The Vices of Their Virtues

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  • Posted By: josemarti @ 09/30/2008 8:55:06 PM

    "Obama has this thing wrapped up.......Party time" exclaimed Crystal Knight, Mr. Obama's new spokesperson today. She replaced Mr. Kwansi Mifune who stepped down among allegations that he did not really exist.

    • Posted By: neos @ 09/30/2008 9:12:01 PM

      Hey, Josecita. in the place where you are 'kept' you are only allowed crayons or a laptop. Do us all a big favor and stick to the crayons.

  • Posted By: josemarti @ 09/30/2008 8:29:27 PM

    Obama campaign predicts that Europeans will hate us even more if Obama is not elected. "I have traveled extensively in Europe recently" said Rosa Luxemborg, chief foreign policy advisor to Mr. Obama. "and the Europeans expect us to Barack. And if we don't they are gonna regard this as a slap in the face. I am telling you, no American will be able to walk down a street in Paris or Madrid without being spat on."

    • Posted By: it's about the future @ 09/30/2008 8:50:22 PM

      For sure, travellers around the world are not as safe today.
      But your other comment is just not true.
      Europeans will tell you that they are fascinated with americans.

  • Posted By: josemarti @ 09/30/2008 7:55:00 PM

    Confident of victory, Obama begins to form his cabinet. "Barack has interviewed a number of people for some of the key positions" said Crystal Knight, his new spokesperson. "He has interviewed Bill Daley, Governor Richardson, Representative Conyers, former Representative David Bonior, Kwansi Mifune, former Senator Bill Bradley, Al Sharpton, Dennis Kucinich, , Anita Hill, Kaliq Talmud, former Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick, Representative Barney Frank, Governor Blagojevic, John Edwards, former Governor Spitzer, Father Pflagel, Jesse Jackson Sr. Jesse Jackson Jr, and John Calhoun. .

    • Posted By: Bill A @ 09/30/2008 8:15:44 PM

      McCain interviewed Palin,need I say more about his judgement? Why are some conservatives requesting Mccain to pull her off his ticket,not that it will happen.

    • Posted By: it's about the future @ 09/30/2008 8:13:41 PM


      Everyone invited but your sweet little old self, I see.

  • Posted By: common_sense08 @ 09/30/2008 8:14:57 PM

    INTERESTING LOOK AT OUR AMERICA
    When President Clinton left office
    UNEMPLOYMENT RATE-----------4.27%
    NATIONAL BUDGET-------------$281 BILLION SURPLUS
    NATIONAL DEBT---------------$5.7 TRILLION

    UNDER PRESIDENT BUSH WITH LESS THAN 6 MONTHS IN OFFICE.
    UNEMPLOYMENT RATE-----------6.1%
    NATIONAL BUDGET-------------$357 BILLION DEFICIT
    NATIONAL DEBT---------------$9.7 TRILLION

    John McCain
    Member of the Senate Commerce Committe. Champion of the Banking Deregulation under the Bush Administration and Republican lead Congress.
    Phil Grahm Chair of the Banking Committe the enabler of the Banking Deregulation.
    Phil Grahm who is the author and advisor of
    John McCain's economic plan.
    They are the ones that have allowed the greed and corruption of WALL STREET to manifest to its current situation. They want to run away from their deeds of the past that has come back to bite them in the butt. We need our congress to help people that are struggling, people that are holding on to their American dream of home ownership with teeth and nails. Don't let them pretend to be knights in shining armour see them for what they are. Obama proposed legislation of 2 years ago to address the deliberation affect of these failed mortgage problems on our stained economy. He was right then about going into the Iraq war and he was right about the current housing troubles we face today. Tennessee has strong people that are fiercely proud, but I ask you to vote with your mind and not your emotions.

  • Posted By: common_sense08 @ 09/30/2008 8:12:56 PM

    INTERESTING LOOK AT OUR AMERICA
    When President Clinton left office
    UNEMPLOYMENT RATE-----------4.27%
    NATIONAL BUDGET-------------$281 BILLION SURPLUS
    NATIONAL DEBT---------------$5.7 TRILLION

    UNDER PRESIDENT BUSH WITH LESS THAN 6 MONTHS IN OFFICE.
    UNEMPLOYMENT RATE-----------6.1%
    NATIONAL BUDGET-------------$357 BILLION DEFICIT
    NATIONAL DEBT---------------$9.7 TRILLION

    John McCain
    Member of the Senate Commerce Committe. Champion of the Banking Deregulation under the Bush Administration and Republican lead Congress.
    Phil Grahm Chair of the Banking Committe the enabler of the Banking Deregulation.
    Phil Grahm who is the author and advisor of
    John McCain's economic plan.
    They are the ones that have allowed the greed and corruption of WALL STREET to manifest to its current situation. They want to run away from their deeds of the past that has come back to bite them in the butt. We need our congress to help people that are struggling, people that are holding on to their American dream of home ownership with teeth and nails. Don't let them pretend to be knights in shining armour see them for what they are. Obama proposed legislation of 2 years ago to address the deliberation affect of these failed mortgage problems on our stained economy. He was right then about going into the Iraq war and he was right about the current housing troubles we face today. Tennessee has strong people that are fiercely proud, but I ask you to vote with your mind and not your emotions.

  • Posted By: Bill A @ 09/30/2008 8:11:21 PM

    If McCain runs the White House like he's running his campaign we're in trouble.

  • Posted By: Patricia - RI @ 09/30/2008 3:20:40 PM

    Nothing Bias about this piece. I understand this is commentary , but it's also shameless. Could you have been any more glowing in the adjectives and phases you use for Obama? And how about that pass you gave him in parenthesis for voting present 130 times as a poltical leader? In stark contrast is your description of McCain. This whole piece of blather lacks integrity!

    • Posted By: CEPHALUS @ 09/30/2008 7:23:53 PM

      How can one make a decison on something when they do not have the relevant information. Only a dumb nut job would do some stupid stuff like that.
      Is that the President we need?

    • Posted By: Skypoint @ 09/30/2008 5:43:18 PM

      Don't hold your breath for a fair shake from Newsweek. With 8 liberal writers to 3 conservatives, it's not gonna happen.

  • Posted By: cutoffyournosetospiteyourface @ 09/30/2008 5:44:26 PM

    I don't understand the problem with "Preping yourself to be Commander in CHeif". Are you saying that John McCain has not? I beleive this is not the first time he has run so who has been preping. But, if you want to vote for McCain/Palin you obviously like what has happened to the country the past 8 years of Bush, and the four before that of a Republican controlled congress, who only has their party in mind in everything they do. As for reason you can't have any if you want to continue the same path.

    • Posted By: Jensen1990 @ 09/30/2008 7:16:51 PM

      So true. McCain bashes Obama for getting out into the world while McCain is watching the baseball game just like Bush sits on his Ass on his stupid ranch 5 months out of the year. Seriously? Why does't everyone get 5 months of the year off! and when has it ever been bad to talk about something vs not talking and then nuking them? Ahhh so irrational when republicans think this way!

  • Posted By: DaveWK @ 09/30/2008 4:49:58 PM

    Give me cool and detached over rash and impulsive anyday.

  • Posted By: Nowforthetruth @ 09/30/2008 6:46:43 PM

    Obama is getting a bump out of this because people are not being reminded of the whole history where the economy is concerned, and who did what when. Call it bias by omission. The media simply says that the economy is Obamas strong issue, but never discusses the facts in detail. Further, who had a majority when is rarely relevant. If the simplistic Party In Power model were true, then the Democrats would not have needed the House Republicans when they tried to pass the bailout bill, as Democrats have the majority in both houses and there is no threat of a veto. In theory, they do not need the Republicans to vote at all. In fact, something like twelve (12) Democrats from Barney Franks own banking committee voted against the bill. Obviously, it is not so simple and the media does the voter a disservice by doing little more than reinforcing the error. A similar argument would be to say that the economy appeared to be doing fine until the Democrats took over control of Congress and the power of the purse, then it tanked. As an aside, the media also misleads regarding the Clinton economy when they fail to mention that it also ended in a recession, requiring the first round of Bush stimulus checks immediately after he took office..

    • Posted By: neos @ 09/30/2008 6:56:57 PM

      And now for the real truth.
      The Democratic leadership in the House worked out a deal with the Republican leadership where both parties woud ante up 50% of their membership to vote Aye on the bill. Undoubtedly this was to give cover on both sides for representatives who were facing diificulties at home supporting the president's bill. The Republicans reneged on the deal. They and their fearless leader McCain could only get 1/3rd to vote for the bill. The Democrats honored their agreement and then some. 2/3rd of them voted Aye. If the majority of Republicans continue to think of themselves first and the country second, then the Democrats can and will pass the bill with the few remaining Republicans who get it.

  • Posted By: Nowforthetruth @ 09/30/2008 6:46:27 PM


    Do Obama and the Democrats deserve a lift in the polls as a result of the financial and mortgage problems? The answer from history is a clear NO. Here's the lead of a New York Times story on September 30, 1999: Fannie Mae Eases Credit To Aid Mortgage Lending [link below]. That's 1999 folks. Clinton Administration, I believe.

    Here's the lead of a New York Times story on Sept. 11, 2003: The Bush administration today recommended the most significant regulatory overhaul in the housing finance industry since the savings and loan crisis a decade ago. [see link below]

    McCain said in co-sponsoring the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005, S. 190: If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system and the economy as a whole.

    What was Barney Frank and fellow Democrats saying at the time of these attempted reforms? According to reports, Representative Barney Frank(D-MA) claimed of the thrifts "These two entities -- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- are not facing any kind of financial crisis, the more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing." Representative Mel Watt (D-NC) added of the reforms "I don't see much other than a shell game going on here, moving something from one agency to another and in the process weakening the bargaining power of poorer families and their ability to get affordable housing." [ See Community Reinvestment Act, link below w/ history]

    The link below contains a purported list of the top 25 in Congress who got contributions from the folks at Fannie and Freddie. Obama is listed third, after Dodd and Kerry, even though Obama is just a junior Senator. Obama is followed next by Clinton. Barney Frank and Nancy Pelosi are on the list as well.

    http://www.investors.com/editorial/IBDArticles.asp?artsec=16&artnum=1&issue=20080918

  • Posted By: Nowforthetruth @ 09/30/2008 6:45:49 PM


    For an interesting article purporting to detail Barney Franks long history with Fannie Mae, See http://www.businessandmedia.org/printer/2008/20080924145932.aspx
    Also google: Democratic House Financial Services Committee Chair promoted GSEs while former 'spouse' was Fannie Mae executive.

    The last link below describes how some in Congress tried to use the original version of the bailout bill to divert money eventually recovered to groups like ACORN. See:

    http://www.investors.com/editorial/IBDArticles.asp?artsec=16&artnum=1&issue=20080918

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Reinvestment_Act

    http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=M2QwNDhkZTg2OGYzZjkzM2E2NDEwM2U5OGVkNTc0YzU=

    http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E06E3D6123BF932A2575AC0A9659C8B63

    http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0DE7DB153EF933A0575AC0A96F958260

    http://www.businessandmedia.org/printer/2008/20080924145932.aspx

    http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122247015469280723.html?mod=googlenews_wsj


  • Posted By: Lisainred @ 09/29/2008 8:07:53 PM

    I have been in favor of John McCain since 2000, when the current occupant of the White House sabotaged his campaign. The idea that McCain and W agree on everything is laughable, and can only be believed by people who don't pay any attention to politics. McCain is clearly the better choice if you are concerned about our country's national security AND the economy. He obviously tried to do the right thing on this bailout package, by suspending his campaign and returning to Washington. Only time will tell if the bailout package is needed, but at least McCain is involved and intensely fighting for what he believes is right -- which is more than I can say for Sen. Obama. I'm not sure he'd leave the campaign trail if Al-Qaeda attacked our nation again!

    • Posted By: eagles1776 @ 09/30/2008 6:20:33 PM

      I have not heard anyone say that McCain and Dubya agree on EVERYTHING. No two people will agree on everything no matter who they are. That said, records show (Congressional Record) that McCain voted at least 90% of the time in agreement with Dubya. A true maverick would be voting with Dubya and his party less than 50% of the time. McCain is no maverick.

    • Posted By: Zig Zag @ 09/29/2008 8:44:07 PM

      Gee, I only pay attention to voting records - 90%+ percentage voting with Bush. SIlly me.

      • Posted By: Pallisor @ 09/29/2008 9:17:26 PM

        That's 10 percent against Bush. Which is 10 percent more than Obama ever thought about bucking his own party. The only time he would ever do that is if he could make it even more liberal than it already is.

  • Posted By: josemarti @ 09/29/2008 1:41:15 PM

    "President Obama will repair our image in the world," said Rosa Luxemburg today, a top foreing policy advisor for Senator Obama.

    • Posted By: neos @ 09/29/2008 1:49:59 PM

      Josecita, I have noticed from your postings that your manner of thinking is eerily similar to that of Sarah Palin. I was wondering if you could please translate into English the following passage of the good governor.

      From the Couric interview.

      COURIC: Why isn't it better, Governor Palin, to spend $700 billion helping middle-class families struggling with health care, housing, gas and groceries? Allow them to spend more and put more money into the economy? Instead of helping these big financial institutions that played a role in creating this mess?

      PALIN: That's why I say, I like ever American I'm speaking with were ill about this position that we have been put in where it is the tax payers looking to bailout. But ultimately, what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the health care reform that is needed to help shore up the economy. Helping the ... Oh, it's got to be about job creation too. Shoring up our economy and putting it back on the right track. So health care reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americas. And trade we've got to see trade as opportunity, not as a competitive scary thing. But 1 in 5 jobs being created in the trade sector today. We've got to look at that as more opportunity. All those things under the umbrella of job creation. This bailout is a part of that.

      • Posted By: Pallisor @ 09/29/2008 2:18:40 PM

        I probably would've made gaffes too, after sitting through the weasel Charles Gibson's condescending interview. No way were either of these interviewers going to treat her the same way they treated their idol Obama.

        BTW... Biden has sounded less than stellar himself: Stand up there Chuck!!! Let them all see you!

        • Posted By: artwych @ 09/29/2008 3:09:28 PM

          That is a crock!!! Hillary Clinton could answer those questions!! Why can't Sarah??? No one wants a woman in the oval office more than I do - but we want the right one!

          • Posted By: Pallisor @ 09/29/2008 3:47:45 PM

            I didn't bring up Hillary... I stated Palin was probably intimidated by Couric as she had just been hosed by weasel C. Gibson.

            We'll see how she does with Biden.

            • Posted By: ducksinarow97 @ 09/29/2008 8:41:01 PM

              I???m sorry Pallisor but did you read what you wrote. I???m not sure about you but I don???t feel confident in a McCain/Palin ticket when the person who would be a heartbeat away from the Presidency is intimidated by Katie Couric or couldn???t hold her own against Charles Gibson. It???s not like these interviews were all that hard hitting and even if they were a VP should be able to handle it.

              • Posted By: Pallisor @ 09/29/2008 9:23:57 PM

                While I see your point, I'm not going to judge someone on one interview, (especially at the hands of biased Couric and Gibson) anymore than I'll judge Obama or Biden or McCain on one interview. The MSM and the dems are so ready to give Obama and Biden a pass, but by God nail Palin or McCain for any poor interview or slip.

                • Posted By: marksgershenson @ 09/30/2008 1:32:02 AM

                  Here you go Palin fans...What has been exposed of Palin is called the Peter Principle. I will even provide the link....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Principle Every person with the exception of Bush and his administration reaches it some point in their life. Eight years late, and this article has nothing to do with him.

                  When a person is properly vetted, they go through an interview process. When a person is improperly vetted, things come out sometimes in the worst possible fashion. When you saw Palin being interviewed by Couric, the answers that were given by her were unscripted. Unfortunately, questions were not asked of Palin like Couric and the three other interviews she gave as part of the vetting process. If she was asked anything like that before she was introduced, she would never have made the cut. Or you can speculate that she was given questions like that, and McCain liked the answers she gave. We will never know.

                  Sure you can practice for the debate. Sure you can even memorize some things, and perhaps we may see some improvement on her answers Thursday. However it does not change the fact she has gone way over her head with her abilities.

                  George Will, David Frum, and David Brooks and Kathleen Parker have asked her to step down. Zakaria is now joined in the chorus of concern. I think that everyone should be taking a close look and think about one thing. Do you think based upon her interviews, that you can look at someone in their eye and say, I think Palin is presidential, and can take over in a moments notice?

                  And one other note, if Palin did step down, she would not be the first one either. Think Spiro Agnew and Thomas Eagleton in modern times. Sure saving face is ideal, however, under these circumstances, is it better to save face, or think of the good of our country. And this my fellow bloggers is coming from an Independent who would not have hestitated to vote for McCain in 2000.

                  • Posted By: Skypoint @ 09/30/2008 5:59:53 PM

                    The Peter Principle? Good one!

                    You've just described Obama perfectly!

        • Posted By: neos @ 09/29/2008 2:34:55 PM

          First of all, this garbled mess is not a gaffe. It is a clear indication of someone out of their depth struggling to regurgitate half-remembered bits of crammed material.
          Second , if a candidate is intimidated by interviewers, how is this person qualified to stand up to opponents in the real world, foreign and domestic.
          Finally , I do not dislike Sarah Palin, I feel sorry that she has to go through this humiliation. But it is not the media who are the culprits here, they are doing their job. I blame John McCain and his staff for forcing this poor woman into a role she is woefully unprepared to play. Putting her one 72-year old heartbeat away from the presidency is borderline treason and i am glad that McCain will now pay the consequences.

          • Posted By: Pallisor @ 09/29/2008 4:14:09 PM

            This poor woman? McCain is forcing her? PLEASE! I can clearly see you how much you "do not dislike this woman"! LOL! Treason for selecting her as a running mate? As if Obama has anymore real experience with his co-sponsored "name the street" type bills he attached himself to. His job as a legislator was to legislate, but I don't believe he authored even one bill that was signed into law.

            http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/obama_polishes_his_resume.html

  • Posted By: neos @ 09/30/2008 5:43:09 PM

    McCain 'suspended' his campaign vowing not to debate or resume his campaign until a deal was made on the bailout. No deal was made and Mr. Grandstander blinked, debated, and 'resumed' his campaign.
    On Faux News this morning McCain was asked if he would suspend his campaign again to work on the deal. McCain said he would do anything necessary, and didn't rule out another suspension of his campaign.
    I believe that this time he should suspend it until Nov.5th to save himself and his sidekick any further embarassment...

  • Posted By: realitybitesyou @ 09/30/2008 1:48:09 PM

    To Snowwhitemother:

    I believe the word we call you in English is racist. People like you are the reason why America is unable to keep their footing in the world. We are in the 21st century and you're stuck back in the Uncle Tom days -but even worse are the excuses used. "...Obama's eye, my daughter said his eye is so angry and evil during the debate"

    Translation: He's black and I'm scared.

    • Posted By: Jensen1990 @ 09/30/2008 1:52:54 PM

      Pretty sure i'm the one for Obama, not you. I was making a comment about your eye. Why the *** would someone not want to vote on them because of his eye? What about McCain? He has two fat cheeks. Dont vote for him because he has fat cheeks and he is old. Read some *** literature and seriously dont take advice from your *** little kids. What a joke.

      • Posted By: Jensen1990 @ 09/30/2008 1:54:21 PM

        Oh sorry. thought that was seriously something she wrote to me. My bad reality. But seriously. totally agree now that i read it from my standpoint. My words exactly.

        • Posted By: snowwhitemother @ 09/30/2008 3:52:18 PM

          Jenson, you just launch your attack without seeing who wrote the comment, pathetic!! By the way, Reality, you know who is my favour in Washington and CNN?? Colin Powell, Amy Holm and Lisa Sylvester, I definately would vote Colin Power if he is candidate, he looks calm and knew Washington, Amy Holm has a charm face and non-bias, Lisa Sylvester with a lovely and friendly smile.......again, whoever not vote Obama is racist,,,,,both of you judge people base on who they support,,,,navie...

          • Posted By: flamingo123 @ 09/30/2008 5:09:35 PM

            Snowwhitemother. Don't even try to reason with these Obama fanatics. For blogging my opinions, I was called a racist and I am immune to it. Hell, I even voted for him when he ran for US senator here in Illinois. Instead of proving what he is capable of, he has done nothing but prep himself to be the next Commander-in-chief. So call me what you want but my vote will go to Sen. McCain.

  • Posted By: silonis @ 09/30/2008 4:21:37 PM

    I think that in the debate Obama did shed some of that doubt as to whether or not he would be a good commander-in-chief. I think that diplomacy in the past 8 years have been thrown to the way side and needs to be brought back so that the world will have a good view of the USA again. He is right, you can't just ignore your enemies and expec them to go away, diplomacy is very important in foreign affairs.

  • Posted By: quasqueton @ 09/30/2008 2:09:57 PM

    Guess what, Jensen? You are such an idiot, I'm voting McCain. Thank you for losing your Messiah a vote.

    • Posted By: Jensen1990 @ 09/30/2008 2:27:55 PM

      ^^ probably one of the smartest things i have ever read about anything ever....

  • Posted By: is_graves @ 09/30/2008 1:56:09 PM

    Nader may be the only candidate who seems to have acceptable original ideas about our current economic circus...... but other than that, get real son.
    Stop looking at this in terms of "republicans v. democrats" and take it for what it is:
    A very clear choice between a loose-cannon opportunist and an intelligent mind with a background suited for global leadership.
    Nader isn't taken seriously because of his odd mix of level-headedness and radical worldview.

    • Posted By: Jensen1990 @ 09/30/2008 2:10:20 PM

      Agree. With both this statement and your last one about reforming. =) US needs to keep their nose out of SOMETHINGS. pleasee....just one thing....we cant do it all...

  • Posted By: quasqueton @ 09/30/2008 2:07:33 PM

    Wow, Jensen - you sure showed her! I had a daughter with Down's Syndrome. Glad you can laugh at that - idiot

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