Nashvill_Fan,

The problem with citizens holding government accountable is to really have an effect you have make them feel as if they will lose their positions. That takes being involved which is something the general public isn't motivated to do.  

Oringally the idea was that state legislatures were supposed to temper the growth of power in the federal legislatures.  Since state legislators were more accessible to the general public citizens had direct

It used to be individual states could nullify federal legislation it felt was unconstitutional.  After the civil war and later the Civil Rights Acts during LBJ's admin.  The idea that a state was anywhere near on equal footing with the federal government was lost.  In the end (and I'll probably take some guff for this) both the Civil War and the Civil Rights acts probably did more damage to our governmental structure, and subsequently our checks and balances, than it was worth.  Of course hindsight is 20/20.  We "solved" racial inequality by giving our federal government total control over the states.  It was a mistake.  I'm not saying something shouldn't have been done to level the playing for all people, but the route we took was heavily flawed.

This problem is compounded by the two party system.  We are only ever given two choices, and they are hardly good ones most of the time.  We are generally stuck with choosing between the stupid or the evil party.

As far doing what works.  I agree, but collectivism doesn't work.  Many nations have tried it and everytime it fails.  So if we see our government touting these collectivistic programs (and this is any admin; Bush was guilty of it too...pretty much POTUS since Coolidge was if we're honest) why would I not be justified to point out that we are attempting something that bankrupted several nations in the past?  All those "boogeymen" have been labeled that way for a reason.  There is no solution that will work for the long term in a socialist system period.

I guess with the spread of democracy - Iran has further implemented the spread of corruption.  After what happened here in 2000, does anyone really believe we will EVER know what really happened in Iran last Friday?

There was NO effort in Florida to RECOUNT every vote.  Gore is as much to blame as anyone for NOT having a strategy to deal with disenfranchisement.

By the way, what's the additional hold up in MN?  Are they still drafting their response?  Seat Al Franken, already good grief.
^^^^^^^^^^^
“Oh, Mel, you give me hope for the country!  One of you sees the truth!

Let's talke about Don't Ask, Don't Tell-it was an executive order signed by Bill Clinton.  Bush left it in place-he never said he would do otherwise.

Obama is the Commander in Chief-he does not need the congress to approve of his rescinding that order-he can do it with the stroke of a pen.  He said he WOULD rescind it.

so, what's the story?  I did not like Bush's position on this, but at least he was honest about what he would do about it-he'd leave it in place as he believed it was 'working'.

Obama just plain LIED about it.  I, for one, am sick to death of the media giving him a pass on his lies and broken promises.  This is a human rights issue…”
no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 11:13 AM)

Perfect example of using half truths to make your point.  Yes, Bill Clinton signed an executive order.  Congress took up the issue and made it a law.  Executive Order cannot “undo” law.  All he can do is push Pelosi to take it up again.  While I am hopeful he will do that once healthcare is reformed and signed into law, the news out of California where the Obama Admin filed a brief defending DOM is beyond the pale.  I am waiting and watching on this; if Prop Hate and these actions DON’T lead to an escalation to the US Supreme Court and an OVERTURNING of state referendums on Gay Marriage, I will be utterly disgusted with Obama.  You can tell him you agree (or disagree) here:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

"Deeply trooubled". isn't that the standard response for the Obama administration? North Korea fires off a few missiles, sets off a few nukes, and the US is "deeply troubled".

American citizens are "deeply troubled" too Obama. How could we have elected such a useless hack to be President.

Maybe Obama should apologize to someone in Iraq. You know, make them feel better.

From NBC's Libby Leist
The United States is "deeply troubled" by reports of violence, arrests, and voting irregularities in Iran, the State Department said this afternoon.

Spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters that the Obama administration is "closely watching" the situation in Iran, and he reiterated Vice President Biden's remarks yesterday on "Meet the Press" expressing doubt at the outcome of the election.
-------------------------------

I had doubts when the winner declared himself immediately prior to the close of the polls. I really do feel sorry for the citizens that cast their votes only to have them uncounted. Sounds familiar, doesn't it. Sad indeed...

Actually we shouldn't be troubled whatsoever by the riots and protests in Iran, it's the best thing that could happen as the people of Iran are getting sick and tired of their country being run by religious freaks and hotheads.  Don't be fooled by the top cleric ordering an investigation into the election results.  It's obviously going to be a whitewash report that verifies Ahmadinejad winning an election.

Hey Tim Sticken, NJ - Thanks for the congrats on the Lakers becoming NBA Champs.  Now what was I supposed to congratulate you on for the Knicks?  Another losing season?  Wait until the Knicks have something to crow about before asking for congrats.

Celebrate the Riots in Iran!
Magician Kobe made the Magic Disappear in 5!

Like preaching to others about the use of torture, the US doesn't have a leg to stand on regarding voter fraud due to the 2000 election and the continuing nonsense in Ohio in 2004 and now in Minnesota in 2008.

How can you point the finger at other nation's elections when you can't get it right yourself?

Did Obama call Ahmadinejad to congratulate him? Talkt ot him about Hope and Change? Maybe send him a nice fruit basket or something?

The conspiracy theorist in me thinks this will exactly what Obama needs to justify some of military intervetion or at least some continuation of provocative sanctions on Iran to preserve "the human right to democracy" all around the globe...I hope I'm wrong.  War is stupid most of the time.

Right, Obama's Cairo speech had no effect in Iran--according to the party of naysayers. The events ongoing in Iran are clearly the result of Obama's theme of hope and new beginnings that he proposed in Cairo. And even though Ach! My Demon Jihad will probably come out on top (supported by their Supreme Court, the ayatollahs), the United States now has the chance to engage AND CHANGE Iran's march toward nuclear weapons. Realities on the ground change every day--and much for the better--under the Obama administration.

Obama acts like Iran is just another US state. Maybe it's one of the 57 states he talked about during the election. Iran is country ruled by religious leaders and the piece of human debris that "won" the election.

I know Obama can't call Iran what it really is, a brutal dicatatorship gift wrapped up as a phony democracy. To do so would offend our new friends in the Middle-East.

Obama acts like Iran is just another US state. Maybe it's one of the 57 states he talked about during the election. Iran is country ruled by religious leaders and the piece of human debris that "won" the election.

I know Obama can't call Iran what it really is, a brutal dicatatorship gift wrapped up as a phony democracy. To do so would offend our new friends in the Middle-East.

Here's a "just askin" for you: I haven't seen any criticism of the suspicious outcome of the Iranian elections from our "allies" in Iraq.

Why not? Just askin'.

When asked if the United States supports an investigation into the voting irregularities, Kelly told reporters, "Iran needs to take seriously these allegations, and needs to examine these accusations very thoroughly."
------------------------------------------

The US can and should do exactly what it is doing. Iran has an "International" obligation, not just a US obligation. President Obama told them exactly what they needed to know in his speech in Cairo. Our involvement should be on an International level, it shouldn't be personal.  

What???

Did BoBo tell them he was from Muslim dicent?
Did BoBo tell them America was Sorry?
Did BoBo send them some DVD's?

Did BoBo bow down and kiss their ring?

Remember, I said I would give Bobo credit "if" Iran changed direction - well they havent - So BoBo gets the blame!

If Bush was in office none of this would have happened!!!

Actually, I dont believe that - I just wanted to make the leftist wackos on this sites heads explode.

It worked - didn't it!

To the citizens of Iran -

We Are The World

The situation in Iran is becoming more dicy with each passing hour.  I'm keeping an eye on the Alatollah Khamenei.  If he ultimately throws his support with the Iranian citizen, there will be no rebellion.  If he sticks with Ahmadinejad, prepare yourself for a major conflict.  I'm also watching the police...not the military.  The police come from the ranks of the people.  The military, at least for now, will support Ahmadinejad.  

If the police allow peaceful demonstrations, the reformers will continue protesting. Ahmadinejad was not expecting this kind of a response. So to say the least, he is out of touch with the people.  As I commented earlier today.  This does not bode well for Ahmadinejad.  Keep an eye on the Ayatollah.  

Claim: Leaked election results show Ahmadinejad came in third

http://rawstory.com/blog/2009/06/leaked-election-results-ahmadinejad-third/

The GOP is about to learn the real power of international networking...

While congressional Republicans- and unelected hangers-on like Newt Gingrich- use the old Twitter to launch insults at the opposition; others are getting the real stories coming out of Tehran.  The images- many signs asking "Where is my vote" and pleas for real democracy- are both stunning and humbling.

I wonder how Senator "Bomb Bomb" McCain feels about so many Iranians showing pro-Western viewpoints...

More gobbledegook from the White House.

Why in the world would we get involved in talks with this country?

Would anything they agreed to be worth the paper it was written on?

Remember the progress made by Madeline Albright with the North Koreans?  We supplied them with food and the technology to build nuclear power plants.  When the time ame for them to live up to their end of the bargain and allow inspection of the plants, they kicked out the inspectors.

I dont blame Clinton for trying to negotiate, but there must be a realization that when these people sit down, they will agree to anything, knowing that they will ignore their responsibities, and we will be left with no recourse.

On the other hand, this also seems to describe the Obama administration.  Remember Don't Ask, Don't Tell?  he still hasn't rescinded that executive order.

We have less than nothing to say about any election, anyplace. Ask the next three people you meet to explain the Electoral College and you will have three diffrent explanations. Elections by their nature are crooked. Candidates spend millions of lobbiest dollars to get elected for a job that pays thousands. We are not the only people who sell their souls for money. Get real!

Ron Indiana -The situation in Iran is becoming more dicy with each passing hour.  I'm keeping an eye on the Alatollah Khamenei.  If he ultimately throws his support with the Iranian citizen, there will be no rebellion.

The situation could get real dicey if it expands beyond Iraq's borders. What say the current Iraq ruling party decides their days are numbered and "goes for broke" and considers it's time to take out Israel?

This could get messy very quickly.

Ron Indiana:

I agreem with you Ron. I reserved opinion until following the election. Ahmadinejad decalred himself winner "immediately following the closure of the polls. With an election of that size and the voting system being antiquated, one would question the results. Aren't the number of youth voters out weighed by the number of older hard line supporters of
Ahmadinejad? I am with you in Keeping an eye on the Ayatollah.  

What Can I Say...

Rush was right AGAIN

hey Deeply Troubled
just tell me what W did when Korea tested nukes under his regime??   absolutely nothing, moron!!  they didnt attack us then and didnt now.  chill out - at least Obama has a brain - something W didnt have, as well as his loyals minions

Maybe Ahmadinejad used Soros like Obama did.

What???

Iran didn't elect Obama as president???

Didn't he campaign there last month?

Is this BoBO's first, of many, losses?

American citizens are "deeply troubled" too Obama. How could we have elected such a useless hack to be President.
Deeply Troubled (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 2:12 PM)

------------------------------------------------

As a fearless citizen, I fail to see any benefit of YOUR baseless and even more useless hackery of our new President. You should direct your insults at the failure that was the Bush admin., the GOP and yourself for supporting them and the multi-faceted mayhem that they have visited on this country.

The Iranian election debackle illustrates the problem in their society that exists between their controling Muhlas and the younger and female citizens.

There was an interesting discussion on Zakaria's GPS yesterday. It is clear that the unrest in Iran is greater than we thought previously.

The best thing for the President and for all of us to do is to CHILL out and see where this all leads.

More change may occur, but now no body knows the ultimate outcome.

I take an important lesson from all this. In 2000 and 2004 there were some irregularites here, a fact that most on both sides agree to.

The past election was not a fluke and the results were clear enough that no one could complaign that someone stole the election. Democracy is sloppy, but in a FREE country when the people get behind a candidate, change happens.

If the Iranians allow a stolen election to stand, then they lose more credibility with the rest of the world. Not our problem and the outcome could be most helpful.

Oh, and for the naysayers, Netanyaho's introduction of a 2 state solution in his speech was the first new development in that matter. The policy change occured, of course, after the President's trip a speech, but that was just a cooincidence, eh?

I'm sure the chickenhawk crowd will yap and blab about getting tough with Iran...too bad they wont serve or pay for it though.

On the other hand, this also seems to describe the Obama administration.  Remember Don't Ask, Don't Tell?  he still hasn't rescinded that executive order.

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 2:40 PM)
*****************************************************
thats because it was initially made by an executive order, but was turned into a LAW.

"Don't ask, don't tell is the common term for the policy about homosexuality in the U.S. military mandated by federal law Pub.L. 103-160 (10 U.S.C. § 654)."

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/10/654.html

your half truths are showing you are nothing more than a propaganda artist with minimal integrity, and absolutely no honesty.  americans like you disgust me.

What???

Did BoBo tell them he was from Muslim dicent?
Did BoBo tell them America was Sorry?
Did BoBo send them some DVD's?

Did BoBo bow down and kiss their ring?

Remember, I said I would give Bobo credit "if" Iran changed direction - well they havent - So BoBo gets the blame!

If Bush was in office none of this would have happened!!!

Actually, I dont believe that - I just wanted to make the leftist wackos on this sites heads explode.

It worked - didn't it!
BoBo the Prez (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 2:32 PM)

-----------------------------------------------

Since you know so much, please answer the following:

1. What should we do...what specific actions should we take with Iran at this moment given the current unrest?
2. How does such action not make it appear that we are meddling...or worse, aiding in a coup as we did in 1953 (which is how se got in this whole "Middle East Mess" in the first place)?

Ron, IN, I agree.  Thanks for your clear-headed assessment.  What happens in Iran has major consequences way beyond its borders...and the world is watching.

hey Deeply Troubled
just tell me what W did when Korea tested nukes under his regime??   absolutely nothing, moron!!  they didnt attack us then and didnt now.  chill out - at least Obama has a brain - something W didnt have, as well as his loyals minions
lou, pottsville PA


W isn't around anymore you hack. Your guy Obama came in with all the answers to everyone problems. Can't see how he could, seeing he doesn't even understand the questions.

I will NEVER believe certain things as truths in life, and I won't go there today from the past, but I also will NEVER believe that the election results in Iran were that far apart.  Where are the Exit Polls this country has when you need them?

hey Deeply troubled - Again, I ask?  What did W do??  absolutely nothing. so, it was okay when he did nothing to N. Koreas nuke test, but, Oh My God - Obama did nothing.  like all you idiot, moronic, thoughtless, lemmings called republicans - you cant face the truth that your guy was a Moron, and now we've a President who can actually think!!

Oh Boy, we have the republicana, hard core warmonger on the war path on here too.
Cannot stop talking about OBAMA, you know what? you deserve an asinine president like Bush, then you can wallow in the depression,deficit,disorder country he created, like pig in the mud.
I may not agree with everything he is doing, but he deserve respect for what he is doing that its working.
We have not collapsed yet right? We have not taken over the states right? We are advocating socialism , right?
Tell you the problem I have, to many old farts in congress with a robotic mentality who cannot understand the world is going in a new directions.
Helath insurance has to be solved somehow and I beleive the tax money we pay should be used for the people to provide benefit that are necessary.
Health insurance should be non-profit, you can still pay doctor well right? Get USAA to manage and will be a success, military-retired and civilians management.

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