dunce is going by the name of the nazi party rather than what they stand for.........anyone can call something whatever they want...........for instance an idiot like YOU could call GWB a genius or a good man, but that doesnt make it true.......talk is cheap little troll particulary when its from a lying Reich Winger......its actions and real facts that count.

    ReplyDelete
  133. Voltron said...
    Wrong again Mikey.

    And since you're such an expert on Nazi's, just WHAT did "NAZI" stand for? (hint: National Socialist German Workers' Party)"

    No Duncetron..........it would seem YOU are the expert on Nazi's since like them you want to genocidally muder almost 2 billion people...........I just KNOW one when I see one!

    ReplyDelete
  134. said...
    BTW Duncetron..............BOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Did I scare you you gutless troll.........you REALLY should see a shrink for those irrational fears and phobias little troll I wouldnt want you to lose sleep quaking in your boots.......jackboots that is!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  135. 'Half the foreign fighters in Iraq'

    This might put a crimp in the White House's talking points.

    Although Bush administration officials have frequently lashed out at Syria and Iran, accusing it of helping insurgents and militias here, the largest number of foreign fighters and suicide bombers in Iraq come from a third neighbor, Saudi Arabia, according to a senior U.S. military officer and Iraqi lawmakers.

    About 45% of all foreign militants targeting U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians and security forces are from Saudi Arabia; 15% are from Syria and Lebanon; and 10% are from North Africa, according to official U.S. military figures made available to The Times by the senior officer. Nearly half of the 135 foreigners in U.S. detention facilities in Iraq are Saudis, he said.

    Fighters from Saudi Arabia are thought to have carried out more suicide bombings than those of any other nationality, said the senior U.S. officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the subject's sensitivity. It is apparently the first time a U.S. official has given such a breakdown on the role played by Saudi nationals in Iraq's Sunni Arab insurgency.

    He said 50% of all Saudi fighters in Iraq come here as suicide bombers. In the last six months, such bombings have killed or injured 4,000 Iraqis.


    The LA Times' report suggests this reality has left the U.S. in an "awkward position," because the Saudis are ostensibly a key ally in the region, which apparently has been unsuccessful in preventing its citizens from committing acts of terror in Iraq.

    Or, put another way, Andrew Sullivan explains, "The Saudis, of course, are among the Bush family's closest friends, so we neither mention nor tackle this. The gulf between the reality in the Middle East and the president's account of it grows wider and wider."

    --Steve Benen

    ReplyDelete
  136. Did you guys realize Miss Colorado left a comment on the last blog?

    Hers was the last comment.

    ReplyDelete
  137. I saw that, I don't think Lydia has seen it.

    ReplyDelete
  138. Mike a very good read;

    The Crashing U.S. Economy Held Hostage


    Our Economy is on an Artificial Life-support System

    by Richard C. Cook

    Richard C. Cook is the author of “We Hold These Truths: The Hope of Monetary Reform,” scheduled to appear by September 1, 2007. A retired federal analyst, his career included service with the U.S. Civil Service Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, the Carter White House, and NASA, followed by twenty-one years with the U.S. Treasury Department. His articles on monetary reform, economics, and space policy have appeared on Global Research, Economy in Crisis, Dissident Voice, Arizona Free Press, Atlantic Free Press, and elsewhere. He is also author of “Challenger Revealed: An Insider’s Account of How the Reagan Administration Caused the Greatest Tragedy of the Space Age.”

    ReplyDelete
  139. Clif that is an Amazing article.......I would urge EVERYONE to read it!

    ReplyDelete
  140. Reuters:

    Oil rose on Friday, hitting an 11-month high above $77 a barrel on speculative buying as North Sea production problems and forecasts for rising demand tightened the supply outlook.

    Oil has gained more than $6 in two weeks on a wave of buying by funds during the U.S. summer vacation season, when demand for gasoline peaks in the top oil-consuming country.

    Banner day for Bush and Exxon!

    ReplyDelete
  141. BARTLEBEE said...
    Did you guys realize Miss Colorado left a comment on the last blog?

    Hers was the last comment."

    Thats pretty cool!

    ReplyDelete
  142. Here are the cash on hand totals I have found so far. These numbers do not reflect campaign debt, and include money raised for the general election.

    Democrats
    Obama: $34M
    Edwards: $12M
    Richardson: $7.1M
    Dodd: $6.4M
    Biden: $2.8M
    Kucinich: $221K

    Republicans
    Giuliani: $18.3M
    Romney: $12.1M
    Paul: $2.4M
    McCain: $2M
    Brownback: $460K
    Huckabee: $437K
    T. Thompson: $122K

    Poor neocons.

    ReplyDelete
  143. Larry said...
    Reuters:

    Oil rose on Friday, hitting an 11-month high above $77 a barrel on speculative buying as North Sea production problems and forecasts for rising demand tightened the supply outlook.

    Oil has gained more than $6 in two weeks on a wave of buying by funds during the U.S. summer vacation season, when demand for gasoline peaks in the top oil-consuming country.

    Banner day for Bush and Exxon!"

    And we havent even had a storm or an act of terrorism or war in the Middle East to cause a spike......I think oil is a coiled spring that could hit 150 if we get some real bad news.

    ReplyDelete
  144. Blogger sucks, it eats your comments.

    I think oil will hit $100 by Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  145. Research 2000 has conducted a new poll in New Hampshire. It their first poll since December, and their first poll overall that has results without Gore. I cannot find full details on the poll yet, but here is info I gathered from a story on the poll and from polling aggregate websites:

    (7-9/11, 400 LVs, MoE 5, without Gore)
    Clinton: 33
    Obama: 25
    Edwards: 15
    Richardson: 8
    Dodd: 3
    Biden: 2
    Kucinich: 2
    Gravel: 1
    Unsure: 12

    ReplyDelete
  146. Rep. Christopher Shays has called on Congress to approve withdrawing virtually all American troops from Iraq by December 2008, a blow to Bush administration efforts to fight the mounting support in Congress for a sharp change in strategy.
    "I believe we need a timeline. I believe the president's wrong," the 4th District Republican said Friday.

    Shays has urged the White House for months to set some sort of timelines, but President Bush has refused to do so. As a result, Shays said Friday that Congress needs to take control of the situation. "He's lost me on this."

    Another whiny neocon flipflopper.

    ReplyDelete
  147. The Blackstone Group, the big buyout firm, has devised a way for its partners to effectively avoid paying taxes on $3.7 billion, the bulk of what it raised last month from selling shares to the public.

    Although they will initially pay $553 million in taxes, the partners will get that back, and about $200 million more, from the government over the long term.

    The plan, laid out in the fine print of Blackstone’s financial documents, comes as Congress debates how much managers at private equity firms like Blackstone and hedge funds should pay in taxes on their compensation.

    Taking care of Bush's buddies!

    ReplyDelete
  148. Larry said...
    Rep. Christopher Shays has called on Congress to approve withdrawing virtually all American troops from Iraq by December 2008, a blow to Bush administration efforts to fight the mounting support in Congress for a sharp change in strategy.
    "I believe we need a timeline. I believe the president's wrong," the 4th District Republican said Friday.

    Shays has urged the White House for months to set some sort of timelines, but President Bush has refused to do so. As a result, Shays said Friday that Congress needs to take control of the situation. "He's lost me on this."

    Another whiny neocon flipflopper."

    No Larry its all political posturing the repugs who are FINALLY starting to speak out against the war dont REALLY want it to end they just want it on record that they spoke out against it and/or voted against it so it cant be used against them in the 2008 election.........They KNOW there will probably not be enough votes in the Senate to overide Bush's veto so they are bot REALLY going out on any kind of a limb by opposing the war........when all the dust settles repugs vote repug when it counts even if that vote means compromising national security or our countries best interests.

    ReplyDelete
  149. Mike:

    Seems a waste of time to me, to supposedly be vocal in opposing the war, then vote for it anyway.

    But that is exactly what Reid, Pelosi and Webb did.

    ReplyDelete
  150. Oh and Volt you delusionally claim the Nazi's were left wing heres a few links for ya
    origins of nazi party

    Founded on January 5, 1919, the Nazi party had its origins in the Political Workers' Circle, a small right-wing group that started its activity in November 1918 under the leadership of Anton Drexler. A fierce antisemitism characterized its meetings. In 1919, under Drexler, this circle became the German Workers' Party. In November 1923 when the putsch under Hitler's leadership was failed, the party was officially banned. However it was refounded in 1925, and remained in existence until after Germany's defeat in World War II, when it was declared illegal by the Allies in September 1945.

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  151. I thought everyone knew the Repugs are an extended branch of the nazi party.

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  152. Same thing for the Dems Larry they are posturing too they want to go on record as opposing the war but claim they voted to support the troops........again they could care less about the will of the people they are thinking of the 2008 elections and they are responding to the repugs and dancing to their tune and THATS hard to respect!

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  153. I wish both parties would be completely swept from office next year.

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  154. origins of nazism are Right Wing


    In both popular thought and academic scholarship, Nazism is generally considered a form of fascism - a term whose definition is itself contentious. The debate focuses mainly on comparisons of fascists movements in general with the Italian prototype, including the fascists in Germany. The idea mentioned above to reject all former ideas and ideologies like democracy, liberalism, and especially marxism (as in Ernst Nolte[13]) make it difficult to track down a perfect definition of these two terms. However, Italian Fascists tended to believe that all elements in society should be unified through corporatism to form an "Organic State"; this meant that these Fascists often had no strong opinion on the question of race, since it was only the state and nation that mattered.
    German Nazism, on the other hand, emphasized the Aryan race or "Volk" principle to the point where the state simply seemed a means through which the Aryan race could realize its "true destiny." Since a debate among historians (especially Zeev Sternhell) to see each movement, or at least the German, as unique, the issue has been settled in most parts showing that there is a stronger family resemblance between the Italian and the German fascist movement than there is between democracies in Europe or the communist states of the Cold War;[14] additionally, the crimes of the fascist movement can be compared, not only in numbers of casualties but also in common developments: the March on Rome of Mussolini to Hitler's response shortly after to attempt a coup d'etat himself in Munich.


    The term Nazi is derived from the first two syllables, as pronounced in German, of the official name of the German Nazi Party, the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei. The Nazis rarely referred to themselves as Nazis, and instead used the official term, Nationalsozialisten (National Socialists). Nazi was a pejorative term used by opponents of the movement, especially in southern Germany, and mirrors the term Sozi, a common and slightly derogatory term for the Social Democratic Party of Germany (Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands),[9] the Nazis' main opponents before obtaining power. When Hitler took power, the use of Nazi almost disappeared from Germany, although it was still used by opponents in Austria.[9]

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  155. So Duncetron both articles i posted CLEARLY indicate that the Nazi's were a fascist Right Wing Organization that vehemently OPPOSED Democracy, Liberalism and Communism and further the Social Democratic Party were there chief political opponents and enemies............so Nice try Duncetron but you got caught in MORE lies and dishonest talking points.......Which will remain up there as a testament to how inbred stupid you are and what a bald faced liar you really are......your choice which one!

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  156. Thank you Mike:

    For giving a historical description of the Republican/Nazi party.

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  157. Larry said...
    I thought everyone knew the Repugs are an extended branch of the nazi party."


    Well the Neo Cons are the closest thing I have EVER seen!

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  158. TODAY was YOUR free pass little Duncetron the NEXT time you LIE and try and equate the Nazi party with liberals and/or Democrats your LIES will be deleted because liars or people who ONLY use personal attacks dont diserve a voice!

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  159. I think the neocon party has surpassed the evil tyranny of anything of the nazi era.

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  160. I read where 14 senators have signed on with impeachment articles against Herr Cheney, and 56% of Americans favor an impeachment. Sad thing is, they would never get the 60 votes needed in the Senate for a conviction, and Dubbledum would just pardon the guy anyway.

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  161. In 1968, what Republican phony won election by claming to be a moderate.

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  162. Hmmmm ... trick question because all Republicans running that year -- or any other year come to think of it -- win by pretending to be moderate.

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  163. For that matter, they also win by pretending to be pro-life, Christian, and patriotic

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  164. doltron whined,

    So what do the rest of you think?

    Do us trolls come here only because of Worf? Do you agree with what he's inferring about you?



    Might I take a stab at this?

    You come here and spew your stupidity because you fear your own inadequacies.
    When your moronic monkey Messiah managed to get himself installed in DC, it was sort of a validation for you and the rest of the borderline-schizophrenic ne'er do wells that I like to call wingtards, conservotards, Chimpletons, neotards, toxic wastes... but I digress. You all exploded in orgasmic ecstasy at the sight of your monkey in DC, because one of YOU finally climbed to the top. All your lives, you've been rightly dismissed as clueless idiots-but you finally got one of YOUR OWN in the saddle! NOW people would HAVE to start treating you like you were actually a thinker! Right?

    Wrong. Your monkey's inherent stupidity was destined to wreck his sting in the White House, much as the stupidity of you and your kind tends to wreck your careers, interpersonal relationships, and most other aspects of your lives. The curtain has been pulled back on YOUR boy, and you fear-quite rightly-that it is a reflection on YOU. There's no way in hell you can admit your monkey is an idiot, because to do so also means they you have to admit that YOU are an idiot. You've invested far too much of your own being into your monkey to ever tolerate any of the harsh criticism you're hearing. The criticism is for YOU.

    See dolty, that's why you can pillory any particular politician and I'm not going to give a damn. I don't identify with any of them, and I'm not personally tied up in them. They aren't a religion for me. Too bad for you, because this must be like a form of torture by now.

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  165. Mike said...
    Michael Moore said ""Our own government admits that because of the 47 million who aren't insured, we now have about 18,000 people a year that die in this country, simply because they don't have health insurance. That's six 9/11s every single year," concluded Moore. We need "universal health care that's free for everyone who lives in this country, it'll cost us less than what we're spending now lining the pockets of these private health insurance companies, or these pharmaceutical companies."


    Six 9/11's where is the "compasionate conservatives" outrage over that?

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  166. Jolly there are at least 1968 trolls just like Veltron.

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  167. Voltron said"Yes, and WE'RE the Nazi's, right Bart?

    (you do know that was short for "National Socialist Party" right Barty? - kinda closer to "liberal" don'tcha think?)"

    Mike said...
    So Duncetron both articles i posted CLEARLY indicate that the Nazi's were a fascist Right Wing Organization that vehemently OPPOSED Democracy, Liberalism and Communism and further the Social Democratic Party were there chief political opponents and enemies............so Nice try Duncetron but you got caught in MORE lies and dishonest talking points.......Which will remain up there as a testament to how inbred stupid you are and what a bald faced liar you really are......your choice which one!

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  168. Question: What year was this quote made:

    "What we know is not much. What we don't know is enormous."

    Answer: 1968

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  169. Mike said...
    Voltron said...
    Hey Bart, I think you meant the wait in Canada is light years if you get sick...''


    More Reich Wing BS and dishonest talking points...........many times people have to wait 6 months to see a doctor here in America (my mother was one).........the waits in Canada and France are not really much longer at all............and getting sick or injured NEVER runes someone financialy or the sick and injured dont die from refusing medical treatment for fear of being ruined financially.

    I got in a motorcycle accident last year went to the hospital one day for tests and had a few weeks of Physical therapy and it cost $30,000 if I didnt settle with the insurance company it would have ruined me financially........I had debt collectors calling me ...............and I have medical insurance but they refused to cover it.........think of the 43 million who DONT have ANY insurance.

    And you "Compasionate Conservatives"..............took away the option of filing bankruptcy to get out of crushing debt brought on by uncontrolled and unforseen bad luck..........but curiously you STILL allow corporations to file bankruptcy............more hippocrissy and double standards showing your disdain for the working class.

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  170. Mike said...
    Voltron said...
    Gee Bart, that's not very nice. I haven't called YOU any names..."

    Not very nice?...........are you an idiot are you a moron?

    If you EXPECT your opposition to "be nice" while you and your masters treasonously destroy our constitution, our democracy, our freedoms, our rule of law and equal justice for all, lie our country into idiotic illegal wars of choice that greatly compromise and imperil our safety, national security, economic well being and international standing and reputation.

    If your cryin we arent "nice" on this thread you aint seen nothin yet you goosestepping Volksturm troll...........no true patriot would be "nice" while their country is being hijacked by a bunch of lying treasonous, elitest self serving traitors and war criminals.............you clowns have put out unchallenged lies and hijacked the word patriotism and twisted its meaning to your own ends for LONG ENOUGH............your time is OVER and your demise is soon to come, sooner than you think........your arrogance blinds most of you!

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  171. In fact Duncetron since "attempting" to discredit national healthcare is one of your masters NEW talking points I think shtedding it deserves due diligence.........besides exposing your lies and making you look like an idiot is REALLY easy and kinda fun.

    Now for some facts instead od Reich Wing BS.

    In a recent World Heath Care Organization health care ranking Frasnce which HAS national health care came in first while the United States came in 37, in the same league as Cuba and Slovenia (wherever that is)

    now for some more comparitive stats.......The infant death rate in the USA is almost DOUBLE that of France, The instances of deaths from respiratory disease is also double the rate of Frances or 61.5 deaths per 100,000 vs 31.2 per 100,000. lets compare spending the USA spends 16.5% of GDP on inferior heathcare, while France only spens 10.7% of GDP. France has Universal coverage while the USA has 43.6 million uninsured and thats not even counting the underinsured. out of pocket spending also favors Fwith $239 for France VS $803 for the USA, Doctors per capita favors France with 3.4 per 1000 vs 2.4 per 1000 for the USA.....so the Reich Wing BS that it wilkl drive away doctors is another lie.life expectancy also clearly and significantly favors France with an average life expectancy of 80 years for men vs 75 for USA, and 84 years for women vs 77 in the USA.

    One last thing many French doctors earn more than there American counterparts by increasing their patient load (ie their interests are alligned with helping their patients not denying their patients care to make the HMO CEO a fatter bonus)..........I guess with out corrupt and unneccessary middle man to siphon off the profits like a blood sucking parasite the system functions much better as it should.

    See the French system is based on the widely held value that the healthy should pay for the care of the sick, rather than the widely held repug value that the sick should hurry up and die and decrease the surplus population!!!!!!

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  172. Americans who weren't insured before they reached age 65 and gained access to Medicare cost the program a lot more than those who did have health insurance, a new study finds.

    Data on more than 5,000 older people from a national study found that the previously uninsured needed 13 percent more doctors visits, experienced 20 percent more hospitalizations and had 51 percent higher total medical expenditures after their care began to be covered by the government program.

    "Providing health insurance coverage for these adults [before age 65] could not only improve their health but also partially offset the costs of expanding coverage," said Dr. J. Michael McWilliams, a research associate in the Harvard Medical School department of health care policy and lead author of a report in the July 12 New England Journal of Medicine.

    1968 people took this survey, which clearly shows, insured people cost the government less.

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  173. Let's say a Democrat wins the 2008 election and institutes universal health care. Who benefits the most? Republicans.

    That's right -- a new study shows that the red states (mostly in the South) consistently rate at the bottom of the country in terms of health care for residents. The Commonwealth Fund report ranked states according to 32 indicators of health care access, quality, outcomes, and hospital use. Consider the political leanings of the top ten and the bottom ten.

    States 1-10: Hawaii, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, South Dakota.

    States 50-41: Oklahoma, Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas, Nevada, Louisiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Florida, Georgia.

    Republicans will benefit most from Universal Healthcare.

    Of course they have 1968 reasons to ignore that!

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  174. in the same league as Cuba and Slovenia (wherever that is)


    It was the far northwest of Yugoslavia, and the first to break out of it.

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  175. Despotism has so often been established in the name of liberty that experience should warn us to judge parties by their practices rather than their preachings."

    Raymond Aron

    Maybe its time Americans do this!

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  176. See the French system is based on the widely held value that the healthy should pay for the care of the sick, rather than the widely held repug value that the sick should hurry up and die and decrease the surplus population!!!!!!

    Mike, right here is the answer. All of the posts we make won't say it any better.

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  177. Good point Jolly, that quote sums it all up in a few lines.

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  178. I agree Jolly........I thought that was a powerful and truthful phrase from the moment I posted it!

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  179. The “war for Oil: meme is not as far off as some believe, but for reasons not so apparent as some also believe. Exxon is showing record profits at the moment which is driving their stock prices (along with the rest of the industry)higher and higher, which also drives the market a bit. but a significant portion of the basis of the wealth of the company upon which that stock price rests is the amount of reserves they have to develop next year and the year following that. If they are losing reserves of oil to produce in the future, they will see a falling stock price which will result in the market also beginning it’s downward spiral because former niches of the market at the moment like the auto industry and housing industry are not able to hold up prices.

    A big problem for American and British oil companies is the normal places they look to develop future discoveries to rebuild the reserves are rapidly diminishing,

    Exxon is NOT finding as much new oil as they are pumping and like anybody who has ever drunk a beer eventually one glass goes empty and you need another, but for Exxon, BP, Shell Chevron ET AL, the American fields including Alaska are slowly drying up and very little is being found to replace it.

    Places like Russia Saudi Arabia, Venezuela Iran refuse to allow the American and British companies in to develop the reserves under their soil, which means they find a new source to develop or go out of business. If american companies can’t find new reserves the Banking industry and markets like the NYMEX and British Oil exchanges will have little to sell.

    Thus it isn’t the oil under the ground that is as important to many balance sheets as the idea that it is available for development by certain oil corporations and the banks and oil industries which support that development.

    To sum it up at the moment we aren’t after the reserves as much as the right to develop the reserves which is the basis of the Iraqi Oil Law Bush ET AL tout all the time, because the right to develop the reserves can be added to the underlying reserves which prop up a hell of a lot of stock prices.

    They went after Iraq was the development costs of the oil under Iraq is 5-10 dollars a barrel, and there is somewhere near 100 billion barrels there which could sell on the open market for $75 a barrel today, which is a very good profit which will build the bottom line stock price before it adds to the real balance sheet, the bankers also still for the most part think getting the oil is a good idea they just realize they backed the wrong morons to go get it, and now ant the oil law completed before they will allow the corporate lackeys they contribute to each election cycle to allow impeachment to go forward..



    Why do you think the oil law is such an important bench mark?

    Exactly how does giving foreign oil corporations the right to develop Iraqi oil reserves help stabilize Iraq?

    If you can see the contradictions in what is said in Washington and what they are trying to be forced to be done in the Green Zone to the Iraqi people by the puppet government we installed and control for the most part, then you can see why Bush is so willing to break international law there and US law here, which is why a very large portion of the republican party wants to cut loose from Bush to get away from his dismal poll ratings, but need the backing of the corporate contributors in the 2008 election where they are running behind badly in quite a few cases, which means sticking with the original intentions of the invasion, but trying to dislodge the incompetent fooles they chose to run it.

    that is tricky

    Too many have sided with Bush during the last four years they can’t see how to distance from him but still guarantee they are for the corporationss and bankers getting what they want, which is why they say one thing but keep doing a different thing.

    The MSM speech sound bites are for the sheeple they hope to fool, and the votes in chamber are for those they get money from for the next campaign.

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  180. Clif THATS EXACTLY What i've been saying since before this war started..........its for the Rights to develop or buy those reserves so Exxon etal dont wither on the vine.........THATS what Cheney's secret energy meetings were about And THATS what the Push to invade Iraq and Now Iran is ALL about!

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  181. BTW Dolty Boy who said this?

    Some may argue that we would be more effective if we sanctioned torture or other expedient methods to obtain information from the enemy. They would be wrong. Beyond the basic fact that such actions are illegal, history shows they are neither useful nor necessary. Certainly extreme physical action can make someone"talk:" however what the individual says may be of questionable value. In fact, our experience in applying the interrogation standards laid out in the Army Field Manual (2-22.3) on Human Intelligence Collector Operations that was published last year shows that the techniques in the manual work effectively and humanely in eliciting information from detainees.

    Bet ya you can't guess........


    No not some liberal'


    No not some traitor as you would charge people, of being when you happen to disagree with what they say;

    No not a Democrat Politician even;

    give up?


    General David H Petraeus

    Don't believe me?

    read it for yourself

    Then tell the rest of the reichwing that you clowns are wrong on this also.

    Like you were about the invasion,,,

    Occupation for four long years...

    growing insurgency...

    growing civil war......

    and will be proved wrong on the surge also.

    Oh and BTW Gen Petraeus said your full of crap son, did you see that also?

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  182. Thats priceless Clif..........I wish a reporter or Congressman would use that Next time GWB trots out his talking point that we NEED to listen to General Petraus!

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  183. Hey Duncetron.........dont go away mad..........Just GO AWAY little troll!

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  184. BTW Volt You REALLY looked like a fool yesterday.........I can understand you running off with your tail between your legs to sulk!

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  185. I can think of 1968 reasons trolls look silly.

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  186. The origin of the Gestapo is on the History Channel......that must be were Volt is now!

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  187. Maybe he has 1968 channels.

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  188. Isnt it nice with that loser Moo Moo gone its so peaceful and the IQ of the blog has probably gone up 50 points!

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  189. Uggh I am torn on the subject of healthcare in America. Thank goodness Dh and I have excellent insurance through our employer but still--the cost is ridiculous. $135 to see a physicians's assistant at the Dermatologist's office. She spent ten minutes looking at Dh's skin and that was it. Our copay was only $25 but why was the overall cost so much?

    My cousin and her husband were in the hospital after a dreadful accident five years ago in which their son was killed. They were hit from behind by an illegal alien. One was in a coma and in the hospital for weeks and then rehab for months, the other was in the hospital about a week. The bills came to hundreds of thousands of dollars, far beyond their insurance. In checking out one of the bills, I noticed ONE disposable razor cost $5.00 and shaving cream cost $46.00. When is the last time any of us bought those things at those prices?

    I don't like pharmaceutical companies courting doctors either. What kind of kickbacks are there?

    Now I have to wonder how much of the cost goes to paying malpractice insurance. I agree there's a problem, I don't know though that the government taking over the system is going to fix it. I don't need to see Moore's movie to know there's a problem but what bothers me is how to solve it without the government taking it over.

    Love the blog. We seem to have differing POV on some things but I like your style, well written, passionate, well-thought out!

    Keep up the great work!

    Jess

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  190. Hi Jessica,

    Glad you came to visit and comment. Healthcare in America needs a serious overhaul, as you well know.

    It doesn't matter that you may have a different POV on some things here.

    You are welcome here and I hope this becomes a regular stop, as your blog is for me.

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  191. CNN:

    A Republican senator says he warned top White House aide Karl Rove that President Bush quickly needs to craft a workable plan to withdraw U.S. troops fom Iraq in order to salvage his legacy.

    White House spokesman Tony Snow insisted last week that Bush’s GOP allies in Congress are not breaking with Bush over the war. But Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, told CNN that he warned Rove last week that “The president is a young man and should think about his legacy.”

    He should know history will not be kind unless he can come up with a plan that protects the troops and stabilizes the region,” Voinovich said he told Karl Rove, whom Bush dubbed “the architect” of his 2004 re-election.

    Voinovich added that other Republicans are close to speaking out against the President’s current strategy.

    Bush and the neocon flipfloppers are headed for a collison.

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  192. "I'm delighted to fight the fight with her. ... The person who has always reached out to us has been Hillary. ... I think Hillary is a fighter. ... She is a wonderful individual. ... More diplomacy the better. There is no daylight between us on Iran." -- former ambassador Joseph Wilson

    A conference call announcing the endorsement of Hillary Clinton by Joseph Wilson was just held with bloggers to hear the breaking news. This is a huge deal for Candidate Clinton and a big endorsement for her candidacy. That it was broken on the blogs sends a powerful signal. I'll provide the transcript as soon as it is available.

    The question is Why?

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  193. Hillary has impressed an awful lot of the field folks...generals, agency folks, the people who actually do the work they're assigned to do...so it doesn't surprise me that Wilson would back her.

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  194. Jessica said...
    In checking out one of the bills, I noticed ONE disposable razor cost $5.00 and shaving cream cost $46.00. When is the last time any of us bought those things at those prices?


    The last time I stayed in a Fairmont hotel.

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  195. jessica said,

    Now I have to wonder how much of the cost goes to paying malpractice insurance. I agree there's a problem, I don't know though that the government taking over the system is going to fix it. I don't need to see Moore's movie to know there's a problem but what bothers me is how to solve it without the government taking it over.


    That's a red herring. Check out what Doctors are paying for malpractice insurance in "tort reform" States vs. non-"reform" States. You'll find out that the Doctors in "reform" States average MORE in isurance premiums.

    Insurance isn't a part of the problem in American healthcare-it is THE problem. The model doesn't work and must be scrapped.

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  196. Larry said...
    CNN:

    A Republican senator says he warned top White House aide Karl Rove that President Bush quickly needs to craft a workable plan to withdraw U.S. troops fom Iraq in order to salvage his legacy.

    White House spokesman Tony Snow insisted last week that Bush’s GOP allies in Congress are not breaking with Bush over the war. But Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, told CNN that he warned Rove last week that “The president is a young man and should think about his legacy.”

    He should know history will not be kind unless he can come up with a plan that protects the troops and stabilizes the region,” Voinovich said he told Karl Rove, whom Bush dubbed “the architect” of his 2004 re-election.

    Voinovich added that other Republicans are close to speaking out against the President’s current strategy.

    Bush and the neocon flipfloppers are headed for a collison."

    Larry, think about this a second........The repugs are trying to buy time and get it on record that they are against Bush's war for the 2008 election.

    They KNOW Bush is a discredited lameduck president and they KNOW they can buy Bush time and make the Democrats more patient if they vote against Bush; they can Blame Bush for the veto and cry that They opposed the war but they didnt have enough votes to beat Bush's veto.

    They are NOT turning on Bush.......they KNOW Bush can provide coverr for them by vetoing the bill.......When you have a veto proof majority in BOTH the House and the Senate THEN you will know the repugs are sincere........right now its just political gaming!

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  197. EXACTLY JR.....The model doesnt work and needs to be scrapped........Right now all it does is line the pockets of the CEO's of the HMO's and Insurance co's.

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  198. Larry said, What's happenning Tomcat?

    Not to much, Larry, but the one day I need you to schmooze over at my place is the one day you haven't shown up. Today's top message.

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  199. I think you're right Mike as there isn't a Repug out there that can be trusted to stand up to Bush.

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