You talk about NASCARs Jimmy Johnson (#48), yet your picture shows Jeff Gordon's car (#24).

Take your hand off the car NOW!

Well,  turned off obama's 'not fixed' town hall in Montana.  This guy really does think we're stupid.  Only he does not get critical questions?  Because people are so awed by his magnificance?

His answer to the one question he planted that made sense, (how the heck we're supposed to pay for this) was typical Obama magical thinking.We can save our way into paying for it.  Right.

This is the same man who said that his $787billion stiulous package would creat 3 million jobs.  He edited that figure to 600,000 jobs created this summer.  Well, he got the numbers right-so far this year,the economy has LOST  three million jobs.  So far this summer, the economy has lost about 600,000 jobs.

is he an idiot?  I'm extolled daily on this board with paisefor his intelligence.  

Okay.  That leaves the other option.

He's a liar.

He gets away with it because of a complicit media.  Try this:  before sitting down to write yur stories, pretend he's a republican. Then see what you cover, and how you cover it.

Is the car to represent the meeting with Jimmie Johnson? He's number 48. Number 24 is Jeff Gordon, Jimmies teammate and car owner.

Watched the town hall.  Another fine job of answering questions.  Especially liked the way Pres Obama responded to the NRA member asking about how to pay.  He reminded us that the previous administration and GOP congress passed an expensive Rx plan for medicare BUT without paying for it, it was added to the debt. he also thanked the man for the respectful way he raised the question and reminded all that a good debate is respecful to both sides.

Eric, Salinas.  Yes, I am a Hawkeye fan even when I lived in San Diego.  I'm a Charger fan, too.

Can't remember who said it earlier but you're right, FR is like Cheers.  Enjoy the weekend FR staff and Cheers patrons.

Another day, another Obama Town Hall, another staged event. Obama doesn't even try to hide it anymore. More trashing of the cable news outlets. More trashing of his political enemies. More trashing of people at other townhalls that strongly disagree with him.

This time the TH was in Montana. Clearly another staged event. In summary, Obama added nothing new to the debate. Who is covered? How much it will cost? Who will pay for it? How will it be run? All questions that continue not to be answered. No questions about abortion. No questions on if illegal's are covered. No detailed questions on how in the world middle class taxes will not have to go up to pay for it. Obama's answer on that question was incoherent.

Obama has successfully insulated himself from anyone disagreeing with any of his plans. That success though makes him look like an out of touch politician, one that doesn't have the pulse of the country. Obama is now surrounded by "Yes" men and women. From here on out for Obama it's all about the political spin and not about any substance.

Good job Domenico.  Jeff Gordon, one of my favorites!

You at MSNBC sure are trying to get people to go back to MTP by putting guests on who attract viewers.  I just might have to watch Rachel this Sunday, because if she were not on I wouldn't be watching!  David Gregory is not my pick for hosting MTP.  Haven't watched in a few months and from what I'm hearing others feel the same.  

Hope you all at FR have a great weekend.  And all the posters that come here, same to you.  I'm glad I'm back.  I have one question tho, did the rabid rat dog change his name to Mookberry Moon/Moon Dawg?  

GIVE LAWRENCE O'DONNELL HIS OWN SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

They need to bring some Flash Cards for the low information voters that attend these town halls.  They all need to be hooked on phonics because all they do is watch Fox News!  

These people can not think for themselves and Cox and Friends give them the talking points for the day.  Mr. Rush Limpballs helps everyone stay on message with Anti-Semitic talking points about Obama, Nazi’s and the Jews.

My question is this:

Why won't MSNBC put these FOX NEWS people on notice for all the trash they spew to the American Public.  MSNBC and CNN needs to get tough and stop sugar coating things when the GOP FOX News start spewing toxic waste. Call the out one on one and don't be scared to get in there faces.

Obama's townhalls are like these speed dating seminars they have now in days. You get too little face time, every single word is scripted, and you hear lot of bs.

EXPECT more lies, deception and illogical explanations from Obie and his daft team of socialists. It should be a great week.

Hanity has his Freedom thing going at Kings Island Amusement Park Saturday (plug) w/Charlie Daniels and a whole mess of entertainment.

You're talking NASCAR's Jimmy Johnson but the pic is #24 Jeff Gordon. Same racing team, anyway, but Gordon is not pro-Obama.

More Town Halls? Man, they are really asking for it. A simple pie in the face will do but they won't be happy until someone really gets hurt.

I believe a whole lot of people got hurt and worse when this country was founded ..... and is Obie still stuck on 57 states? There's 50, dude.

Kind of wierd that myself and millions of others think Obie's a crook and his fave team is the Chicago White Sox who threw the 1919 World Series to the Reds, then a communist term. Do you see where Obie fits into all of this?

Thanks for the shout out from Auggie. You are too cool.

Another Great Week, FR!

Next week, can we talk about 'fact check'?  What is the process that you all undergo to publish an article here?

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

Richard, Washington State (Sent Friday, August 14, 2009 1:02 PM)
Oh, I’ll own this one.  And I will readily admit, I didn’t ‘think’ hard about it.  Often I pop off with the first ‘reaction’.  I’m charmed that you think I am better than this.  I am annoyed that you think I should ‘…rise above Republican’s penchant…’  Proving that some people are clearly held to different standards, while others seem to have none (referring to your Demonizocrat comment).  If this came off as ‘snarky superiority’, well then I missed my mark (it was intended as bitchy rhetoric), so for that I will apologize.

Are you telling me you don’t find it even remotely ironic that Laura Bush (Librarian) found her soul mate in someone who didn’t like to read?  I thought your sarcasm meter was more finely calibrated than that.  But, I guess you took some time off and threw your sense of humor under the bus?  I don’t use slang when referring to your team; I think it is cheap and demeaning.  I generally say Dems and Repubs, because it is faster to type.  I will confess that I do find G”NO”P pretty hysterical; but I use it more as an adjective than a noun, so I don’t really count that.
By the way, was that really you popping off with the 5-6 ‘one liners’ yesterday?  Are you really begrudging me some ‘end of week’ fun?  Some days I'm a great thinker - and other days I'm a reactionary fool.  It's all part of my charm package.

Hey friendlies and foes – It’s been another great week here at FR.  There is a lot of stuff going on.  I will be off stimulating the local economy in Omaha, NE – (I may or may not swing by Nelson’s office and give him my “Blue Dog, get with the program!” speech) through Monday.  At any rate – keep it real.  Have a safe weekend!

Hey Tzalaran, we miss you around here!

In 2000 my father-in-law choose hospice quality of-end-life care over the possibly 6 months of additional life in pain.  Fortunately he knew the correct questions to ask his doctor because of other family members.  I would sincerely hope that if that day comes for me that I would have that similar choices.  I support end-of-life discussions - doctors should be paid for the consultation - regardless of what options the patient may chose.

Here is the link to HR3200.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:H.R.3200:

Let's turn the tables on the repugnant ones who are screaming for ending socialism now by making sure we tell the people just what the consequences are.

Let's tell people that those who want to end socialism now are going to take away Grandpa's Social Security check and force him to have less money to live on.

Let's tell them that those who want to end socialism want to pull the plug on Grandma because they want to kill Medicare and Medicaid.

Let's tell the unemployed that those who want to end socialism want to kill Unemployment Insurance and tell them to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps.

Let's tell the hungry that those who want to end socialism now want to kill Food Stamps as a positive motivation for the hungry to go get a job.

Yes let's tell all those who receive government assistance that those who want to end socialism now want to kill the programs that help them make ends meet and tell them tough luck.

For too long we Democrats have been put on the defensive by the dopes of nope and their terrible lies.  It's time for us to go on the offensive and do unto them just as they are doing unto us.  Let's take what the repugnant ones say and twist it to the most illogical extreme worst case scenario imaginable and scare folks that the republicans want to steal their government assistance.  If scare tactics work then by golly let's stoop to their level and fight them on their own turf.  Let's scare the old folks straight back to Liberal!

So funny that Bachmann Moron Overdrive has made a verb out of Quitter Palin.  She doesn't want to be "Palinized", in other words demonized.  Hey Bachmann Moron Overdrive you're too late we have been demonizing you for years for your hateful lies and we won't be stopping until you shut up and go away.  Hey is Bachmann Moron Overdrive going to "Palinize" her son because he joined Americorps behind her back?  You Betcha!

Demonize Quitter Palin and Bachmann Moron Overdrive!

Dear firstread, do you think rapper C-murder could have gotten a better plea bargain if his name was C-involuntary-manslaughter?

Clinton said the Republicans are using scare tactics. Really?

Pray tell Bill, how is this different from the Democrats terrifying the elderly when the Republicans wanted to reform Social Security?

The Dems got out en masse and told seniors the lie that the Republicans want to take away your Social Security benefits to give tax cuts for the rich. Remember that pabulum Bill and Gore fed the masses? How is this any different?

Can't we just get rid of wine lists? Do we really have to be reminded every time we go out to a nice restaurant that we have no idea what we are doing? Why don't they just give us a trigonometry quiz with the menu?

What is the likeliehood that Sen Dodd or Gov Corzine will NOT run for re-election and allow another Democrat to try and hold their seats

Are there any moves/candidates for the 'replacement' roles ?

The American seems like it's bottomed out
How are other economies doing ?
China ? Germany ? England ? France ? Japan ? Canada ? Mexico ?

Can Obama 'Change the subject' and return to HCR in the Fall ?
What's a likely show stopper ?

"In fact, I've concluded that Eric, Salinas, from his own comments today, uses a much narrower range of information and input than even I do."
Richard, Washington State

Hey Richard, Washington State - Thanks for confirming that you don't use a bigger range of information and input than I do as you obviously spew whatever hateful lies that come off the top of your head.  From your spiteful comments you merely try to "Palinize" us Democratic commenters because you have no facts to lay on us.  We all are familiar with your fox and freaks whining points so we know where you get your ideas from.  From now on don't expect a free pass on your clueless comments.

Time to "Palinize" the Repugnant Ones!

The loud chorus against healthcare "reform" will continue until there are some solid protections against euthenasia and forced abortions, no matter how you sugar coat it now. People don't believe Obama or Gibbs.

Gibbs is a planted shill for GE/NBC- National Barack Cheerleaders. GE stands to profit mightily if Obamacare digitizes health records. GE also entered the medical testing business when they acquired Amersham in England. Soon the government will decide who will live or die. The old will have their plug pulled to save cost and the unborn will be tested for chronic illness genetic markers and aborted. And the lefites have the nerve to call the GOP Nazis!

Oh Brave New World.

Sarah Palin is a NOBODY (twitter count at only 135,000 and most are just curious).  So why does the media give her power by constantly reporting her studpid remarks! Stop giving media coverage and let her die.

Dick Armey could stand the heat so he is getting out of the kitchen

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/26128.html

John Edwards is being investigated for illegal use of campaign funds.  Why haven't John McCain/Sarah Palin, Governor of South Carolina, and Nevada Senator being investigated?  After all the Nevada Senator used funds to pay lover's teenage son, etc.

"I think Eric and MSierra both need to get back on their meds, and Anita and Feisty need to get to work.  Do their employers know they're blogging when most working people are actually working?"
Wisconsingirl

Hey Wisconsingirl - Nope I got plenty of natural meds to keep me happy, one of the benefits of living here in California.  As to getting back to work instead of blogging I own my own busines and so does Anita.  I think you should be getting back to work before your boss catches you and fires you little socialist worker drone.

Pass Health Care Reform with the Public Option!

I know it's Jeff Gordon's car. I point that out in the video. I just happened to be in the Charlotte airport and came across the car and thought it would be a fun fit with the NASCAR event at the WH on Wednesday. Thanks, as always, for reading and watching.

Mr. President, where are the millions of jobs you promised?



AP News 8_13_09
Retail Sales Dip Unexpectedly, Jobless Claims Rise
By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER, AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON – Retail sales disappointed in July and the number of newly laid-off workers filing claims for unemployment benefits rose unexpectedly last week. The latest government reports reinforced concerns about how quickly consumers will be able to contribute to a broad economic recovery.

"There is really no positive spin to put on these numbers," Jennifer Lee, an economist with BMO Capital Markets, wrote in a research note. "The U.S. consumer remains very weak. The jobs situation, while slowly improving, is still dismal."

The Commerce Department said Thursday that retail sales fell 0.1 percent last month. Economists had expected a gain of 0.7 percent."

Where are the jobs Barack?

Nashville:

It's disingenuous to suggest that your side has a monopoly on the truth or is immune to fixing your facts around your argument.

You, in fact, did just that when you set up two faux statements to lead to a pre-ordained conclusion.  That is standard practice in every facet of media, right or left, when opinion is involved.  

Olbermann and Maddow are clearly biased and deliberately form their opinions around the "facts" as THEY see them.  It's their job and it's standard operating procedure everywhere.

You like what you hear from Maddow and Olbermann because they meet your expectations in how they react to what is going on around us.  You can rely on them to reinforce your views.

Same for me from the opposite perspective.  I can't stand either Maddow or Olbermann but I don't believe that because of that I have categorically stated that they are liars or that they occasionally "lie".

They are typical of all news/opinion that is popular today.  Just grunts (Olbermann and Maddow do have bosses) trying to get ratings by appealing to their pre-determined audience.  They capitalize on your fears, feed your emotions and direct disparaging humor at those you like to laugh at.  

They deliberately generate dislike on the part of their opponents by inviting it.  They like the reaction and abide by the old rule that any publicity is good publicity, especially if it's at someone else's expense.

They aren't noble paragons of some brave new media suddenly shedding light on the squalor that is our national political discussion.  They, in fact, feed on it and participate in slopping the livestock.

Keith Olbermann and Rush Limbaugh share some traits:

1) Very large egos
2) A desire for attention
3) Access to the same facts
4) An agenda fitted to dispensing said facts
5) A desire for money, fine things and a certain amount of influence and power
6) A schtick that makes them both entertainers
7) They are both innately intelligent, said quality often making people singularly eccentric and often disliked by those less so.
8) They are both successful because people want to hear what they have to say and having heard it, tend to agree with it.
9) No one who disagrees with one or the other of them likes the other one very much, for basically the same reasons, which do not include lying
10) I don't think either of them are guilty of much lying based on today's journalistic and broadcast standards.
11) Both have experienced failures prior to becoming successful in the same industry.
12) They are both capitalists and both have better health insurance than either one of us.

Hell, they are practically brothers.

Great townhall in Montana today!

Ann R., Washington State (Sent Friday, August 14, 2009 4:39 PM)

Clearly, you have not been paying attention! There are numerous bills, but things won't be finalized until they are merged into one. Thus it is hard to say all the details. Because we all know that if President Obama provides details and then the bill changes, faux news and the right wing nut jobs will be screaming about what a liar he is!!!

There have been answers at other events on several of your "questions."

Illegal Immigrants - Are NOT covered under the existing bill and every town hall I've seen the representative has stated they will not vote for a bill that does provide health care for illegal immigrants. Asked and answered.

Abortion - Is NOT covered under the existing bill. There has been no movement on any of the bills to cover it. This is a non-issue. Of course I know that some right wing nut jobs are not looking for language that allows coverage, but are rather looking for language that it does not cover it. Sure, why not. We can make the bill 20,000 pages and list everything it doesn't cover. Abortions, cloning, breast augmentation, sex change, merging humans with aliens, transporting elderly to outer space, genetic mutations that cause ants to become super sized and attack the planet, creation of killer zombies, etc. Did I miss anything?

Middle Class Tax Increases - President Obama has said at least a billion times that he will not increase taxes on the middle class to pay for health care reform. I guess that isn't clear enough for you. Any suggestions on a better way to say that? Or perhaps you are so brainwashed by the faux news puppeteers that you are convinced that his plan IS to raise taxes on the middle class. Okay, I give up. It is impossible to reason with people that refuse to listen!

Demonize Quitter Palin and Bachmann Moron Overdrive! Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, August 14, 2009 5:00 PM)
------------------------------------------------------
Distract from Obamas failings by DEMONIZING the Republicans.

Eventually Obama will be called to account.

Millions still unemployed and rising.

Hundreds of thousands of foreclosures, and rising.

Tens of thousands of business bankruptcies.

And Obama and Bernanke have the nerve to get up and say the recission is ending. It is beyond outrageous.

Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah - I sure am glad you decided to return to fight the good fight here at First Read.  We Democrats need more tough fighters like you to keep the conservative riffraff honest.

I like how you're asking MSNBC to start doing more to report on the lies of fox and freaks, like Chris Matthews, Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow and Ed Schultz do at the end of the day but the others aren't doing during the better part of the day.  Plus they need to start watching Jon Stewart, Bill Maher and Stephen Colbert to find out what interesting points they come up with.

I so laughed at how Jon Stewart exposed Glenn Henpecked about his recent Flip Flop on the American health care system.  Jon showed Glenn Henpecked recovering from an operation, obviously to extricate his head from being stuck in a deep dark place, and old Glenn was badmouthing the American health care system.  Then when Flip Flop Glenn recovered he ran a series of shows when he worked for CNN trashing the American health care system.  That was in January 2008 and now he sings the praises of American HCR after trashing them over a year ago.

Just watched Lawrence O'Donnell play Hardball with some repugnant one politican named Culbertson and Lawrence gave the jerk a hard time.  One thing the little repugnant one whiner did was constantly whine that MSNBC tv is losing viewers, just another lie from a party of sore loser liars.  I was miffed that Lawrence didn't just pull the plug on that Culbertson clown who tried to claim that Medicare wasn't a socialist program.  Just goes to show the depths of the lies the repugnant ones try to spew forth to get people all scared and confused.

In MSNBC We Trust!

Hey Domenico - I sure enjoyed that last article you posted Thursday night.  I sure hope you repeat it again on Monday in the morning after First Thoughts so the morning crew of commenters has a chance to comment too.  Have a great weekend!

In Domenico Montanaro We Trust!

When does encouraging blood-shed become a criminal act instead of being merely an exercise in free speech?

I try to watch ALL news channels....trying to find the truth on health care, but THIS channel has the MOST  RUDE AND INSULTING HOSTS I HAVE EVER HEARD!!!! One of you just called a guest a LIER on national TV. This channel should be BANNED...and your hosts should be slapped!!!!!!

Way to slap down the assuming Domenico! That just highlighted the end of my Friday. Thank you!

Eric, take a nose hit with that natural California product, clench your diaphragm, blow it out your dark place, free your mind and have some sunglasses handy because the light's bright out here.

And yes, it all comes off the top of my head, Eric. I admit that.

Thanks First Read.  The opportunity you provide is probably cheaper than going through my EAP.

Y'know Eric, you might be right on one thing.  I may not use a range of information bigger than you do.

Think about it over the weekend.

When does encouraging blood-shed become a criminal act instead of being merely an exercise in free speech? Fancy That, Kennebunk, Maine (Sent Friday, August 14, 2009 5:36 PM)
------------------------------------------------
Ask the New Black Panthers who brandished guns at a polling place. Obama and Holder laughed it off and dropped the charges.

Where are the jobs Barack? (Sent Friday, August 14, 2009 5:27 PM)
---------------------------------------------------
Um, let me point you to a quote you put in your post. . . "The U.S. consumer remains very weak. The jobs situation, while slowly improving, is still dismal."

So the answer is that while it is still bad (thanks ex-president bush), it is slowly improving. When quoting promises, you must remember back to when President Obama said it would get worse before it would get better. It got worse. Now it is slowly turning around.

Jobs are not truly to start recovering until late next year. But rest assured, without the stimulus, there would be even more unemployed workers.

My one complaint about the stimulus is that it is now impossible to drive anywhere without running into road work. I saw it all over Utah last week and see it all over northeastern Illinois every day. But I am happy to see those workers out there earning a living instead of collecting unemployment.

Richard

I disagree completely.

You missed one important item.

Olbermann is hateful and was once fired by FOX.

Clara:

I tried to end the whole comment in character, especially with the goats and devil reference.

I just hadn't picked on you in a long time.

I think if you'll check most of my snark, I too try to use Democrats and Republicans (even though it takes longer to type) PRESIDENT Obama etc.

Every once in a while I'll use a label, like Demonizocrat, to make a point that we Repukes haven't cornered the market on all the rotten tactics and don't have a monopoly on distasteful comments.

And I always use sarcasm and cheap shots to make points too.  I have abiding faith that the targets will see the deeper meaning and get past the sarcasm and cheap.  I mostly respond to specific things that randomly prompt me and rarely initiate anything on my own.  That would take originality.

I reserve all-out attacks for Eric, Salinas.

And sorry for monopolizing the early evening time slot.  I have a feeling everyone from Missouri east is in their cars driving home right then.  Besides, if you have a complaint, direct it at Mark, Domenico or Chuck.  It's their show.

'night Chet.  'night David.

Question:

Where is the ACLU?

If people were denied access to public meetings, labeled as subversives for speaking out against a proposed bill or if the WH set up an e-mail snitch list under a REPUBLICAN controlled government you would never hear the end of it.

Where is the ACLU?

Clinton said the Republicans are using scare tactics. Really?

Pray tell Bill, how is this different from the Democrats terrifying the elderly when the Republicans wanted to reform Social Security?

The Dems got out en masse and told seniors the lie that the Republicans want to take away your Social Security benefits to give tax cuts for the rich. Remember that pabulum Bill and Gore fed the masses? How is this any different?
Pete Roleum, Detroit, MI USA (Sent Friday, August 14, 2009 5:04 PM
=========================================
Ah come on petroleum - he wanted to privatize social security. If that had pass your social security would be down big time! Just like your 401k. Worse idea ever!

Chris - IL (Sent Friday, August 14, 2009 5:30 PM)

Thanks for pointing out the obvious in closed minds and closed eyes and ears. People see and hear only what they WANT to see and hear. When that information is further validated by some propaganda they are set to go. Instead of doing real research and paying attention so many people just regurgitate talking points. Eventually that catches up to them and they are seen, once again, as fools.

I really don't care about some go fast redneck and which race car is depicted with whom.

Many thanks to FR for a great place to read and speak the truth.  I'm a loyal Keith and Rachel fan, and I watch Bill-O just to keep up on the right and what they are being spoon fed.  I, like Feisty, love Lawrence O' and can't wait for him to get his own show.  When is Chuck getting his place in the sun on MSNBC and will it be a weekend gig, or another week-day deal?

Thanks to all of the posters, especially Feisty, Anita, Pat, Eric, Eagle 1776, Clara, Chris-IL and all of the others for fighting for truth, justice and the REAL Ameican way (Compassion for all.)  Thanks to Richard in WA for having coherant arguments.  Even though we don't see eye to eye, I still enjoy reading your posts because you do well not to include lies so much, as just your views on things.  And we all need to listen to the other side, even if we'll never agree.

Why have you not covered the "Grinder Barns", the "Burning Holes", the "Gas Rooms" and the "Body Trackers" in the Obama Health Care Plan.  Sure, we have all heard about the Death Panels, but you have not explained how they work.  Everyone seeking medical care must appear before a Death Panel to plead their case.  If they are healthy enough, the operation is approve.  But during surgery, "Body Trackers" are imbedded in the patient's bones.  These trackers will monitor that person's daily habits on smoking, drinking, sugar consumption and wearing polyester.  Future medical maybe denied by Obama if that person does not fly right.  When an old or sickly person goes before the Death Panel, they will be denied.  Immediately that sick person will be wisked away -- never to see their family and loved ones again.  After a short period of detention, all the sick people will be herded into Gas Room to be killed.  The bodies of the fat ones will be moved to the "Grinder Barns" where they will be made into hamburger.  The skinny ones will be dumped into "Burining Holes" where their flesh will be consumed by fire.  Any more questions?

I attended the Montana town hall and noted as we entered the airport, albeit early, that there were about three blocks of PRO reform protesters occupying the coveted corner real estate and a hand full of anti-Obama protesters hanging around a bus with a big red hand painted on it.
Why does the press not report that protesters from both sides are present and pro-reform protesters usually outnumber anti?

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