KS Gov Kathleen Sebelius Gives Democratic State Of The Union Response
By Logan Murphy Monday Jan 28, 2008 1:36pm
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Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat serving her second term in a historically red state and a rising star in the Democratic Party, gave tonight's Democratic response following President Bush's final State of the Union address.
Sebelius, while touching on many of the failures of the Bush presidency, takes a more positive tone than in past Democratic responses. She calls on Bush to join the New American Majority -- namely the Democratically controlled Congress and the majority of Americans who are struggling and desperate and moving away from the Republican party and its failed policies. From SCHIP and Iraq, to the collapsing housing market and the tanking economy, Sebelius challenges the president to get to work and start helping the new majority do something good for the people before he leaves office.
In a further sign of the impending Democratic wave in 2008, in Sebelius' home state, Democrat Greg Orman raised nearly half a million dollars in the month of December in his bid to unseat Republican lapdog, Senator Pat "Memory Pills" Roberts.
I'm Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of the State of Kansas.
And I am grateful for the opportunity to speak with you tonight.
I'm a Democrat, but tonight, it really doesn't matter whether you think of yourself as a Democrat or a Republican or an Independent. Or none of the above.
Instead, the fact you're tuning in this evening tells me each of you is, above all, an American, first.
You are mothers, and fathers. Grandparents and grandchildren. Working people and business-owners. Americans, all.
And the American people - folks like you and me - are not nearly as divided as our rancorous politics might suggest.
Read the rest of the transcript below the fold...
In fact, right now, tonight, as political pundits discuss the President's speech - chances are, they'll obsess over the reactions of members of Congress."How many times was the President interrupted by applause? Did Republicans stand? Did Democrats sit?"
And the rest of us will roll our eyes and think, "What in the world does any of that have to do with me?"
And, so, I want to take a slight detour from tradition on this State of the Union night.
In this time, normally reserved for the partisan response, I hope to offer you something more:
An American Response.
A national call to action on behalf of the struggling families in the heartland, and across this great country. A wakeup call to Washington, on behalf of a new American majority, that time is running out on our opportunities to meet our challenges and solve our problems.
Our struggling economy requires urgent and immediate action, and then sustained attention. Families can't pay their bills. They are losing their jobs, and now are threatened with losing their homes.
We heard last week and again tonight that Congress and the President are acting quickly, on a temporary, targeted stimulus package. That is encouraging. But you and I know that a temporary fix is only the first step toward meeting our challenges and solving our problems.
There is a chance, Mr. President, in the next 357 days, to get real results, and give the American people renewed optimism that their challenges are the top priority. Working together, working hard, committing to results, we can get the job done.
In fact, over the last year, the Democratic majority in Congress has begun to move us in the right direction - with bipartisan action to strengthen our national security, raise the minimum wage, and reduce the costs of college loans.
These are encouraging first steps. But there is still more to be done.
And, so we ask you, Mr. President - will you join us? Let's get to work.
We know that we are stronger as a nation when our people have access to the highest-quality, most-affordable health care. When our businesses can compete in the global marketplace without the burden of rising health care costs here at home.
We know that caring for our children, so they have a healthy and better start in life, is what grownups do. Governors in both parties, and a large majority of the Congress are ready, right now, to provide health care to 10 million American children, as a first step in overhauling our health care system.
Join us, Mr. President, sign the bill and let's get to work.
Sitting with the First Lady tonight was Steve Hewitt, the city manager of Greensburg, Kansas. Many of you remember Greensburg - our town nearly destroyed by a tornado last year.
Thanks to Steve's efforts, and hundreds of others in our state, and across the country, Greensburg will recover. Folks rolled up their sleeves and got to work, and local, state and federal governments assisted in the effort.
But more than just recover - the Kansans who live in Greensburg are building green - rebuilding a better community for their children and grandchildren; making shared sacrifices, and investments for the next generation.
Greensburg is not alone. You and I - stand ready - ready to protect our environment for future generations, and stay economically competitive. Mayors have committed their cities to going green; governors have joined together, leading efforts for energy security and independence; and the majority in Congress is ready to tackle the challenge of reducing global warming and creating a new energy future for America.
So we ask you, Mr. President, will you join us? It's time to get to work.
Here in the heartland, we honor and respect military service. We appreciate the enormous sacrifices made by soldiers and their families.
As Governor of Kansas, I am the Commander in Chief of our National Guard. Over the past five years, I have seen thousands of soldiers deployed from Kansas. I've visited our troops in Iraq; attended funerals and comforted families; and seen the impact at home of the war being waged.
We stand ready in the heartland and across this country, to join forces with peace-loving nations across the globe and to fight the war against terrorists, wherever they may strike. But our capable and dedicated soldiers can't solve the political disputes where they are, and can't focus on the real enemies elsewhere.
The new Democratic majority of Congress and the vast majority of Americans are ready - ready to chart a new course. If more Republicans in Congress stand with us this year, we won't have to wait for a new President to restore America's role in the world, and fight a more effective war on terror.
The last five years have cost us dearly - in lives lost; in thousands of wounded warriors whose futures may never be the same; in challenges not met here at home because our resources were committed elsewhere. America's foreign policy has left us with fewer allies and more enemies.
Join us, Mr. President, and working together with Congress to make tough, smart decisions, we will regain our standing in the world and protect our people and our interests.
I know government can work to benefit the people we serve, because I see it every day, not only here in Kansas, but in states across the country. I know government can work, Mr. President, because like you, I grew up in a family committed to public service. My father and my father-in-law both served in Congress - one a Republican and one a Democrat. They had far more in common than the issues that divided them - a love for their country that led them from military service to public service. A lifetime of working for the common good, making sacrifices so their children and grandchildren could have a better future.
They are called "the greatest generation." But I believe, like parents across America, that our greatest generations are still to come. That we must chart a new course, at home and abroad, to give our future greatest generations all the opportunities our parents gave us.
These are uncertain times, but with strength and determination, we can meet the challenges together. If Washington can work together, so quickly, on a short-term fix for families caught in the financial squeeze, then we can work together to transform America.
In these difficult times - the American people aren't afraid to face difficult choices.
But, we have no more patience for divisive politics.
Tonight's address begins the final year of this presidency, with new leaders on the horizon and uncertainty throughout our land. Conditions we face, at home and abroad, are results of choices made and challenges unmet.
In spite of the attempts to convince us that we are divided as a people, a new American majority has come together. We are tired of leaders who rather than asking what we can do for our country, ask nothing of us at all.
We are Americans sharing a belief in something greater than ourselves, a nation coming together to meet challenges and find solutions; to share sacrifices and share prosperity; and focus, once again, not only on the individual good but on the common good.
On behalf of the new American majority - the majority of elected officials at the national, state and local level, and the majority of Americans - we ask you, Mr. President, to join us. We are ready to work together, to be the America we have been - and can be once again.
Thank you for listening. God bless and sleep well. And in the morning, let's get to work.
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Thank you for lilstening! NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Although her delivery was rather dry to say the least, this is one of those moments where I'm not completely ashamed to live in Kansas.
CoIntelPro @ 1:
correction
After all the outrageous crap that has happened in 7 years she's way too kind.
If she will betray her own gender and being a republican she will betray all of us period. Lets give a women a chance. Hillary could do no worse than all the men elected to the presidency thus far.
[Deleted]
Badfinger @ 5:
Governor Sebelius is a Democrat.
another pacified response from the cowards
anyone with two functioning brain cell could rip Bush apart and scatter the pieces with ease.
it's time to stop placating ignorance and start speaking the TRUTH
WITH A LOUD VOICE!!
Nice to see a Kansas Democrat in the spot light for once. Hopefully the rumors of her as a potential VP choice turn out to be true.
Typical Democrat speech- her lips moved, but she said nothing...
Kate is my governor.
She's classy, smart, witty and able to reach across party lines to get the real business of this state done.
The country could learn a lot from her.
OBAMA/SEBELIUS '08
Badfinger @ 5:
High bar
Logan Murphy @ 7:
My error , but she has betrayed her gender none the less. Women had to beg to be allowed to vote and even arrested for it before sufferage. Her statement simply says that she herself shouldn't have been elected.
that was the single most uninspiring rebuttal in my lifetime.
Badfinger @ 12:
Ok, you lost me. Can you please explain?
"Hillary could do no worse than all the men elected to the presidency thus far"
-that's pretty funny
I used to babysit for that lady. She is solidly liberal with just enough conservative in her to appeal to the independents and fleeing Rethugs. And her kids used to be hellions. So I'm sure she could handle Congress.
If she isn't on the ticket in '08, look for her in '12.
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That was one of the worst responses to these war-criminals that I've heard so far.
It reminds me of Barney the Dinosaur's reaction to the SOTU.
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We have a recipe for success governor Sebelius, it's called the Constitution. We don't need bullshit or sales jobs. We need the rule of law. Arrest the criminals (screw working with them) and halt the raping of this country.
Thanks for reading.
Unity Whisperer
Her Speech was BOOOOORING!! The Dems can do better than this! Not impressed at all!
Badfinger @ 5:
Marcia Pappas? is that you?
What a hoot....After pissing and moaning about Obama playing
the race card (he didn't, of course, HRC's accolates did) NOW
we get NY NOW playing "the gender betrayal card, just like this
poster?
Here's the clear concise answer:
I would really really like a woman president?
Just not the one that is running this time.....
bryancri @ 15:
Here is something funnier: 37 standing ovations for this dispicable and disgusting buffoon criminal installed as our president.
I was full-blown ADHD by the time Bush finished, and I was also seated between two teenagers arguing over who would lose their virginity first (ages 18 & 19). If Sebelius had worn a clown suit and juggled Obama, Edwards and Clinton while she spoke, I probably could have paid attention.
So, thanks for posting the transcript--a much better read than visual. I hope the reagan revolution in reverse plays out. This country needs a serious wave of liberalism.
We're in big trouble if its McCain - Bloomberg....
1) Because McCain = Bush (his 'acknowledgement' of Global warming is touching, but his actions & everything else in his campaign scream the opposite)
2) People will see bloomberg as an 'independent/republican' = make no mistake about it, he'll institute a corporatocracy given the chance....we've seen that movie before, ever hear of fascism? (Fascism as defined by those who invented it - ie, Mussolini: when state & business converge...)
3) Because the media will love the billions that bloomberg will burn through in advertising and it will be the 'business man & war hero' who can 'win in Iraq & turn our economy around like a company from bankruptcy' ad nauseum...
I did hear something very interesting....if Obama does win, he might tab John Edwards as his Attorney General....I'm voting for Edwards (He's the last progressive in the race - Thom Hartmann) but that would be a big time consolation...imagine him restoring protections, constitution, etc....whew...and investigating the most corrupt administration in history...
CoIntelPro @ 1:
EXACTLY! Does anyone think that Busholini or any of his asshole buddies give a flying f*ck what the Dem response is? Or, for that matter, what the majority of the citzenry think?
357 days is a VERY l o o o o n g time.
Sebelius, while touching on many of the failures of the Bush presidency, takes a more positive tone than in past Democratic responses.
That's a nice way of saying that it was LAME.
Where is Robert Wrexel or Russ Feingold when you need him? Or hell...bring out the big guns......Barbara Boxer!
I've heard great things about Sebelius, but I would never have known it from this speech. It seemed to be delivered on qualudes -- and was so mind-numbingly boring it was impossible to follow. The Dem responses have usually been lame, but this was the lamest. She seemed to be all too evidently angling for the VP nomination on an Obama "Let's Make Nice" ticket. This isn't how you stop war criminals.
“Hillary could do no worse than all the men elected to the presidency thus far”
God dammit when will the Dems grow some balls, stop being passive-aggressive and just be aggressive. There is no better time to hit the GOP and and the right wing, and drive the Overton window back to where is should be, where pols like Ben Nelson and Joe Lieberman would be the conservative Republicans.<blockquote cite=" Badfinger Says:
Women had to beg to be allowed to vote and even arrested for it before sufferage. Her statement simply says that she herself shouldn’t have been elected.
Okay Badfinger, I have a homework assignment for you: go get your copy of Iron Jawed Angels, a movie about women suffragists in the early 20th century, and tell us the part of the movie where these equality-seeking women demanded to be included in the draft for WWI as they were demanding the right to vote. Or when the draft was started up again for WWII. Or Korea. Or Vietnam.
"Let's get to work"...?
I wanna should, Let's Impeach !!!!
I watched about 30 seconds of it and gave up.
Was the whole thing crap?
CD @ 31:
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Yup.
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Or to put it another way:
If there's no fire in the belly by now, when will there ever be?
This is why I'm not a politician. She was able to keep her cool .... I would have just screamed "Bush is a Fucking Lame-Brained, Lying Son-of-a-Bitch who care nothing about America and it's Constitution and only helps his Corporate masters."
If Governor Sibelius was running for President I could support her. Maybe she will be on the national ticket in '12. One can only hope.
No one really cares about the SOTU delivered in quacks and no one really cares about the rebuttal. The one issue that is a true laffer is that the president should do something to help the country. All he is interested in now is his legacy.
The Pentagon (meaning the neocons) just sent a budget to the Congress that spends just enough money until Bush is finished and then it drops to zero. Instead of a two year plan (as designated by the Constitution) they are putting in a poison pill so the new president has to ask for an incredible amount of money to continue the war in Iraq no matter what that person has promised. There are similar initiatives coming out of the Bush administration today that will hog tie the next president into continuing the bankrupt policies now in place.
We should worry a lot more about that than two lackluster speeches by minor political figures.
This was not only feeble in its response to Bushit, but it was obviously a prelude to a political endorsement. As such, it was not merely a wasted opportunity, it adds another link to a long chain of Democratic cowardice and ineptitude, rising to the level of betrayal as Pelosi's rejection of impeachment. I suspect that this was prepared in collusion with a campaign, rather than a combined effort of a party. It would be interesting to see her communications during its preparation.
James Dean Beauty Queen @ 29:
Okay Badfinger, I have a homework assignment for you: go get your copy of Iron Jawed Angels, a movie about women suffragists in the early 20th century, and tell us the part of the movie where these equality-seeking women demanded to be included in the draft for WWI as they were demanding the right to vote. Or when the draft was started up again for WWII. Or Korea. Or Vietnam.
I don't care what movie you watched, and I don't remember men demanding to be drafted either.
Wow, you people come off as a bunch of whining crybabies. I hate what the Republican party has done and what it seemingly stands for just as much as the next person, but do you really expect to gain success for progressives by taking this hardline-revenge stance? It seems like many of you care less about changing the country for the better than getting back at Bush and the Republicans. It's not about winning and losing, it's about making America and the world a better place. That's why I support Obama, rather than Hillary. Perhaps more of you can get over yourselves and try to do something positive.
What a yawn job... Bring in Webb to rebut the rebuttal... He nailed it...
Finnigan @ 39:
Your approach is the one the dems have been using for more than eight years now. Playing nice ain't getting it done.
“Let’s Make Nice” ticket
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I call them "Bend Over the Aisle" Democrats. As in, "Let's bend over the aisle and ask the Republicans if there's anything else we can help them with."
I think I'm voting Huckabee. After the slow, painful freefall that was the Shrub years, I'm ready to really put this puppy into hyperdrive and see what's left after the dust settles. America is Britney Spears.
♥♂ @ 34:
Very well put!!
Finnigan @ 39:
Ahem.
With NO accountability for war crimes and crimes against the constitution, how do you suppose the country is going to "change for the better"? Do you truly believe the rest of the world is going to say, "Oh well! It will be different this time around?"
Give me a f-ing break!!
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Several posters have said that perhaps Sebelius could be on the 2012 ballot.
Um, are you guys planning on LOSING the '08 Election?
The way I look at it, Dems won't need a new candidate until 2016 when Obama steps down! :)
Geekfather @ 10:
Oh. My. God....The "shoot ourselves in the foot" ticket.
Personal I think the DNC would be better served if it changed its name to TRC. The Rebublicans Choice!
I really like Kathleen...but...what a huge disappointment. If her lips were not moving I'd say she wasn't breathing. As a former midwesterner she sure perpetuates the stereotype. This isn't Kansas, Kathleen.
I hate to say it, but this girl is not an effective communicator. She has not enough emotion or passion to hold an audience's attention.
Johnny2Bad @ 46:
Oh and by the way...all this Obama "reach across party lines" crap ain't gonna cut it. "Bring in the corporations" to come to a consensus garbage???
F*ck that.
Ok, let's "reach across"... Reach across and strangle the greedy MFers.
Very Boring Rebuttal! Is this the best the Democratic has to offer. Her speeches are more boring than Obama's. The Democratic party has turned into a Joke! I am very disappointed in them, and I 've been one my whole life. If the choices are Obama or Hillary, I'm voting Green in November!
"and I went to the Rahm Emanuel school of political capitulation and spinelessness"
looks like the rising star has endorsed
Nice non-threatening speech to independent voters that said, "you're welcome here". I think the speech was just the right tone for what's coming down the pike. She called BS on Bush, without sounding like an "angry liberal". That's just what people who are evaluating the democratic ticket want to hear.
Obama !
Double Lite demo...we needed some Jim Webb...
hit_escape @ 54:
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Looks like some folks need big flashing lights and bells and whistles in order for anything to get through. Having said that, it could of used a little more umph.
I bet if JuliAnna became president, (s)he'd give a state of the union address in a dress.
Sappy, boring, stupid, speech. No wonder the Democrats keep losing.
Republicans suck, but they do believe in their criminal philosophy and aren't afraid to say so.
hit_escape @ 54:
This is the classic argument of the spineless amongst us.
What is absolutely nothing wrong with being "angry" -- when it is communicated WHY we are angry.
That speech reeked of "politics as usual". The neocon movement is ruthless and cares very little about playing "politics as usual". It's high-time the democrats start realizing this.
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These Democratic responses always sound like the teacher off the Charlie Brown cartoons. Hard to believe the people that read them are actually politicians and some high school students doing a report in front of the class.
STOP George @ 32:
Why they didn't have Webb give a second SOTU response is beyond me as is the reason for their letting this lady give such a lame speech.
I suspect Hillary had something to do with her giving the speech but I don't have any evidence.
nice lady with a charge to the repos to start acting like representatives of the public...
too bad these repo's will NEVER start acting for us
#59- I totally agree. Republicans are idiots, but at least they do believe in their criminal philosophy. Democrats always appear to be cowardly in what they do.This sheepish speech is another example of the Democrats posturing to the Right! And, with our soon to be chosen Democrtic contender, Borach Obama, you can be sure to be getting more of these boring, long winded, pandering speeches from the Democrats. P.S. Has anyone seen or heard from Howard Dean lately??? Somehow I think he is purposely being kept out of this Democratic primary charade. I'd like to hear from him, and see who he is endorsing.
goatsage @ 52:
STOP George @ 17:
Sany @ 20:
She was very LAME in substance and robotic in delivery. After 30 secs I went into 'stand-by' mode, and once she got to her family history (who were her father, father-in-law, assorted pets, etc..) I've had it, turned it off.
Parochial preaching (hers, and including Obama) should be BANNED from the dems territory - it is XXI (21st) Century !! With the catastrophic MESS our country is in, how such an Ambien induced performing person can be called a 'rising star' ???!! Feel good/relax/wake-me-up-when-it's-over whatever is NOT going to get us anywhere !! Barney would have been more effective, yes.
So the worst she could be is another Shrub? That's pretty awful in my book.
Democrats looked far and wide and took several months to find this lady to give a response? The most boring event on television since its invention.
Here she is again.
http://www.sitepal.com/?source=gawweb06&kw=talking+website&creative=6860...
You FAIL if you think Bush is going to anything for 'the people'!
That Dem response was BRILLIANT.
With the nicest and gentlest of tones pointed out everything Bush didn't do, didn't understand, doesn't care about and won't. She wasn't really begging him to join 'us' and work with us -- she was definitively placing him as against the majority of the country, as the outsider/bad guy. In effect, 'he's not our leader, he's everything we have to fight against, he f-ed this all up and we want to fix it'. We all know very well that he won't join in on any of the things she said.
It was the sharpest of criticisms -- dripping with honey.
STOP George @ 60:
Full disclosure: I'm an angry liberal John Edwards supporter. I also know that my less political friends roll their eyes and shut down, when I go on a rant about the republithugs. They just don't know what we know. I agree she could have sounded a little more passionate in her delivery, but then we'd be "emotional liberals". A little bit of ooomph and it would have been perfect.
Boring? WTF? So you don't care what's being said as long as it doesn't "bore" you? God, what a shallow, ADD-addled group of Americans we live among these days. If you want to critique her message, I'd be happy to read what you have to say, but this crap about "boring" and "couldn't last 30 seconds" and "poor communicator"? Could you be more superficial?
I liked her, but how could she not take Bush to the woodshed for having the gonads to talk about protecting the Constitution and the rule of law? How can you not walk through a door that big that is left that far open for you? If I'd been chewing on something when he said that, I'd have spit it across the room.
Boooring! What a colorless personality! No loss that she is endorsing Obama in yet another example of the left-wing of the democratic party establishment moving behind their great black hope. I must say that watching the SOTU audience with its sea of white faces, it would almost be worth it to have Obama on the podium the next time around, especially if the other choice is the wizen, old McCain . But since governing and leading the country out of the disastrous Bush snake pit is a lot more serious a job than a photo image or oratory feel-good platitudes, and since Edwards and Clinton are still viable alternatives, I buried that thought right away. Incidentally, I also watched an earlier episode of Shelby Steele on Bill Moyers, and he had interesting things to say about non-threatening (to whites) black figures like Obama, Oprah and Cosby, and white guilt.
"SHELBY STEELE: A bargainer is a black who enters the American, the white American mainstream by saying to whites in effect, in some code form, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt. I'm not going to rub the shame of American history in your face if you will not hold my race against me. Whites then respond with enormous gratitude. And bargainers are usually extremely popular people. Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby, Sidney Poitier back in the Sixties and so forth. Because they give whites this benefit of the doubt. That you can be with these people and not feel that you're going to be charged with racism at any instant. And so they tend to be very successful, very popular."
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/01112008/transcript2.html
"House Votes in Favor of a $146 Billion Economic Stimulus Package
The House Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a $146 billion election-year economic stimulus plan backed by President Bush.""
bill's Senate prospects uncertain
Aargh! This makes me want to poke my eyes out! Progressive change will come only as the result of a fight--mobilizing our forces and standing up to Conservatives. Sebelius and McCaskill and these post-partisan pseudo-Democrats think their vapid new politics will just make our opponents melt from their sheer niceness.
"And a word to the President and Vice President... put your affairs in order, because come 2009, you will be going away for a very, very long time."
That's my Governor.
If Obama can somehow best the national polls with just a week until super duper tues and win the nod I think Kathleen would be the perfect running-mate for him. She cruised to a second term in a (still, but less so) red state, maintains a 64% approval rating, and she aint afraid to go up against the big energy bunch and do what's right.
Finnigan is right. Most of you *are* nothing but a bunch of whining cry babies. There is a difference between capitulating and not burning for revenge, something a lot of you grade-school students seem incapable of understanding. The problem isn't that the dems have been unwilling to punish the rethugs, the problem is that they've been unwilling to stand firm. There is a big difference between those two things.
I don't give even one damn about the republican party as a whole. I want my country back on track. That is priority #1. And yes, that means impeaching a few people, but that doesn't mean letting our (very understandable) anger cloud our minds. We need to do what is best for the country, not what would give us the most short-term satisfaction.
Her delivery was pretty dry, I'll give you that; she could use a good bout in Toastmasters so that she can learn how to read a prompter without sounding like she's reading it. But what she was saying was at least 95% dead on.
All of you screaming for blood, please grow up. Or failing that, switch to the republican party where you'll be more at home.
Bush is an irredeemable sociopath/ borderline psychopath. He works only and exclusively for himself. Period. He will never change.
same shit, government give away festival..
CD @ 62:
Well, since she endorsed Obama, it is rather unlikely that Hillary had anything direct to do with the choice. However, could it be that the democratic establishment picked a female supporter of Obama with the hope that she might diminish Hillary's brand as the woman candidate? But I don't have any evidence either :-)
That was boring. Sad but true.
I've met Kathleen, the woman is like four feet tall. The Republicans in the state hate her because they can't find a reason to hate her, so they hate her for being so squeaky clean.
Well, I hope she did appeal to the somnambulist "middle" who may vote Democrat as a result. But a Stepford wife demeanor, for sure.
In add'n to my post #65:
she was as grey as, but even less alive than, McInsane ... substance no less blurred than his, or Mittens', or Huck-a-buck's.. Why would the ENTIRE nation had to listen to her lecture how great her father-on-law was ?!! Phleeeeaze ..
Our monetary system is shot (magic word: derivatives, much, much worse than the tip of the iceberg subprimes..), illegal war is going on, pple are losing homes by the thousand, and, she drones on and on, abt her whatever ..
Parochial preaching to nowhere must be banned, it is XXI (21st) Century !! !
goatsage @ 52:
It’s not terribly surprising that EDWARDS, the only viable candidate who talks like a Democrat, an FDR Democrat, is excluded by the DLC, w/Rahm Emanuel leading. They push Shillary and Obama, their demuplican/ repocrat past-sale-date products.
The DLC was formed to, effectively, move the Democratic party closer to the ideas of Ronald Reagan. In essence, the DLC was the end of the traditional Democratic party values, as represented by FDR. The DLC party was very interested in implementing policies that would attract special interest/ corporate dollars. And, in fact, Clinton dragged the whole party to the right during his presidency on labor (sold it down the river), free trade (part of its reward to corporations/sell out of labor), defense (Kosovo), tax policy(for example, he reduced the top rate from 32% to 23%), and treatement of the poor (signed a “Welfare Reform” package that has thrown families into homeless shelters).
Other members of the DLC are, besides Bill and Hilary, Joe Lieberman and John Kerry. Rahm Emanuel represents the AIPAC grip on DLC/democratic party, from WITHIN.
VOTE EDWARDS !!! Do not chicken out !!!
Obama (endorsed by Sebelius) might be a motivational speaker, for some people.To me he sounds as another preacher - this is not abt the local church, but PRESIDENCY !!! And, 300 mln pple, even if most are sheeple
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Even the pundits recognize this is still a three-person race for the Democratic nomination. Edwards WINS EVERY single debate he is in. Without any prompter. Commentator after commentator has spoken of John's
superb debate performance -- and how he continues to lead with the boldest agenda for change. If you want YOUR VOICE to be heard, please continue supporting John ! WE ARE his campaign!
Here are the FACTS :
Both Clinton and Obama want /voted for REAL ID for all citizens…
As of now Edwards is the ONLY candidate who spoke against FISA and our govt SPYING on us.
See the facts/ numbers below, and it should be very clear Edwards is the only chance we've got. He's been blacked out by 'forces to be' precisely b/c he is NOT in bed with them. And, he is the ONLY one who can win the General Election !! with ANY repig.
It's not over until everyone votes.
Don't let the pundits take away your voice in 2008.
EDWARDS 2008 !
I wish he were stronger, but,how is Obama challenging the establishment, being OWNED by it already ? He is Shillary in making, w/diff PMS.
Who Owns Your Candidate? Clinton, Obama & Edwards
Excellent graphs are self explanatory. If you think all this money is contributed by the corpos just because, w/out anything expected back, have your brain MRI done right away.. You might be in for a surprise !
Contibutions from Selected Industries
1.Commercial Banks
Clinton $ 9335,658
Obama $ 865,856
Edwards $ 153,650
the top R:
Mittens $ 600,091
2.Oil & Gas
Clinton $ 220,550
Obama $ 106,112
Edwards $ 27,850
the top R:
Giuliani $ 545,058
3. Pharmaceuticals/Health Products
Clinton $ 269,436
Obama $ 261,784
Edwards $ 15,000
the top R:
Mittens $ 260,535
4. Insurance
Clinton $ 535,938
Obama $ 390,513
Edwards $ 129,600
the top R:
Dodd $ 713,012
Mittens $ 629,16
Giuliani $ 530,615
5. Hedge Funds
Clinton $ 980,700
Obama $ 976,574
Edwards $ 252,550
the top R:
Giuliani $ 1,157,900
and, keep checking the RollCall
White House Endorsement Watch
K Street Endorsements - lobbyists
Clinton 63 lobbyists, incl Carlyle Group of Booosh crime family
Obama 18
Edwards 0 ==> ZERO !!
Top Reps of the Funerary Association
Mittens 25
McInsane 20
Captain 911 17
Frauderick of Hillywood 12 has been removed, after his speech to nowhere
and, John EDWARDS is the ONLY one with comprehensive PLAN for ONE America you can download it from http://www.johnedwards.com
EDWARDS 2008 !
Del Tweed @ 69:
Agreed. I watched the replay on Faux curious of how they would react. Brit Hume was gobsmacked, exactly for the reason that you say. By alluding to the forgone conclusion that the Dems with have the WH and Congress, and making the call to the President and Republicans to work with the Dems, she changed the framing of the conversation and exposed the Goddamned Obstructionist Party for what they are. I know Hume is just a pundant, but he speaks for the views of the NeoCon right, and he looked mighty uncomfortable. Besides, she said everything that the complaining posters want her to say, only she did it in a way that was not fit for partisan fighting. She made it so that the only rebuttal to her could be one of facts; facts that the Rethugs do not have on their side. She came off as a sharp contrast to Hillary as the female voice of the Dems. She subtly took control as well as the higher ground, and as far as the typical Faux viewer goes, she did it with out being "shrill".
On top of that all, she is an Obama supporting, Democratic, female Governor(and sounds like a quite popular one) in a redder than red, primary state; a state that can not be "discounted" in the way that the Clintons attempted in SC. This was the epitome of the tide of change and progress that is finally rising in this country.
All that said, at first I was not overly impressed either, but upon seeing Brat Hume's reaction, and thinking more upon the broader tone, context, and substance; I changed my mind. Yes, she did come across as a bit nervous and wooden in her reading, but I think too that the subdued tone was, at least partially intentional. I caught the Obama/Kennedy rally on C-Span after this; the contrast between those two speeches and the two SotU speeches was amazing. I think she was trying to be careful in not upstaging either Obama, only since this was earlier in the day and the m$m has selective ADD; nor upstaging the President on his final state of the union, and create the potential distraction of partisan pouting.
All in all I think this worked out quite well. Good day for the Democrats. Good day for America.
For all of the above, who have such harsh criticism of Governor Sebelius -
She's a two term Governor, who took the time to write an interesting message and had the courage to relay that message on all the national networks to millions.
What are your public service credentials, and what did you accomplish last night?
Though, by what I said above, I think Governor Sebelius's reply was the best way for the Dems to go. Personally speaking I did enjoy, by a far greater degree, Joe Biden's reaction on MSNBC. Not only did he really take it to the President in terms that too few politicians are willing to speak, but he also made Tweety look absolutely ridiculous in his interviewing. I suppose neither of those take too much work, but by Joe, they were done splendidly.
Perhaps C&L might post this too?
I'm sure she's a wonderful Governor for Kansas and a terrific person, but her words were more pabalum for the masses. If anyone thinks, after the last seven damn years as a living testament, that the Repulicans are suddenly going to do ANYTHING that doesn't benefit them or their party is living in a dream world.
Isn't it time to chuck all this "work together" crap and get to work pushing the different agenda we'd all like to see? If it doesn't get pushed, the general public won't even know it's there and not see any reason to bring about a sea change.
Electing a Dem president is important, but it's NOT ENOUGH. Congress has to be bulletproof, too, and the only way to get the message across is to get it OUT there. If FOX has a choice between talking about a progressive standing up and one capitulating, guess which one gets left on the cutting room floor. There has to be so many voices they CAN'T be ignored.
Hasn't the "touchy feely" wing learned a damn thing?
Obama/Sebelius...no!
She doesn't have national name recognition yet. She's politics, what's the outrage? Cheney has turned the V.P. office into a policy bully pulpit. When Dan Quayle and Al Gore were V.P'.s they didn't project anything definable.
The V.P. should have a cause. Hawk on the Environment, military focused or has eyes watching the stock market industry, not willing to work well with Investment banks creating fraud on citizens.
Sebelius has no image beyond politics.
Her gender stands out because of Hillary's drive to be President. Obama takes a "soft politics" V.P like her, that's for getting more women's vote.
We need a more focused V.P with an attitude. Not as worse like Cheney's but someone wanting change. Policies dealing with environment, military and consumer economic issues, those industries need a voice. The President has to bring Congress together. The V.P can hammer policy issues in a way Cheney is doing.
Better than what Dan Quayle and Al Gore projected as V.P.s
Sany @ 65:
He's probably not allowed to endorse anyone, being the head of the DNC. I think we haven't heard much because Spineless Democrat traitors like Rahm Emanuel are stabbing him in the back at every opportunity.
I still hate the Democrats for ditching Dean and nominating that loser John Kerry. Jesus, was that a stupid move or what??
I still hate the Democrats for sabotaging George McGovern in 1972.
Any response to Bush's speech that eschews an immediate call for impeachment should be regarded as a betrayal of this nation.
These criminals MUST be prosecuted.
Here's who the Democrats SHOULD have chosen to give the response.....
ME!!!!
quoted from an email received this morning from Greg Palast:
In his State of the Union, the President asked Congress for $300 million for poor kids in the inner city. As there are, officially, 15 million children in America living in poverty, how much is that per child? Correct! $20.
Here’s your second question. The President also demanded that Congress extend his tax cuts. The cost: $4.3 trillion over ten years. The big recipients are millionaires. And the number of millionaires happens, not coincidentally, to equal the number of poor kids, roughly 15 million of them. OK class: what is the cost of the tax cut per millionaire? That’s right, Richie, $287,000 apiece.
(Now if only the Dems. can point this out to average Joe American...)
i'm not sure which was worse, the SoTU or this plastic windbag.
Why do we Democrats keep putting WIMPS to deal with the clown bush?
Her "KUMBA YA MY FRIEND" ... that's not what's needed!
I'm all for let's all get along, but there's not more chances.
Democrats need to FIGHT for our Democracy and regaining all that bush has stolen.
Enough with this "bipartisan" why-don't-we-be-friends bs.
Americans are turning LEFT. Yup, that's what I said.
Enough with this being in the middle and trying to get along.
FIGHT for Democracy's sake you Dems.
Oh, and please no more responses like hers or Pelosi's or Reids.
I am so happy that Senator Kennedy and his family are supporting Senator Obama. It means a great deal to all of us who are rooting for him and to add the endorsement of the great Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to the mix is more then many of us, who really understand that Senator Obama is the real change this country is starving for,could hope for..
I really think that in time most all American people will see that these endorsements are just a few of the many very important endorsements he has gotten and will get from some of our more respectable leaders, who understand how important it is to put the very best person we can find to unite this country in office.
They understand that this simply is not about who they like on a personal level, but who is best for this country as a whole and they are speaking out all over this country.
We just can't continue on with the status que, of people whom have brought so much pain and scandal to the office of the Presidency and this country, some by their fault but also some of it not, but never the less they are clear distractions from all of the hard work we have waiting for us, after we finely get rid of this administration.
I believe that American people have suffered enough and it is time that our elected officials put the people and the country first. That is the reason we sent them to office in the first place, to work, only with the best interest of this country at heart and we expect nothing less.
We are witnessing, record numbers of people of all walks of life, all over this country, coming out to have their voices heard and I truly believe that Senator Obama has played a huge roll in that enthusiasm. We cannot afford to discount this important revelation.
We don't have time to continue fighting off one scandal after another, for whatever reasons the right wing will dig up, so we send someone with a clean slate, to the office to avoid this kind of mess.
Thank you Senator Kennedy, Caroline and family, along with Gov. Sebelius, Senator Kerry, and all of the officials who are working to do the right thing, and for their well though out decisions to do what is best for this country in our time of need..
I would like to see more of her, however. I'm curious, and maybe the Kansas readers can expand, but how did/does she come across in other, less formal, more natural settings? Debates? This was the first time I have in fact even heard of her, but I'm intrigued. I think a Governor is the right way for Obama to go with his VP spot. Someone who can effectively help manage the budget and run things in the way that those in the legislative don't get the chance too. I would say Richardson, but I would rather see him as Sec. of State. While generally the more bite the better, I think her subtle style, would complement Obama's quite brilliantly. It would also be a nice contrast to the VP we have now; you need to be a Dick to be effective.
This, though, really piques my interest:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathleen_Sebelius
"nice" just doesn't compute with these pigs. What is she trying to do? "We should all go outside and play nice?" I was disappointed. How about a vision, Democratic Party? Speak up or get the f*ck out of the way and lets start a new party.
pelosi is so disappointing to all of us that thought we finally had a voice in Washington. Now we have to nurture some more wet rags to speak on our behalf?? This is totally absurd.
Wake up Democrats. Either start screaming or get ready to take to the streets. This was pathetic. The chimp is a piece of shit, ruined our future and our standing in the world, and we do NOT need to play nice with these criminals and all their accomplices.
#85 CappuccettoRosso Says:
"Vote for Edwards!!!"
I did. Absentee in California. The ONLY candidate who can beat ANY Republican ('cept Ron Paul) in November.
I have to agree that the rebuttal to the SOTU address doesn't need to be entertaining. I'm an adult-- I can spend 10 minutes listening to what someone says without picking apart whether it had "punch" or whatever.
I also feel like this speech, while not as stirring as, for instance, some of Obama's, had a sharper criticism of the president, and, as someone mentioned above, deftly reframed the debate in a way that all of Obama's talk of bipartisanship hasn't yet even attempted. Obama's bipartisanship shtick always sounds to me like a criticism of Democrats and Republicans alike, as if they were equally responsible for the train wreck we've been watching for the last 8 years. His speeches always sound great, then leave me with the uneasy feeling that he doesn't really know what's what.
This speech, in contrast, stands firmly on the Democrats' side. She says, We're going forward, with or without you. She's very polite, but that doesn't mean she's not hard as nails.
I liked it.
she looked fine to me. a little stiff, but hell, she's giving a national address in front of a fireplace. What were you expecting? That she was gonna be wearing a beret and biting off a slab of raw chicken? She's a governor of Kansas for christ's sake. She isn't going to be demanding that BUsh and Cheney be crucified upside down. Frankly, I thought she did a good job of acting like an adult in a political landscape filled with children.
I am an average American, formerly a Republican but independent in my political views and leaning towards true conservative views, not necessarily what is being espoused in the media as conservative these days. I consider myself to have decent ethical and moral values.
I had to watch President George W. Bush’s last State of the Union speech, mainly out of curiosity.
Quite frankly, I was a little surprised. The speech was merely a repetition of things past, nothing new. However, watching how our elected officials reacted to the speech, I found myself feeling very shocked.
Granted, George W. Bush is the President of the US and the position should be given some deference and respect, but his record on many issues is not one that lends itself to bring respect for the man. Here was a President who has violated common ethics, laws, and rules of this country, a proven liar, both to Congress and to the American people, as well as a man considered to be a war criminal by many other well respected countries of the world, a man responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people including thousands of our own military, delivering a rather mundane but political speech, getting members of his own party to jump to their feet, applaud, hoot, yee-ha and generally act like a bunch of school children at recess, over nothing.
How low have politicians sunk to? Where are the real statesmen and stateswomen, those with real ethics and morals? Where is the moral outrage at where our country has been taken? Are there no morally sound independent thinkers within the Republican Party?
Where are the supposed adult men and women? Watching this spectacle, I am certain that if there had been a cliff behind the President, and he told the Republican lemmings to jump off of it, they would have done so. It was scary. It was also revealing.
How have the Republican elected officials come to such positions, where party loyalty to the President figures more importantly than loyalty to our country, the people of our country and respect for the rule of law? It is an important question and needs investigation. Watching the party faithful jump to their feet for ostensibly no valid reasons gives an appearance of something more sinister, almost as if these elected men and women were brainwashed. Try as I may, I cannot shake the feeling that something is afoot which is much more dangerous than anything prior in our history.
I hope I am wrong.
Patriot Scholar, nice post, given where you are coming from, what was your opinion of the Democratic rebuttal?
As far as the standing up thing goes, I know what you mean, as far as that ominous sinister feeling goes, but I've had that for so long now I've gotten use to it. Well you never get use to it really, but I've learned to deal with it. If there is some grand schemeing coup in the works(more so than we have seen yet), well it helps to be aware and prepared, something that massive would be to far gone from our hands as to have any control. No, I would rather think of their pathetic hooting and hollering as the dying GOP's last desperate breath. Much like in movies when you see the hand of someone drowning briefly pop up out of the water, grasp at air but get nothing, and then slowly sink into oblivion.
...as far as that goes.
Bah! Yeah sure proof reading and all, but sometimes I'd love an edit button here.
Sebelius is our second Lady Governor. We get Democrats elected to that office, in this red state of Kansas. Conservatives here are overboard. Moderate Republicans in the state legislator can work with Democrats sometimes. Most of the time majority of Republican desires become laws.
Sebelius is "stiff" and formal in her presentations. Not that she doesn't have fun but her emotions aren't too extreme. She's not adamant about anything. She's one of those office manager type of politicians, not a trend setter.
She's fine as a Governor, not ruining the office. We've had those!
Not a good choice for Obama V.P. in my estimation.
I don't get the "We must take the nonpartisan tone and get Republicans to work with us." Uhhhh, have they been such bastards because Nancy and Harry were being too pushy? Why do you think that they'll change?
Come on people. The GOP feeels the love as long as they are given everything they want. You can have your bipartisan fest.
What a perfectly asinine response to an ass.
I could not sit through her can't-we-all-get-along bullshit last night.
Anymore, the dems are like little froufrou poodles sent in to negotiate with pit-bull republicans.
Between her and Pelosi, the "new American woman" on the scene has all the impact of a dust bunny.
That was one of the most insipid, gutless speeches I have ever had to witness. Sorry, but if that is how the Dems plan on countering the Repubs from now on, then I'll have to force myself to up my caffeine dosage from its present high...if I can stop from shooting myself first.
And insipid is an understatement. I almost felt like I was watching Ben Stein.
I understand folks, the anger at Conservatives. But your Liberal with those feelings. You don't like being called Liberal. Democrats, the moderate ones, have to work with Republicans. Not all are evil.
They were misled by Karl Rove, the grand Wizard, Bush and Cheney. Rumsfeld didn't believe anything he said or did was wrong.
That guy was wrong since 1983 shaking Saddam's hand in friendship.
Congress is too gridlocked along partisan lines. Republicans can't believe they have to side with Bush who has historical lowest polls as a President. They have to defend the GOP because their whole political existence is in shambles.
GOP had the Presidency, majority in Senate and House of Representatives, it went badly.
What Republican can say Bush was wrong in Iraq and then get re-elected? They have suffered politically and will lose the White House.
It will take some agreement by Republicans to undo Bush laws. The partisan fight will exist but it can't take up all the legislation Congress has to do.
The President and V.P shouldn't be so partisan. The White House should have cross party hiring. Let them fight inside the White House, then legislation is put forth to Congress that's an agreement. Easier to pass bills and America benefits on a timely basis.
If Obama is the Democratic nominee, I hope he does hire Republicans for White House appointments. Hillary wants to fight every Republican, she's from a different time period of the 90's. Her Right Wing Conspiracy ranting in the past, Republicans will never let go.
Sebelius isn't ready for the White House as a change agent. If Obama wants to hire her, she will be a negotiator in there. Again, not a good V.P. choice.
Conservatives are losing their battles and their mouthpieces. Ralph Reed was scheming and dealing! Tom Delay bounced out of Congress. Top lobbyists jailed for corruption.
What Conservatives don't want to happen on a state level, communities can say its good civil business.
In Kansas, we have Senator Todd Tiahart who rubber stamped everything Bush has done. That's not good responsible government. Tiahart agreements let Bush get out of control spending money. Helped Bush ruin America's image in the world.
Obama comes to Kansas for a day to acknowledge his maternal parents lives, helps to slay some Conservative ideals here. Republicans in Kansas will vote for Obama in a general election. Republican politicians will stay on that side to keep the legislator job is all!
I dig Kathleen Sebelius,
Her response was truthful and dignified.
The thing that amazes me is ... how vitriolic the responses are from democrats on various sites and posts. She's one of the best governors in America, led Kansas through natural disasters in her state despite reductions in the local national guard, and won elections, in not just any state, but in one of the Reddest of Red states. So please, let up a little, there was actually a time when political discourse wasn't hardball-ish or hannity and colmes-ish.
Women like Kathleen are the life of the party.
- Justin
CappuccettoRosso @ 85:
Justin @ 112:
She gave a crappy speech.
"Women like Kathleen are the life of the party"
And what are guys chopped liver?
now there is a woman that i would support for president....
a progressive that won in a red state
hear that hillbots????
Sany @ 21:
Your missing the point. Everybody was already asleep listening to Bushweed and looking at Dickweed. So it wasn't seen by that many alert people, such as yourself,lol. No disrespect intended Sany !
Susan @ 74:
Do you know how racist and ignorant you sound or are do you just type forget to proofread and send. Your writing here is constipated and very elementary. And please don't quote the bargainer propaganda because you paid attention to one person spout that nonsense. In a sense every minority who doesn't look at whitey as the person who rapes and pillaged this country for generations and treats individuals as for what they are and how they treat them is a bargainer. What its called is being adult. But when people like Susan here speaks and reminds us that ignorant thoughts are still prevalent in the minds of supposed educated people I wonder why blacks and others don't view whites in that manner. And let me guess your disdain for obama has nothing to do with him being black because the guy has done nothing but run for president and because that challenges what you hoped to be a runaway by Hillary he is a bad person. The voters will decide. He will sell himself like Hillary will sell herself and at the end of the day the winner will represent the party. Why is it that its ok to support a woman because she is a woman but to support a black man is just wrong. Let me guess she has 35 years of experience.... 8 years picking out drapery patterns and travelling to countries doing some shopping is qualified. But lets not shortchange her she did attempt to reform health care.. failed miserable and got bought off when it seemed she had no chance to win. I support Edwards and Obama because the Clinton regime had 8 years for health care reform, 8 years to fix the immigration problem that started to spiral out of control during their tenure. They had a chance to remove saddaam from reign after the first gulf war but left this administration and power structure an in to go in and finish what he was spineless and would not. They claim to have done so much for the black community and I ask them to look at their situation through the 90's and tell me how they prospered. So if being cheated on and having a husband who is willing to repay you because he slept with every little whore he could and lied about it to the point of impeachment. Jeopardizing the party even more makes her all deserving for the white house now. Then cast your vote. But please don't do it because of some estrogen hidden agenda. And please save your racist rhetoric its not becoming of a lady. Sell your candidate but don't bash another man and marginalize him because he is just running for president. Not against Hillary or the whole women cause.
She had me going until I remember this is a Presidential election year. If you think for a moment this is anything more than a calculated move by the Democratic party to make a grab for the middle, then you perhaps never consider the motivation of the speaker.
Tonight, I want to give an American response -- see how many Americans are lining up with me? So instead of tearing Bush apart ruthlessly, I'll do it gently, and not as a Democrat but an American. Blah blah blah. Who saw the arm in her back making her lips move?
Does anyone really believe people "reach across party lines". Sure they do, as long as the other side is willing to come across to their position. Why not GO across party lines and side with the other party when they have a genuine need?
justabill @ 78:
And my governor, too. Bravo, Gov. Sebelius! I would gladly cast my vote for you, no matter what office you run for!
As for the rest of you that seem to enjoy talking shit on Kansas's Governor, I would submit that this is the first time you've ever heard her speak. This is her "talking to Republicans" voice; slow (so they can understand the big words) and calm (so they don't open fire). I've seen her win twice in landslides with that same tone. Underneath that velvet glove is a fist holding a roll of quarters and god help the person that thinks otherwise. Translation for those that thought this was milquetoasty: "George stop being an asshole and behaving like a child, because you have lost the support of most of the people in this country by doing these two things."
well, if it ain't nice for you folks, if enough is enough, then what are you going to do about it? you guys can't even get organised. I'd join you, am just not one of you. Why are voices being silenced passively? like internet real estate war of information, or what?, all the sensitive stuff seems to disappear quite fast, from propaganda to the black outs... how is this acceptable? ugh!
How many information black-outs were there in the last 7-8 years... and also the point is to see that the frequency of these scandals and blackouts getting higher around things that shouldn't be, terrorism, etc. Could be a misunderstanding, but should be properly answered to. Thing is, they lie when answering, or just not recall; embellished speeches, misdirecting major issues involving huge industry ownership underneath their gentle words. This can start to make me a bit mad.
Agent Provocateur @ 105:
The Democratic response I saw was a feeble attempt at a truce, which will not work with these power mad fools.
Listen to one of Dennis Kucinich's stump speaches and learn how to give a REAL response. More whitewash from the enablers - Soothsaying over action, platitudes over hard policy.
America isnt "angry" enough yet to wake up. Future events will be most interesing. Masses can storm the gates of a polish factory, crumble a dividing wall or toss out a government, they most certainly can take down the power elite and their enablers. When critical mass hits, revenage will be swift and remoreless.
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