Steve

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/openly-gay-romney-aide-resigns-backlash-202151633.html Richard Grenell, openly gay Romney aide, resigns after backlashAn openly gay Republican operative hired as Mitt Romney's foreign policy spokesman has abruptly resigned from the campaign, suggesting the focus on his personal life had become a distraction. The Romney campaign hired Richard Grenell, who had previously served as George W. Bush's spokesman at the United Nations, just two weeks ago, but his brief tenure had been the subject of controversy. It wouldn't be a big deal if he were a Dem in most cases. I recall when Ariana Huffingtons ex was running for office in California (I think it was senator), it was later revealed he was gay. The word was that the Democrats actually had proof and didn't mention it. Not out of any respect for his privacy but because gays were part of their base and they didn't want some of them bolting over to Huffington. My personal opinion is I could give a rat's ass about a candidates sexual orientation. We're in such a mess, it shouldn't matter (nor should we at any time), if the person is competant and will do the best job, so be it. I actually do believe that even if a gay person could solve a major issue of national importance, the religious right would still say no to the person. I'm a Christian and belive homosexuality is a sin. It doesn't change anything. Lying, cheating on your taxes, going to LOS and banging whores are sins as well. Religion and politics.

LOL...I said conservatives are. Reagan didn't and that is a big difference you're right. However, Republicans have been trying to deify Reagan saying he ended communism, which grates me actually. He's been hailed as a candidate for Mt. Rushmore, damn near. Anyway, the person in the White House gets the credit and the blame for all manner of things: economy, etc. Its how things are. Its an election year. Its not great for him to take all the credit and truth is, getting bin Laden is a result of years of work that began before he took office but I am certain had it been a Republican president, if not him, then the Republicans would be doing the same with regards to credit.

http://lewrockwell.com/grigg/grigg-w256.html Officer Regina Tasca Goes 'Rogue' On April 29, 2011, Tasca was on patrol when she got a call for medical assistance. Former Bogota Council Member Tara Sharp, concerned about the erratic behavior of her 22-year-old son Kyle, called the police to take him to the hospital for a psychological evaluation. Requesting police intervention, particularly in cases of this kind, is never a good idea. Sharp was exceptionally fortunate that Officer Tasca was the first to respond: She has years of experience as an EMT and had just completed specialized training on situations involving psychologically disturbed people. Once on the scene, Tasca acted quickly to calm down the distraught young man. "When the call came, I heard that a couple of officers from Ridgefield Park were coming to provide backup, which I thought was OK, Tasca related to Pro Libertate. "Kyle had been shouting and swearing when I got there, but I got him calmed down." The young man’s mood changed abruptly when he saw the other officers arrive. "He noticed them and asked me, `Why is there another police officer here from another town?’ Then he said that he was leaving, and he moved maybe two or three steps when one of the Ridgefield officers jumped him." Sgt. Chris Thibault tackled Kyle, wrapped him in a bear hug, and attempted to handcuff him. Within an instant, Sgt. Joe Rella piled on and began to slug Kyle in the head while his horrified mother screamed at the officers to stop. Tasca instinctively did what any legitimate peace officer would do: She intervened to protect the victim, pulling Rella off the helpless and battered young man. Eventually the Ridgefield officers handcuffed Kyle – then turned their fury on Tasca. "One of them yelled at me, `We can’t have this!’" she recalled. "I said, we `can’t have’ what? There was no reason to take that kid to the ground and start slugging him. This was a medical assistance call, and the mother was sitting their screaming at them to stop beating on their son. I didn’t fail to aid another officer; I acted to stop a beatdown." Two days later, Tasca was summoned by her captain, who informed her that she was being suspended pending a disciplinary hearing. She learned that in addition to "using force" to stop Rella’s assault on Kyle Sharp, Tasca was accused of failing to assist Bogota Officer Jerome Fowler when he was "assaulted" by an intoxicated woman on April 3.

I'll gladly stop saying Obama got bin Laden if conseravtives will stop saying Reagan ended the Soviet Union.

http://now.msn.com/living/0428-cheater-sues-school.aspx Dad sues school district after son is punished for cheating A father is suing his son's Northern California school district for throwing the boy out of an honors English class after he was caught cheating. The sophomore at Sequoia High School in Redwood City copied someone else's essay, which aside from being just plain wrong, also goes against the "honesty pledge" students sign at the beginning of the class, making it explicitly clear that any cheating will result in expulsion from honors courses. Clear cut, right? Well, the dad is pointing out a conflicting school policy that says students won't be punished for cheating until the second time they're caught. Um, can the second incidence of cheating be this dad trying to cheat the school system and bend the rules for his kid?

http://ontd-political.livejournal.com/9597394.html Can't pay your traffic ticket? There goes your water! Las Cruces, New Mexico is threatening to cut off water, gas and sewer service over unpaid red light and speed camera tickets. With more and more vehicle owners simply deciding refuse to pay red light camera and speed camera tickets, private, for-profit companies and municipalities are growing increasingly desperate. America's second-largest city shut down its photo ticketing program last year largely because residents who could not afford the $500 citations did not pay them. On Monday, Las Cruces, New Mexico announced it would shut off the utilities of city residents who refused to pay Redflex Traffic Systems, the Australian company that owns and operates the cameras. "The city is notifying offenders by mail that they have until the due date stated in the letter to pay the fines or make satisfactory payment arrangements," a Las Cruces press release warned. "Failure to comply will result in termination of utilities services." Las Cruces claims vehicle owners owe $2 million. To encourage payment of the $100 photo fines, the city says it will employ an ordinance the council adopted in 1988 giving itself the right to shut off utility service to residents declared delinquent for any reason.

http://news.yahoo.com/drone-strike-kills-four-suspected-militants-pakistan-141418061.html Drone strike kills four suspected militants in Pakistan A U.S. drone strike killed four suspected militants in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region near the Afghan border on Sunday, intelligence officials and witnesses said, the first strike in almost a month. The controversial drone programme, a key element in U.S. counter-terrorism efforts, is highly unpopular in Pakistan, where it is considered a violation of sovereignty which causes many civilian casualties. A Pakistani parliamentary committee recently demanded an end to drone strikes on Pakistani territory as part of its recommendations for how its relationship with Washington should change. The United States has given no indication it intends to halt the campaign. Say what you want about Obama but in terms of fighting terrorism, he kicks ass and takes names. He's been more effective in almost 4 years than the previous administration has been in 8. Foreign policy isn't bad either. His foreign policy with regards to renegade governments is to offer an olive branch first and conciliatory (a huge risk domestically to be labled weak or coddling) and then if its rejected he goes at them hard. It gives China and Russia very little wiggle room on the security council because he can say 'see, I tried and they are still doing it'. Its working with Iran and N. Korea. He also resisted the temptation to go into conflicts like Lybia and Egypt. Preferring instead to do have covert involvement in arms, intel and aid. Which doesn't get us bogged down with troops on the ground but gives us credibility with the rebels who know where the aid comes from and will be friendly to us after they take over. We are in Afghanistan more than I like but I have to believe we'd have been far more entrenched had McCain won.

What simply amazes me are the views of every day Americans, largely consevaitves over any changes to the way to the costs and distribution of medical care. Without exception, everyone I personally know has a major concern about theirs or their famiies having any kind of medical need past the routine. The medical industry and the pols have done a great job in brain washing. I have to believe the mind boggling seniment at the time of Obamacare was more about having a reason to hate Obama than about the real issue. Scare tactics and the like. It wasn't perfect legislation and made less perfect by being fought tooth and nail at every stop to strip away its benefits and effectiveness. I have some very conservative friends who were up in arms, friends I know who have had huge bills to deal with and its as if they had competely forgotten their own plight. Just about everyone I know is one medical emergency away from lifetime indebtedness. A great many are paycheck to paycheck. These are all a very diverse group economically, ethnically, etc. Many took jobs based SOLELY on the benefits. I introduced two friends who evenually got married and the guy became an LA deputy sherriff purely for the benefits because he had a kid and wanted another child. I remember the pics and news coverage of the masses acting as if the health plan was the work of the anti Christ. Patriots Act and other things that took away civil liberties and rights didn't even come close to the almost religious zealotry over health care. I can only conclude it was mostly over losing the election. I can't fathom how some people, fundamentals specifically, who are struggling paycheck to paycheck are more concerned over gay marriage and abortion than the welfare of themselves and their families. I grew up in the church, the black church specifically and those items were tertiary at best. We were all poor. We prayed and commiserated over kitchen table issues. Employment, the cost of living, crime and drugs in our area, etc. Not that any one supported abortion or gay marriage but it wasn't gonna keep you from getting mugged, getting a job and help you deal with every day life. Even in getting a job, a great many jobs' health plan sucks. Costs way too much for too little. I simply don't get it. It's a head scratcher. I have and am living outside the U.S. and when you see how much better the cost of health care is outside America you see America differently. I think part of it is that less than 20% of Americans have a passport and simply don't realize how bad things are because all they know is what they're told and never traveled even out of their own state much, much less the country and hasn't seen it from the outside looking as everyone on this forum has. Its no wonder I'm cynical about America. I don't see any hope unti its too late.

Didn't wanna start a new thread but saw this on a football forum (that's soccer to fellow Americans). This guy is hilarious. I didn't know of too many Brit comics and I want to start looking up more

Sorry to hear about your step daughter dean. I pray she recovers quickly and safely. You never like to hear about any of our forum family's misfortune (and I do consider all of us family in a sense). With regards to health care in America, I can't see it as anything short of a crisis. The cost and delivery of health care is embarassing for the world's largest economy. As much as we hear about the ills of the UK and other country's health care system, I'd rather get sick in just about any industrialized country I can think over the U.S. I started choosing jobs based on their health plan years ago. I said this on here before, that I'd take a lower paying job over a much higher paying one if the health plan was markedly superior. My last job I changed indusries and worked for a medical technology company started by and run by physicians and you know those guys aren't gonna short themselves. It was the best job in terms of health care I've ever had and it paid well as a bonus, With almost 2/3 of all personal bankruptcies due to health care costs, I can't see why there is so much fight against overhauling the way we do things. Both parties are part of the problem but I have to think the Republicans have a bigger share of the problems due to the amount of resistance I typically see against any overhaul. However, I don't want to make this a one party blame game. I'd love for both parties to put forth a truly independent panel to explore the issue and offer recommendations have we had with other issues in the past like poverty, racism, etc. Medical tourism has become a term due to our awfu health care system. Calling it a system is a misnomer. There is no system to speak of. The root of it all is the amount of power the various health care groups (AMA, big Pharma, etc.) have in Congress and the White House. The Health Savings Account ideas doesn't address the high cost. Also, can we save enough to cover an emergency room visit? Or a catostrophic health event? If you are a middle income person and you are worried about your future and the future of social security and you put away the prescribed 10% of your income for retirement in the various forms avaiable (job, IRA, etc.), as well as putting a good percentage away for your kids college education, then how can a family put another 10% or so towards a HSA? How do you raise a family doing that? Even on two incomes which most families are forced to? You have to be like China and only have one child. I wonder how much less you'd have to pay under Obamacare? I don't know but it would be interesting to know the differnce if any.

While I don't know if its legal for him to do this. I don't agree with it and he should be shamed into stopping it. No one should feel there is any hint of repurcussions for supporting a candidate financially and legally.

What a bitch. He's the fahter of your effing children you selfish bitch. Now they gotta live with jokes that their dad is f*cking guys. Women scorned. They're capable of literally ANYTHING. F*cking bitch. http://tv.yahoo.com/daytime/hulk-hogan-s-ex-apologizes-for-lies-29112936.html Hulk Hogan's Ex Apologizes for Lies

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/even-bankruptcy-trapped-student-debt-195547458.html Even after bankruptcy, trapped by student debt The misfortunes that brought schoolteachers Devin and Sarah Stang and their four young children to bankruptcy — and the loss of their house and a car in the process — were their own unique story. They bought the house at just the wrong time. There were heavy medical expenses when, at five months pregnant, she delivered stillborn twins. And their money woes go back further: When Sarah's college softball team pressured her to drop classes she wanted to take, she quit, lost her scholarship and had to make up the difference with loans. Devin, too, borrowed to get a master's degree. Then they struggled amid school layoffs near their Sandusky, Ohio, home. Now, the Stangs just want a truly clean slate, financially. But even the ordeal of bankruptcy won't give it to them, and the reason is a common one: Much of their debt comes from private student loans. Virtually any other kind of debt — including medical bills, mortgage, credit cards and car loans, even gambling losses— can be discharged in bankruptcy, allowing the "honest but unlucky" a chance to restore their footing through an arduous restructuring overseen by a court. But under a 2005 law passed by Congress to protect lenders, private student loans fall under the same nearly-impossible-to-clear category as child support payments and criminal fines.

...but still Obama leads in the polls in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Both states are swing states for a reason. The Dems there will vote Republican and even the Republicans will go with a Dem once in a while. Obama is beatable. Problem is the Republicans haven't offered anyone worth changing over. Romney doesn't inspire enough confidence to change ships. There is still a lot of time between now and the election for something to happen but it has to be some major event for things to change. Obama is an excellent campaigner and has a prussian like organization. He finds the small niches that are vulnerable and his people are good at going after them.

Somehow I don't think its a reaction to anything but the larger society outside their little world and putting up barriers ahead of time. This is Missouri. A conservative state outside the larger cities of St. Louis and Kansas City and even those cities aren't exactly bastions of liberalism. Its the midwest. I've been to St. Louis years ago. Also, I've never spent a considerable amount of time in San Francisco but I have in LA where there is a large gay population and people are tolerant for the most part. Outside of the heavy populated gay areas of West Hollywood for example, you don't see it. They are conscious of how they are perceived socially. And this is LA! Its not in your face. By that I mean 2 guys french kissing in public. They are aware, not even much hand holding. Especially in the malls where families and kids are. I've been invited to birthday parties in West Hollywood by gay friends or coworkers and even in the heart of it, I was suprised at the public restraint. Hand holding, yes but not a great deal of that.

http://www.oktosaygay.com/ Leaders in the Missouri House are supporting "Don't Say Gay" legislation (HB2051) to eliminate discussions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in public schools, prohibit teachers from addressing bullying based on sexual orientation, and likely ban gay-straight alliances. This is a desperate tactic by frightened, bigoted, cynical individuals who are terrified at the advancement the LGBT community has made in breaking down the barriers to full and equal treatment under the law The plethora of anti gay and anti abortion legislaton is troubling. Especially in places where it doesn't even seem an issue. Missouri? Socially, its not west Hollywood or San Francisco. Gays aren't as open I believe so its not in your face. So why the legislation? I could half way understand if a bunch of gender benders were all over the place and it was a shock to the social system. I'd still be against it but I would understand. However, just creating legislation for the hell of it as an insurance or some sort worries me. Its no different thant he Taliban in Afghanistan.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/va-woman-fights-collect-10-million-debt-collectors/story?id=16205697 W. Va. Woman Fights to Collect $10 Million from Debt Collectors Two years ago, a debt collector with a company called Reliant Financial Associates, or RFA, left a message implying that her house was in jeopardy if she didn't pay a debt. The message stated: "I'm calling in regards to a preliminary asset liability investigation. They are in the process of serving some court documents in regards to case 29369... They have some information now pending questions at the property,... Springdale Avenue, in Wheeling, West Virginia. It is in your best interests to contact the department. You are required to contact 866-764-9779." Courtesy Diana Mey Diana Mey, of Wheeling, W. Va., won the... View Full Size Courtesy Diana MeyDiana Mey, of Wheeling, W. Va., won the largest judgment ever against an abusive debt collection company -- more than 10 million dollars. But she is still waiting to collect damages. Hidden America: Life in 'Las Colonias' Watch Video Carrie Underwood on Life and Career Watch Video Girls Bought and Sold for Sex Online Watch Video It is illegal for debt collectors to make empty threats about serving people with a lawsuit or seizing their home. And it was especially galling to Mey, who says she is debt-free. "They threatened to take legal action against our property and it wasn't even our debt," Mey said. Millions of Americans are victims of this kind of mistaken debtor identity, partly because of a new breed of collectors called "debt buyers." They purchase old debts for pennies that the original creditors have given up on and then try to collect them for a big profit. Critics say debt buyers sometimes use outrageous tactics to get the money where others have failed. RFA is a debt buyer. Mey wrote RFA a cease and desist letter, telling the company not to contact her anymore, and sent it certified mail. Postal records show exactly when RFA signed for it. Precisely 23 minutes later, Mey started getting mysterious hang-up calls that showed up on her caller ID as coming from her local county government. Last May, Mey sued RFA for harassment and illegal collection practices. In August, RFA's lawyer failed to show up in court, so Mey testified unopposed. The judge called RFA's actions "malicious" and ruled that all of the allegations were true. And then he awarded that record judgment of $10,860,000.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/yahoo-news-david-chalian-election-outlook.html The Yahoo News election outlook: 100 electoral votes will decide contest The media will try and add drama and act as if its still a contest but as it stands now Obama wins fairly handily. He should have over 300 electoral votes. Unless something significant happens. Its Obama's. Republicans are writing this one off. Trust me.

http://news.yahoo.com/senate-votes-slow-closing-post-offices-210018033.html The Senate offered a lifeline to the nearly bankrupt U.S. Postal Service on Wednesday, voting to give the struggling agency an $11 billion cash infusion while delaying controversial decisions on closing post offices and ending Saturday delivery. What is the problem with the post office? I think I read somewhere (not sure) that the problems are the amount it spends on retirement, salaries, etc. as well as a decreasing need for it. Email has hurt it badly. As well as othe electronic mediums like texting, etc. What's the solution? I think a post office is one of the things mandated by the constitution. So we have to have a government run one, right?

Hmmm...sounds eerily familiar.

The Dem party have elected mavericks if not long shots. Obama was a maverick. He really had no friends in the party. The heirarchy were firmly Hillary Cliinton. He was a complete long shot. The Clintons were still very very powerful in the party. Clinton himself was a maverick of sorts when he ran. He was a centrist Dem at a time the party was farther left. Carter was a complete long shot in '76. No one heard of him. Kennedy was the party favorite. His brother died in '68 fairly recently and JFK's assassination was remembered first hand by most folks. Carter won though because he came across as completely honest at a time the country was dealing with the after effects of Watergate. I think if Booker runs for NJ governor and does a decent job he could get at the very least a VP nomination. He's a boy scout in terms of personal life from what I can tell so no scandals.

This guy (currently Newark, NJ mayor) should run for Prez one day. I really hope he does and I really hope America listens.

Usually when I see "non-traditional' (code word for black or latino..haha) Republican candidates they tend to be way to the right. Powell being the exception that comes to mind. Herman Cain for example. Its like they have to prove they are not part of the rest of the group by being super conservative. Often scarier in ideology than most Republicans. The guy in Florida, can't recall his name. Justice Thomas as well. Great for her if she can make history but I'm looking at ideology first and foremost. Color, ethnicity, religion, I could give a rat's ass about.

Just like Nixon and Watergate, the break in was bad enough. The cover up was deemed worse. When I got into managment for the first time I had a great boss. He said, if you f*ck up, own up to it right away. I can't help you if I don't know. I was one of a few department heads for him and if any of our departments f*cked up he always said 'We' to upstairs. They never knew who specifically. Oh, he'd chew you out but it was between us. I took his advice and always reported mistakes right away and told my people to do the same. My boss wanted to know a) who was affected how can we fix it. We'd worry about invidual blame later and only to stop it from happening again. Later on, if something happened and I got blamed for it and if I said it wasn't me, no one questioned it because I had a rep for being out in front of problems (and I f*cked up enough...lol). Anyway, I said all that to say that's how governments should be run. People are more forgiving if you are out in front of a problem. Take the ass kicking and the heat up front and don't make it harder on yourself. As for Clemens, my guess is that Congress is sending a message to the rest of us not to lie to them. Its a minor thing that Clemens did but they want to send a message that you should never lie to them. They'll use him as an example. My view is, so what. I'd save the government's time and money for the important sh*t but I can see some people's point for treating all things of this nature as equal.