News-Record.com

all they care about is power, and they say and do whatever it takes to win your vote.

Most sad: most do not vote.

Second Sadly: most that do vote make decisions based on ungrounded visions and principles.

I'd call Rush a crack head, but that's mixing drugs which is always dangerous. Besides, he'd just turn down his hearing aid.

" ... try listening to Rush, just for a few days."

I end up agreeing with 25% of what he says, but get hoarse talking back to the radio as he deliberately tells half truths that are so blatent it is mind boggling.

Believe what you want.

King Rush certainly made a lot of hay over Kerry's foot in mouth, but Kerry claim he botched a bad joke rings more true to me:

"If anyone thinks a veteran would criticize the more than 140,000 heroes serving in Iraq -- and not the president who got us stuck there -- they're crazy," Kerry added.

Springer may or may not be a liberal, but he certainly is an oportunist - a Cleavage King getting rich by encouraging people to be nasty.

I too would rather listen to Rush ... I also would prefer being shot by a firing squad than hung from the neck until dead.

"I agree that not all good shows get the air time or attention they deserve. Unfortunately, that's life and sometimes life is unfair!"

No issue.

Just like Dan's circle of friends, or Carol's, Phillipa's, and mine, a circle of friends tends to follow each other's lead. College mates become friends for life. You hire whom friends recommend. You check out their tips on good restaurants and single malt scotch. Cocktail banter becomes corporate policy.

There is no coordinated great right wing conspiracy, it happens organically - that's life and sometimes life is unfair .. but it happens. To deny it is, inho, truely ignorant.

Criticism of what Limbaugh or any other commentator says is a red herring, a knee jerk reaction by those who want to deflect discussion of the matter at hand. Fox made a commercial suggesting that voting for the democratic candidate was the humane thing to do because he supports Amendment 2, which Fox later admited he had not read. Fox has frequently been a shill for left leaning pols of both parties.

Don't expect morality in any form to come out of the GOP, especially now. If you are waiting for any of these pricks in the Bush administration to denounce Limbaugh, you will be waiting in vain.

Rush is a classic narcissist. He seemingly has no sympathy or empathy for anyone. People are just objects to him. When others speak, you can tell Rush isn't even listening. He is only thinking about what he is going to say next. In his delusional mind, any criticism is motivated by jealousy of his success, of course. I mean he does have millions of listeners. By then again there are millions of idiots in this country.

I have never heard Diane Rehm go off on anyone. On this issue, she let Rush have it. If you can make someone with the grace and poise of Diane Rehm angry, you must certainly be King of the Bastards.

Like Jan said, people with humility understand that at any time they too could become sick and helpless. Michael J. Fox and Christopher Reeves are men to look up to. They are brave in the face of great obstacles. Rush Limbaugh is the kind of man we teach our sons not to become. Real men don’t act this way.

Stevie,

Although my natural inclination would be to disagree with you for citing a comment from a mentally unstable and quasi-egomaniacal source, i.e. me, in support of your argument, I'm going to defer in this instance.

In my humble opinion Limbaugh is an overly pompous, self assured and arrogant narcissist much as you described.

The only mitigating factor I see in his behavior is that as a member of the "entertainment" industry he can be expected to occasionally do the outrageous in order to keep himself in the public eye.

Which point of course ignores any moral or ethical considerations.

Although his radio show is at times interesting, I personally can only take it in small doses because, quite frankly, I don't respect the man.

P.S. Sooner or later today some blogger or another is going to mention the ongoing firestorm over John Kerry's "stuck in Iraq" remark.

Who's on first?

Jan,

That is a red herring. You are focusing on the irrelevant feeble-mindedness of Jan rather than the substance and context of Jan’s earlier comment. Shame on you Jan! Oh wait, that might actually be an ad-hominem attack against Jan. Come on Jan! All we are saying is give Jan a chance!

Who will mention John Kerry first? Oh Hell, let’s just skip over substantive debate about his comments and go Ann Coulter on his ass! John Kerry is a total fag!

JH - Too late (5:57 am):

King Rush certainly made a lot of hay over Kerry's foot in mouth, but Kerry claim he botched a bad joke rings more true to me:

"If anyone thinks a veteran would criticize the more than 140,000 heroes serving in Iraq -- and not the president who got us stuck there -- they're crazy," Kerry added

"I mean he does have millions of listeners. By then again there are millions of idiots in this country."

Stevie you normally have more credibility in your posts but you lost it on that generalization.

Micheal J. Fox of course suffers from a horrible disease. His ad was not on behalf of the Parkinsons foundation, it was on behalf of and paid for by a Democratic candidate for the purpose of winning an election. That my friends is called a political ad.

It's content is disingenious in that it claims voting for a Democrat will bring and end to Parkinsons and meanwhile Republicans don't care about people with diseases. It also provides false hope to sick people that voting for Democrats will end their afflictions. That is cruel.

As WJ mentioned Fox admitted not having read the MO amendment. I think I would take the time to read something if I was going to be a spokesman for it.

Democrats have cleverly found a new source to express their views: victims who are seen as above criticism because they are victims!!

MJ Fox is a victim of a disease so if one disagrees with him then they are instantly portrayed as a villian. Cindy Sheehan is another example. The Jersey Girls who lost their husbands in 9/11 and over the years have launched scathing attacks at the president another example.

Jan, as for Kerry. Rush is a radio talk show host, Kerry is an elected representative of the US Govt., a powerful one at that.

You decide which is worse: a talk show host commenting on an actor with a disease performing a political ad or a US Senator implying all of our troops in Iraq are uneducated.

Dan.

So you REALLY think that's what Kerry was saying?

If so, may we start taking literally what pops out of the Deciders Mouth? Can we make that a retroactive agreement?

George Bush redefined a "conservative" as someone who believed in enormous deficits.

OK we agree on that! So are you really going to vote for Bush "conservatives"?

"The illiteracy level of our children are appalling."

"Astronauts ... courageous spacial entrepreneurs."

"There's only one person who hugs the mothers and the widows, the wives and the kids upon the death of their loved one. Others hug but having committed the troops, I've got an additional responsibility to hug and that's me and I know what it's like."

"We need an energy bill that encourages consumption."

"They want the federal government controlling Social Security like it's some kind of federal program."

" My job is to, like, think beyond the immediate."

"You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. And if you don't, you get stuck in Iraq."

Slice it and dice it anyway you want JDR. Kerry's spinmeisters are trying the same thing and it's not working.

McCain was on FNC last night and he thought it was a slap on the troops plain and simple and that Kerry should apologize and move on.

Gotta catch a flight to western KY. Have a good day and I'll log on tonight from my hotel. There will probably be 80 posts on this thread by then.

BTW I thought the N&R was banning election related LTEs on line. This one even has the dirty word "election" in it's content.

Stevie,

Thanks for the laughs, add a little coffee to that and it makes a great start to the morning.

Dan,

Don't misunderstand me in regards to Kerry. Although I don't think he's quite idiotic enough to have meant the statement in the way it was taken, I do believe his accusation that the Republicans had "distorted" it for political gain was ridiculous.

A blown gag intended as an insult to the President? I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on that one, but he's been a politician long enough to know that you'll more often than not be attacked on what you actually say than on what you intended and to try to portray himself as a victim of Republican smear rather than his own verbal incompetence strikes me as highly hypocritical.

Couldn't he have just explained what he meant to say and apologize for not having stated it properly?

Although I felt badly about it at the time, his "post comment" manuevering reminded me why - during the last Presidential election - I ignored both he and Bush and wrote in a much more qualified candidate.

My Border Collie.

JDR, I'm curious, I see no reference to Bush in Kerry's "botched joke". Can you connect the dots for me?

Earlier today I read that Kerry was reading a speech written something like this (I'm paraphrasing, Neo):

"You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. And if you don't, you get stuck in Iraq, as our President has done."

...but he forgot to add "as our President has done."

I ask again - Kerry may be a looser - but do you REALLY think he would deliberately say the military is full of stupid kids that couldn't finish high school?

I have no respect at all for Kerry.

However, when I heard his comment, I took it as an attack on the President, not as one against the troops. As a former Marine, I would be greatly offended if I thought the attack was meant to insult our troops.

Again, I don't like Kerry, but I sure can't jump him for attcking the troops when I don't think he did so. I think he made a stupid comment, one that could be viewed as an attack on them, and he should be more careful in the future, though

Just my 2 cents.

THe Republican National Committee responded under its "America Weakly" banner. "Kerry Apologizes to No One: 2004 Dem Presidential Nominee John Kerry Refuses to Apologize for Belittling U.S. Troops."

Do you think ANYONE would deliberately say the military is full of stupid kids that couldn't finish high school? Jeeze. Name one freaking person that would honestly believe that.

Dan, if Kerry had started imitating troops and acting retarded, I would agree that he deserves the same criticism Rush is getting. I think Kerry should not have said that. However, if you go to Myrtle Beach, you will see plenty of jarheads picking fights and acting like drunken morons. Many soldiers are dumb grunts who unfortunately make Kerry’s words ring true. But, do I think public people should refrain from such comments? Yes I do. It’s not a fair characterization and probably offends many of those who serve. If all soldiers were dumb-asses, how could we have the best military in the world?

On the subject of credibility, do you really think you sound credible by using Ann Coulter's talking points almost verbatim? This is the most ridiculous argument ever. Who is this evil cabal who is prohibiting you from criticizing Cindy Sheehan, etc.? Criticize all you want.

However, you guys don’t criticize Sheehan’s position; you criticize her for daring to take it. The same holds true with the Dixie Chicks, etc. Rush didn’t criticize Fox for his position on stem cell research; he made fun of him and said he’s off his meds intentionally. There is a big difference. I’m sorry you don’t see that.

JDR, I think Kerry is trying to wiggle out of his comments. I think he meant it, exactly the way it sounded. His explanation that he was actually criticizing Bush is kinda lame, IMO. Like Nitpicker said, sometimes politicians slip up and say exactly what they mean. Does he probably regret it? I’m sure he does. But as to his defense of what I heard him say, that dog don’t hunt.

By doing good in school, you can avoid having to join a killing machine to make a good living. Like it or not, it’s the truth. I know a man who commanded troops in Vietnam and he say’s the stupidity of many soldiers was part of the problem. Not the only problem, but a real one nonetheless. If I were a public figure, I probably would not have said that. That’s why I could never be a politician.

JDR, how do you read his mind? Even if it was a blunder, the perception on record, on film, video and radio is that he said it exactly the way he did. There's no way to confuse it with a joke.

His arrogant refusal to apologize for saying "it" deepens the perception that he meant it.

"if Kerry had started imitating troops and acting retarded, I would agree that he deserves the same criticism Rush is getting."

Nice slam at the troops, Stevie D. Do you write Kerry's "jokes"?

Our so-called Liberal Press has taken Kerry's comments out of context. If you listen to the entire speech, you'll note that a just prior to his thoughts regarding Iraq/studying, he insults the President's intelligence. From my point of view he is continuing that train of thought.

If you listen to the context of things, and read between the lines (rather than taking everything you hear literally) you’ll hear the actual intended message. Now, while Kerry did not insult the intelligence of our troops, I do feel owes the President an apology.

Regardless of whether or not I disagree with the President (and I do). Bush still holds a position of respect. Name-calling never impressed me. That said, Kerry’s show of immaturity hasn’t impressed me one bit.

Steve D. I whole heartedly and ferociously disagree. Not that some jirines don't occassionally ack like an ass - if you went to college you saw some reall asses there too - but that they represent any form of majority in our services.

Stevie, Cindy Sheehan is fair game now as she has made such an idiot of herself. At first though, if anyone maligned her there was hell to pay. Using victims as spokespeople for political campaigning is a tactic Dems employ. The Michael J. Fox ad proves this and it's worthy of discussion.

As for idiots, yep you do find them anywhere. I found one leaving the Panthers game Sun. night. A drunk Panthers fan calling a Dallas fan (walking with a woman) a homo and various other insults and then the Panthers fan started throwing fists. The Dallas fan and the woman ran to their car and got in. I went up to them and told them that idiot was way out of line and I hope they don't think all Panthers fans act like that.

So, just because one Panther fan was an idiot you can't say we all are. Ditto with the military. If Kerry had just been honest and apologized instead of spinning and offering more defiance the whole thing would have blown over.

My flight is waiting. Good bye.

When I saw this LTE I KNEW what would occur....and they didn't let us down!

Dan taking up for comedian Rush Limbaugh is predictable. Dan attacking John Kerry is predictable. But the desperate way in which today's climate has forced him to, is downright hilarious. Hollywood cannot make up stuff as funny as this! By the way Dan, when it comes to war, KERRY ACTUALLY SERVED....!

Great LTE! Pointing out the hypocrisy of the current gaggle of leaders is funny in and of itself, but this letter drove a stake in the heart of the "RELIGIOUS" conservatives.

Hugh:

I did not "read his mind", that's what the "Kerry Controllers" are saying ... just like the White House does following damm near ever thing GWB says ... "What he meant was ..." If you've not hear that 100 times this year, turn your hearing aid up too.

Is it "Kerry Controller" Bull? I don't know, but I can't believe anyone would say that intentionally. Should Kerry just come out and say he screwed up - hell yea.

But OK - you're right, it's on record, on film, videoed and radioed. He said it exactly the way he did. There's no way to confuse it with a joke.

So the following is literally true too.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
THEY HATE OUR FREEDOMS (boy is that a whine or What.)
STAY THE COURSE
A Conservative is someone who believes in enormous deficits.
"The illiteracy level of our children are appalling."
"Astronauts [are] courageous spacial entrepreneurs."
"We need an energy bill that encourages consumption."

JDR, what exactly do you ferociously disagree with? I did say, "If all soldiers were dumb-asses, how could we have the best military in the world?” What else do I need to say?

I get sick of the sanctimonious attitudes when anyone say's anything about soldiers other than, "They are our best and brightest". Soldiers, like anyone are not above criticism. Trial lawyers, for example, protect our freedoms as well. I bet Lee Greenwood won't be writing songs about them any time soon.

I am not saying Kerry meant it as a criticism of all soldiers. Maybe it just came out differently than he meant it. I can’t read his mind. I am only explaining the way it sounded to me. I think saying “That came out all wrong” is a better explanation than “I was taken out of context”.

Kerry should have said “That came out all wrong”.

... and just because a group is "the best in the world" does not exempt them being another distinction ... after all, Rush would say the Democrats are both "the best Democrats in the world" and "a bunch of dumb asses.

"Nice slam at the troops, Stevie D. Do you write Kerry's "jokes"?

Isn't it wonderful to see Hugh and others getting so sensitive? Political correctness is bad when it's used to criticize Rush. It's a completely valid point of debate to criticize a Democrat for being insensitive.

Rush makes fun of Parkinson's disease symptoms, no problem. Kerry (seemingly) makes unflattering remarks about soldiers. Get me my smellin' salts! I think I'm gonna faint! Hypocrisy, thy name is Republican.

JDR, I think both parties are a bunch of dumb-asses. Didn't you know that everyone is stupid except me? But seriously, I appreciate the various views expressed in this debate.

I think we should all be more kind and respectful of other viewpoints, myself included. Likewise, I think we should all be more honest, even if honesty is offensive. It's kind of hard sometimes to find a happy medium on that, is it not?

Stevie D,

We are on the same page on this one. I think Kerry meant exactly what he said. Kerry is a smug elitist and probably didn't know he would offend anyone with his remarks. To say he was talking about Bush is just dumb.

As far as JDR's contention that a vet would never say such things, Kerry wasn't exactly the same type soldier that he was referring to. Kerry was not some poor, uneducated guy who had little other opportunity than the military. Let's also not forget this is the same person who came back and threw away his purple stars. That shows a lot of love for the military, huh?

Even if Kerry didn't mean to say what he said, did you notice all the folks laughing about it after he said it?

I would love someone to explain to me how they could interpret that sentence as talking about the President.

One other thing, Stevie. I also believe there is actually some truth in what he said. Often, it is the folks in the poor towns where there is little opportunity that the recruiters do well in. These kids often aren't stupid, they just don't have the resources to go to college and the military has long been a 'way out'.

Oops, almost forgot the actual topic. Rush is an idiot who is laughing all the way to the bank. Michael J Fox has an agenda. Politics is dirty. Nuff said.

Will what Rush or Kerry said affect my vote? Not in the least.

Most folks know it's not the rich kids who have mommie and daddy's to pay their way into college that the recruiters target. The promise of a rewarding career and free education are ploys used in recruitment ads to high schoolers. Recruiters even go onto school grounds and try to talk to the kids without their parents present. I know this not only because I saw it on 20/20 but because it happened to a friend's son. After he said he would think about it, the recruiter started harassing him at home (Calling him to see if his parents were at home, then showing up at the door.)

It is my opinion Kerry was warning kids to stay in school and get an education so Iraq would not be the only option they had. As one who voluntarily enlisted and actually served in Nam (unlike the coward in the WH), he could speak first hand about the perils of war. Also I think he had the perfect opportunity to take a jab at a man who showed absolutely no couth, decorum, morals, any truth or ethics during the 2004 campaign, so he did. (If Bush and spin docs had done to me what they did to Kerry and Clealand, I would have taken him on long before now.)

Kerry should not have said what he did to a group of kids. He should have addressed Bush at another time. But to think he was talking trash about our soldiers, one of which he WAS, is ludicrous.

The GOP's reaction shows how desperate and running scared they are. And it also shows what I have said all along; GWB is now reaping what he sowed. He set in motion the standard for the obscenely dirty politics of this decade. He deserves no respect, imho, because he has not shown any respect for anyone who does not cater to him. A person must earn respect rather than expecting a position to GIVE it to them. That is tannamount to a minister expecting respect because of his/her position but molesting children at the same time. Makes no sense to me.

So true Nitpicker. This reality of recruiting you mentioned is illustrated well in Fahrenheit 911. The recruiters are definitely not going after yuppie kids driving BMW’s. Actually, one of the recruiters in that segment of the movie died this year in Iraq. I was heartbroken when I heard that. Those guys were very polite and respectful of Michael Moore. I say rich or poor, dumb or smart….BRING THEM HOME NOW!

Nit - I would say some "got the joke", even though the joke sucked, even though Kerry blew the punch line. But I was not there.

If you really cannot see how it COULD have been a lame joke about the President .. jeeze.

For the record, Limbaugh is a pompus blowhard and I won't be voting for him or Bush in this election.

Stevie, what was that you were saying about sensitivity?

Hugh - glad to see you're using you head in voting decisions, ruling out George & What-a-Rush.

here's the official "spin":

A Kerry spokeswoman, Amy Brundage, said Kerry’s prepared text had called for him to say: “Do you know where you end up if you don’t study, if you aren’t smart, if you’re intellectually lazy? You end up getting us stuck in a war in Iraq. Just ask President Bush.”

“Do you know where you end up if you don’t study, if you aren’t smart, if you’re intellectually lazy? You end up getting us stuck in a war in Iraq. Just ask President Bush.”

So that was the intended joke? Nigga please! (just in case anyone here has not yet been offended). I want to hear someone say, “Well I never!” You never hear that anymore.

I think Kerry meant what he said, it came out wrong and his point was not to criticize soldiers. I think Yvonne is right in her assertion that Kerry was probably telling them to get an education so they have more options than the military. What’s wrong with that? Even if he did flub it up, is it not a true message? Why would he try to spin away from that?

Disclaimer: I am not a crook. I mean, I am not a bigot. Uh…I have plenty of black friends.

Do you see that as 'spin' or do you see that as credible?

He just happened to leave out the 'us' and the "Just ask President Bush".

jeeze.

As far as COULD, yeah coulda woulda shoulda. I just don't believe it. Of course, with Kerry's record, who knows what the heck he means when he says it.

I agree that Bush is just as bad about putting his foot in his mouth. How did these guys ever get elected?

How many times can someone say "What I meant to say was......." ??

Stevie,

"Well I never!" stopped being said somewhere around the time Fred Sanford started saying "and you never will"

A respectful aside to my fellow "regular" bloggers:

I would never seek to either ignore or minimize the existence of military recruiters who "prey" upon the poor to enhance their own quota numbers.

Yet having dealt with literally hundreds of military personel in my life and career I've got to say that there's a lot more to it than that.

Yes, military service does entail the risk of death, dismemberment or severe psychological trauma, but, as something of a counter balance, it does offer educational opportunities that simply don't otherwise exist for many in our society.

That may seem like an unfair trade-off from the comfort of our homes, but to a young person trying to plan for their future the perspective is entirely different.

I have a great nephew who grew up in a stable and financially solvent household. He excelled both in sports and academically and was in fact offerred a wrestling scholarship to the University of Maryland.

He instead opted to enlist in the military, and even shunned my offer to assist in getting him an appointment to one of the service academies.

Since then he's gotten a degree in electrical engineering, taken courses at several of the advanced weapons and tactics schools, completed several courses in psychology and served as an instructor with the Army War College.

Although he's now only in his mid-thirties he's now a Lt. Colonel with a few dozen times the amount of supervisory and command experience that I managed to accumulate in more than fifty years of civilian employment.

Will he one day die on an obscure battlefield while involved in a poorly directed military incursion? Possibly, but if so he will have given his life with a full realization of the risk he's taking, and with the dual commitment of enhancing the experiences of his own life while serving in the protection of his country.

Don't sell these kids short, for every one that's "snookered" into enlisting, there's another who both knows and understands the life he's signing on to.

"“Do you know where you end up if you don’t study, if you aren’t smart, if you’re intellectually lazy? You end up getting us stuck in a war in Iraq. Just ask President Bush.”"

If that was indeed supposed to be a joke, coming from a guy, Kerry, who got worse grades in college and has less formal education than Bush, It's hilarious.

Taking a break from raking leaves...the autum leaves drift by my window...by the ton.

Well said, Yvonne. I agree. SD, are you actually kind of sort of criticizing Kerry. All I can say is Bless His Heart.

Let's all jump on Kerry and forget the 102 soldiers who died in October. Let's get our priorities straight. Wonder what the WH will sneak past us during this hoop la la. Foley's problems covered up the Military Act. Betcha the majority of Americans don't know what happened.

Also well said, Jan. To lump ANY group and sterotype them is not really bright. As best I can tell from the blogs, that is what most are saying. There are good and bad in the military, as in any other sector of life.

I pray for the safety of our troops. I pray that they will not be asked to kill others. I pray that if they make it home, there will be job opportunities and medical care for the maimed and mentally shattered. I pray that the war will end.

Hugh:

I am all the time making up jokes ... and a few of them .. some .. ok many of them .. bomb.

When that happens I say: "I said it was a joke; I did not say it was a funny joke."

Maybe I could sell some material to the DNC!

Carol,

I don't know about you but raking leaves is one chore I actually enjoy.

By raking them myself I can be assured that the resultant piles are free of both rocks and large sticks, thus insuring my relative safety when I finally give into temptation and dive into the pile.

Some pleasures never grow old.

Troops reponse to John Kerry:
http://www.620wtmj.com/images/uploaded/Help%20Photo20061101105508.JPG

hugh,

All politics aside, the link was hilarious!

Even in a war zone, you can't kill the American sense of humor.

Glad the focus is back on IRAQ!! Yes, the President is back where he didn't want to be...Thank you John Kerry!

How many more young soldiers will die for Ramadi? Just heard a caller into the Neal Bortz show read a quote from Henry Kissinger...and believe me it was much worse than the misinterpretation of Kerry's comments. I'll try to find the exact quote.

Here is what one of Bush's advisors and top Republican Diplomat thinks of the military:

“Military men are just dumb stupid animals to be used as pawns in foreign policy.” - Henry Kissinger, quoted in “Kiss the Boys Goodbye: How the United States Betrayed Its Own POW’s in Vietnam”

Can't wait for Dan to turn that one into a handsome prince! LOL!

I love the Deacon, he could incite a riot in a mortuary.

Going to pick up my girls soon so I don't have time to research the Kissinger quote for context, but if he meant it to reflect his own held opinion then he is without doubt a card carrying idiot himself.

I rather suspect he used it as an illustration of what he considered to be the political concept of military personel, in which case I'd have to agree that it has often been the case both tragically and historically in this country.

Dan seems to me to be a reasonable person, and if Kissinger meant it in my suspected context I think he'd agree as well.

In refrain, like a dog that sometimes barks too much but does keep you from oversleeping, Demon Deacon keeps life from devolving into absolute boredom.

Sic him Dan. ;-)

Henry Kissenger's camp just issued a statement. This is what he meant to say:

"People who have harassed military men are just dumb stupid animals to be used as pawns in foreign policy just as our president has done."

or something like that.

Hugh, I must admit that is an interesting fact. It seems Kerry's grades were just under Bush's. Not that formal education is the tell-all test of intelligence. But, it is interesting sure enough.

So we had two Yale, Skull and Bones, elitist C students to choose from in the last election. Comforting isn't it? Some say they are distant cousins as well.

I tried to restrain myself but the little devil on my shoulder is overpowering me. Here are two clips from the late comedian Bill Hicks. They both relate to today's discussion. Warning! This guy makes Richard Pryor look like Mother Teresa. This is definitely not for the kids. Bill Hicks died in 1994. I wonder what he would be saying now.

Bill Hicks on gays in the military
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Np6_b-72H3E

Bill Hicks on Rush Limbaugh.
I won’t even post the link to this one. Search in YouTube using keywords “Bill Hicks Rush Limbaugh” and you will find it. It is also a riot. But, it is so dirty I’m afraid I might get in trouble with the N&R for linking to that one. Second Warning! It is hilarious but really dirty.

Michael J. Fox himself has admitted to exaggerating his symptoms for political purposes in the past. Limbaugh merely questioned whether Fox had done it this time as well.
Limbaugh never mocked Fox or his illness.

After a month of so or a few pages a night reading, I finally finished "Battle Cry of Freedom", a tome on the Civil War. Several parallels and collosions come to mind:

"Rich Man's War, Poor Man's Fight" was the slogan.

"The Army" consisted of state militia - each state was required to come up with a fixed count of people - think of it as 100% "National Guard" forces (like our Constitution requires). I think Mass' actually provided the most men for the Union army.

This resulted in State Sponsored drafts, but it was accepted for a wealthy man with a spare $300 to purchase a surrogate; whites only need apply.

Many commanders were, at first, just the wealthy that wanted a bit of glory. Soon the wheat separated from the chaff. Lincoln especially replaced many a West Point Commander because they had credentials but not enough "fight".

The media was fiercly divided. It may be fair to say every one knew it; I would suggest that these days, not everyone knows that.

Politics were just a slimy.
Lincoln was a Great Man.
At times, Soldiers are beyond human.
War is hell.
Lee is my Hero; I love the order of his priorties: "Honor, Family, Country".

jcackbar,

I have seen footage where it appeared Rush mocked Fox.

james d rock,

as a southerner, you should be aware that Lincoln was the devil incarnate.

"Michael J. Fox himself has admitted to exaggerating his symptoms for political purposes in the past."

Really? Show us. He did go before a congressional comittee sans medication - but that's not exaggerating his symptoms, it's the opposite: not-supressing his symptoms.

Limbaugh never mocked Fox or his illness. Really? I'll have to watch the video.

"cack bar",
If this isn't making fun of a Parkinson's patient, I don't know what you'd define it as.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhtYk5crxVY

Amazes me how many will defend comedian Rush Limbaugh, but then attack John Kerry. Neither is running for office, but I think the LTE writer got it right about the religious supporters of Bush--if they can't see making fun of Parkinson's disease for what it is, then they really aren't Christians now are they?

James,
I loved the Doris Kearns Goodwin bio on Lincoln called Team of Rivals. Rather than stay in a bubble with like minded people, Lincoln had a pair big enough to put his political enemies within his inner circle. By listening to all sides, Lincoln was a great President. What a great idea! Too bad ol' dubya can't stand dissenting opinions--we might not be in the quagmire we are in if he had listened to opinions other than "slam dunk Tenet and "last throes" Cheney, or "dead ender" Rumsfeld. John Murtha for President!

Greetings from Paducah, KY.

As DD would say, "you can't make this stuff up".

What can't you make up? Democrats are distancing themselves from Kerry in droves to save themselves. Harold Ford and even Hillary have condemned his remarks. Kerry appearances with Democratic candidates in IA and MN have been cancelled!! This loon screwed up his own campaign two years ago now the party just wants him to keep his mouth shut, kinda like Dean.

Looks like Kerry finally saw the light and apologized. Kudos to him, but when his own turn on him he has no choice.

http://my.earthlink.net/article/pol?guid=20061101/454829d0_3421_1334520061101-1957340110

I can't wait till '08 in hopes that Kerry, Hillary, and algore go after each other for the spot.

JDR, see for yourself:
http://mfile.akamai.com/5020/wmv/rushlimb.download.akamai.com/5020/Video/Fox.asx
Limbaugh asked a legitimate question of someone who made a public political statement. If Fox didn't want anyone to question his statement he should not have made it.
Limbaugh did not mock Fox or Fox's illness.

Jan, agreed the Deacon could incite a riot in a mortuary. Nice way to put it.

It flatters me that I'm always on his mind. I've been travelling all day and unable to post, but he has mentioned me numerous times.

Good link Jcackbar. The one thing I would add is that is was not just a public political statement, it was a political ad paid for by a Democratic candidate in order to....well hell everyone knows what paid political ads are for, probably even DD.

"Limbaugh did not mock Fox or Fox's illness."

Jcackbar,

That is a statement of opinion, not fact. Watch the video DD posted. I personally would call this mocking. It is also an accusation that Fox was merely acting. What exactly would constitute mocking in your mind?

Your repeated claim that he did not mock him is all you are offering as a defense. What does the link you posted with Fox’s response have to do with whether or not Rush was mocking him? Help me out here.

If Rush flailing his arms around was not "mocking" then it would take a FOXNews line underneath Rush saying, "Rush is now mocking a person afflicted with Parkinsons" for the "cackbar" to admit it. No surprise that Dan is spouting the party line--in fact it is one of the most predictable things. But I never thought he'd get down to neoCon's level...of course water seeks its level.

BTW, wonder if Rush were talking about the Rev. Billy Graham, another Parkinson's sufferer---would "cackbar" defend him there? Oh, no, he'd be acting too.

DD, I'm not usually interested in your views, but I am this time.

1) Tell me about your military service please. You asked me on another LTE as if I couldn't comment on military matters, I answered, I asked you, don't remember you answering.

2) Tell me about your take on Kerry's comment.

Thanks in advance!

JC Ackbar ... read slowly:

He admitted to NOT taking medication .. I said "sans medication" - that means without.

With Parkinson's, the medication supresses symptoms. By not taking medication, he simply showed his symptoms.

Hello. Is a n y one h o m e.?

Also here's your friend Rush
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F05T9cU8hxQ

JDR, je suis trés heureux que tu comprennes la langue française en utilisant le mot sans.

King FerdinDan - I don't speak French - one of my many faults, but I'm assuming you are calling me out on the use of the "sans", as in "Sans Medication".

Sans
Pronunciation: 'sanz
Function: preposition
Etymology: Middle English saun, sans, from Middle French san, sans, modification of Latin sine without

As in

Thus pour the stars down plagues for
perjury.
Can any face of brass hold longer out?—
Here stand I
lady, dart thy skill at me;
Bruise me with scorn, confound me with a flout;
Thrust thy sharp wit quite through my ignorance;
Cut me to pieces with thy keen conceit;
And I will wish thee never more to dance,
Nor never more in Russian habit wait.
O, never will I trust to speeches penn'd,
Nor to the motion of a schoolboy's tongue,
Nor never come in vizard to my friend,
Nor woo in rhyme, like a blind harper's song!
Taffeta phrases, silken terms precise,
Three-piled hyperboles, spruce affectation,
Figures pedantical; these summer-flies
Have blown me full of maggot ostentation:
I do forswear them; and I here protest,
By this white glove; how white the hand, God knows!
Henceforth my wooing mind shall be express'd
In russet yeas and honest kersey noes:
And, to begin, wench, so God help me, la!
My love to thee is sound, sans crack or flaw.

Sans Medication - Without Medication.

Dan,

Why does it make you happy that JDR understands French enough to use the word "sans"? Après tout, les Français sont un groupe de vin suçant des pensées ! ;-)

Bravo JDR, I enjoyed it. Sans btw has a silent "s" on the end.

Stevie, I'm just like Gomez Adams, whenever I hear French it excites me. Just having fun, lighten up.

Btw, what does "After all, the French are a group of wine sucking thoughts" mean?

JDR,
You slay Dan with the truth, and that has him jumping like that chicken on the hot plate. For the unintiated, they had one down at the now defunct "Buffalo Ranch" between Asheboro and Charlotte, where you'd put in a dime and the chicken would dance. To be more "PC" they eventually removed the hot plate and put in a record turntable. The chicken would left its legs and appear to be dancing. That was a great place and I always wished it was around when my kids came along. They had goats that walked on high wires and narrow catwalks and it was a great place.
Anyway, James you had poor ol' Dan stepping and fetching for straws--the truth has its way of separating fact from fiction.

Stevie D,
The answer to your question is that it is an affectation for Dan to feign culture and advanced education. Trouble is, James' horse sense is far ahead of the boy.

Dan,
Guess it was Rush who was "SANS MEDICATION"!
LOL!

DD, Can I have some of whatever you are drinking please?

While you are at it, please let us know about your military service.

JAMES,
Knowing of your fondness for history, here is a great comment tonight by Keith Olbermann--"a modern day Edward R. Murrow". It will make the hair on the back of your neck rise up and it will cause the rabid Bush apologists to skulk around the house.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15519404/

Some of the apologists will just have to skip it, as it contains some 50 cent words and some actual history.

Dan,
I believe it was "I" who asked you about your expertise. You seemed to count yourself as a "Para-professional Military Expert" and I called you out on another thread.
So how is it Dan?
Tell us all about your "tour".

You see, I never claimed the mantle of "GI-Joe" as you have done on another thread, so please, without delay, tell us of your credentials. Are you spouting drivel that Rush, Bush, Cheney, and Rummy have put in your head, or are you an independent "Patriotic Veteran" of another war, at another time?

Tell us about your qualifications, as we are all waiting to hear---or are you the equivalent of Richard "DICK" Cheney, who although a warmonger, is in reality just a chicken hawk.

Newsflash DD, Kerry apologized, rightfully so, not Bush. Your buddy Olbermann, like you, is a day late and a dollar short as usual.

Well, I guess "Sergeant Dan" will not reply tonight, so I will bid him "adieu".

(adieu = farewell or good-bye!)

DD: "You seemed to count yourself as a "Para-professional Military Expert"

Gee whiz, I like facts instead of supposition. Please search through the archives, they go back about 18 months, cut and paste any of my posts where I counted myself as a "para-professional military expert" (btw no caps required) and get back to me please. You belittle yourself again.

One more time, I have not served in the military. Does that bar me from commenting anything regarding military matters? If so, I guess you need to shut up too.

As jan said you could incite a riot in a mortuary. Good for laughter only but not much else.

DD, glad you know what adieu means. Look up "va te faire enculer". I'm sure someone on the WFU squad can help you out.

Damn (or "dang" in Southern) and to think a conservative knows fluent French, has lived in Europe and been there a few dozen times since. I thought NC conservatives, and the rest for that part, were a bunch of hayseeds who live in trailers and have never travelled further than Myrtle Beach!!

Dan, I noticed Lurch appoligized only after Hillary came out and criticized what he had said about the military personnel in Iraq...perhaps after his own failed attempt he is hoping for a veep pick on her ticket in '08?

Oh btw, I suspect the closest the world traveler has ever come to the military was tossing rotten eggs their way at one of those protests and calling them 'baby killers'... at a safe distance of course.

Limbaugh posed a very legitimate question: Was Fox acting or was he off his meds to accentuate his Parkinson's symptoms? It's legitimate because Fox himself personally admitted that he's done exactly that to fraudulently misrepresent his illness for political purposes.
When one admits prior fraudulent action to making a public political statement I think it's legitimate to question whether the current action is legitimate or faked. Fair question, no matter which side you're on.

Neo, I think Lurch is finished. Too much baggage that even Hillary won't touch him with a 10 foot pole. He's an embarrasment even to Dems just like DD!!

jcackbar,

I know you are not dense so why not stop the charade?

Dan,

Hillary said she thought Kerry's statement was "inappropriate" as have several people. I have yet to hear of or see anyone "distancing" themselves from Kerry.

Now GWB is a different story. Repubs know they cannot win without denouncing Bush's policies and distancing themselves from him. I know you are personally in denial about this but I have seen it on national TV and heard it on NPR.

Women are especially speaking out about what is important to them. They are not being sidetracked by the strawmen the GOP keeps trying to build. Iraq is the number one issue for women, dems and repubs alike, and they are not happy with the way repubs have handled our involvement. And they are less likely to vote party line just to support a particular party. (Which makes me wonder why some men are not as rational.)

You and everyone else can debate who did what first, but the focus for the rest of us is how to solve the hellacious disaster GWB has created.

Dan,

LOL! I don't know French at all. I was messing with ya. I went to that translation site and typed in, "The French are a bunch of wine sucking pansies" and that is what I got. How on earth did you interpret what I wrote as reason to believe I need to "lighten up" Again, look at the smiley. I was joking. It is funny what that site produces sometimes. It's cool even though it can't translate with complete accuracy.

Dan,

It's amazing how Rush and others have convinced people that all private schools are filled with elitist liberals. If you think the student body of WFU or its staff are all liberals, you are a either a fool or a victim of brainwashing. I will go with the latter in your case. I had a friend who got his undergraduate degree there and he complained all the time about conservatives in the staff and student body. The idea that the elite are generally left-leaning is so moronic, it is beyond words.

"We are filthy rich, and we want more socialism!" Does that make sense? I don’t mean to sound patronizing by saying you are brainwashed either. I am serious. People believe that crap from excessive TV watching and/or listening to right-wing radio all day. If you say something enough, people begin to think it’s true no matter how illogical it is. Repetition is the easiest and most effective way to brainwash people. Intelligent people are not immune to it either. Don’t let these nuts make you think Babs and Alec Baldwin in any way represent the majority of progressives. They don’t.

Yvonne, I guess you didn't read my 6:59 pm post. Democratic candidates in MN & IA have cancelled planned appearances with Kerry. I would consider that "distancing" oneself no?

Can you please tell me what the vision of congressional Democrats is in this election? I've said before I'm fed up with all of them, but I would trust my safety and my wallet less to a Democrat.

Stevie, I enjoyed the translation. Sometimes things don't translate correctly from one language to the other.

Did I strike a nerve about WFU? My post didn't say anything about libs or conservatives at private schools, I was simply referring to DD's name and it happens to be the same as WFU.

Gotta go to work now & then fly back to NC tonight so I won't be a posting today. Have a good one.

The French language is a total embarassment to me. I took six years of it in school - more than fifty years ago - and don't remember enough of it to infuriate a waiter at a sidewalk Parisian Cafe into treating me like an insolent American.

Fortunately, most French waiters seem capable of doing it with or without my linguistic assistance.

Parlez-vous redneck?

At first, I thought jcackbar was wrong when he said Fox was misrepresenting his illness by not taking his meds. But, I think you can look at it 2 ways.

He's NOT misrepresenting his illness because the effects are actually those of the illness.

He IS misrepresenting his illness because it makes it appear that those effects are not controllable and with medication, those effects are much, much less.

So, I guess it is a matter of perspective. Rush actually made a pretty good point based on one perspective. The flailing around stuff was just insensitive and wrong, though.

Finally got online. Internet connection was down and I went into a state of panic. I need help. I am addicted.

Just had a thought. There really is only one political party. Kerry has handed the Republicans another talking point. I don't think he is dumb enough to make that comment without planning. Many will vote against the Dems just because of that comment.

Carol,

"Many will vote against the Dems just because of that comment."

Probably true, but I think it's a sad commentary on our society that "many" voters can be swayed towards voting for either party based on the verbal gaffe of the week as opposed to an informed assessment of each individual candidates merits and faults.

I've never voted a straight party line in either direction, and don't plan to this year, but can't see myself switching my vote based on the remarks of a policitican that I never have supported to begin with.

It would have to be not only an extreme remark, but one issued from a position of extreme power in order to have such an influence on me personally.

Feel free to make your own projections based upon that paragraph. ;-)

They say politics makes strange bedfellows, but I believe Dan and neoCON were separated at birth and are now connected. Congratulations on the reuniting of the two---and without surgery!

Just listened to today's DR show...fair and balanced defined.

She had "Frank Luntz, founder of The Luntz Research Companies. He is a Republican pollster, political and media consultant, and author of the forthcoming book "Words That Work." and "Donna Brazile, founder and managing director of Brazile & Associates. She is a Democratic strategist, chair of the DNC's Voting Rights Institute, former manager of the 2000 Gore-Lieberman campaign, and author of "Cooking With Grease."

On news reporting Lutz said and I paraphrase: Sadly, most listen only to news which affirms their beliefs. And also that it is not what you say, it is how it is perceived.

Another great show.

Carol,

"On news reporting Lutz said and I paraphrase: Sadly, most listen only to news which affirms their beliefs."

I think this guy is absolutely right, and I also think it contradicts your earlier point about people voting against Dems because of what Kerry said. My initial thought, which you then supported with this quote, was that not once single person would change his/her vote because of what Kerry had said. Imagine a person who is somehow on the fence between Miller and Robinson in district 13. Will this quote by an unrelated person push the voter toward Robinson? Highly unlikely. Don't get me wrong, we'll hear this total non-issue brought up many times. And we may even hear people say that they had intended to vote Dem until Kerry opened his mouth. But I would be very hard to convince that he had any real impact on this election.

Onward to 100!

Carol,

When and where does that show air?

Also, that book "Cooking with Grease" sounds right up my ally. Of course, my cardiologist won't like it too much.

jan,

I agree. I wouldn't really care if Kerry said that all white children should be aborted at the age of 4. It would make no difference in my vote unless I was voting for him or someone who agreed with that sentiment.

I did receive a call yesterday that would sway my vote. Berkley Blanks called and left a message saying that all of us who are disgusted with republicans should vote a straight democrat ticket next Tuesday. Obviously, he stands to gain as he is running as a democrat against BJ Barnes for Sheriff. I don't now about you guys, but I just don't really care if my sheriff is a democrat or a republican. That really would have turned me off if I was a neutral voter. I'd be equally turned off if Barnes called me and said to vote straight Republican. I don't need that kind of advice from a candidate for Sheriff.

I was planning on voting for Barnes so it didn't cost him my vote anyway.

Please noboby tell Limbaugh that a LTTE that had his name in the title got nearly 100 responses. He'd consider it an accomplishment, and if his ego got any bigger, it would be visible from space.

Nit,

Although it would probably not seem relevant to other prospective voters for varias reasons, there's not a single thing Mr. Blanks could do to persuade me to vote against Barnes.

Several years ago, before permanent custody was decided in my divorce, my ex-wife refused to return my children to me at the end of her scheduled visitation. Although I obtained a court order directing her to do so, and her residence was at that time within the city limits and thus under the jurisdiction of the Greensboro Police Department, that entity refused to enforce the legal order.

I walked across the street, asked for and received an audience with Sheriff Barnes, and explained the situation as he read over the court order.

When he finished reading he handed it back to me, replied that the order specified "law enforcement shall assist in the execution of this order" and told me that if the GPD wouldn't his department would.

Even though he didn't know me from Adam, he willingly bumped standard law enforcement jurisdictional protocol to do as the court had directed.

THAT'S the type of Sheriff I want, even if one day he were to do the same type of thing contrary to my own wishes.

My little girls were overjoyed to see me that day, and that's something I will not easily forget.

Howie,

Limbaugh's ego outgrew this universe years ago, and in the alternate one where it now resides it can be seen from anywhere.

By anyone but the blind, and they can no doubt smell it.

Whether they want to or not. ;-)

Okay, I confess, I'm trying to bump this blog up over the hundred mark.

We're on the brink now, so I'll reserve the final honor for another blogger.

Maybe Michael J Fox, was scared to overuse his prescription medicine...because he saw the effects that it had on people like Rush?

Or maybe Rush stole Fox's medicine?

100+ posts!

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j197/tillytoc/clapping.gif

hugh,

Wanna' try for 1,000?

"Limbaugh's ego outgrew this universe years ago"

Jan,

You know the only reason this blog is so busy is because I am blogging in it. Stevie D -Excellence In Blogging! ;-)

Speaking of egos...:-)

To listen to the DR show online, this is the link.

http://www.wamu.org/programs/dr/

Stevie my friend,

Please be careful lest you use your name in vain and suffer your terrible wrath.

My prayers are with you, or to you, or something like that.

I will be careful Jan, so help me ME.

JH, the only way to get to 1000 would be for the core group here to bookmark this thread and use it for a chat home. As it is we just bounce around from one thread to another.

Great LTE and great commentary! Great record of over 100+ posts!

Go Deacs, beat Boston College!

Sorry hugh,

It was the insane part of my mind speaking.

Which as is becoming apparent, represents a working majority.

Damn gerrymandering.

Carol,

Thanks for the link.

Guilford Native,

Way to go on post 100!

Too much spurious attacks and mudslinging going on here. :) Better leave before they zap us all with their photobeam incinerators.

Jan's story is why in ignorance on this local issues I vote as I do ...

Sheriff's: Pull the Red Lever. Assume Red means conservative which means uphold the law.

Judges: Pull the Blue Lever. Assume Blue means liberal which means knowing laws are written by men, occassionally men have agendas or for some other reason act stupidly, and apply common sense.

I'm sure that's more often wrong than right, but I need some rational in the booth.

J