pulpitrider, I believe you're a little off center on this issue.

If you look back over the years you'd see that elements of the media have always asserted their opinions about one side or the other, and this time around is no exception. There's not much the public can do other than to demand that the media take a neutral position and report the facts of a matter, without inflection.

In the case of the Democratic candidate selecting a VP candidate like Palin, the media would react in the very same manner as it has over McCain's choice.

If you're going to bash the media, at least use rational criteria as you argue for or against a point.

"Shame on us if to their detriment, we succumb to our own greed and fear"

We should fear. We import almost 70% of our oil from countries that are hostile to us, or where a shooting war or a major terrorist attack could spike prices and cut supply overnight. If everyone is worried about joblessness, high prices, collapsing dollar, soaring deficits, recessions-depressions or whatever, you will get it quicker and harder than anything with an oil crisis that will make this summer's price hikes look like the proverbial Sunday School picnic. Like it or not, the US economy and indeed the world economy runs on oil.

We need to be energy independent but no one in Washington, Democrat or Republican has led on the issue since the first oil embargo under Jimmy Carter. And its not a case of "either or". We have to become energy independent with resources we have NOW while developing new renewable technologies in some kind of rational order with a timetable that moves us off oil. But we are not going to be able to retool and have whole new technologies in widespread use in 10 years or probably even 25 years. Look at how long it took to electrify the whole country, install phone systems and move from horse and buggies to automobiles. Unfortunately Washington has a tendency to impede and regulate without throwing leadership into the equation.

If the oil spigots are shut suddenly, we are going to crash and give "misery index" a new meaning. However historically, sometimes real crises do spur new development and change, but at a very painful cost and far more so than the vast majority of Americans can imagine or would be willing to endure. And no, I am not a fan of big oil. They do not have the interest of the country or the American people at heart, and will use these situations to make even more profit however they can. They need to be watched like hawks.

And please folks, come on with the snarky name calling like Bimbo and Tammy Faye look-alike etc. etc. Same thing about discussing family issues: even Mr. Obama said that had no place in the discussion and families, especially children were off limits. That type of talk is pretty juvenile and is found at places like the Daily Kos or Huffington Post.

It is legitimate to question and discuss the experience and policy points of any of the candidates. Doing so is what makes a discussion board interesting and potentially valuable. Thank you.

"Bimbo is a term that emerged in popular English language usage in the early 20th Century to describe an often attractive, yet unintelligent woman. ..." --Wikipedia.

No defense or support either way on my part. Just saying, giving the origin of the word, it is simply a euphemism (usually misunderstood). In this case, the word supports the opinion, which--as I recall--we are all entitled to?

I have been reading this speak out section in amusement for a while now. I don't comment much, because most conversations are not concerning to me. However, this recent conversation has been very concerning to me. I sure hope people around this country don't think the same as some of you do.

Now to get to what concerns me I thought I would give out the "dumbest comment of the speak out section" award.

And the award goes to the comment

Oh it's a tie.

I am voting straight democrat ticket.

I am voting straight republican ticket.

What's funny to me is that the same people who say the above, preach about looking at the candidates and choosing the right one. If you were really doing this, you wouldn't make such a ridiculous statement. I am neither rep. nor dem., I simply chose who I think would be the best person for the job. This has lead me to vote dem, rep and indy. So if you are voting straight one or the other, at least point out why you are voting for each person and not a blanket statement that all rep or dem are bad and I am voting for the other. This statement simply dilutes your precious well thought out comments and makes most people thank you are a crazy liberal or crazy conservative.

I have a question. Do the telephone pollsters only call land line numbers, or do they also target a proportionate number of cell phones?

I believe there are different demographics for the two distinct types of telephone service. If I am correct in that belief, the lack of balance may skew the polls to the point that they would be of limited value.

Thanks for the tip about the MoDot webcam. I'll tune in and see if anything is going on.

You must live some distance outside of Marshall if you'd have a 120-mile roundtrip. About 50 miles roundtrip from Marshall, otherwise, via 240 hwy.

Is anyoone planning to go watch and photograph the demolition of the bridge at Glasgow starting tomorrow morning?

I would be forever grateful if I could be included in the sharing of photos:

Drew Officer

dofficer@satx.rr.com

I see the Chiefs came up a little short this afternon.

Must've been all those leaves in the Foxboro vicinity about to change color that distracted them enough for the Patriots to slide by.

Cheetah, I'm troubled by the repeated attempts to portray McCain as a bigger-than-life war hero. Obviously he bravely served his country, but so did thousands upon thousands of others during the same period. Somehow, and mybe the media is at the forefront, we've reached the point of diluting what for me is the real meaning of the word, hero.

Many of our military personnel have been in prison camps; being a prisoner of war doesn't automatically make someone a hero, nor does it automatically make someone a good person, or good leader, or anything special. I'm not denigrating McCain's experience, or the experience of any other person who had the misfortune to become a captor of the adversary. Hearing this reference over and over makes me think about the points I've made previously regarding anyone who makes a lot of noise in order to draw attention to themselves. Shakespeare had it right when he said, Methinks he protesteth too much. Millions upon millions of Americans quietly go about being patriotic every day of their lives; they don't believe it's necessary to call attemtion to themselves because of their love of country. They exemplify the way all of us should be.

Johnson or Nixon or someone back in that time period called this group the Silent Majority. I'm not certain if the term still applies, depending upon how the quiet ones of today are being defined, but I suspect the term has a new definition.

If Obama had selected Hillary as his running mate, would this have made McCain's choice moot? Most likely, I'd say. I agree that it's a ploy to diminish some of the attention that's been on Obama's campaign. The Republicans (or at least the media talking for them) say it's a race not about issues but about personalities. Can you imagine? That in itself is a laugh, subjectively speaking.

I'd concede that the Republicans had the right idea, but the choice of "contestants" may very well end up leaving a bad taste in their mouths.

I've been plodding along after these political parties for a number of years, and over time I've become increasingly saddened and somewhat disillusioned by the pettiness demonstrated by both sides. We have a great country which deserves a far greater respect than what our current crop of politicians give it, and give the people. Long-term apathy among voters has put us where we are today; you could say we've gotten just what we deserve for not living up to our obligation. The Chad Mitchell Trio said in a song, we have such fine leaders that we elect them over and over again. Every generation has a fair number of people with outstanding mental capacity and the gift of reason. It's up to the American people to select the best-suited candidates to replace all the Senator Paine's whom Jefferson Smith learned after arriving in Washington, were less than patriotic.

We can and we must demand a more cooperative spirit from our parties by "changing" the entrenchment to a revolving door.

I'm moving toward the far end of my generation, but my fervent hope is that all those coming along behind me will have a strong and respected nation in which to raise their children, but the only way I see that happening is for everyone to give up thinking and acting in terms of "me" and to begin thinking and acting in terms of "we."

"WE, THE PEOPLE, IN ORDER TO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION..."

Slater,

Sorry for the delayed response. The "what-if" seemed obvious to me.

Though I intend no reflection on McCain individually, I do firmly believe the Republican party has become quite adept at "tatical maneuvering" of the spotlight. Frankly, I think selecting Palin as McCain's running mate is a ploy on the part of the Republican party selection committe.

(What if) McCain found himself as the "old war dog" in a new game--a new era. Though respected (and deservedly so) for his service to his country, his story isn't all that unfamiliar. It was time to regain some ground in the media race that Obama and Hillary were clearly winning.

The man will be 72 years old on election day, making him the oldest person ever elected President if he wins. As a matter of humor, I'm guessing the first two questions he posed for Palin were, "Can she text? Can she email? Yes? She's hired".

Also (since I'm feeling a tad ornery anyway), I'll go on to speculate (since this is a global level discussion involving people you and I will likely never meet) there may be an interesting timeline that developed between Obama's selection of Biden and McCain's selection of Palin. I believe the Repubs saw an open window of opportunity to boost McCain's popularity when the Dems didn't choose Hillary.

On a more positive note, it looks as if the administration has finally found its weapon of mass destruction!! Thanks for the link NanaDot:)

We're getting a number of those musical programs here, also. Our PBS station (KLRN) has them on a cycle,I think. :) I've watched all of them at least once and some twice.

I don't have that movie, but I'm going to go into the site and see if anyone has posted it.

Slater: Do you have "All This and Heaven, Too" in your collection? Old fave of mine.

And for you oldies-lovers here, KCPT is running a 20-year old Roy Orbison show this evening (it's on until 10:30). If you haven't seen it, it's great - among the musicians with ol' Roy are Tom Waite, J.D. Souther, Elvis Costello and a very young Bruce Springsteen, and the backup group is Bonnie Raitt, Jennifer Warnes and k.d.laing. The looks on their faces say just one thing, "Oh, man, I can't believe I'm onstage with ROY!"

Your neutrality is duly noted Kathy.

I was merely pointing out that Palin's postition regarding the life of the mother has been pointed out not only by you but by me and others as well previously in comments.

In addition, I wanted to comment on the fact that her extremist positions are a mute point given the precidents set in Roe v Wade and other High Court rulings and by the basis of our legal system which is crucial to an orderly society.

In addition, I wanted to point out that the very choice she insisted is her daughters right as an American woman is the very right she wants to take away from your daughter -- a double-standard if I have ever seen one and hypocricy to the highest degree -- a hypocricy that has permeated the policies of the Republican ruling elite in Washington for the past 8 years.

Sorry gang. I figured it out. The link does work. I just needed to open the article. DUH!!!!

No Slater,

That link was not my posting nor is it my comment.

However, I think the facts are clear that the Republican Party is the party of double-standards, doubl-speak, torture, wars of aggression in order to control other country's natural resources -- at the cost of our childrens' lives, and I think its very clear that the Republican Party is the party of hypocrisy.

So now this same party is attempting to convince us that they aren't the party that is responsible for all that has gone wrong for the past 8 years and that somehow they are the party that will fix it.

Anyone that really believes that crud they are trying to shove down our throats, please signify by standing on your head.

OKReader, Palin is one of those contestants who would try to sabotage any girls ahead of her in the pageant. heh heh

What??? Oh, you kid!!!!

www.pensitoreview.com/2008/09/05/palin-c......

sent by rgernreich since 1 day 1 hour 21 minutes, published about 15 hours 52 minutes

Palin Wed. night: "To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters. I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House." In fact, Palin cut funding for services for Alaska's special needs children by 60 percent, according to an analysis of state budgets.

Can the Republicans as represented by Mrs. Palin say anything that isn't baloney? It is established that she will use her family in any way to further her ambition. The above quote from her speech was an obvious reference to her Down's syndrome baby, an I share your pain, and I understand message. What a hypocrite.

Palin does make one exception for abortion - to save the life of the mother. That isn't often mentioned, so I thought I'd just bring it up again to be sure it isn't overlooked. I'm not defending or supporting her in any way, just keeping the record straight, based on what I've read in print and online.

So, what is your "what if," Cheetah?

Do you mean Palin is entitled to equal press? Certainly she's entitled to the opportunity for the people to get to know her, but timing seems to be everything in this case.

Springing a surprise on the country at this late date may very well scuttle the plan, especially if any missteps are uncovered during the examination of her history over the next few weeks.

One way people view this last-minute "secretive" choice is that there may be things in her past which are unfavorable. No one knows for certain about that yet, but I'm sure we'll have a ruling on that soon enough.

I read the open letter posted by NanaDot, along with the comments, and in the eyes of other media people it's a genuine accounting of some of Palin's history. The woman painted Palin as a power monger who would betray most any trust if she believed it would work in her favor, and that she's a vindictive person who takes revenge on anyone opposing her. A basic personality flaw that I see is her obvious lack of self-esteem and self-efficacy: she can't share control with anyone when she perceives it to be a show of inadequacy; every action has to appear as being of her own creation. I wouldn't necessarily say that she's strictly ego-driven, although that's a part of it. With people like her, there's no such thing as compromise - it's going to be her way or else.

It may turn out that she's committed no ethics or criminal violations, but the fact remains that her persona has the potential to do the greater harm.

Good reading, ND! Thanks for sharing.

I am pleased to read here in the Marshall Democrat that Marshall's parks will be receiving an overhaul.

Its nice to know the City elders haven't forgotten about Marshall's best resource for the future -- the children. Good on you Marshall!!! Please keep up the good work!

NOMORONS: The Palin information came from moveon.org. Before someone begins a rant about aha! left wing subversion, go to the site, read the sources they list for each comment. Then if you believe any are not true, please cite their source, and comment why the source, and the statement are not credible. It will make your own comment more credible.

Slater41, if the convention coverage was as you stated in the Marshall-Slater area, you were half lucky. Where I live, it was on all the networks all the time and on several cable channels all the time. Both parties. Only thing worse could be the Olympic coverage which I enjoyed.

As for the Palin information. Most of it is available on the web somewhere just type in name. Problem is that much of the internet has incorrect information. Check against credible sources and recheck those.

As for news stories on white gangs out to kill Obama. Three or four men were arrested near the Democratic convention then later released on lack of evidence of intent. One of them was to have said they were there to kill Obama but no hard evidence was ever found. I don't they had any weapons in their possession when arrested. This according to St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

I have one other question:

Can anyone tell me why the GOP convention was covered by all the networks and the Democrats were relegated to PBS only?

Does this say anything about the electronic media?

I know, that's another question when I said I have one more. I meant to say I have a two-part question. (smile)

I was talking with a Scottish friend, and he asked me about the death threats being made by white supremacist groups against Obama. He said he's heard reports by the news people over there indicating this. Has anyone heard anything like that? I haven't, but it wouldn't surprise me.

Did you watch Sarah Palin's speech? The speech told us a lot about her.

It told us that she can distort the facts and deliver mean-spirited zingers with the best of them. It told us that if Rush Limbaugh or Ann Coulter ever need a stand-in, she'd be a great pick.

It told us that she can be condescending and dismissive of the real work Barack Obama did helping real people on the South Side of Chicago. It told us that she can uphold the long Republican tradition of lying about Democratic tax cuts--even though Obama's plan would give Americans a bigger break than McCain's.

But the speech--written by one of President Bush's speechwriters--didn't tell us the truth about Sarah Palin's extremist positions. And the more that people know her far-right views, the less they support her. (There's a partial list below.

)

One of the best ways to get the word out about Palin is to write a letter to the editor of your local paper.

Palin's speech and the reaction to it also made clear why McCain picked her. It wasn't a decision about who's most qualified to serve a heart-beat away from the presidency--it was a political decision about pleasing the far-right base of the Republican party.

Writing a letter to your local paper is a great way to make sure voters understand that. The opinion pages are the most widely-read pages of the newspaper. Write today, and your letter's a lot more likely to get published because it's so topical.

Here are a bunch of points you might want to include in your letter:

Palin recently said that the war in Iraq is "God's task." She's even admitted she hasn't thought about the war much--just last year she was quoted saying, "I've been so focused on state government, I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq.

" 1, 2

Palin has actively sought the support of the fringe Alaska Independence Party. Six months ago, Palin told members of the group--who advocate for a vote on secession from the union--to "keep up the good work" and "wished the party luck on what she called its 'inspiring convention.

'" 3

Palin wants to teach creationism in public schools. She hasn't made clear whether she thinks evolution is a fact.

4

Palin doesn't believe that humans contribute to global warming. Speaking about climate change, she said, "I'm not one though who would attribute it to being manmade.

" 5

Palin has close ties to Big Oil. Her inauguration was even sponsored by BP.

6

Palin is extremely anti-choice. She doesn't even support abortion in the case of rape or incest.

7

Palin opposes comprehensive sex-ed in public schools. She's said she will only support abstinence-only approaches.

8

As mayor, Palin tried to ban books from the library. Palin asked the library how she might go about banning books because some had inappropriate language in them--shocking the librarian, Mary Ellen Baker. According to Time, "news reports from the time show that Palin had threatened to fire Baker for not giving "full support" to the mayor.

" 9

She DID support the Bridge to Nowhere (before she opposed it). Palin claimed that she said "thanks, but no thanks" to the infamous Bridge to Nowhere. But in 2006, Palin supported the project repeatedly, saying that Alaska should take advantage of earmarks "while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist.

" 10

The plain fact of the matter is that Sarah Palin did a bang-up job delivering a Karl Rove-style political attack speech last night. That makes her a skilled politician but it doesn't make her views any more palatable for voters. Americans don't really want another far-right, anti-science ideologue in the White House.

Please help get the word out about where Sarah Palin really stands on the issues.

I just finished watching a documentary titled: "a.k.a. Tommy Chong".

As we approach the election I implore everyone here to go and rent it. Netflix has it and maybe video stores will as well. Take a look at what the govt.(we) did to this man and the reasons they did it and ask yourself if this is really the country you want to live in. If after watching it you feel that this is the country you want then congratulations because let me tell ya buddy you already got it. John Ashcroft's heavy handedness is sickening and we are still suffering his effect on our nation. I am ashamed that he hails from Missouri and I'll be ashamed of us all if we continue to support an adminstration that encourages such abuses of power. But then again it seems like abuse of power is all we really know these days.

I first voted in the 1964 general election, and over the 44 years since that time I've observed a common characteristic of Republican supporters, and that is, they never have definite, clear, rational reasons for voting. When asked why they favor their choices, the response is either vague and ambiguous, or we get the Maynard Krebs-type analysis.

Last night after Palin finished her speech a delegate from Tulsa was asked for his opinion of her. This delegate had been quizzed about her prior to her speech and had admitted to knowing very little about her and wasn't sure if McCain had made the best choice. His response after the fact was to say she was great, wonderful, AWESOME! End of analysis.

Surely there's more substance to a candidate than to be described by a convention delegate as "wonderful, awesome, great." And so it goes...

By his own admission McCain has a muddled understanding of economics, he believes our troops should remain in Iraq for 100 years (as justification he says we've had troops stationed around the world for 100 years), a prominent member of his party describes McCain as possessing a temper. I guess that's one of the earmarks of current policy McCain wants to extend. That'll get us a long way in diplomatic relations. Come to think of it, he DOES remind me in appearance and demeanor of Nikita Kruschev.

Carrieliz42 says she's proud to admit she'll be voting for the Republican ticket. She says it's her decision and I concur. My hope is that everyone who votes for the Republicans does so with a clear head and comprehensive understanding of how the GOP intends to solve the problems.

notgvnasht- Soooo...let me get this straight; you're saying that all of the things you listed are only the fault of the Republican Party? Because if I read that right I think you might be sadly mistaken. I am not on here to start anything and the odds are against me ever writing on here again but I have to say that you can't just blame one political party for the down falls of our country. I'm pretty sure there were plenty of Democrats, Republicans, and everything else in between that had helping hands in the situation we find our nation in now.

Oh and I'm not ashamed or embarrassed at all to say I will be voting for McCain and Palin in November. To each his own, we all vote based on what is important to us and that's exactly what I plan to do.

WTMP,

That fact that I wouldn't even vote for a "good" republican is the fault of the republicans to begin with. Like you I am an independent and hold no allegiance to any party. Call it a protest vote if you like but I would'nt vote for a republican for dogcatcher at this point. I am but a lowly citizen and since no one else will hold the republicans accountable, then all I can do is not reward them with my vote. This goes far beyond wheter or not Sarah Palin is a good person or even a good republican. This is about holding the republican adminisrtation to at least some accountabily. I blame congress but not enough to leave these criminals in power.Make no mistake these are criminals and what they have done makes Watergate and Monica Lewinsky look like Ozzie and Harriet. Now it seems as if any critique of Palin brings cries of sexism when the only sexism I see is the simple fact that John McSame picked her soley for the gender vote. Great. Just what we need in our next president. So I ask you again, just exactly what have the republicans actually done to deserve my vote?

When the same liberal bloggers and left-wingnuts claim Palin's youngest son was in fact her daughter's son and that she faked her pregnancy to cover it up, then turn and say they can prove she's an adulteress, I go, "Okay, suuuure; be a moron, see what I care!" (I'm refer to the stupid bloggersphere as moronic, not you, just so you know.)

And the so called breach of ethics to get her former brother-in-law fired has many accusations flying from both sides, but one verifiable fact that both agree on is this; when the jerk was in the custody battle with Palin's sister, he is quoted as saying, "If you go to a lawyer, I'll kill your father!" (That, by the way, would be Palin's dad.)

I'm just trying to think about this logically, and if some A-hole threatens to kill my dad, I'm going to threaten him back, no matter what my position is; how about you?

And you know what I liked about her speech, she can throw conservative cliches just as much as Obama can throw his liberal ones, and she can do it much more convincingly, in my humble opinion.

I'm going to step away from my computer now, so anyone can say anything they want now, with no fear of me breaking their train of thought.

News across, every single person you list (that I'd heard of) were the Republicans I was NOT referring too.

I was talking about people like Palin, who has gone against her party to do what's right, who has gone against oil companies to do what's right, who has quit her own job to do what's right.

Because of that and more, she's straightened out her state economy and earned herself the best approval rating of any governor anywhere!

If she were running for president against Obama I'd vote for her!

But no, her competition is with Joe Biden (a good ol' boy) and the liberals are going with Biden.

Did you know that according to feminist guidelines, Barracuda Sarah doesn't qualify as a woman! Seriously! If that's not one of the stupidest things ever contrived on this planet I don't know what it is.

By the way, this independent is still going to pick and choose who he supports, but I've made up my mind, vote McCain + Palin!

Yeah and lets name some of those "get 'er done" republicans:

GEORGE BUSH: lied the American people into war so the Muliti-national oil companies (biggest contributers to his campaigns) could control Iraqi oil resources, "outed" an American CIA agent (putting her life and the lives of her family in danger) in violation of our law for politcal purposes then lied about it, approved and ordered the torture pows and others, denied American civilians inside the USA their Constitutional right to habeas corpus (ie: Jose Padilla), racked up the biggest debt the USA gov has ever had with his irresponsible borrow and spend policies, responsible for the deaths of more than 4000 American men who died to make the multi-national oil companies richer, responsible for over 1 million innocent Iraqi civilian deaths -- 55% of whom the current Iraqi Gov estimates were women and children, multiple violations of Title 50, Chapter 36, FISA law, multiple violations of Title 18, Part 1, Chapter 118 -- Federal War Crimes Act, created one of the worst economic crisis in American history by failing to respond to the housing crisis in a responsible and timely manner -- leaving individuals homeless while bailing out the finance companies responsible for the crisis, left residence of New Orleans to suffer, and in some cases, die after Katrina while he and John McCain ate cake, questionable ties to convicted criminal Jack Abramoff.

DICK CHENEY: Co-conspirator of the Iraq War lies, lied to the American People regarding Iraq and the rush to war, Co-conspirator of the outing of a CIA Agent in violation of American Law for political reasons, Co-conspirator in policy of torture of pows and others, lied about Scooter Libby's leaking name of CIA agent to press, responsible for creating most secret government in history of USA, signer of PNAC document calling for World military and economic domination by usa and for multiple wars in Mid-East, multiple violations of Title 50, Chapter 36 Federal Acts, multiple violations of Title 18, Part 1, Chapter 118 -- Federal War Crimes Act, et al.

DONALD RUMSFELD: -- do I even have to list his crimes? (If your answer is yes, scroll up, see George Bush section, same thing)

TOM DELAY, REPUBLICAN, US CONGRESSMAN FROM TEXAS: Under inditement on Texas State campaign finance law, felony money laundering and conspiracy counts -- multiple charges, currently awaiting trial in Texas.

SCOOTER LIBBY, CHIEF OF STAFF FOR DICK CHENEY: Convicted of Perjury and lying to Federal Grandjury.

LARRY CRAIG, US SENATOR: Plead guilty to making unwelcomed "adult" advances to undercover police officer then lied about it after admitting his guilt.

MARK FOLEY, REPUBLICAN, US CONGRESSMAN FROM FLORIDA: explicit internet messages of an "adult nature" with current and former congressional pages under the age of 18, resigned under disgrace and admitted his wrong doing.

WILLIAM FRIST, REPUBLICAN, SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE:

subpoenaed by the SEC on 3 counts of criminal indictment for fraud and insider trading.

JACK ABRAMOFF, REPUBLICAN LOBBYIST: plead guilty to three counts of conspiracy, honest-services mail fraud and tax evasion.

RANDY DUKE CUNNINGHAM, REPUBLICAN, CONGRESSMAN FROM CALIFORNIA: admitted taking $2.4 million in bribes, currently serving time in prison.

BOB NEY, REPUBLICAN, CONGRESSMAN FROM OHIO: plead guilty to conspiracy and making false statements. He acknowledged taking money, gifts and favors in return for official actions on behalf of Abramoff and his clients.

Those are but a few of the big names. There are more -- many more but too many to list in this forum.

Yeah those "get 'er done" Republicans can really be counted on for "getin' us good."

Thats why this Independent voter will be voting straight Democrat Ticket this election.

I recomend you good folks do the same.

WTMP,

Aside from treason, war crimes, human rights violations and shredding the constitution, just what exactly have these "good ol' boy" "git r' done" Republicans actually gotten done?

What the f....

What are you talking about? If you are talking about Sarah Palin you are a little confused!!! Gov. Palin is awesome. She did a great job last night and she will be the next VP of the United States!

As I watched the convention last I realized that if Jesus Christ himself came back tommorrow and ran as a republican I wouldn't vote for him.

WTF, I forgot to respond to your comment about the polls.

The pollsters are trying to be sophisticaed and they're giving us numbers by age group. For example, when you see that McCain is a percentage point or two ahead of Obama, that's the number that represents white males in McCain's age range. Overall, Obama is 8-10 points ahead (that was the number given last night).

So, when you see numbers, they'll most likely be reflective of a particular age bracket. Also, some of the polls are not statistically significant. I say that not from fact, but it's my feeling that the data is not significant because of the kinds of questions being asked and the way they're asked. I can't speak factually for the polling services, but I've done a lot of that kind of work in the past and I know that validity is often compromised when this kind of polling is done.

news across,

Those were excellent and sad points you made in your last post. It's frightening to me that if one believes the polls that the republicans are virtually neck and neck with the dems. While I am upset with the democratic congress I am baffled how anyone in this country could still support the GOP after the past 8 years. I guess abortion and gay marriage are the only 2 things that really matter to them. Free country my ass.

Bill Balsamico has it right. Thanks for this post, Gal66!

A little something I found on the web

Casa D' Ice Address on America

"Two score and eighteen years ago our leaders brought forth on this continent the greatest nation on earth, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that no other nation could equal us. Now we are engaged in a great challenge of endurance and survival, testing whether that nation, or any other nation that was so strong and so powerful can long endure. We are meet on a great battlefield, it is a new war consisting of economic, industrial and political struggles. We are losing many of these battlefields as our congress and politicians allow the out sourcing of our jobs and companies, along with the failure to remedy our broken borders. This is not why many gave their lives so that this nation may live. It is also fitting and proper that we correct this. But in a larger sense, we cannot Dedicate, we cannot Consecrate- we cannot hallow this country. The brave men and women, living and dead, who struggled here, have Consecrated it, far above our politicians to add and detract. The world has always looked to America for assurance, support, leadership and assistance which she gave unconditionally. It is for us the VOTERS rather than remain complaisant but take back the country which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that is to vote out every incumbent in the Senate and Congress. After all anything has to be better than what we have now. That from these new and fresh politicians we can take increased devotion to our cause for which many gave the last full measure of devotion. That we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain- that this nation under God, shall have NEW GROWTH--- NEW BUSINESS--and NEW JOBS, along with ENERGY INDEPENDENCE and BORDER SECURITY----and that Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Bill Balsamico

Casa D'ice

N. Versailles Pa. 15137

News, here's one from someone in your part of the world. The tone seems to indicate his displeasure with the Australian Labor Party, I'm guessing:

The Squirrel and The Grasshopper

The squirrel works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.

The grasshopper thinks he's a fool, and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.

Come winter, the squirrel is warm and well fed.

A social worker finds the shivering grasshopper, calls a press conference and demands to know why the squirrel should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others less fortunate, like the grasshopper, are cold and starving.

The ABC shows up to provide live coverage of the shivering grasshopper; with cuts to a video of the squirrel in his comfortable warm home with a table laden with food.

The Australian press informs people they should be ashamed that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so while others have plenty.

The Labour Party, Greenpeace, Animal Rights and The Grasshopper Housing Commission of Australia demonstrate in front of the squirrel's house.

The ABC, interrupting a cultural festival special from St Kilda with breaking news, broadcasts a multi-cultural choir singing 'We Shall Overcome'.

Bill Shorten rants in an interview with Laurie Oakes that the squirrel got rich off the backs of grasshoppers and calls for an immediate tax hike on the squirrel to make him pay his 'fair share' and increases the charge for squirrels to enter Melbourne city centre.

In response to pressure from the media, the Government drafts the Economic Equity and Grasshopper Anti Discrimination Act, retroactive to the beginning of the summer. The squirrel's taxes are reassessed. He is taken to court and fined for failing to hire grasshoppers as builders for the work he was doing on his home, and an additional fine for contempt when he told the court the grasshopper did not want to work.

The grasshopper is provided with a Housing Commission house, financial aid to furnish it and an account with a local taxi firm to ensure he can be socially mobile. The squirrel's food is seized and re-distributed to the more needy members of society - in this case the grasshopper.

Without enough money to buy more food, to pay the fine and his newly imposed retroactive taxes, the squirrel has to downsize and start building a new home.

The local authority takes over his old home and utilises it as a temporary home for asylum seeking cats who had hijacked a plane to get to Australia as they had to share their country of origin with mice.

On arrival they tried to blow up the airport because of Australians' apparent love of dogs.

The cats had been arrested for the international offense of hijacking and attempted bombing but were immediately released because the police fed them pilchards instead of salmon whilst in custody.

Initial moves to return them to their own country were abandoned because it was feared they would face death by the mice.

The cats devise and start a scam to obtain money from people's credit cards.

A 60 Minutes special shows the grasshopper finishing up the last of the squirrel's food, though spring is still months away, while the Housing Commission house he is in crumbles around him because he hasn't bothered to maintain it. He is shown to be taking drugs.

Inadequate government funding is blamed for the grasshopper's drug 'Illness.'

The cats seek recompense in the Australian courts for their treatment since arrival in Australia.

The grasshopper gets arrested for stabbing an old dog during a burglary to get money for his drugs habit. He is imprisoned but released to enter a drug

rehabilitation program for a few weeks. He is placed in the care of the probation service to monitor and supervise him.

Within a few weeks he has killed a guinea pig in a botched robbery.

A commission of enquiry, that will eventually cost $10 million and state the obvious, is set up.

Additional money is put into funding a drug rehabilitation scheme for grasshoppers.

Legal aid for lawyers representing asylum seekers is increased.

The asylum seeking cats are praised by the government for enriching Australia's multicultural diversity and dogs are criticised by the government for failing to befriend the cats.

The grasshopper dies of a drug overdose.

The usual sections of the press blame it on the obvious failure of government to address the root causes of despair arising from social inequity and his traumatic experience of prison.

They call for the resignation of a minister.

The cats are paid $1 million each because their rights were infringed when the government failed to inform them there were mice in Australia.

The squirrel, the dogs and the victims of the hijacking, the bombing, the burglaries and robberies have to pay an additional percentage on their credit cards to cover losses, their taxes are increased to pay for law and order, and they are told that they will have to work beyond age 65 because of a shortfall in government funds.

THE END

slater41

That is the funniest thing I have read in a long time. I can't stop laughing. Thanks for posting that!

What the f

Yeah I agree, vegimite is terrible but the aussies love it. They actually make sandwiches out of it - and they think we are crazy to eat peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches. When you are considering Australia you should remember, its a different Country that is also the most remote Country in the World. They have their own foods and their own ways. In fact, if it wasn't for the fact that I am a pretty good cook and that they have McDondalds, burger king, and kentucky fried chicken here, I would probably have starved to death a long time ago lol.

But still, Australia is a very cool place.

Keep a level head and don't over react, labgirl. Don't make your son the ultimate victim by trying to protect and shield him from the way our world is. Continue to show him right from wrong and let him see your resolve to win out over the crooks.

Get that neighborhood watch group started and show the police that all of you are willing to do your part in keeping the neighborhood safe. Ask the police to come and talk to you and your neighbors and offer advice and suggestions to help keep everyone safe. When they see that you're sincere, they'll reciprocate by supporting your efforts.

labgirl and typesetter,

I know exactly how you feel, since I've been victimized also.

I learned to lock my car after the night someone got into it and helped himself to a few things while I was attending a wedding reception. Miraculously the police caught the thief and I got my property back, but that's a rare occurrence, I'm sure.

It seems that thieves have become much bolder nowadays, maybe because of the sheer numbers of people who, in times past, might not have been tempted to break the law. Our legal system being what it is tends to encourage law-breaking, and the end result is that honest people have lost the freedom of being able to trust others to honor that trust.

news, what a coincidence re your service time location. I was in Germany from '61-'63, A Company, 10th Engineer Battalion, 8th Infantry Division, and our battalion headquarters was located in Wurzburg. I was caretaker of the company's quartermaster supply detail. A Company was located in Bamberg when I first arrived over there, and later we moved to Schweinfurt.

Although my German language knowledge was rudimentary at best, I preferred mingling with the natives. In every group there was always at least one person who spoke enough English for all of us to understand one another. The vast majority of those I had the opportunity to share thoughts with were most accepting of having the American military present in their country. I wonder about now, since conditions are dramatically different with the end to the cold war.

Talking a little more about the transit systems over there, I was aware right off that most people used public transportation to go to and from work and other travels. I'd see people driving their cars on weekends and concluded that since public conveyance was so good it made perfect sense to leave the car in the garage.

It was during a trip to Copenhagen that I learned what could have been the primary reason why people didn't drive their cars much. I rented a car while I was there, and before returning it I paid over $2.00 per gallon for the gas to refill the tank. That was a shock, to say the least. This was in 1962 that gas was well over $2./gal. all over Europe, not just in Denmark, so the people over there are well conditioned to paying premium prices. My friend in England recently told me that a gallon of gas costs the equivalent of $9.00 American. All the more reason why this country should be working to develop a comprehensive public transit system.

I know that this is a little off the subject... but what is with the people here in Marshall anymore? I can't believe that I cannot park my car in my driveway and have to worry about punks breaking into it and stealing out of it! I work so hard to provide for my family and for us to have stuff, and here this kids or whatever just go and steal stuff out of cars and sell it for money just so they don't have to work. I just don't get it!!!! Ok, I'm sorry I just had to vent!!!

A guy work with just got back from Australia. He brougt back a small jar of vegimite. I've heard about for years and wanted to try it. First time I'm ever actually tasted catfish bait! Yeeecccchh!! It's horrible.

news, your climate is much like the climate here in south texas, but it may be a bit cooler here during the winter months. When people ask me what the weather is like here, I tell them we have two seasons - one hot, and one not quite as hot.

Even after all these years I still miss the changing seasons. Fall is my favorite and I have many fond memories of playing in the leaves - rake up a big pile and then go jump in, and I remember that smell when they burned.

Yes, I'm sure you're homesick sometimes. Any time your attachment to a place is strong and spans generations like yours, you'll always miss it.

I was born and raised in Slater, born in the house my dad had built three years earlier. My roots are there, and no matter how the town changes and no matter where I might be, it'll always be my home. I've been gone from there for nearly 48 years, but the ties are still strong.

My wife played the violin years ago, and she's now talking about getting hers checked and in good playing order so she can play it again. I joke with her that it's a good thing for me that my hearing is diminished. heh heh heh

I like the fact that you have all that public transportation at your disposal. The love that people in America have for their cars is ridiculous and is responsible for our present energy crisis. Well, I won't flog that dead horse again. When I was in the Army I spent time in Germany, and I was very impressed by their public transit systems. I have a great love of trains, so naturally I loved traveling on the trains, which would take you anywhere you wanted to go. I can well imagine what the system is like there.

This is a coincidence - I'm having a Granny Smith apple as I write this. (smile)

My eyes are telling me it's time to get up from here. See you on the next page!

slater41

No I have never played the Sydney Opra House -- I wish I was that good lol lol lol. They only have big name solo violinists there. I am pretty much relegated to weddings, parties, and teaching violin. What can I say...it pays the bills.

But thanks for asking.

Thanks for the glowing report, news across! The pictures and video of Sydney show it to be a very appealing destination. I've always had an interest in visiting the country, and maybe some day I will. One of my lifelong friends will be there at the end of October. They start in Aukland, NZ with a cruise that ends in Sydney, where they'll spend two or three days I believe.

Have you performed at the Opera House?

It's 930pm on Monday here, so, let's see...it would be around 230pm Tuesday there? I'll have to consult the world clock. (smile)

Gotta go tend to Ms. Vivid, the cat.

slater41,

Yes I have photos of me and my lovely Aussie wife on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and at the Sydney Opra House.

I am a solo violinist and as such my Australian wife and I got to concerts at the Sydney Opra House quite often. It is a beautiful building and the accoustics there are said to be the best in the World. The last show we saw there was Nigel Kennedy (perhaps the finest solo violinist in the World). We live about 10 miles from the Sydney Opra House and so we go down there quite a bit.

The Sydney Opra House is very near the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the area in-between is called Circular Quay (prounced "key). It where the Harbour ferries load and unload and where they meet the train system. The ferries can take you almost anywhere in the Sydney area including to Taranga Zoo -- which is on an island and is spectacular. I love riding the ferries -- especially when the water is rough and the boats bounce all over the place -- and they are part of the public transportation system here -- which is also incredible. They even have a rivercat system that is also public transportation and will take a person to various points up the Parramatta river.

Australia is a truly remarkable place to live. Crime here is very low and you can go anywhere you want in the city or suburbs with out fear of being mugged or attacked, and they have the commuter train system which can take you almost anywhere in Sydney very quickly. Many people in Sydney and the suburbs don't own cars as they don't need them here. Of course many people here do have cars too lol. We do -- my car and her car -- but I rarely drive as the bus/train/ferry system is so extensive and inexpensive -- not to mention that even after 3 years I still have trouble driving on the left side of the road.

They have kangaroos here -- that is no secret. There are extensive public parks everywhere in Sydney and in fact the one in our suburb has quite a number of Kangaroos. The biggest kangaroos are the Western Red Kangaroos and they stand 6 feet tall and have a full length of about 12 feet if you include their tails. We have a couple of big reds at our local park and a whole bunch of Eastern Grey Kangaroos which are slightly smaller than the big Reds.

Sydney is the most beautiful city I have ever seen. Its nick-name is the "emerald city" because there are so many trees -- mostly gum trees and palm trees. The weather here is wonderful. its Winter right now and most days are sunny and warm -- mildly warm ranging from 65 degrees to 75 degrees during the day and usually in the high 50s to 65 at night -- and that is in the coldest month of July (yep we have Christmas in Summer here). The Summers have occasional hot days but its usually not hot very long and the average Summer time daytime temp is 80. Sydney has hundreds of beaches along the South Pacific Ocean which is crystal clear blue and the beaches are easy to get to using the extensive public transport system here. People surf and swim here year round too. It is always green here. The trees don't lose their leaves in the Winter and the grass doesn't turn brown. In fact, I have to mow my lawn year round lol. So even when its Winter, it looks and feels like Summer.

At the Western edge of Sydney are the Blue Mountains. We go there a lot too. They look a lot like the Smokey Mountains and during the depression the Australian Government built thousands of miles of well built trails through out the mountains. In fact, the mountains system is so extensive that many areas are to this day unexplored. But the best thing about the mountains is that you can hop on a commuter train and be there in about an hour and the cost is negligable. In fact, you could spend your morning hiking in the mountains here and your afternoon on a South Pacific beach all in the same day with no problem -- Winter or Summer -- the weather is great!

The Aussies are the nicest people I have ever known. They are very easy going and pleasent -- real laid back. The love their "footy" which is their version of football and their game of Cricket -- which is sort of like baseball but slower and more boring lol. Cricket games can go on for days and often as long as a week. The Aussies love to drink also. There are open air pubs and cafes everywhere because the weather is so temperate. However, they have very few dui problems here because of the public transport system and very strict penalties for violations of their dui laws. A dui or dwi can land one in prison here -- they mean business when it comes to keeping the roads safe. But you rarely ever hear about someone having that problem because the people are very conciencious about obeying the law and besides, a person can easily just catch a bus not far from their door step and take the bus to any pub they want to go to -- day or night and most of the pubs have their own busses. When we want to go out, we just call the pub and they send their shuttle bus over to our house to pick us up, and then when we are ready to head home we just hop on the shuttle bus and they take us right back to our house. My wife and I don't drink much but we do enjoy a glass of wine once in a while at the open air pubs and we never set one foot in the car when we do -- we don't have to.

Yes Australia is a very wonderful place to live, but yes I do often miss my fellow Americans and I am always home-sick for Marshall. My family goes way back in Marshall's history and I was the last one to live in Marshall. I have family at both cemetaries in Marshall and going all the way back to the mid 1800s in our oldest cemetary down by the park. While I do love Sydney, Marshall will always be my real home, and while I may admire the Australian people, no-one will ever replace the good people of Marshall in this Marshalite's heart. I guess that is why I keep the Marshall Democrat bookmarked and why we make a point of visiting Marshall when ever we take an American vacation.

Yes, slater41, I really am a long ways from home -- but make no mistake about it -- i am loving it lol!!

slater41,

I am not suprised to learn that European students consider a year in American highschool a "lost year."

I am an American living in Sydney, NSW, Australia. The Australian people have a long history of standing by America - even when America is wrong. They fought along side us in WW1, WW2, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War 1, Afgansistan, and Iraq. They have long admired our Constitution and in fact even now the Aussies are planning a new Constitution modeled after the American Constitution and declaring Australia a republic in 2010 (verses a constitutional monarchy which is what they are right now). They have been historically, typically, profoundly pro-American -- but not anymore.

What I am hearing here from the Aussies is disgust for the Bush Administration and the Republican Party and what this party has done to America and the World. Most Aussies I have talked to (and remember, I live in Australia, so everyone I talk with here is an Aussie), have come to the point where they despise America. America under the Republican "leadership" over the last 8 years has reduced the general Aussie attitude from one of respect and honor for America to fear and loathing of what they often refer to as "the World's Bullyboy." With out exception, Bush is regarded here in Australia as a brutal dictator. Australians laugh at our education system and Americans are generally regarded here in Australia as being dumb as a sack of hammers. That doesn't mean we are dumb, but they do regard Americans -- in general -- as "under educated." Frankly, the Republican Party in America -- through their policies -- have made life for Americans here in Australia very difficult at best, and from what I am hearing from American friends living in Europe, its the same there. Predjudice in Australia against Americans is now at an all time high. I even lost a job not long ago because my boss didn't like Americans -- his words, not mine. I wish I could say my former boss's attitude is the exception here but in fact it has become the rule. What ever good reputation our Nation once had in the World is now gone -- completely -- and the Australians seem quite bewildered at how Americans allowed their Country to sink so low.

Yes Repubican rule in America has been a very sad chapter in our History but we now have a chance to change the road we are on. Aussies here desperately ask me all the time if I think Obama will win -- I hear the desperate hope in their

voices when they ask.

All I can tell them is I hope so.

I've watched about 1/3 of it (a 2 hr 40 min film), and I kept thinking, Gee, if I didn't know better I'd say that Cheney wrote the transcript. There's a primary focus on regimentation, as is standard fare for the military, even today's version.

I've been gathering photos and file footage of WWII and have collected a fair amount. This is a part of history I haven't spent much time studying, so I'm hoping to develop a better understanding. I spotted a video about Japan from like 1940-1945 and I'll be downloading it.

I was born four days after Pearl Harbor, so I don't have any memories of that period, other than what I've been told by my family.