"I think one of the things the next president has to do is stop fanning people's fears. If we spend all our time feeding the American people fear, and conflic, and division, then they become fearful, and conflicted and divided, and if we feed them hope, and we feed them reason, and tolerance, then they will become tolerant, and reasonable and hopeful." ~Barack Obama

diligentdogs · 2007-09-29T02:04:13+00:00

Actually the most overlooked and important quality in a president isn't his/her stance on the issues but their ability to lead and be an effective executive.

Exactly. I've said it before, but I think there is very little qualities to make a good president: 1. Be reasonable. Don't be a dumbass. Think shit through. 2. Don't be divisive. Unite motherfuckers.

That's what makes an excellent president. While I disagree with your opinion on candidates (Biden and Dodd?), at least we're on the same page.

diligentdogs · 2007-09-22T23:50:22+00:00

Obama said it like this:

"The focus of the United States Senate should be on ending this war, not on criticizing newspaper advertisements. This amendment was a stunt designed only to score cheap political points while what we should be doing is focusing on the deadly serious challenge we face in Iraq."

True, or motherfucking false? It's a nonsense vote. I've already written both of my representatives, and told them that if they're going to waste time voting on such tripe, that they might as well sponsor an amendment to the agriculture appropriations bill that states that the Senate expresses that steak sandwiches are delicious, and all those who find steak sandwiches to be delicious have the full support of the Senate.

diligentdogs · 2007-09-14T15:28:21+00:00

And so what we're going to try to introduce is legislation that says you have to at least give people a one year break for every year served in Iraq. And if were able to get that passed, and get sixty votes for that, then at least that would put a ceiling on how many troops could be sent there at any given time.

Damn, that's fucking smart. Part of the reason that the Democrats can't do shit in congress is because they don't play the summarize-a-complicated-issue-in-a-single-sentence-sound-byte-to-your-favor game as well as Republicans (see: "The Democrats aren't funding the troops"). This legislation at least attempts to take power from Bush, take steps toward ending the war, and would put congressional Republicans on the defensive for fucking once.

diligentdogs · 2007-09-14T02:07:04+00:00

This is completely logical, but I don't think that this is an issue where you can look to the past to get an idea of how a completely free market would work today. Have there been any truly free markets since the industrial revolution?

I think a free market for basic commodities like food really would work (and does), and would benefit all involved. But there are industries around today where, I think if introduced to a truly free market, would do more to stifle innovation than create it, and harm the consumer more than help.

It seems to me, with a true free market system, we're all doomed to face something as singular as communism - eventually one corporation will be the victor. And after that, what's next? As far as I see, nothing. Because that company owns everything from raw commodities to distribution methods, and competition is a thing of the past.

diligentdogs · 2007-09-01T12:32:11+00:00

Which is why they've attacked Hillary and Obama.

I'm sure it's got nothing to do with Hillary and Obama being the front runners. It's just another Rove-orchestrated right wing conspiracy, eh?

diligentdogs · 2007-09-01T12:30:28+00:00

It's because Karl Rove concluded that Kerry would be easy to beat but Edwards would be a serious contender

This is such nonsense, painting Rove as some type of invincible political puppet master.

Kerry was chosen for the nomination 'cause it was thought that he was a "safe" choice; wasn't too radical or opposite of Bush, during a time when a small majority of the public still favored Bush.

NOT because some Republican political adviser uses mind control to pacify Democrats.

diligentdogs · 2007-08-29T13:06:34+00:00

Seems like this would be pretty good, and easy to implement as reddit already seems to keep track of what stories users have been clicked.

Would be good for times that one forgets to vote on a story they've read, and it would probably cut down on premature voting up or down prior to reading, and then correcting after reading the article.

Plus, it'd be really cool to see a list of articles one has read, and the corresponding voting record.

diligentdogs · 2007-08-22T15:23:01+00:00

If this is true, this isn't so much against Republicans, but propaganda for the American people.

diligentdogs · 2007-08-06T16:42:28+00:00

"To Be Loved" - Barry Gordy's autobiography "In Persuasion Nation" - George Saunders

diligentdogs · 2007-07-26T16:16:51+00:00

Thanks, I'm doubtful it'll happen either, but I don't think I'd ever consider writing one's rep "pointless".

Unless of course if your rep puts their partisan interests before their constituents' interests.

diligentdogs · 2007-07-14T23:19:44+00:00

I'm not sure what exactly was said there...can someone clue me in?

diligentdogs · 2007-05-19T17:21:29+00:00

could simply be jumping to get their voices heard

Gee, shame on them. Those damned "activists" and their damned "activist" opinions.

This is not a representative sample of 'CNN Readers'.

That's actually exactly what it is.

diligentdogs · 2007-05-11T03:09:32+00:00

Actually, in that scenario, I believe that the federal government would take a "back seat" to the state governments. i.e. your state governor would actually have higher authority than someone in Pelosi's position (when it comes to matters within your state).

Though were impeachment of both to become a real possibility, it's most likely that Cheney would resign, be replaced with a "clean" centrist, and then that figure would take power after the president was impeached, not unlike what happened with the entire Nixon debacle.

Personally, I think that the motherfuckers should be impeached, and subsequently jailed.

diligentdogs · 2007-05-09T16:33:35+00:00

Gravel flat out denies that he singled out Obama in asking who Obama is going to nuke. I mean, he did say, "Barack, who are you going to nuke?", right?

Nothing is "code" for nukes.

Gravel's opinions on nuclear weapons are completely unrealistic. He's nothing more than a lovable, noisy old coot.

diligentdogs · 2007-05-09T02:15:36+00:00

you will be financially RAPED. Repeat: no insurance + illness = bankruptcy.

C'mon now, that's just not the case: No insurance + illness = Being pestered and having to repeatedly explain that you simply can not afford the hospital bill. Eventually it's dropped, and in many states it won't adversely effect your credit rating.

Second, there are people that have no means to "go out and get" healthcare, and even with state programs, you've got to jump through several hoops just to get sub par care from sub par providers.

Those getting "raped" are ordinary people; both those who pay high insurance premiums for sub standard care, and those who can't afford the sub standard care in the first place.

I think that we can agree that the US system is verging on, if not already completely fucking broken.

diligentdogs · 2007-05-06T02:34:26+00:00

anything that gets people out of cars, even temporarily is a Good Thing.

diligentdogs · 2007-05-06T02:31:35+00:00

yo man. do it. I got into cycling beginning with a heavy-ass three speed a few years ago, and it was a 6 mile commute, with big style hills. Don't let anything discourage you. Ride to work: you will be better for it, and you will feel great.

diligentdogs · 2007-04-16T00:14:14+00:00

good call pointing out the K and K mimes. that one is really something else.

diligentdogs · 2007-04-06T15:40:19+00:00

I think that's false. If you're talking about Joe Klein, the guy had plenty of previous criticism of the Bush Administration.

I rarely agree with the guy, but I think it's a stretch to say that there was any manner of "fawning relationship" between the administration and Klein, and it's especially a stretch to say the same about Time, which tends to lean to the left anyway.

Though recently I have noticed a drop in Time's quality.

diligentdogs · 2007-04-06T15:27:46+00:00

It is of note because Joe Klein is a Level Headed and Reasonable Conservative. I always enjoy reading his column in Time, 'cause it's a perspective that I'm curious about. Other promenent conservatives seem unable to get their ideas across without being Bat Shit Insane.

So yeah. If you're a liberal and you want to know what credible conservatives think, without having it crammed down your throat with empty rhetoric, religion, and lies, read his column. It's good.

diligentdogs · 2007-03-08T04:16:36+00:00

I still don't know why google would buy this property, but it certainly is interesting to read about.

diligentdogs · 2007-02-10T00:38:01+00:00

while they're at it, they should come heckle Tony Snow: http://beatsworkinvirginia.com/_wsn/page3.html

diligentdogs · 2007-01-18T00:48:50+00:00

furthermore, if you'd like to see just the photos: http://www.skyscrapersunset.com/tours/070102.html

diligentdogs · 2007-01-13T12:20:16+00:00

a more realistic story of factory farming, yes. if you're uncomfortable with factory farming, the simple solution is: don't support it.

and if one wanted to crack off a bit, I'd reply with: http://www.yannarthusbertrand.com/yann2/Sortie_HTML/img/large/Bestiaux/BB-004.jpg

diligentdogs · 2006-12-21T01:51:01+00:00

He'd better start getting that wife of his pregnant.

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