Usa Thread

[dave32]

Flash, have you been back to Southern Cal and not told anyone??

 

"LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- He's suspected of robbing banks from San Diego to Goleta. The elderly man known as the "Geezer Bandit" is getting a lot of attention. He even has fans on a Facebook page."

Link

 

 

[TroyinEwa/Perv]

No.....that's OH. He hasn't been on the board as he has been in planning for his heists.

[Flashermac]

 

It ain't me, though I used to be the Kissing Bandit.

 

 

 

p.s. But it he's robbing banks, why is it illegal? Bankers rob the rest of us every single day!

 

 

[Steve]

http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/2012Elections-VoterIdentification/2011/05/29/id/398152

 

GOP Moves to Tighten Vote Rules in 13 States

Sunday, 29 May 2011 12:39 PM

 

By Hiram Reisner

 

More ways to share... Mixx Stumbled LinkedIn Vine Buzzflash Reddit Delicious Newstrust Technocrati Share: More . . . A A | Email Us | Print | Forward Article Seeking to preserve the integrity of the election process, GOP-controlled statehouses nationwide are stiffening voting laws with changes that include requiring valid photo identification, restricting early voting, and imposing stricter rules on those who can register to vote.

 

Republicans in 13 states — where changes have either been passed or introduced in the past two months — say they are trying to ensure voters are qualified; Democrats counter the moves are politically based and aimed at weeding out young and minority voters — many of whom comprise the party’s base, The New York Times reports.

 

Last week, Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin and Gov. Rick Perry of Texas joined Kansas and South Carolina, and signed laws that would require valid photo identification before a voter could cast a ballot. Twelve states now require photo identification to vote, the Times says.

 

Gov. Rick Scott in Florida signed a bill this month to tighten restrictions on third-party voter registration organizations and to shorten the number of early voting days. The battleground states of Ohio and Pennsylvania are among those considering voter-identification bills.

 

“If you have to show a picture ID to buy Sudafed, if you have to show a picture ID to get on an airplane, you should show a picture ID when you vote,†Gov. Nikki Haley said this month when she signed the South Carolina law, the Times says.

 

Democrats say there is little proof of voter-impersonation fraud, that the GOP-led laws ring of racism, and target those who tend to vote Democrat, according to the Times.

 

Democrats also point to state figures showing there are few proven cases of voter impersonation and question why Republicans would want to spend taxpayer dollars on an insignificant problem, considering states’ fiscal problems, the Times says.

 

“There is not one documented case that has been presented to us, and we had numerous hearings,†said Democratic South Carolina state Sen. Brad Hutto. “Republicans have to have some reason to do this because it doesn’t sound good to say, ‘We don’t want Latinos or African-Americans voting.’ â€

 

State Republicans have long attempted to legislate photo identification requirements and other changes, said Daniel Tokaji, a law professor at Ohio State University and an expert in election law. Previous bills were largely derailed after the Bush administration fired several United States attorneys whom Republicans had criticized for failing to aggressively investigate voter fraud, according to the Times.

 

“That’s what really killed the momentum of more states’ enacting voter ID laws,†Tokaji said. “Now with the last elections, with the strong Republican majorities in a lot of states, we’re seeing a rejuvenation of the effort.â€

 

Republicans say increased immigration nationwide has spearheaded the push to makes sure elections are legitimate, according to the Times.

 

“Over the last 20 years, we have seen Florida grow quite rapidly, and we have such a mix of populations,†said state Rep. Dennis K. Baxley, the Florida Republican who wrote the law to tighten third-party registration in his state. “When we fail to protect every ballot, we disenfranchise people who participate legitimately.â€

 

The changes are likely to have an impact on close elections, Tokaji said.

 

“Remarkably, most of these significant changes are going under the radar,†he added. “A lot of voters are going to be surprised and dismayed when they go to their polling place and find that the rules have changed.â€

 

Most of the measures would require people to show a form of official, valid identification to vote. While driver’s licenses are the most common form, voters can also request free photo IDs from the Department of Motor Vehicles or use a passport or military identification, among other things.

 

But Democrats say the extra step will discourage voters who will have to pay to retrieve documents, like birth certificates, for proof to obtain a free card, the Times reports.

 

A few state bills and laws also reduce the number of early voting days, which Democrats also oppose. In the 2008 presidential election, a majority of those who cast early votes did so for President Barack Obama. In Florida, the number of days is reduced but the number of hours remains the same.

 

In Georgia, where photo IDs became a requirement in 2007, minorities voted in record numbers in 2008 and 2010.

 

Turnout among Hispanic voters jumped 140 percent in the state in 2008 and 42 percent among blacks compared with 2004, a change attributed in part to Obama’s candidacy. In the midterm election two years later, turnout also rose among Hispanics and African-Americans, according to data from the Georgia secretary of state.

 

But the presidential elections in 18 months, Democrats are taking their own offensive. The Democratic Governors Association started a Voter Protection Project this month to educate voters and encourage them to speak out against the measures. It also began running online advertisements.

 

The following is a list of some state voting changes either enacted or under consideration:

 

 

Wisconsin – A valid photo identification is needed before a voter could cast a ballot.

Florida – Restrictions tightened on third-party voter registration organizations and the number of early voting days has been shortened. Florida already requires photo identification.

South Carolina – A valid photo identification is needed before a voter could cast a ballot.

Texas – A valid photo identification is needed before a voter could cast a ballot.

Kansas – A valid photo identification is needed before a voter could cast a ballot.

Ohio – Legislature considering voter-identification bill.

Pennsylvania – Legislature considering voter-identification bill.

 

 

[Flashermac]

 

As America Observes Memorial Day, U.S. Casualties in Afghanistan Top 1,500

 

 

 

The Defense Department announced 8 new U.S. casualties in Afghanistan over the Memorial Day weekend, bringing the total number of U.S. casualties in the almost-decade-long war in that country to 1,503.

 

Twenty-eight U.S. service personnel have died in Afghanistan in May. These heroes came from all regions of America, calling 17 states and Puerto Rico their homes.

 

[color:red]933 of the 1,503 U.S. casualties over the course of the Afghanistan war have come since President Barack Obama was inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2009. That equals 62 percent of the total.[/color]

 

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), also known as homemade bombs, continued to be the number one killer of American forces in Afghanistan in May with 21 of the 28 casualties being caused by IEDs.

 

On May 26, in one of the worst IED attacks against U.S. forces in more than a year, 6 U.S. soldiers were killed in Kandahar Province, according to a statement released by the Defense Deparment on Saturday, The most recently confirmed U.S. casualty in Afghanistan took place Saturday, when Spc. Adam S. Hamilton, 22, of Kent, Ohio, was killed by an IED in Haji Ruf, Afghanistan. The Defense Department issued a statement about Hamilton's death on Sunday.

 

The Defense Department also said on Sunday that Pfc. John C. Johnson, 28, of Phoenix, Ariz., had been killed on Friday in Kandahar Province, when his unit came under attack by small arms fire.

 

The casualty totals for the war come from CNSNews.com’s database of U.S. military fatalities in Afghanistan, which is derived from official Department of Defense (DOD) announcements and news reports.

 

The database includes American troops who died in and around Afghanistan while supporting military efforts against terrorism under Operation Enduring Freedom. [color:red]That operation was launched on Oct. 7, 2001[/color] to topple the Taliban regime and pursue al Qaeda after it used Afghanistan as a base for the 9/11 terrorist attacks against the United States.

 

In addition to those who died in Afghanistan, CNSNews.com’s database includes some Americans who died in Pakistan and others who died in the Arabian Sea while supporting operations in Afghanistan.

 

President Obama escalated the war in December 2009 when he announced that he was sending 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan, bringing the total number of U.S. forces in that country to about 100,000.

 

Along with that announcement, Obama said that, ground-conditions permitting, U.S. troops will begin withdrawing from Afghanistan in July 2011, which U.S. Gen. David Petraeus, the top-commander in Afghanistan, indicated in March is on track to occur.

 

The withdrawal process is expected to carry through to the end of 2014 when Afghan forces are expected to be in the lead, but not independent of U.S. forces.

 

This is a list of the U.S. forces who died in Afghanistan in May. The list includes the hero's name, age, hometown and date of death as reported by the Defense Department.

 

--Spc. Adam C. Hamilton, 22, Kent Ohio, May 28, 2011

 

--Pfc. John C. Johnson, 28, Phoenix. Arizona, May 27, 2011

 

--1st Lt. John M. Runkle, 27, West Salem, Ohio, May 26, 2011

 

--Staff Sgt. Edward D. Mills Jr., 29, New Castle, Pa., May 26, 2011

 

--Staff Sgt. Ergin V. Osman, 35, Jacksonville, N.C, May 26, 2011

 

--Sgt. Thomas A. Bohall, 25, Bel Aire, Kan., May 26, 2011

 

--Sgt. Louie A. Ramos Velazquez, 39, Camuy, Puerto Rico, May 26, 2011

 

--Spc. Adam J. Patton, 21, Port Orchard, Wash., May 26, 2011

 

--Staff Sgt. Joseph J. Hamski, 28, Ottumwa, Iowa, May 26, 2011

 

--Tech. Sgt. Kristoffer M. Solesbee, 32, Citrus Heights, Calif., May 26, 2011

 

--Chief Warrant Officer Christopher R. Thibodeau, 28, Chesterland, Ohio, May 26, 2011

 

--Staff Sgt. Kristofferson B. Lorenzo, 33, Chula Vista, Calif., May 23, 2011

 

--Pfc. William S. Blevins, 21, Sardinia, Ohio, May 23, 2011

 

--Pvt. Andrew M. Krippner, 20, Garland, Texas, May 23, 2011

 

--Pvt. Thomas C. Allers, 23, Plainwell, Mich., May 23, 2011

 

--Cpl. Brandon M. Kirton, 25, Centennial, Colo., May 18, 2011

 

--Staff Sgt. David D. Self, 29, of Pearl, Miss., May 16, 2011

 

--Spc. Bradley L. Melton, 29, Rolla, Mo., May 16, 2011

 

--Pvt. Lamarol J. Tucker, 26, Gainesville, Fla., May 16, 2011

 

--Pvt. Cheizray Pressley, 21, North Charleston, S.C., May 16, 2011

 

--Spc. Brian D. Riley Jr., 24, Longwood, Fla., May 15, 2011

 

--Sgt. Kevin B. Balduf, 27, of Nashville, Tenn., May 12, 2011

 

--Lt. Col. Benjamin J. Palmer, 43, Modesto, Calif., May 12, 2011

 

--Sgt. Amaru Aguilar, 26, Miami, Fla., May 13, 2011

 

--1st Lt. Demetrius M. Frison, 26, Lancaster, Pa., May 10, 2011

 

--Sgt. Ken K. Hermogino, 30, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., May 9, 2011

 

--Spc. Riley S. Spaulding, 21, Sheridan, Texas, May 4, 2011

 

--Sgt. Kevin W. White, 22, Westfield, N.Y., May 2, 2011

 

 

 

Hope Obama enjoys his Nobel Peace Prize.

[Flashermac]

 

 

Obama Goes Golfing on Memorial Day

 

by Keith Koffler

30 May 2011

 

 

 

The business of memorializing our war dead done, President Obama headed out to the Fort Belvoir golf course today, finding his way onto the links for the ninth weekend in a row.

 

Obama earlier today laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and met with families of those killed in battle. But he emerged from the day’s solemnity to go golfing for the 12th time this year and the 70th time of his presidency.

 

The decision to golf on Memorial Day invites comparison with President George W. Bush, who gave up the game early in his presidency and said he did it out of respect for the families of those killed in Iraq.

 

Obama is out with the three younger aides he typically has in tow on his golf excursions, junior White House staffer Ben Finkenbinder, White House Trip Director Marvin Nicholson, and Energy Department staffer David Katz.

 

In a sign of his determination to play no matter what, Obama is golfing even though it is currently 95 degrees at Fort Belvoir and it “feels like†it’s 98 degrees, according to The Weather Channel.

 

 

 

Fore!

 

[robaus]

And who got the USA into this fine mess in the first place?

 

... Republican Bushit!

.. and just to hamstring the war effort against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan..Why not...

 

..... start a costly (in both lives and money) and totally futile war on a second front in Iraq looking for non existent WMD.

 

.... why not while you're at it, cause the GFC too by turning a complete blind eye despite warnings to the derivatives and mortgage markets

 

... and why not prevent any terrorist in Guantanamo Bay from ever facing justice in a US court by rendering all evidence inadmissable because Bushit and Rumsfeld approved the use of torture doahhh!

 

Obama is one of the finest presidents you've ever had considering the dingo's breakfast he inherited from the Republicans. He's actively promoting peace in the Middle East while the Reps seem to be warming up for another war. I heard Glenn Beck on Fox Noise the other day.. the man's a fucking lunatic.. he's organising an anti Arab rally in Israel in August.. how to win over a third of the world's population eh.. nice one Glenn!

 

I truly hope Palin runs.. she owes it to her devoted world wide audience .. the comedy value alone will be priceless... Trump was just the warmup act!

 

But if she's elected we're sure to tackle such pressing issues as gay marriage, abortion,morning prayers in schools, gays in the military.. blah blah blah, while China gazumps you economically.

 

I have never once heard anyone on Fox Noise say how they would have rescued the US economy or extract the allies from Afghanistan with honour. I remember at the time Palin and other Republicans were saying let GM go bust and throw the workers on the dole heap.

 

GM has just paid back its debt to the US govt with interest 6 years? ahead of schedule and has now turned a profit and saved 1000s of jobs.

 

Never underestimate the intelligence of the electorate but the world must surely tremble if one of those Republican fuckwits gets in.

 

 

 

[Bangkoktraveler]

If Palin becomes President, the capital of Africa will be bombed and everybody will be expected to wear leather and drive a Harley.

 

The panty and bra industry will double just in one year!

[dave32]

Yo HH.

 

Like I said prior I'm not going to vote in the 2012 election. Lame I know - my own personal protest. (I don't enough about Ron Paul, have to investigate).

 

But -- that said, I'm sincere when I say the conservatives are fucking up an opportunity. And I'm confident in that (currently).

 

So -- here's my proposal. Lets make a bet. I'm betting that Obama is going to win a second term (cause the current republican line-up is mediocre at best). I don't even support Obama, but he's going to win.

 

Here's the bet -- if Obama wins, you donate $50 to this board. If ANY republican wins -- I donate $50.

 

I'm dead serious. Is it a bet???

[Hugh_Hoy]

No, it isn't a bet. Cuz I think the worst president in the last century has enough useful idiots who will probably continue to believe his bullshit and ignore what he's actually doing to the country. He's a fucking incompetent, clever, charismatic failure. But there are millins of dumbshits would would pass on the chance to vote for a piece of shit instead of voting for him.

 

HH