First thoughts: Culture wars return?

Posted: Monday, June 01, 2009 9:22 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** Culture wars return? On such a busy day in politics -- GM’s bankruptcy announcement, President Obama’s upcoming trip to the Middle East and Europe, today’s oral arguments before the Minnesota Supreme Court in the never-ending Franken-Coleman contest, Sen. John Ensign’s speech in Iowa, Mitt Romney’s address in DC, and the liberal “America’s Future Now!” confab in DC -- the biggest story could very well be yesterday’s slaying of Kansas abortion doctor George Tiller. The killing (along with the Sotomayor SCOTUS nomination and the president’s recent speech at Notre Dame) has the potential to return the culture wars to prominence in American politics. Obama, who has sought to find common ground on abortion and campaigned in part to “turn the page” on the culture wars, released a statement yesterday saying that he was “shocked and outraged” by Tiller’s murder. “However profound our differences as Americans over difficult issues such as abortion, they cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence,” he added. Both pro-choice and pro-life groups condemned the murder. But there was one exception: Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry. “George Tiller was a mass-murderer,” he said in a statement. “We grieve for him that he did not have time to properly prepare his soul to face God.” The mainstream anti-abortion community has to be nervous about Terry’s comments and actions over the next 48 hours.

Video: A suspect has been arrested in the killing of Dr. George Tiller, one of the nation's few providers of late-term abortions, who was shot and killed in his church in Wichita, Kan. NBC’s Janet Shamlian reports.

*** Government Motors? At the White House at 11:55 am ET, Obama will announce that the U.S. government is pushing GM into bankruptcy protection and will give it another $30 billion, bringing the taxpayer investment in the auto giant to $50 billion. Obviously, the Obama administration is pretty confident it knows what it’s doing now, but GM is no Chrysler. And while it does look like some form of Chrysler will survive -- thanks to a merger with Fiat -- just what will the new GM look like? The fact that the government will own a majority stake in the new GM is both good news and bad news for taxpayers. The good news: The government is getting something for its money; it's not a bailout with no strings attached. The bad news: It's government intervention at its most obvious. We don't expect the government ownership of GM to be a political liability in the short term, but what about long term? What if GM doesn't perform or doesn't start to turn things around in the next three to four years? Will Republicans be able to use this as proof that too much government is a bad thing? By the way, will this new $30 billion be enough for GM? Or now that we're in for a penny, doesn't that mean we'll be in for a pound (or more dollars?).

Video: General Motors, the auto giant that ruled American industry for more than 50 years, is filing for bankruptcy today. The move is likely to result in thousands of additional job cuts. CNBC’s Phil LeBeau and Erin Burnett report.

*** The GOP’s (near) silence: Six months ago, remember when Sen. Bob Corker and other Republicans were essentially saying, “Let GM go into bankruptcy.” They probably never thought the young Obama administration would end up doing this. Strikingly, we haven’t seen any real criticism from Republicans on this bankruptcy (although the RNC did distribute a press release with the headline “Government Motors”). The likely reason: because they would be doing the same if they controlled the White House. However, organized labor trusts a Democratic administration to put them in bankruptcy, and probably wouldn’t be as cooperative if this were a Republican administration.

Video: Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., discusses Judge Sonia Sotomayor's 2001 comments about her judicial perspective with NBC’s David Gregory on “Meet the Press.”

*** Sotomayor update: On Tuesday, Sonia Sotomayor will go up to Capitol Hill for meetings with Sens. Harry Reid (D), Pat Leahy (D), and Jeff Sessions (R). But let's not beat around the bush: Barring an unforeseen fact or a dreadful performance at the confirmation hearing itself, Sotomayor will be on the Supreme Court by October 1. The weekend rhetoric from elected Republican senators seemed to suggest that whatever comfort level they had for attacking the nominee last week completely disappeared -- thanks to the overheated attacks by Gingrich, Limbaugh, et al. In particular, Sessions signaled the change in tone on “Meet,” when he refused to condone the "racist" chatter. The thing that must frustrate a Sessions and some other elected Republicans is that Sotomayor's "wise Latina woman" comments were fair game until Rush and Newt spoke. So instead of Sessions' criticism of the remarks as proof of some sort of judicial bias, only the part of Sessions' statement that criticizes Limbaugh gets covered.

*** Obama’s European (and Middle Eastern) vacation: On Tuesday evening, Obama departs on a five-day trip through the Middle East and Europe. On Wednesday, Obama will be in Saudi Arabia, where he will meet with King Abdullah. On Thursday, he’s in Cairo, Egypt, where he gives his big speech on America and the Muslim world. On Friday, he’ll be in Germany visiting the Buchenwald Concentration Camp. On Saturday, he’s in Normandy for the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landing. And he returns to the United States on Sunday.

Video: Jordan's King Abdullah II discusses U.S. foreign policy under former President Bush and President Obama with NBC’s David Gregory on “Meet the Press.”

*** I am liberal, hear me roar: So what does the left think of Obama and his administration? We’ll get an answer starting today, when the liberal version of CPAC takes place in DC. The three-day event, organized by the group Campaign for America’s Future, has been previously known as the "Take Back America" conference. But now that Democrats control the White House and Congress, the group has changed the name to the tamer (yet more punctuated) "America’s Future Now!" Even though Obama has disappointed some liberals with his decisions to send more troops to Afghanistan, to oppose releasing photos of detainee abuse, and to oppose nationalizing the banks, organizers tell First Read that -- for the most part -- they're very happy with the course the White House has charted. Today’s prominent speakers include Biden economic adviser Jared Bernstein, Organizing for America's Mitch Stewart, Howard Dean, and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis. And here are some of today’s more notable panels: The Economy: OMG!; Progressives in the Age of Obama; Kick Them When They’re Down? How the Right Plans to Come Back and What Can Be Done about It; and the Grand Inquest: Torture, Presidential Abuse and Accountability.

*** The never-ending recount: Also today, the Minnesota Supreme Court begins hearing oral arguments in the ongoing Franken-Coleman race, which has now lasted a whopping 209 days beyond Election Day. As the Minneapolis Star Tribune puts it, “Almost seven months after a U.S. Senate election that was too close to call, five justices of the Minnesota Supreme Court will hear arguments Monday on whether problems with absentee ballots justify reversing a lower-court ruling that declared DFLer Al Franken a 312-vote winner over Republican Norm Coleman… A decision upholding the lower-court ruling could end the protracted struggle and allow Franken to join the Senate, giving Democrats an invincible majority. A ruling for Coleman wouldn't return him to the Senate, but could keep his hopes alive and delay a final decision for months.”

Video: MSNBC’s Ed Schultz talks with Minnesota’s Secretary of State Mark Ritchie about why the Senate needs to seat Al Franken immediately.

*** 2012 watch: Tonight, Nevada Sen. John Ensign (R) dips his toes into the 2012 waters when he delivers a speech in Sioux City, IA at 8:00 pm ET.

An Ensign spokesman tells First Read that the senator’s speech will discuss GOP ideas on education, health care, and national security -- and their differences with the Democrats’ ideas. Of course, the words “John Ensign” and “presidential candidate” haven’t appeared together much, if ever. But clearly, Ensign has looked around the Senate, looked around the GOP, and realized what a lot of us have realized: There's no obvious front-runner for 2012 or even a group of front-runners. So why not, right? We've wondered what Obama's election would do to other senators. For years, senators were told they'd never get to the White House, and the stats proved it. Now, with governors in general less popular now than before, having a well-rounded issue experience that a senator gets may mean more to voters than so-called executive experience. Ensign is the son of casino executive, and who knows if the social conservative wing of the GOP will be ready to embrace him? But the guy has both the looks and conservative bona fides on many other issues to make him an interesting potential candidate to watch.

*** 2012 watch, part II: Also today, at 11:00 am in DC, Mitt Romney gives a speech (sponsored by the conservative Heritage Foundation) on the need for a stronger military.

Countdown to NJ GOP primary: 1 day
Countdown to VA Dem primary: 8 days
Countdown to Election Day 2009: 155 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 519 days

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Comments

Air Force One disembarks in 30 hours

Once upon a time, a time not so long ago, Americans adhered to the notion of “loyal opposition”. It was well accepted that when the POTUS was on foreign soil he was representing all Americans, and all Americans temporarily lay aside partisan bickering to support our leader.

When Nixon visited China, Democrats stood-down and became the loyal opposition. When Kennedy was in France and introduced himself as the husband of Jackie Kennedy, Republicans saw the humor, did not call him weak, and remained quiet. So it was when our President landed on foreign soil, all Americans supported our leader.

Times have changed since the early 60’s. Tomorrow a gaggle of news correspondents, where were only children during the Nixon and Kennedy administrations, will be sending a steady stream of instant analysis for their consumers. Even when the President accepted a gook from Hugo Chavez, Obama’s every move was scrutinized under a microscope, like a biology student dissecting a frog. Ugly attacks will come from Morning Joe, Pat Buchanan, Rush Limbaugh and all the other rightwing nuts. That is not loyal opposition as we once knew it. It is mean-spirited partisanship.

As for me, along with millions of Americans, I will say a short prayer that in these perilous times our President will return home safely. Oh, and yes, the same short prayer was said on behalf on Nixon, Reagan, Bush 41 and 43. If you have trouble wishing for our President’s safe return, you not part of the loyal opposition.

Pat in Boston:

Your comments regarding the snubbing of the Queen at Normandy led me to thinking about the circumstances surrounding Obama’s invitation. It was at one of the two summits (G-8 or the NATO meeting) when Obama accepted an invitation to visit Russia. Then PM Sarkosy invited him to Normandy, and later that week Obama was invited to Germany. The nature of the initiation may have been personal in nature, like two guys going fishing: Let’s board Marine One, visit Omaha beach and spend some time getting to better know each other. In retrospect, I’m not sure it was really a snub…but maybe simply a personal invite.

Ron Indiana (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:27 AM)

First Read; "Obama, who has sought to find common ground on abortion and campaigned in part to “turn the page” on the culture wars, released a statement yesterday saying that he was “shocked and outraged” by Tiller’s murder. "

Obama is "shocked and outraged over this murder", but doesn't seem even a bit upset over a million and half abortions performed in the US every year.

His Reaction Is Telling (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:28 AM)

Amazing… appears the whack jobs are in full throttle now… knew it wouldn’t be much longer before this kind of cr@p started again.

Now they’re hunting down other human beings while they worship! And a doctor no less!

My my… they are so PROUD and cling to their guns and religion. Then they walk into a place of worship and KILL another human being! This is JUST so WRONG and disturbing on so many levels it’s hard to put into perspective!!! The whack jobs want to STAY ON their argument that an embryo is a life no matter what… on one hand…and then turn around and allow it to be perfectly acceptable to kill another human (especially in a CHURCH!) on the other!! Huh??

It’s only Monday morning but the rabid right wing whack jobs have already won the hypocrite of the week award!

Can’t wait to see the defense strategy on this one!

We’re off to a hell of a start! Fasten your seat belts… me thinks this week is going to be a bumpy ride!

And guys here at FR – I think I speak for the majority on this board when I say why does NBC & MSNBC continue to just play the ‘snippet’ from the Sotomeyer speech ad nauseam and not the full context? You guys are better than this!

Ps: Happy belated B-Day Jawillie – Hope it was memorable!

Pss: Keith O’ if you reading… whatever you do… don’t take down the bouncing LUSH! I’m ROTFLMAO every time I see it!

Feisty Redhead Roselle,IL (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:28 AM)

Where is the moral compass?This heinous act only gives evidence that the bible stumpers are hypocrites, and murders. What an oxymoron! Save the baby and kill the doctor; a high-quality health care provider. The right wing nuts are surely going to be even more marginalized now. As of today, my opinion, still remains these people are hypocrites, nuts; Crazy! Believe me this is not an overspecialization or blanket statement. This non sequitur applies only to those if you who know who you are, keep thumping and rolling yourselves in the pages of the Bibles. Maybe you you get locked there in antiquity.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:30 AM)

So GM and Chrysler now both can provide government backed sub-prime financing for their prodcuts. You can buy one of these automakers products at interest rates well below market interest rates. Isn't this the same behavior that got the housing market into trouble? And what about Ford? They've played by the rules, have not declared bankrupcy, but the government is rewarding GM and Chrysler by helping them provide more competitive financing then Ford can provide.

See anything wrong with this picture America?

Car Jock (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:32 AM)

FR: So what does the left think of Obama and his administration?

Oh, I bet the socialists of the country just love Obama.

Control Freaks (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:33 AM)

If the fed hadn't pumped the market with so much undeserved credit the market wouldn't have failed so beautifully and the financials wouldn't have resorted to such shady tactics to try and salvage themselves. Isn't government intervention in the market just grand!
Jonathan Flint, MI (Sent Friday, May 29, 2009 6:01 PM)
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Actually Fed Policy is not dictated by the government due to the fact that the Federal Reserve is a private organization. They actually have continued to cause problems throughout the last 80 years and should be abolished or nationalized.

If there was valid govt. regulation such as stricter borrowing ratios, we would not have the bubbles you see...but get rich quick america would go bye bye.

The fact that banks can create money out of thin air as long as they have 1/10th the cash on hand smacks of the high margins they would allow in the 20's right before the great depression.

GP NW Indiana (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:33 AM)

North Korea anyone?

pat huntington ny (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:34 AM)

Lol pat, boston ma its funny how you think republicans are leaving the union Lol!!!! cause like, Lol!!! in 1860/1861 im pretty sure the radical democrats in the south seceded and left the union. Lol!!! and remember how most of them left because a republican (lincoln) won the presidency? Lol!!! lame show at republicans because not only was it an epic fail but you just made fun of democrats.
________
dan, I appreciate your thoughts. 1860/1861? Like, huh? Wasn't it some republicans in Texas who brought up the idea of leaving the union recently?

Thanks for the history lesson. I think. Lol!!!

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:36 AM)

Here we have a judge that has worked very hard to be a nominee for a position to highest court in the land.
To think even in casual passing that she can and has the right to seperate those above and below or "better" than anyone else shows a pure lack of consideration of the struggles of others and a self centerness of her own struggles.
I believe that her future judgments will be tainted by only the small perspective of her own life, not the intent of the "Law".
Americans can not risk the future of Courts and Laws by having some one that is self absorbed with a unequaled bias of civil rights and bigotry. The "Law" and those interpretation of those "Laws" should never be secured with individual bias of character but should be biased for the good of all equally. The acceptance of any "better" equivocation returns no equity to those processes of "Law".

BJ, CA (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:37 AM)

Why has FR not registered as paid lobbyists, pimps, and patently obvious, unctuously fawning prostitutes for the Empty Suit Messiah?

Catarina Caravaggio, Boston, MA (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:37 AM)

FOX destroys MSNBC in the ratings consistently!!

You Decide (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:38 AM)

The Economy: OMG!; Progressives in the Age of Obama; Kick Them When They’re Down?
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Our president didn't want the US treasury to be the CEO. I applaud him and am very pleased with a president who at least wants to restore an economy and give US the taxpayers a return on our money. It looks likes less is more.

The challenges ahead are many and some of the crises we face may seem like a slippy slope but I believe that President Obama has instilled a new spirit of cooperation and can-do willpower. Isn't that why his numbers are still good? We are the United States of America. American which means by the suffix--I can.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:38 AM)

The next economic fizzle...North Korea...they need a bailout?
What's North Korea's GDP?
Can the South buy them out?

BJ, CA (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:41 AM)

Ron, you may be correct behind the reason why Queen Elizabeth was not invited to Normandy. I do think that a 65th anniversary is a pretty big one. But perhaps I had it wrong. Maybe it was just a personal extension to President Obama.

Thanks for the insights. I surely was a little amazed by the non-invite that's for sure. So I appreciate you taking the time to give your perspective. It makes perfect sense.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:42 AM)

His Reaction Is Telling (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:28 AM)
Obama is "shocked and outraged over this murder", but doesn't seem even a bit upset over a million and half abortions performed in the US every year.
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Hey Reaction
What is your reaction to a whacked out group who killed a professional and thousands in an unjustifiable war?

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:43 AM)

Obama’s European (and Middle Eastern) vacation
- First Read
=====================================================

Vacation?

Really?

What an interesting word choice . . . I can't quite figure out what it's supposed to mean . . . guess it's Monday.

About the "culture war" comment:

The muted media coverage about the murder of this Kansas doctor in his church is quite astounding . . . have we really become so callous that the vicious murder of someone at their church is just another political event to be scored like a baseball game?

About the GM bankruptcy:

When the Republican party had the opportunity to offer insight into what to do about GM and Chrysler, their response was to bash the unions and do nothing.

So for all the the blah blah about Government motors and government control, we are at this point because the free wheeling free market failed. Again.

America needs jobs. America needs to manufacture things. And letting GM and Chrysler die accomplishes neither goal.

So complain all you want, but I want to thank the Obama Administration for DOING something, MAKING deadlines, FORCING the unions and bond holders to do what HAD TO BE DONE to give these companies a chance.

It's called EFFECTIVE government intervention, and I could get used to it.

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:44 AM)

A Gitmo Bay video game with a former detainee???!??!?!?
http://www.governmentalityblog.com/my_weblog/2009/06/gaming-gitmo-from-torture-to-xbox-360.html

JDon, NYC (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:44 AM)

That idiot racist john ensign can test the waters all he wants but he'll soon find out that he will only attract a small minority of deadbeat false patriots. His ilk are the ones who are responsible for wrecking our country's honor and economy and we can never let this kind of trash dishonor the White House.

So nice that Liberals are back in charge of the government so that we can clean up the mess left by the incompetent conservative Keystone Kops gang of criminals. Hear us roar little limpwristed conservative crybabies and cringe in terror as we take even more seats away from you next election cycle.

I hope that whomever killed the abortion doctor gets found and prosecuted to the farthest extent of the law and gets the death penalty. About time to stand up to these domestic terrorists and to declare war on them. The pro lifers talk a good game about being pro life yet they'll kill in a heartbeat to get their way making them nothing but hypocrites.

In Obama We Trust!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:45 AM)

And should we not blame - at least partially - the overblown and fiery rhetoric of the right wing talkers for this new "war" and the subsequent literal and metaphorical violence that has already overcome the nation?

http://www.political-buzz.com/

matt (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:46 AM)

Re: Disappointing PROGRESSIVES and liberals, FR left out our disappointment over a real reckoning for the torturers, those who wrote justifications for torture and those who ordered torture. A Truth and Reconciliation Commission is the best approach. Those who step forward and fully detail their involvment in torture would not be prosecuted. Those who fail to disclose fully their involvement or refuse to appear should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. No matter how much 'good' the Obama administration achieves, I cannot support it until the international crimes that torture constitute are fully and justly addressed. Condoning crimes because they are 'past' is not just faulty logic, but also arguably a violation of the President's oath of office. President Obama has yet to grasp fully the legal jeopardy he faces on this issue.

Cub Reporter, Portland, Maine (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:47 AM)

Obama, One and Done/Atlanta (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:49 AM)

Amazing… appears the whack jobs are in full throttle now… knew it wouldn’t be much longer before this kind of cr@p started again. Feisty Redhead Roselle,IL (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:28 AM)
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"this kind of cr@p", you mean like when Earth Liberation Front or Greenpeace or PETA the other self-righteous ecomarxists spike trees so lumberjacks are killed, or torch SUV's at car dealerships or torch new housing subdivisions to save the planet or trespass and destroy laboratories and release potentially deadly lab animals into the wild? That kind of cr@p?

Robert Underdunk Terwilliger, Springfield, USA (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:50 AM)

I second that Beverly. Prayer's to Dr Tiller's family. They didn't deserve this. That's the one thing that really, really pisses me of about right wing nut jobs. Believing it's OK to killer another, yet spouting out how much GOD is in their lives. I don't believe God would be promoting this horrible action. "Thou shalt not kill"?

cindy, las vegas, nv (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:50 AM)

Randall Terry is a domestic terrorist aided and abetted by the right wing idealogues, Faux News, Glenn Beck, Ann Coulter, Limbaugh and not the least conservative radio loudmouths. These so called Americans are also encouraged by members of COngress who do not denounce them and use them to further their own agendas cloaked in a certain respectability given them by the MSM.

There is no one of the MSM who will denounce any of these angry bitter malcontents from what they do, the encouragement of interviewing them and repeating their claims does nothing but encourage more hateful rhetoric. Is there no one to call it for what it is? Domestic Terrorism.

Spare me the first amendendment rights nonsense, that is only a license to abuse and incite ignorant people with violent tendendcies. The Randall Terrys' of this world belong in a place like Gitmo with the other extremists. NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO KILL SOMEONE FOR THEIR WORK OR THEIR BELIEFS not matter how distastful or how much we may disagree.

Gingerbread Mamma, Jupiter, Fl. (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:52 AM)

Very disturbing actions taken,both by the shooter in this case and the comments by Randall Terry,my guess is his group Operation Rescue isn't a liberal thinking bunch.My guess is that this is the kind of group that Cheney would be welcome to address.And there complete disregard for the life of another human, that was murdered in his church.My guess is that with all the whinning from the alumni at ND,it has ripped the scab off a issue, that has ended with this sad event.Today Norm Colemen gets his shot at round three of the republican obstruction.The cost is now climbed above the 50 million dollar mark,after the Colemen camp made this statement,"If it where myself,and I was behind after the votes where counted,I would not challenge the courts count.But since Norm is 0-2 on his farewell tour,and the state has spent millions of dollars on his constant complaining law team,and all the crap they have been boo-hooing about.

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:52 AM)

Hey Mark Murray - Which team in President Obama picking to win the NBA Finals? Please get Chuck Todd on the ball to ask Robert Gibbs this all important question. After he did such a great job showing us his March Madness bracket picks I'm surprised that Obama doesn't have a pick for the NBA Finals.

I'm glad that President Obama is going to Europe and the Middle East to restore our tattered image from the bushwhacker tyranny. It will be so good to see him instead of the bushwhacker going to Normandy this year. I'm also interested in seeing his speech in Egypt as he tries to undo the unholy crusade started by George the Chickenhearted.

I hoper the oral arguments don't last long so the Minnesota Supreme Court can render it's decision to declare Senator Al Franken the winner soon. Time for these disgusting delaying tactics to end and to get all of our Senators seated.

Seat Senator Al Franken Now! Ha Ha!
Go Lakers!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:52 AM)

Our dear president Obama is intentionally bringing us to a state of Socialism. His almighty desire to control businesses, large and small, banks, oil and even people lives is the basis of a dictator in the making.

He has done NOTHING for the economy except waste money. He has already spent 5 times the amount George W. Bush spent in 8 years and the promise to spend more is still coming. He is of the ACORN mentality, a radical in a suit and tie.

He has done nothing but sit on his a$$ and let North Korea walk all over the U.S. He is listless, confused and generally lost without a teleprompter.
But you people got what you wanted and you will pay the price for it.

Obie choice of Sotomayor for Supreme Court justice proves that his presidency has now turned to race more than ever. I just hope the GOP won't back down.

Obie resents all that America is and wants to change it to his way of thinking, forgetting the Constitution and the honesty and integrity that is "supposed" to dignify his cabinet picks. He has excuses for everything he has intentionally done wrong, still using many of Bush's policies but still blaming Bush. He is spending us into oblivion.

He was NEVER qualified for the job in the first place. He talks a good show while jetting around to Chicago and New York, leading the high life while he wants to punish achievers while giving freebees to those who intentionally won't work, "spreading the wealth."

It will come to a Revolution if he lasts long enough. How much Americans will put up with in general is still to be answered but their tempers sre getting shorter and shorter with every passing day that Barack Hussein Obama is president of the United States.

Bad Chihuahua (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:56 AM)

I hope that whomever killed the abortion doctor gets found and prosecuted to the farthest extent of the law and gets the death penalty. About time to stand up to these domestic terrorists and to declare war on them. The pro lifers talk a good game about being pro life yet they'll kill in a heartbeat to get their way making them nothing but hypocrites.Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:45 AM)
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Perfect Eric! Domestic Terrorists is exactly what they are! Bunch of rat a@@ed bastards! I’m so pi$$ed about this and the lack of attention by the MSM that I’m having a hard time putting it in words today! So thanks I couldn’t have said it better myself!
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Nonsense indeed, but lately, that's all that the right wing has been ranting about.

I force myself to listen to right wing talk radio on the commute home, about 40 minutes, it's all I can deal with and it allows me some insight into the rabid right's mindset. Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Saturday, May 30, 2009 2:19 PM)
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You’ve got more patience than I do – I’ve tried in the past and it’s not a pretty sight! Thanks for keeping you ‘ears’ on the whack jobs! Stop in more often... haven't heard as much of you as we used to :0)

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:56 AM)

You Decide : '... FOX destroys MSNBC in the ratings consistently!!...'

I noticed that Circus Circus had Fox and HLN on its' TV's but no CNN or MSNBC
During my vacation, we stayed at motels in Nevada, Utah and Wyoming.
None had MSNBC on their cable lineup (even though some listed MSNBC, it was not accessible)...
ALL had Fixed

Is this how Fixed raises its' ratings in the Mountain West ?

I intend to email Circus Circus
Thanks for the reminder You decide !!

MSierra, SF (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:56 AM)

IntheMIddle, TX (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:57 AM)

I am pro-choice, however could never support late term abortions like this doctor perfomed. Having said that, for someone to murder this man, especially in a church, is a rediculous and horrible way to vent your disagreemnt with what this man did.

B, La. (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:58 AM)

The extremists are certainly not helping the republican party. This last week we had rush and newt blabbing about what a racist Sotomayor is and then we had the assassination of doctor in his place of worship.

Is it any wonder the republicans can't seem to get traction?

Chris - IL (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 10:00 AM)

You can bet that the Obama trip overseas will be watched very closely by republicans. All they want to do is complain about this man instead of trying to work with him

Fixed News Translator (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 10:00 AM)

Operation Rescue should be named a terrorist organization and it's members should be tried for suporting murder. No way we should allow this disgusting terrorist organization which supports murder to remain active another second. Yeah how pro life is supporting murder?

Yeah kind of funny how the repugnant ones are mum about GM going into bankruptcy, they wanted to see GM go down the tubes of a liquidation bankruptcy 6 months ago so that the UAW would really be screwed. Atleast President Obama has saved many jobs by giving GM and Chrysler time and money to get their acts reorganized into more profitable ventures without losing so many American jobs. Still a sad day for America when two of the big three automakers goes through bankruptcy because of clueless mismanagement at the top.

In Obama We Trust!
Go Lakers!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 10:00 AM)

I'd like to thank those who responded to my post on the 30th. Perhaps I will post it again at a later date. But as far as the culture wars, I think at this point it primarily exists at the grassroot level. Obama has no interest in picking up pointless 90's political fights. Actually, I think it's too cynical to call a tragic/shocking murder an aspect of the Republican political culture war. But you must wonder how correct the DHS report on right-wing extremist groups was and how many more incidents will occur by anti-government types. I remember Mitt Romney and other Republicans approving of GM's bankruptcy, and perhaps they have been too distracted by Pelosi and SCOTUS...but it won't be the last time you hear about 'Government Motors' even if McCain would have essentially done the same thing Obama would have.

Cjake (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 10:01 AM)

Isn't it just fabulous poetic justice that the viral spewing done by Limpball, Insannity, and the Newtster about Judge Sotomayor totally backfired right in their faces? It is my hope they are not stiffled by the elected officials of the GOP. This is fabulous. You can't make this sh--t up! Keep on spewing boys, keep on spewing!

Lisa B in FL (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 10:02 AM)

FOX destroys MSNBC in the ratings consistently!!

You Decide (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:38 AM)
******************************************************
This coming from the same group that states political approval ratings (i.e., popularity contests) are unimportant. so i don't see why you claim ratings for TV news (i.e., a popularity contest) to be important. is it only when statistics promote your preferences that they should be heeded?

and i wonder how much ratings are affected by all the bars, restaurants, businesses and such here and across the nation that are tuned to FNC, while the jukebox is blaring over the muted volume on the TV? all i know is when i go to people's houses, FNC isn't on while CSPAN, MSNBC, and CNN are...

Tzalaran (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 10:02 AM)

I always wonder how Republicans can be 'pro life' and yet, support the death penalty...

Steven, Highlands Ranch, (BLUE) Colorado (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 10:03 AM)

I do hope the Obama administration can stand back and not have the government play an overactive role in the management of GM. While as majority shareholders, it is their job to make sure the company is well run, they need to recognize that the government is not a market driven organization and only a market driven GM will come back to life.

On the plus side, there have been previous government takeovers of private industry (all railroads in WWI, Conrail in the 1970s) and the government did a good job of getting out once they were no longer needed. Conrail was a huge success story in that it took a handful of northeast railroads that were all failing, merged them into one massive corporation, and then let the company management bring it back to health. The result was the public sale of Conrail (through stock) in 1987. It kept rail service alive in the northeast in the 70s and 80s and kept a crucial industry from totally collapsing.

Chris - IL (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 10:06 AM)

B, La. - agree totally. I am not pro abortion. I wish women didn't have to go there. I am, and will remain always, pro choice. This is such a hard subject to discuss. I'm sure the attackers will be going after my statements, my day to take the beating!

cindy, las vegas, nv (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 10:06 AM)

"this kind of cr@p", you mean like when Earth Liberation Front or Greenpeace or PETA the other self-righteous ecomarxists spike trees so lumberjacks are killed, or torch SUV's at car dealerships or torch new housing subdivisions to save the planet or trespass and destroy laboratories and release potentially deadly lab animals into the wild? That kind of cr@p?
Robert Underdunk Terwilliger, Springfield, USA (Sent Monday, June
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ummm.. Excuse me Mr. Underdink… I never said I condone that type of behavior – and by the way just who have they killed?? You yourself said above they’re trying to save the planet…

NOT KILL DOCTORS WHILE THEY’RE ATTENDING CHURCH SERVICES!

If you can’t see the difference – we’ll make sure we call the guys in the little white coats & nets to assist you!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 10:06 AM)

GM doesn't deserve to succeed or get a bailout if all they can produce is a $40,000+ (in today's dollars) electric car that won't hit the streets until 2011 or 2012. What a bunch of crap! It will be obsolete and overpriced by many foreign vehicles that will be on the streets by next year.

Brian, Cedar Hill, TX (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 10:07 AM)

From Friday's posting:

Anita - I don't follow your posts they just draw attention for being so rediulously idiotic! B, La. (Sent Friday, May 29, 2009 4:29 PM)

B:
Evidently you do, Nervous are we-- I didn’t say that every President is a murderer that declares war…this one is and did. Where were the WMD’s? What sound logical reasoning was there to justify war in Iraq? Why was Saddam Hussein captured and murdered? Why were the be-headings of innocent civilians caused? Why have thousands of families suffered the loss of their loved ones in a war unnecessarily?

Why did over one hundred thousand citizens of that country lose their lives? Why were Americans captured, rounded up and shipped to GITMO that weren’t apart of 9/11? Why were the detainees, beaten, murdered and sexually molested? Why were the laws of the Geneva Convention violated? Why can’t he or Cheney leave American soil to travel abroad…other than Canada? Because they run the risk of being detained as war criminals.

Yes B, collateral damage always occurs in wars, even my simple mind understands that, and we accept those losses when the war is out of necessity and not out of greed and vindictiveness. Say what you will and defend what you choose not to see. But the facts are transparent and sustainable by proof.

Ironically I am … not the only” stupid” person out here and neither was the “majority” in November, nether are the other “stupid countries that want a piece of their asses. Appears as though it is you that lead the pack for stupidity. You are talking about a man that pissed on the citizens of New Orleans, did he not? The death of the Anthrax scientist is still under investigation.

Collateral damages in war is something I and my colleagues understand very well, especially if it’s in a war that we are fighting, to defend ourselves against an enemy that has caused our nation harm; America isn’t a bully, although we were used as such for eight years. Iraq wasn’t the war it was Afghanistan. Iraq was where we suffered heavy useless loss of life; for what reason? Oil, understand this… I don’t hate Bush I “despise” what he allowed to happen to our Nation. Good day--ah B.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 10:08 AM)

Mr. President:

Thanks for taking some of the six figure Federal Withholding I pay every year to take the First Lady out on a $20 million date in NYC. I am sure that many who are less fortunate then I appreciate the ridiculous price tag as well.

How many jobs did that $20 million create?

I can hardly wait to see what you both do to celebrate your anniversary.

You know, Tiffany's has a great selection of jewelry you can purchase for under $100k,which would be much less of a burden on we "Patriotic" taxpayers that are funding so much of your agenda.

Obama, One and Done/Atlanta
==================================================
You know I was wondering who would be the first loser to make it through with this brilliant comment.

This just in:

The President of the United States has to travel the way he does for his safety and to protect the interestes of the United States.

This is not something new - it's been that way for DECADES.

If everytime the President and the first Lady want to travel, we are going to get these smart a$$ comments, then it is going to be a long 4 years indeed.

I am sure it costs President Obama the same amount or less than it cost for President Bush to hide out in Crawford, Texas while Dick Cheney was destroying our country.

The President is working harder than any President in the modern era, and if he wants to visit this beautiful country with his beautiful wife, then I say BRAVO!

The President is not expected to be secluded in Washington for the next four years. . . I wonder how many Federal Education dollars have been wasted on a mental giant like yourself.

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 10:10 AM)

second that Beverly. Prayer's to Dr Tiller's family. They didn't deserve this. That's the one thing that really, really pisses me of about right wing nut jobs. Believing it's OK to killer another, yet spouting out how much GOD is in their lives
-----------------------------------------------------
Every major pro-life organization has denounced this murder and did so quickly. How did I know the lefties on this site would find political gold in this man's murder.

Goldberg (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 10:11 AM)

MSierra, SF: I found exactly the same in my travels last year and earlier this year too. Mine took me to the MidWest and across the northern Poconos. Later t I went thru southern states and found the same barren wasteland of opposing views. No wonder there are so many ignorant one dimensional opinions.

Gingerbread Mamma, Jupiter, Fl (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 10:11 AM)

IntheMIddle, TX (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:57 AM)

A lot of you need to get a job and stop living off of someone else.
<><><><><><><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Hey IntheMIddle in Texas

I believe you're getting personal and really ridiculous. What you don't know is anyone's lifestyle except your own. BTW: You ar on quite a bit yourself!

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 10:11 AM)

Springtime for G.M
The carving up of General Motors reminds me of
Zero Mustel in the producers.Let's See
60% for the tax payers
15% for the Bond holders
15% for the union workers
30% for the stock holders
that's 120% sweet
20 % profit
Now all we have to do is Fail and go bankrupt and
Da Der Hey it beats selling cars !
Philip of Ahaheim [OB]

Philip of Anaheim [Opinionated Bastard ] (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 10:13 AM)

So complain all you want, but I want to thank the Obama Administration for DOING something, MAKING deadlines, FORCING the unions and bond holders to do what HAD TO BE DONE to give these companies a chance.

It's called EFFECTIVE government intervention, and I could get used to it.

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 9:44 AM)

Yeah, you say this BS because you are not one of the people losing their job. Oh I forgot; you dont have a job, your on FR all day.

A lot of you need to get a job and stop living off of someone else.

IntheMIddle, TX
===================================================

First, there would be NO jobs if the companies were just allowed to IMPLODE under the GOP plan, Einstein.

Second, the only way you can know how often I am here is if you are here to read it *winky, wink*.

My "job" is to give short sighted folks like yourself the opportunity to break out of the right wing matrix and THINK FOR YOURSELVES.

Third, I am thankful to have a job and I do it well, but I appreciate your concern.

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, June 01, 2009 10:15 AM)

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