tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post2264707506993006238..comments2024-03-28T08:27:02.603-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: America's Hockey MomBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-58237135316283239742008-09-06T13:13:00.000-04:002008-09-06T13:13:00.000-04:00WHO DO YOU TRUST ?VOTE FOR THAT PERSON(s)WHO DO YOU TRUST ?<BR/><BR/><BR/>VOTE FOR THAT PERSON(s)Ken Matthewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12049605289130391681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-35592976648928405452008-09-05T21:12:00.000-04:002008-09-05T21:12:00.000-04:00Hell no one liked Truman, but he turned out okay.Hell no one liked Truman, but he turned out okay.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-17177024973678009462008-09-05T19:47:00.000-04:002008-09-05T19:47:00.000-04:00I finally figured it out. I am a Republican but n...I finally figured it out. I am a Republican but not a conservative. Conservative politics are one step away from religious politics. We can use the "family values" moniker all we want, but every thing conservatives stand for is religious viewpoints. <BR/><BR/>Small government, little taxes, laissez faire, state rights, etc are all republican ideology. Moral values should not be running our country or the decisions we make. Pro Life or Pro choice will not solve the economy. Abstinence or sex education will not fix foreign policy. And creationism or evolution will not solve the health care crisis in America.<BR/><BR/>Palin is conservative. She is a damn good conservative. And unfortunately she is not Margaret Thatcher enough to make her conservative ideology stand on two feet when/if she has take control of the White House.<BR/><BR/>Plus, anyone who wants to ban literary works because they do not agree with their morals should not be running the country. This type of emotional off the cuff decisions, "piss & vinegar," do not disappear with "experience." If the current administration has shown as us anything it is that even in spite of opposition they will continue to do things their way.<BR/><BR/>I like McCain. I don't like Palin. And this might swing the vote for me.Timothy Russohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06174733983843185168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-17032023846953614712008-09-05T12:48:00.000-04:002008-09-05T12:48:00.000-04:00Fact checking the Palin Fact Check:http://article....Fact checking the Palin Fact Check:<BR/><BR/>http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NWFlNmI3ODE3YTA1ZTY1MmMxMDVmNTQwZDM3MDMzNjI=Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-59506428058755952402008-09-05T03:08:00.000-04:002008-09-05T03:08:00.000-04:00"They are two pes in a pod, unqualified and disast..."They are two pes in a pod, unqualified and disasters."<BR/><BR/>I'll bet they can spell peas properly though.<BR/><BR/>You're typing and drinking again aren't you?<BR/><BR/>Go bed-bye.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-42056323231959961622008-09-05T02:22:00.000-04:002008-09-05T02:22:00.000-04:00O'Hare supports her because he 'likes' her. That i...O'Hare supports her because he 'likes' her. That is his reason for Stoffa. They are two pes in a pod, unqualified and disasters.<BR/>Way to use reason there BoonieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-418777342062555982008-09-05T02:12:00.000-04:002008-09-05T02:12:00.000-04:00Dear Anon 11:02 --You my friend are rapidly fillin...Dear Anon 11:02 --<BR/><BR/>You my friend are rapidly filling up five pound bags with ten pounds of bovine fecal matter.<BR/><BR/>First, off your comment at the end about Palin not being fit to fix the Obama's breakfast is a sexist crack -- and don't deny it. It just makes you look even more obtuse.<BR/><BR/>Too bad she's going to serve both Obama and Biden their lunches in the next 60 days.<BR/><BR/>Let's look at your points:<BR/><BR/>Spending and debt are up in Wassila!<BR/><BR/>Um, yes because while she was there they built a $14.7 million dollar sports arena that the voters approved. The same voters by the way that numerous AP articles mentioned were gathered in the town's honky-tonk cheering Super Sarah on. Wow. They must really hate her, huh? You know for leaving them all that debt.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and well that new sports arena they voted for.<BR/><BR/>Palin is being investigated for abuse of power!<BR/><BR/>Heavens! You've got her! Oh, wait, yeah, that's right she called for the investigation of her own actions. <BR/><BR/>Hmm. Sounds like she has something to hide.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and the guy she fired, he serves at the pleasure of the governor. That means she can fire him because she may or may not like his moustache.<BR/><BR/>She lied about Obama's record. Why he's been out there sponsoring this and that.<BR/><BR/>And that's the key. SP specifically said "authored." Authored my friend means that the legislation was thunk up, ordered drafted and introduced by a legislator. <BR/><BR/>Any representative of senator can "sponsor" legislation. It's easy. They can just say "I sponsor this," or "Hey can I sponsor that? I can? Okay, then I do!"<BR/><BR/>It's the actual thinking up his own bills and getting other people to sponsor them where Senator Obama hasn't been putting in a full day's work.<BR/><BR/>In fact, college kids could play a drinking game (drink responsibly kids) with your specious post. You have to take a shot everytime you read these words in Anon 11:02's statement. Are you ready: "sponsored and helped pass."<BR/><BR/>Remember, re-read Anon 11:02 Daily KOs lifted talking points and take a shot everytime you read "sponsored and helped pass" or a reasonable variation like "Obama joined with," or "Obama was the Chief Co-sponsor."<BR/><BR/>Scratch that. You'd get alchol poisoning.<BR/><BR/>But, hey Anon 11:02, how does a guy so concerned about ethical government like Senator Obama get in bed with such a sleeze like Tony Rezko?<BR/><BR/>You know, convicted felon Tony Rezko? Not ringing a bell?<BR/><BR/>Okay, convicted felon Tony Rezko who bought millions of dollars of acrerage near the Obama mansion and then sold it to his politcal buddy for hundreds of thousands of dollars less. <BR/><BR/>That Tony Rezko.<BR/><BR/>Good thing that Senator Obama is so ethical and all.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and hey, I did find one bill that was all Obama's own.<BR/><BR/>Yep. It's the one that he passed as a state Senator that said if through stroke of fate, or, oh dare I say, act of God, a child somehow is born alive as a result of a botched abortion procedure, i.e. a child fully out of the womb and perhaps even breathing on it's own, that child must not be given medical care because the mother intended to have an abortion.<BR/><BR/>That one is all Barack Obama's.<BR/><BR/>I could make some kind of stupid crack like you did about Senator Obama that demeans him as a person instead of as a politician, like your crack about Governor Palin, but I don't want to step down to your level. <BR/><BR/>You are in for a long sixty days my friend.<BR/><BR/>And next time, you might consider just putting a damn link to your crappy talking points.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-11773196403091217342008-09-04T23:26:00.000-04:002008-09-04T23:26:00.000-04:00Anon 11:17, Thanks for your disclaimer. I apprecia...Anon 11:17, Thanks for your disclaimer. I appreciate it.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-6698690643926932472008-09-04T23:17:00.000-04:002008-09-04T23:17:00.000-04:00Sorry, Bernie. I don't view fixing breakfast as "...Sorry, Bernie. I don't view fixing breakfast as "homemaking" - and, to be honest, her gender doesn't matter to me one iota. <BR/><BR/>What does matter to me is the unwillingness and seeming inability of folks to focus on issues and facts rather than the typical wingnut hyperbole.<BR/><BR/>Her smears, lies, and omissions corrupt and obscure the political discussion we desperately need to have as a nation. Her doing so tells me that she is unfit for office at the national level.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-78630076247188376232008-09-04T23:08:00.000-04:002008-09-04T23:08:00.000-04:00Frankly, Anon, Palin isn't qualified to fix breakf...<EM>Frankly, Anon, Palin isn't qualified to fix breakfast for Obama - let alone compete with him politically.</EM><BR/><BR/>You were doing fine until you made the above sexist slur about Palin. Just as we should avoid racial references about Obama, we should avoid associating Palin with homemaking. The implication is that she belongs in the kitchen. <BR/><BR/>Given the intelligence behind most of everything else that you wrote, which I appreciate, I doubt that you intended to slam her like that.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-70554601625903875242008-09-04T23:02:00.000-04:002008-09-04T23:02:00.000-04:00Anon 3:41.....you said"...Obama, whose only e...Anon 3:41.....<BR/><BR/>you said<BR/>"...Obama, whose only experience is running for president all three years he's been in the Senate (where he's had time to pen two memoirs, but hasn't offered a sentence of legislation)."<BR/><BR/>OK - let's talk about the effects of her "experience" .... and then a few words about the legislation that Obama not only authored, but passed. When you're done reading, please let me know how Palin's grasp of the issues and her ability to craft legislation is superior to his.<BR/><BR/>I quote.....<BR/><BR/>Guess what - that's one glass of kool-aid too many<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/> PALIN: "Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown."<BR/><BR/> REALITY: UNDER PALIN, WASILLA GOVERNMENT SPENDING & DEBT SKYROCKETED.<BR/><BR/> Total Government Expenditures Increased 63 Percent Under Palin. In fiscal 2003—the last fiscal year Palin approved the budget—the total government expenditures of Wasilla, excluding capital outlays, were $7,046,325. In fiscal 1996—the year before Palin took control of the budget—the expenditures were $4,317,947. The increase was 63 percent. [Wasilla Comprehensive Annual Financial Report 2003, Table 1]<BR/><BR/> Palin Supported Increasing Wasilla Sales Tax From 2 to 2.5 Percent to Build $14.7 Million Sports Center. "Wasilla residents have given the go ahead to building a new multiuse sports center in town and to raising the city sales tax to pay for it. With the final votes counted Friday, residents voted 306 to 286 in favor of a measure to raise the city sales tax from 2 percent to 2.5 percent to pay the estimated $14.7 million cost of building the center...Mayor Sarah Palin, who supported the measure, said the tight vote will motivate city officials to keep a close eye on the budget for the center." [Anchorage Daily News, 3/9/02]<BR/><BR/> Palin Left Behind Almost $19 Million In Long-Term Debt, Compared to None Before She Was Mayor. In fiscal 2003—the last fiscal year Palin approved the budget—the bonded long-term debt was $18,635,000. In fiscal 1996—the year before Palin took control of the budget—there was no general obligation debt. [Wasilla Comprehensive Annual Financial Report 2003, Table 10]<BR/><BR/> PALIN: "But we are expected to govern with integrity, and goodwill, and clear convictions..."<BR/> REALITY: PALIN UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR ABUSE OF POWER.<BR/><BR/> Former State Official Accused Palin, Palin’s Former Chief of Staff and Current Ted Stevens Campaign Manager and Palin’s Husband Of Pressuring Him to Fire Trooper. In July 2008, former state official Walt Monegan accused Palin, Palin’s former Chief of Staff and current Stevens’ campaign manager Mike Tibbles and husband Todd Palin of pressuring him to fire Palin sister’s ex-husband Mike Wooten. [Anchorage Daily News, 07/18/08]<BR/><BR/> July 2008: Special Counsel Appointed Last Month to Investigate Palin Abuse of Power Claim. In July 2008, the Alaska State Legislator voted 12-0 to approve $100,000 for a special investigator to begin an investigation into claims Palin fired a former state official because he would not fire a state trooper who was involved in a bitter custody battle with Palin’s sister. The legislator’s intent was to investigate the events surrounding the termination of former Dept. of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan and potential abuses of power and improper action by Palin and her administration. [KTVA 11, 07/28/08]<BR/><BR/> PALIN: " But listening to him speak, it’s easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform - not even in the state senate."<BR/><BR/> REALITY: OBAMA PASSED THE MOST SWEEPING REFORMS SINCE WATERGATE IN BOTH THE ILLINOIS AND US SENATES, AMONG OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS<BR/><BR/> Obama Helped Pass The 2007 Ethics Reform Law, Which Curbed The Influence Of Lobbyists And Was Described As The "Most Sweeping Since Watergate." In the first week of the 110th Congress, Obama joined with Senator Feingold to introduce a "Gold Standard" ethics package. Many of the Obama/Feingold bill’s most important provisions were included in the final ethics reform package passed by the Senate in late January: a full ban on gifts and meals from lobbyists including those paid by the firms that employ lobbyists; an end to subsidized travel on corporate jets; full disclosure of who’s sponsoring earmarks and for what purpose; additional restrictions to close the revolving door between public service and lobbying to ensure that public service isn’t all about lining up a high-paying lobbying job; and requiring lobbyists to disclose the contributions that they "bundle" - that is, collect or arrange - for members of Congress, candidates, and party committees. In January 2007, the Washington Post wrote in an editorial that "...Mr. Reid, along with Sens. Russell Feingold (D-Wis.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.), deserves credit for assembling and passing this package." In September 2007, the AP reported, "President Bush signed a bill Friday that will require lawmakers to disclose more about their efforts to fund pet projects and raise money from lobbyists, a measure that backers call the biggest ethics reform in decades...Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. who had pushed for the bundling provisions and was one of four lawmakers who participated in a Democratic conference call to reporters said the measure marks "the most sweeping ethics reform since Watergate." [S. 230, 110th Congress; S.1, Became Public Law 109-110-81, 9/14/07; AP, 9/15/07;The Washington Post, Editorial, 1/21/07]<BR/><BR/> Obama Passed Illinois State Gift Ban Act "Heralded As the Most Sweeping Good-Government Legislation in Decades." In 1998, Obama passed the Illinois Gift Ban that prohibited legislators, state officers and employees, and judges from soliciting or receiving gifts from a person or entity with interests affected by government. The Chicago Tribune wrote, "Gov. Jim Edgar signed into law Wednesday an ethics and campaign finance package heralded as the most sweeping good-government legislation in decades." The law also required greater campaign finance disclosure and limited the uses for which raised money could be spent. Obama said, "I have seen a general cynicism from taxpayers about government. They believe they have no influence on the process since they don’t have the money of special interest groups. With the gift ban and the ban on Springfield fund-raisers that are contained in this legislation, I think at least some of this confidence will be restored." [HB672, 3R P 52-4-1, 5/22/98; PA 90-0737, 8/12/98; Chicago Tribune, 8/13/98; Chicago Independent Bulletin, 6/4/98]<BR/><BR/> Ø Illinois Ethics Bill Most Far Reaching Since Watergate, Product Of Bipartisan Work. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch wrote of Obama’s bill, "The ethics restrictions would be the most far-reaching since the Watergate-era campaign financial disclosure law. They are the product of months of negotiations among two lawmakers of each party, other state officials and Mike Lawrence. He is an aide to former Sen. Paul Simon, a Democrat, and used to be an aide to Edgar, a Republican." [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 5/24/98]<BR/><BR/> Obama And Lugar Passed Law Boosting U.S. Efforts To Keep WMDs And Other Dangerous Weapons Out Of The Hands Of Terrorists. In 2006, Obama and Lugar introduced The Cooperative Proliferation Detection Act, which was passed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously on May 26, 2006 and was eventually incorporated into the Department of State Authorities Act of 2006 and signed into law on January 11, 2007. According to a Senate Foreign Relations Committee report on its legislative activity in the 109th Congress, "The committee passed S. 2566, The Cooperative Proliferation Detection, Interdiction Assistance, and Conventional Threat Reduction Act of 2006 by unanimous consent on May 26, 2006. The legislation authored by Chairman Lugar and Senator Obama enhances: (1) U.S. cooperation with foreign governments to destroy conventional weapons stockpiles around the world; and (2) the United States’ ability to provide assistance to foreign governments aimed at helping them detect and interdict weapons and materials of mass destruction. The legislation, which garnered 26 co-sponsors (including 8 committee members), sought to energize U.S. programs to secure lightweight anti-aircraft missiles...The initiative was modeled after the Nunn-Lugar program that focuses on weapons of mass destruction in the former Soviet Union. The legislation was signed into law on January 11, 2007, as a part of H.R. 6060, the Department of State Authorities Act of 2006." [P.L. 109-472, 1/11/07; House Report 109-706, 9/3/06; S. 2566, 109th Congress; S.1949, 109th Congress; Senate Report 110-40, 3/29/07]<BR/><BR/> Ø Lugar Said It Was Accurate That Said Obama Reached Out To Him And They Passed Legislation To Lock Down Loose Nuclear Weapons. "Republican Sen. Dick Lugar (IN) today said an Obama campaign ad which features him is ‘accurate.’ The ad makes the point the Obama previously ‘reached out’ to Lugar to ‘help lock down loose nuclear weapons.’ Lugar is widely considered one of the most knowledgeable in the area of nuclear weapons proliferation and the coauthored of the 1991 Nunn-Lugar Act on cooperative threat reduction. ‘He did’ reach out, Lugar said. He explained that in 2005, Obama asked if he could join Lugar on a trip to Russia and other countries to visit sites under the Nunn-Lugar program. ‘After that, we had legislation that we cosponsored together which passed’ dealing with dangerous missiles. ‘So I am pleased we had that opportunity to work together,’ Lugar said. ‘I’m pleased we had the association Sen. Obama describes.’ But Lugar made clear up front that while the ad was accurate, and he’s comfortable with the association, ‘There is no chance I will consider running with Barack Obama.’" [MSNBC, 7/15/08]<BR/><BR/> Obama and Coburn Passed A Bill Creating A "Google-like" Database For The Public To Search Details About Federal Funding Awards. In 2006, Obama and Coburn co-authored a bill to create a "Google-like" database of information on federal spending. The bill requires the OMB by January 1, 2008, to make available to the public a searchable, free website that includes the (1) amount; (2) transaction type; (3) funding agency; (4) North American Industry Classification System code or Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number; (5) program source; (6) an award title descriptive of the purpose of each funding action; (7) the name and location of the recipient and the primary location of performance; and (8) a unique identifier of the recipient and any parent entity. The site must allow users to conduct separate searches that distinguish between awards that are grants, sub-grants, loans, cooperative agreements, and other forms of financial assistance and awards that are contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, task orders, and delivery orders. [S. 2590, Passed by Unanimous Consent, 9/7/06; Became PL 109-282, 9/26/06]<BR/><BR/> Obama Passed Law Ensuring That Wounded Veterans Recovering In Military Hospitals Do Not Have To Pay For Their Meals Or Phone Calls To Family Members. In 2005, Obama sponsored and passed an amendment that to the 2005 emergency supplemental appropriations act ensuring that wounded veterans recovering in military hospitals do not have to pay for their own meals or phone calls to family members. The amendment was then passed in each of the following Congresses. Prior to passage of the amendment, service members receiving physical therapy or rehabilitation services in a medical hospital for more than 90 days were required to pay for their meals. Obama’s amendment required the military to provide free meals for service members in military hospitals undergoing recuperation or therapy as a result of wounds sustained in Iraq or Afghanistan. The amendment was retroactive to January 1, 2005 in an effort to provide those injured service members who received bills for their meals with some relief from those costs. The amendment became law. [S. Amdt. 390, Passed by unanimous consent, 4/14/05 to H.R.1268, Signed by the President, 5/11/05, Became Public Law No: 109-013; Obama Press Release, 5/11/05]<BR/><BR/> Obama Proposals Providing Improvements In Health Care For Recovering Soldiers Were Passed Into Law, Including Requirements For Post-Deployment Mental Health Screenings And National Study On The Needs Of Iraq War Veterans. H.R. 976, passed by the Senate on August 2, 2007, includes several provisions from bills originally sponsored by Senators Obama and McCaskill. The provisions would improve health care services and health care tracking for service members, and would require post-deployment, face to face mental health screenings for returning service members within 30 days. The bill also adopts other Obama-McCaskill legislation, the HERO Act, which would launch a major national research endeavor into the readjustment needs of returning service members, veterans and their families. The bill also included measures to improve and reform the disability rating process. [Vote 307, H.R. 976, Passed, 68-31, 8/2/07; S. 713, 110th Congress; S. 1271, 110th Congress; Obama Press Release, 7/25/07; H.R. 4986, Became Public Law No: 110-181, 1/28/08]<BR/><BR/> Obama Worked With Republicans To Pass Legislation, Which Became Law, Improving And Increasing Services For Homeless Veterans. In 2006, Congress passed a Veterans Affairs Committee bill which included several provisions originating in Obama’s SAVE Act (S. 1180) and Homes for Heroes Act (S. 3475). "The legislation...includes a number of proposals from legislation Senator Obama had previously introduced (S.1180, the SAVE Act and S.3475 the Homes for Heroes Act) to expand and improve services for homeless veterans. The bill permanently authorizes and increases funding to $130 million per year for a competitive grant program to provide homeless services to veterans. It greatly increases a successful program to provide rental vouchers to homeless veterans. The legislation extends programs to providing treatment for veterans with mental illnesses and other special needs. And it permanently extends VA’s ability to transfer property it owns to homeless shelters." Obama worked with VA Committee Republicans Craig and Burr on the committee legislation that eventually became law. [S. 3421/P.L. 109-461; S. 1180, 109th Congress; S. 3475, 109th Congress; Obama Press Release, 6/26/06]<BR/><BR/> Obama Passed Bipartisan Legislation That Expanded Health Care Coverage To 154,000 Residents, Including 70,000 Children. As a state senator, Barack Obama sponsored and helped pass legislation that expanded and made permanent Illinois’ KidCare program by raising eligibility from 185% to 200% of the federal poverty level. The legislation provided coverage for an additional 20,000 children and 65,000 more Illinois adults in the first year, and by 2007 had expanded health care to 70,000 kids and 84,000 adults. In its endorsement for his Senate race, the State Journal-Register wrote, "Obama brings similar common-sense views to improving health care in America - for example, as a state senator he championed the successful KidCare program that assists thousands of children of the working poor." The bill was sponsored in the state House by Sandra Pihos, a Republican and passed 42-13. [93rd GA, SB 130, 3R P 42-13-2; Signed into law 6/30/03, PA 93-0063; Chicago Daily Herald, 7/2/03; Blagojevich release, 1/9/07; Blagojevich release, 4/13/07; Kaiser family report, 5/07; State Journal-Register, 10/29/04]<BR/><BR/> Obama Passed A Bill Creating $100 Million Earned Income Tax Credit As A Member Of The Minority Party In The Illinois Senate. In 1999, Obama was the lead sponsor of a bill making Illinois the 11th state to adopt an earned income-tax credit. The bill provided that each individual taxpayer is entitled to a credit against the tax imposed by the Act in an amount equal to 5% of the federal earned income tax credit allowed. Then-Gov. George Ryan opposed the move, but an unlikely political alliance – including Republicans and Democrats – formed to reduce the tax burden on working poor families. The AP wrote, "The new law, which offers about $105 million in tax breaks over the next three years, gives a state income tax credit equal to 5 percent of a similar federal tax credit. For the average working family making less than $30,580, that amounts to about $55 a year, or 15 cents a day. The maximum credit for families with two or more children is $191 a year." [91st GA, HB 3939; 4/14/00, 3R P; 59-0-0; P.A. 91-0700, 5/11/00; Chicago Tribune, 4/10/99]<BR/><BR/> Obama Passed Near-Unanimous Death Penalty Overhaul Package. Obama was the chief co-sponsor and voted for bill creating the Capital Punishment Reform Study Committee Act. The proposal, which was approved on a 57-1 vote, was virtually identical to reforms pushed in 2002 by then-Gov. George Ryan. If passed by the House and signed into law by the governor, the bill would let judges rule out a death sentence for someone convicted solely on the testimony of a jailhouse informant, accomplice or single witness; let the state Supreme Court overturn a death sentence that was "fundamentally unjust.; Reduce the crimes eligible for the death penalty by focusing on "inherently violent" offenses; Expand defendants’ access to genetic evidence used against them; Ban police officers from the police force if they committed perjury in a murder case; and Require juries to consider a defendant’s history of abuse or mental illness when deciding whether to impose the death sentence. Obama said, "As far as the Bill goes, it doesn’t address whether the death penalty is applied fairly to all races and in all regions of the state. And it doesn’t appease those who want capital punishment eliminated." [93rd GA, SB 0472; 4/3/03, 3R P; 57-1-0; 5/29/03, HA1 SC; 56-3-0; 11/5/03, OAV P; 58-0-0; P.A. 93-0605, 11/25/03; Pantagraph, 4/4/03; Associated Press, 4/24/03]<BR/><BR/>Frankly, Anon, Palin isn't qualified to fix breakfast for Obama - let alone compete with him politically.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-26952552251798712812008-09-04T21:37:00.000-04:002008-09-04T21:37:00.000-04:00Anonymous 2:13 PMShe did what she was scheduled to...Anonymous 2:13 PM<BR/>She did what she was scheduled to do and that was to give us her bio and connect with the American people. Initially she was not suppose to play the attack dog but that changed around 9AM when the TV audience was told that she would go after the opposition.<BR/><BR/>Bernie<BR/>You make some great points in that she really did talk to the American people. It was great when she blew a kiss to the Ohio vet who was McCain's friend.Chris Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02141116246755465629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-41592670505285867482008-09-04T21:26:00.000-04:002008-09-04T21:26:00.000-04:00Is there scientific validity to evolution? I don'...Is there scientific validity to evolution? I don't buy creation, but evolution can't be proven without the premise of its conclusion (what's the Latin term for this rhetorical flaw?). Even science requires leaps of faith.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-914336097874378062008-09-04T20:51:00.000-04:002008-09-04T20:51:00.000-04:00Anon 5:44, I certainly respect your opinion and ag...Anon 5:44, <BR/><BR/>I certainly respect your opinion and agree with many of your points. But I still found her refreshing. <BR/><BR/>She is a woman. She is young. She lacks that "inside the beltway" mindset. She put on no airs. She established that a hockey mom can hold her own. She overcame a media feeding frenzy. <BR/><BR/>I respect her views on abortion. She practiced what she preaches.<BR/><BR/>When it comes to creationism, Palin has advocated teaching that <EM>in addition to evolution</EM>. This argument presumes there is scientific validity to creationism and I don't think that is so. But Palin's position, which incidentally is shared by most Americans, is far more palatable than the vuews of those who believe only creationism should be taught. <BR/><BR/>As far as her views on gay rights are concerned, I know she opposed gay marriage and hate crimes legislation. I'd need to know more. <BR/><BR/>As times goes by, we'll learn more. But she really impressed me. I liked the way she bragged with pride about bbeing from a small town.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-42382432115838937262008-09-04T20:49:00.000-04:002008-09-04T20:49:00.000-04:00My large post on Palin is up on http://spikerogan....My large post on Palin is up on http://spikerogan.blogspot.com<BR/><BR/>With many links.J. SPIKE ROGANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09812618604210761080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-5077590488681915522008-09-04T17:44:00.000-04:002008-09-04T17:44:00.000-04:00Refreshing? Sarah Palin? There is nothing refres...Refreshing? Sarah Palin? There is nothing refreshing about someone who is anti-choice, anti-stem cell research, anti-gay rights, and who wants to have creationism taught alongside evolution in our schools. (Let's also teach magic alongside physics!!) Add to this she has no foreign policy experience, and on and on.<BR/><BR/>Does this not sound just like our current President/administration? This woman is the antithesis of refreshing. This woman is exactly what we do not need more of. We've had 8 years of this exact mindset and look where we are now.<BR/><BR/>I would have voted for a Republican if he/she brought something new to the table. This is more of the same. I can't support this ticket. We need change. We need it now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-74772576618342056392008-09-04T17:18:00.000-04:002008-09-04T17:18:00.000-04:00"You Lib's are scared to death of this lady'I'll a...<EM>"You Lib's are scared to death of this lady'</EM><BR/><BR/>I'll agree that the reaction of some "liberals," like the kooky KOZ blogger who claimed Palin was faking her own pregnancy, are way over the top. But I am liberal and found her to be refreshing. I'd stay away from things that divide us.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-27033049205823253402008-09-04T17:14:00.001-04:002008-09-04T17:14:00.001-04:00"I don't want an "average Joe" or a "Hockey Mom" o...<EM>"I don't want an "average Joe" or a "Hockey Mom" or "community organizer" I want a PRESIDENT to inspire and lead."</EM><BR/><BR/>I completely agree. I found Palin's speech to be inspirtational, just as I find Obama to be inspirational. Obama is the more elegant speaker while palin exudes folksy charm and a "can do" attitude that we seem to have forgotten. <BR/><BR/>In fact, Plain represents everything Obama has been asking for - "Yes we can" and "Change."Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-85784849527533539732008-09-04T17:14:00.000-04:002008-09-04T17:14:00.000-04:00After seeing all of the usual mud stired up on Pal...After seeing all of the usual mud stired up on Palin, all I can say is ...<BR/><BR/>You Lib's are scared to death of this lady... she's no Hillary is she? Momma's gon'a knock you out!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-45803766792062644102008-09-04T17:09:00.001-04:002008-09-04T17:09:00.001-04:00"I don't want an "average Joe" or a "Hockey Mom" o..."I don't want an "average Joe" or a "Hockey Mom" or "community organizer" I want a PRESIDENT to inspire and lead."<BR/><BR/>You didn't find Palin inspiring. She comes from a state whose entire economy depends on "Big Oil" and she twisted them into knots. You don't think that requires leadership.<BR/><BR/>We'll agree to disagree, but I don't know what the criteria you're using to judge Palin by.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-21297849623037595472008-09-04T17:09:00.000-04:002008-09-04T17:09:00.000-04:00"I don't want an "average Joe" or a "Hockey Mom" o..."I don't want an "average Joe" or a "Hockey Mom" or "community organizer" I want a PRESIDENT to inspire and lead."<BR/><BR/>You didn't find Palin inspiring. She comes from a state whose entire economy depends on "Big Oil" and she twisted them into knots. You don't think that requires leadership.<BR/><BR/>We'll agree to disagree, but I don't know what the criteria you're using to judge Palin by.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-2900752329749351322008-09-04T16:34:00.000-04:002008-09-04T16:34:00.000-04:00Since it was a common theme last night that Gov. P...Since it was a common theme last night that Gov. Palin will have more executive experience on day one than Obama/Biden, could someone please elaborate on what elected executive experience John McCain has? His governmental experience is basically the same as Biden's. His father and grandfather had real military "executive experience".<BR/><BR/>Also, there has been quite a bit of emphasis Senator McCain's military experience. His service is to be admired, but that in and of itself does not mean they can not be challenged on issues. I believe that a foreign policy of "another 100 years" in the middle east, and "we are all Georgians" stems from a dangerous hubris. Being an honorable POW should not shield him from legitimate disagreement with his policy beliefs. Finally, I can't help but find it ironic that four years ago the party was trying to minimize Bush's heroism in hanging out in the national guard during Vietnam while swiftboating Kerry's volunteering for service in Vietnam. I really have no use for Kerry, but it seems like the GOP is a bit hypocritical with the virtue of military service.<BR/><BR/>And I hope by election that both parties stop trying to "have a beer with me" (as someone alluded to above) and debate the substance of why we should vote for either one of them. I don't want an "average Joe" or a "Hockey Mom" or "community organizer" I want a PRESIDENT to inspire and lead.Lighthousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05346747286241817118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-18726755073307089652008-09-04T16:27:00.001-04:002008-09-04T16:27:00.001-04:00tomp40c --Hey. Thanks for setting us straight, ma...tomp40c --<BR/><BR/>Hey. Thanks for setting us straight, man. We were like, way out of line, sharing our opinions with each other and exchanging ideas.<BR/><BR/>Thank God, you came along, because you know, you don't often read Bernie's Blog, to set us straight.<BR/><BR/>From now on, I'm going to leave my thinking and writing to gifted amateurs like yourself and the paid media types.<BR/><BR/>Again, thanks for telling us how flawed we all are while assuring us how magnificent you are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-18937285524001431362008-09-04T16:27:00.000-04:002008-09-04T16:27:00.000-04:00Anon 4:04,I agree with much, but not all, of what ...Anon 4:04,<BR/><BR/>I agree with much, but not all, of what you say. I think our decision to invade a weak country was wrong, and we have been paying the price. However, I also believe that people of good will can have dramatically different views.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-34504238224456499642008-09-04T16:23:00.000-04:002008-09-04T16:23:00.000-04:00Jeff,No sarcasm from me. I was genuinely impressed...Jeff,<BR/><BR/>No sarcasm from me. I was genuinely impressed.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.com