http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspxFrom Chuck Todd and Mark Murray*** Still the One: As if you needed more evidence that Iraq is -- still -- the dominant political issue, here’s a deluge: McCain’s Iraq address later this morning at the Virginia Military Institute, Dodd’s own Iraq/foreignen-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#130574Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:53:59 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:130574Jerry/Corpus Christi TexasJohn Edwards should walk a day in my shoes. But then again, he would have to work for a living. Everyone should listen to the moveon.org talkers, they can put the sleeping pill people out of business. Demorcrats should follow the Howard Dean playbook, let out a rebel yell and die a slow death politically. Of course, both deomcrats and republicans need to get to the grocery store and price compare after Guilliani stepped in it yesterday. I guess living in New York means you have to give up your common sense. When Bill goes to the grocery store, he better write down the prices since Hillary wouldn't know where a grocery store is. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#130579Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:55:22 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:130579Amy B Portland, MEI hate this "how Black is Obama?" theme. What is that about? Nobody asks that of Condi or Clarence Thomas, supporters of an administration that stood by while New Orleans drowned. I suspect its actually a variant on the "Democrats are wussies" theme. Obama is a good man, an idealist, an intellectual, therefore he might not fight fiercely enough to beat the Republicans, hence people worry he's not "black enough." http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#130594Wed, 11 Apr 2007 14:00:51 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:130594retired union man, ibewSpeaking of labor issues, Freightliner is moving its commercial operation from Portland, or to Mexico where wages for a mechanic run about $5.00 an hour. Oregon repblicans voted against safety for firefighters, police and corretions officers,senate bill 400. So for the anti-union crowd out there dont get too excited cause your job and safety on the job will be cut next. Its unions who are fighting for liveable wages and safe working conditions, NOT REPUBLICANS.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#130629Wed, 11 Apr 2007 14:14:47 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:130629OliviaBear with me for being off-topic, but this is something important which has eluded the mainstream media and needs to be brought up. With friends like FEMA, Louisiana doesn't need any enemies. The latest chapter of this FEMA atrocity began on Good Friday. Then, FEMA announced to the Senate Appropriations Committee it would begin releasing $281.3 million to Mississippi for an alternative housing program. Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu has requested that a hearing be held first to determine whether Louisiana, which will be getting a paltry $74.5 million, is being discriminated against, because of the extensive damage including 80% of New Orleans. FEMA's announcement had been carefully timed for Good Friday because Louisiana state offices and many congressional offices had been closed--so FEMA was able to slip this under the radar and evade public scrutiny. Then on Monday, $275 million was released to Mississippi. So over the holiday weekend, Mississippi got from the Easter Bunny a humongous basket of goodies, while Louisiana was essentially crucified by a FEMA which seemingly would be all too happy to see her die. What I'm saying is not anti-Mississippi, where people are still in a world of hurt and should receive help, or to denigrate the devastation there, which like that in Louisiana still prevails over 1 1/2 years after Katrina. Rather, what I am saying is anti-FEMA. Louisiana's problem is not with Mississippi with which she's in the same boat. Her problem is with FEMA, which has been punishing her people and treating them as second-class citizens. FEMA has been complicit in Bush Administration ethnic cleansing and cultural genocide in Louisiana by doing what it can to discourage displaced people from coming back. So while Mississippians soon will be able to escape their FEMA trailers for Katrina cottages, FEMA has condemned Louisiana to further suffering from the spirit-shredding cancer of crime-ridden FEMA trailer parks from which the poison of murder and other violence has been spreading into New Orleans and other communities. FEMA should not be allowed to continue abusing Louisiana and her storm survivors in this manner. It may be too late for Sen. Landrieu's planned hearing to provide any redress for Louisiana. So it's time for that state's officials to think outside the box. While it is axiomatic that one cannot sue the federal government (which I assume also applies to states) there are other ways they can try to get restitution for FEMA's unfair decision against Louisiana. Her officials can figure out a way to seize and auction off FEMA assets to add to their grant money. In conjunction with this, state officials can also find out exactly which FEMA officials are responsible for cheating Louisiana storm survivors out of the more permanent housing they need. Then, they can exact retribution by first seizing and auctioning off the officials' personal assets. These so-called human beings who gave Louisiana the shaft probably became FEMA officials either because of being wealthy Bush cronies or major GOP contributors, so their assets would likely be in the millions. The FEMA officials then could be taken into custody and put to work assembling Katrina cottages where they're needed in Louisiana. All's fair in love and war--and this is war, folks!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#130725Wed, 11 Apr 2007 14:46:30 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:130725JIrby, Colorado SpringsI hope Romney didn't leave the Bush library yesterday without checking out "Hired Gun" by Luke Short, assuming he made it over to the section devoted to Republican intellectuals.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#130789Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:14:37 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:130789Any MouseRe: "Is this the beginning of a beautiful rivalry? It certainly allows for reporters to begin fantasizing about the general election." Ummm, shouldn't reporters be reporting? And not fantasizing? Just askin'...http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#130799Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:19:26 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:130799Geordi, Franklin, NJI don't think the Republicans will win the 2008 election if they don't distance themselves from Bush and show some support in ending the war. Have they forgotten the 2006 mid-term election already? If 2006 is not an idication the American people are fed up with Iraq, I don't know what is.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#130817Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:24:16 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:130817SteveJIrby, Romney would not find any books in the Republican intellectuals section, other than a notice stating "This section is under construction.". He would be better off browsing the many aisles in the GOP Blowhard/Drink the 'W' Kool-Aid section.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#130823Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:26:16 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:130823Tony Gudino, Lathrop, CAWhy is it that a working contract working in Iraq can come home every 6 month and make anywhere from $250,000.00 to $300,000.00 tax free every 12 months and our solders maybe makeing only $5000.00 to $6000.00 a month? http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#130852Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:40:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:130852OliviaJIrby--I imagine the section devoted to Republican intellectuals is rather small....http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#130895Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:55:51 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:130895MK,MOOlivia I really don't think that living in a FEMA trailer park is justification for the violence and murder taking place there. Don't you think it's possible that the criminal element your refering to existed in new orleans also?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#130904Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:59:02 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:130904R.MerrellTo McCain, Romney, Rudy, et al: Keep running those Bush-Cheney-Condoleeza plays that have been soooooo sucessful. However, you may want to consider what 35 year military veteran General Sheehan (approached by the White House for one of their latest "czar" positions) said recently about their "playbook": "The very fundamental issue is, they don't know where the hell they're going," said retired Marine Gen. John J. "Jack" Sheehan, a former top NATO commander who was among those rejecting the job. Sheehan said he believes that Vice President Cheney and his hawkish allies remain more powerful within the administration than pragmatists looking for a way out of Iraq. "So rather than go over there, develop an ulcer and eventually leave, I said, 'No, thanks,' " he said. If this crowd of Republicans think the Bush playbook is their ticket to the Presidency, keep on truckin' down that road. But please, no hand wringing and feigned surprise in November, 2008.... http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#130905Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:59:37 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:130905MK,MOJerry have any of the republican candidates ever "worked for a living" pretty lame Jerryhttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#130906Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:59:50 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:130906R.MerrellTo McCain, Romney, Rudy, et al: Keep running those Bush-Cheney-Condoleeza plays that have been soooooo sucessful. However, you may want to consider what 35 year military veteran General Sheehan (approached by the White House for one of their latest "czar" positions) said recently about their "playbook": "The very fundamental issue is, they don't know where the hell they're going," said retired Marine Gen. John J. "Jack" Sheehan, a former top NATO commander who was among those rejecting the job. Sheehan said he believes that Vice President Cheney and his hawkish allies remain more powerful within the administration than pragmatists looking for a way out of Iraq. "So rather than go over there, develop an ulcer and eventually leave, I said, 'No, thanks,' " he said. If this crowd of Republicans think the Bush playbook is their ticket to the Presidency, keep on truckin' down that road. But please, no hand wringing and feigned surprise in November, 2008.... http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#131040Wed, 11 Apr 2007 16:19:27 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:131040Dale, DenverAmy B - you're joking right? "Nobody asks that [how black are they] of Condi or Clarence Thomas . . . " Really? Black conservatives have been called every ugly name in the book and are constantly being criticized for turning on "their people" and for not being "black enough." You are right about one thing, though: it is an absurd question that has no place in our political dialogue. Let Obama be Obama; let Condi be Condi; let individuals be individuals beholden to no group-think garbage.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#131092Wed, 11 Apr 2007 16:23:49 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:131092Dave, TnMississippi is a poorer state with more minorities. Maybe FEMA is just being PC. Could it have anything to do with no matter how much money the feds give La. it can't make it out of the capital? What ever happened with the FBI investigation into La FEMA going back to the 90s? New Orleans has it's own culture. Who are we to force our way of life on them? http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#131137Wed, 11 Apr 2007 16:28:03 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:131137Karen, Miami.Jerry, John Edwards wouldn't want to walk in your shoes. You make no sense.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#131148Wed, 11 Apr 2007 16:28:42 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:131148KathynSo, what I want to know and what no one has explained to me yet - the funds cutoff. Is that just cutting off special appropriations funding for this ill-advised and mismanaged war? If so - then move the funding for this war back under the military budget where it really belongs. This special appropriations crap has got to stop - all it means is the Bush/Cheney supporters and friends get more money to waste/grow richer on. Come on now - END the GREED!!! http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#131251Wed, 11 Apr 2007 16:38:56 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:131251Carrie, NW IowaMouse - Don't turn a cheeky comment into some sort of indication of biased reporting. If your job was to report on the 2008 elections, wouldn't you like to have something interesting to cover? A heated rivalry would provide loads of material for a reporter. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#131271Wed, 11 Apr 2007 16:40:42 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:131271Carrie, NW IowaJerry - Are you saying that John Edwards never worked? I hate to break it to you, but attorneys actually do have to work to make a living. Maybe they are not performing physical labor, but they are working. Do you accuse doctors of not working? Bankers? Anyone who has a desk job? I'm just curious about your definition of "work" is all. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#131468Wed, 11 Apr 2007 17:00:12 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:131468Coy Reese, Shady Spring, West VirginiaIraq will continue to issue #1 as well it should be, until the insane stay the course/new way forward/..or whatever other snappy little slogans, this regime, stops manufacturing, and accepts the fact that our Troops are in the middle of an ages old civil war, and need to be removed. John McCain has watched his potential bid for nomination evaporate, as he climbs into bed with Bush on this debacle. A timetable serves notice on the Iraqis, that we are not open ended on this commitment of Bushs, which should by all rights ulimtimately should lead to his impeachment for lying to us about the threat in Iraq in the first place. However, the most pressing probelm is removing our men and women from this failed war, failed stategy, and failed vanity adventure of George W. Bush. Many of us will ensure, that this remains on the front burner, until our men and women are safely home, or re-deployed to where our actual enemies reside.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#132187Wed, 11 Apr 2007 18:10:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:132187Al, KSThere are going to be a lot of negative comments about Obama. The fact is that the Republicans do not want to run against him...they want to run against Clinton. I believe that the GOP machine will "back" Clinton in the primary any way they can. Remember how they got Liebermann elected. Obama should get used to the attacks and slurs because there are a lot more coming his way...and not just from the Democratic candidates. The question is can he survive this double barrel onslaught.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#132313Wed, 11 Apr 2007 18:21:38 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:132313Still Crazy After All These Years"Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee"-book titlehttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#132495Wed, 11 Apr 2007 18:39:46 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:132495MK,MOAl I can't think of anyone the replublicans would want to run against at this pointhttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#133016Wed, 11 Apr 2007 19:36:22 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:133016JIrby, Colorado SpringsSteve and Olivia - The Republican intellectual section is quite thick. It already has "Confessions of an Heiress" by Paris Hilton and "No Retreat, No Surrender" by Tom DeLay. I am hoping that when W writes his memoirs, it will include "Mission Accomplished - How we Whupped Butt in Iraq in 4 days"http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#133408Wed, 11 Apr 2007 20:18:28 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:133408butch, west orange, nj.Whether or not you decide to print my comment is up to you...but as a black producer at MSNBC I am really tired of the "how black is Obama" theme. OK?!?!?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#133588Wed, 11 Apr 2007 20:39:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:133588Scott in South TexasThis bush will re-write history to write his memoirs. Also, what does he intend to put in his Presidential Library? All written record of everything he did before, during and after his terms in office will be classified at his insistence. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#133809Wed, 11 Apr 2007 21:04:37 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:133809OliviaMK,MO--I agree that living in a FEMA trailer park is no justification for being involved in violent crime. I should add, in fairness to those in such trailer parks, that the majority are working people, families with children, the elderly or disabled, and other innocent, law-abiding folks who lost their homes and thus are forced to live in FEMA trailers. Because they're poor, their only alternative would be homelessness. I don't envy them being afraid to spend much time outdoors or let their children play outside, because of the criminals in their midst. You're right that there is also a criminal element in New Orleans, which had a major problem with murder and other violent crime even BEFORE Katrina--and the storm not only has worsened this situation, but made it much harder to control because it stripped away the resources New Orleans had previously had to deal with crime. Much of her police force vanished and the city is having trouble recruiting new officers. Her criminal courts are overtaxed and per Louisiana law a criminal must appear before a judge within 60 days after being arrested, or be let go. So because of this law many including violent criminals are ending up being freed, only to commit new violent crimes. This is really a difficult situation because it could imperil New Orleans' recovery.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#133960Wed, 11 Apr 2007 21:23:23 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:133960OliviaMore thoughts on the unfair manner in which FEMA has been handling aid distribution: Lately I've been wondering if they're playing some sort of cruel divide-and-conquer game with Louisiana and Mississippi--pitting them against each other so they must compete for grants. For example, the Mississippi grant mentioned in my previous post was awarded because Mississippi "won" a competition in which Louisiana really wasn't so far behind. This sort of thing is sad, because 1.) Aid should be handed out on the basis of need alone. It really should make no difference whether someone who lost his/her home had been living in Pass Christian and had their home turned into a pile of toothpicks by Katrina's winds, or had been living in New Orleans and had their home flooded by the levee failure, only to, once the waters receded and the home been gutted, find that it was structurally unsound and had to be demolished. 2.) Katrina's and Rita's destruction is something with which Mississippi and Louisiana should deal together and help each other. Each state has a vested interest in the neighboring state's full recovery. Louisiana needs a strong, healthy Mississippi, and Mississippi needs a Louisiana that's happy and whole. If either is unable to recover from the deep wounds of the storms, it will just slow the other state's recovery. 3.)Mississippi and Louisiana should present a united front in going before the federal government for help, because there is strength in numbers. Politics should not be allowed to come between them, because storm recovery is and should be considered a bi-partisan issue.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#134281Wed, 11 Apr 2007 22:13:01 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:134281mikeeg,abdn,waWhat I want to know is how much of an American is every politician and how much of an intellegent common sense approach for the good of all do they have?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#136170Thu, 12 Apr 2007 02:27:49 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:136170Jane, Southern MississippiI think a nice addition to GWB's presidential libray, or as it may be called, King George's Treasury of Tomes, would be his comic book collection. I've heard it's quite extensive. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#136917Thu, 12 Apr 2007 05:51:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:136917Dave Sun City, AZOliva, you don't think that the amount of money released to MS had anything to do with Trent Lott (R) and Ed Gillespie, former chairman of the RNC had anything to do with it. Besides how the money was released on Good Friday, a slow news day as they say, is the MO of the Bushies. Patience Oliva, pretty soon we will be rid of the walking clusterf@#* of an administration and their toadies so we can start getting things right.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#137706Thu, 12 Apr 2007 13:04:36 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:137706OliviaJane--You forgot all the coloring books and "My Pet Goat." :)http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#139873Thu, 12 Apr 2007 17:43:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:139873OliviaDave Sun City--I thought I'd implied that partisan politics has been playing a role in aid distribution when I said, "...storm recovery is and should be considered a bi-partisan issue." I guess I hadn't been specific enough. I wish I could be patient--but I'm afraid that Louisiana, especially, doesn't have until Jan. 21, 2009 to wait, and even that's optimistically assuming the Democrats win not only the Presidency but also the House and Senate. If the Republicans somehow manage to win any or all, forget it. Some time ago--the last time Brian Williams anchored out of New Orleans--someone said on that newscast that 2007 seems to be a make-or-break year for New Orleans. One of my greatest fears is that a major 2008 campaign issue will be, "Who killed New Orleans?"http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/130460.aspx#144938Fri, 13 Apr 2007 03:28:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:144938Jane, Southern MississippiOlivia, you're right. Those would have to be included. Plus all his word find puzzles, well at least the ones he managed to complete correctly. Won't we be enlightened?