READER COMMENTS ON
"Please Help Support The BRAD BLOG..."
(49 Responses so far...)
COMMENT #1 [Permalink]
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Dredd
said on 10/24/2005 @ 1:49 pm PT...
Will do Brad ... but several posters here have pointed out that their checks mailed to you have not been cashed.
What is up with that?
COMMENT #2 [Permalink]
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Roger Drowne EC
said on 10/24/2005 @ 1:53 pm PT...
COMMENT #3 [Permalink]
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Brad
said on 10/24/2005 @ 2:00 pm PT...
All checks that have been received have now been deposited, Dredd. Or at least mailed to my bank for deposit, and to be processed any day there if they haven't been already.
Believe it or not, having been out of town for 8 of the last 10 weeks has made it very difficult to catch up with a lot. Including the depositing of checks! But I assure you, I eventually deposit them all!
I am, however, constantly behind on ALL such tasks due to an ever increasing workload, and few resources to hire anyone to help me out with 'em!
A path is layed one stone at a time...
COMMENT #4 [Permalink]
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Independent One
said on 10/24/2005 @ 2:07 pm PT...
This is one of my favorite sites, as it cuts through a lot of the crap and hits the important issues (read: the issue of striving for transparent, honest, fair, and accurate elections).
I'll send a donation. I gotta dig up my wife's Paypal acct info though.
COMMENT #5 [Permalink]
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Vance
said on 10/24/2005 @ 2:20 pm PT...
I've enjoyed much more than the small donation I've given.
Keep up the great work.
COMMENT #6 [Permalink]
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A Concerned Citizen
said on 10/24/2005 @ 3:53 pm PT...
Brad, we'll do what we can, we all support your efforts so much. I know for me, you relay my exact feelings about everything. I also know you do it better than most everyone, in that you present the facts rationally, intelligently, calmly, and you aren't afraid to take anyone on for this cause. You rock. We'll roll......our loose change up and mail it to you!!!
If you ever get an office budget, I'd be happy to quit my job and move out there and run your office for you ) if you provide a place for me to live and feed me occasionally lol. I'd get the checks to the bank the same day received! I grew up in Florida, I'm tired of the snow up north here!
Sure hope everyone responds and you get enough help, Brad.
COMMENT #7 [Permalink]
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Joan
said on 10/24/2005 @ 4:50 pm PT...
Lookin' for my credit card....
You're the best.
Oh, yeah, Wilma came through, knocked down our fence & tore the shingles off the roof but otherwise spared us, so we're grateful for that.
Power's out but the computer's hooked up to the generator.
Did I mention you're the best?
COMMENT #8 [Permalink]
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Cliff
said on 10/24/2005 @ 4:53 pm PT...
As much as a detest those damn "stay-on-top" posts, forcing me to wait for nearly the whole page to load before I can scroll down and see if there's anything new, I still believe that the work being done here is making a difference (more than most blogs who just yak their opinions). Thus I am pleased to support it (one of the few that I do) I made my PayPal donation here a few hours ago, along with similar donations to Raw Story and Americablog.
But hey, I'd be a much happier supporter if you'd stop with the "stay-on-top" thing. It's contary to how every other blog works (reverse chronological ORDER) and it drives me nuts!
Okay...I've vented.
Keep up the great work that you've been doing. I hope my small donation helps you keep it going.
Cliff
Fresno, CA
COMMENT #9 [Permalink]
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Joan
said on 10/24/2005 @ 5:00 pm PT...
Ok, made my donation.
If you come to this blog regularly, please kick in a bit. Everything costs money and you know what's at stake.
Just picture to yourself the mountain of Republican money that's feeding their Goliath.
Brad needs stones for the slingshot. You can afford a coupla stones.
COMMENT #10 [Permalink]
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merifour
said on 10/24/2005 @ 6:47 pm PT...
Brad, if I lived in LA I would work for you for free. I would love to be involved with investigating this stuff. I mailed my donation a couple of weeks ago, hope it was received and is in the bank. I am ignoring all requests for money from the politicians, no more, been there, done that. I have made the decision to support sites like this. The politicians sold us out, they can count on me no more. M4
COMMENT #11 [Permalink]
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Brad
said on 10/24/2005 @ 8:47 pm PT...
Thank you *all* for your kind words and support. And Cliff, sorry about the stay-on-top stuff. I try to drop hints in other places, but nobody seems to notice 'em
COMMENT #12 [Permalink]
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jIM cIRILE
said on 10/24/2005 @ 10:59 pm PT...
dON'T FORGET THE COOL MERCH IN THE bRAD STORE... T-SHIRTS, BOBBLEHEADS, BUMPER STICKERS!
COMMENT #13 [Permalink]
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MMIIXX
said on 10/25/2005 @ 3:56 am PT...
OT but interesting
cnn to galloway about 62 page senate report accusing galloway of perjury .
galloway "charge me ,I'll be on the next plane to the US".
galloway 2
colemen/bush 0
COMMENT #14 [Permalink]
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e
said on 10/25/2005 @ 6:27 am PT...
Money Money Money, how much do you make on your advertising? It's everywhere on this site.
I bet you made more off of that in the past week too.
COMMENT #15 [Permalink]
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Joan
said on 10/25/2005 @ 6:59 am PT...
Oh yeah, Brad's just rollin' in the dough, E. If you're nice, I bet he'll give you a ride in his limo.
COMMENT #16 [Permalink]
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Slicer
said on 10/25/2005 @ 7:09 am PT...
Why did I get a grey matter block when I tried to send my last message?
COMMENT #17 [Permalink]
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Paul
said on 10/25/2005 @ 8:01 am PT...
Again and again my point has been proven on this blog that average liberals (people like you guys) do not give!!!!!!! Perhaps this blog needs a Sugar Daddy.
A United Way rep told me that the biggest givers are evangelical Christians. Not only do they give their tithe to their local church, but also give to organizations like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and the United Way in greater numbers than non-Christians.
Brad recently told me in an email that he will fight for both real Christianity and real Conservatism. I applaud him for that.
They both are coming together in Texas on 11/08/05 with a vote on "Proposition 2 - Affirming Traditional Marriage."
Thanks Brad for your support on this proposition.
COMMENT #18 [Permalink]
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Jose Chung
said on 10/25/2005 @ 8:33 am PT...
Democrats...
When they lose fraud is always involved. When they win fraud is never involved.
It gets old.
COMMENT #19 [Permalink]
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Mimi
said on 10/25/2005 @ 1:53 pm PT...
I just did a credit card donation to Brad. Not a huge amount, but if others kick in, may be we will see Brad at the grocery store instead of the food bank. C'mon, everyone, cough it up. Its not going to kill you.
Despite everything we have all been through the past 5 years, we who live in this country are still incredibly fortunate and blessed. They're not going to jail us--yet!--for this activity!
And one way to spit in the eyes of those who would wrong us is to blatantly contribute to Brad.
For some reason I've gone all biblical today. Maybe because sending money to brad is like tithing to some sort of church.
COMMENT #20 [Permalink]
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Dredd
said on 10/25/2005 @ 2:26 pm PT...
Hose Junk #18
Have you tried being general? Here are some troll strokes to make you feel mo betta
COMMENT #21 [Permalink]
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CC
said on 10/25/2005 @ 6:15 pm PT...
10 bucks via paypal from a loyal college reader
best of luck and ignore the trolls
COMMENT #22 [Permalink]
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Jo
said on 10/26/2005 @ 7:49 am PT...
Paul may be surprised to learn that there are progressive Christians who are both "dreaded liberals" and big givers. Some of us have been giving our kids shoe money to the hurricane victims all month and I'm sorry to say Brad I am tapped out. If the hurricanes ever stop rolling in and we get all the victims placed ,I'll be able to send some money your way. You do a great job and you deserve more help than you get.
COMMENT #23 [Permalink]
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LaDulce
said on 10/26/2005 @ 8:33 am PT...
I think that most of us are cheapskates not wanting to part with or own hard-earned money. Of course its easier for the rich to give, they [possibly] never worked a day in their life and yet they are sitting pretty with more money than most people. Maybe if we all pitched in with our "stones" we could make a mountain as big as Goliath....just a thought.
COMMENT #24 [Permalink]
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Paul
said on 10/26/2005 @ 9:39 am PT...
> its easier for the rich to give, they [possibly] never worked a day in their life and yet they are sitting pretty with more money than most people
Let me clarify my earlier statement in #17.
Average liberals may give less because they make less money than average conservatives according to an article I read. Average liberals tend to be below the poverty line, less educated, less job skills or work experience, and some just flat out don't work much.
I remember one guy on this blog who wrote -
"An out of work actor trying to be a liberal policy wonk."
As far as the rich are concerned and average working consevatives, we earned our money through years of hard work.
COMMENT #25 [Permalink]
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merifour
said on 10/26/2005 @ 10:09 am PT...
Rich verses Wealthy. The so called Rich are about to find out what the difference is. Rich means nothing to the Wealthy. The game is to steal all the wealth, good luck to all the 'rich' people. Congress has been busy passing new laws to ensure the wealth transfer. Rich is a "terminal" noun.
COMMENT #26 [Permalink]
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bb
said on 10/26/2005 @ 1:21 pm PT...
Come on, didn't you see the new story about how a famous person has a secret daughter?
COMMENT #27 [Permalink]
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Jo
said on 10/26/2005 @ 1:39 pm PT...
I would like to know the source of that article. If one were to use the "red state" "blue state" model (which does not tell the whole story, of course). One would conclude that liberals (blue states) were more educated and have higher incomes. I direct you to the US census bureau website for this information.
COMMENT #28 [Permalink]
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Remote Exploit
said on 10/26/2005 @ 2:45 pm PT...
Brad, here's $100 coming via PayPal. Sorry it's been a while since I sent support. Definitely my bad.
And Merry Fitzmas. Remember that Treason is the Reason for the Season.
COMMENT #29 [Permalink]
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Robert Lockwood Mills
said on 10/26/2005 @ 3:14 pm PT...
Made a small contribution today, Brad. And the offer still stands...a signed copy of the book, postage-paid, for anyone who contributes $50 or more and requests it. Just e-mail me names and addresses and I'll do the rest.
Thanks for all you do, and Merry Fitzmas to everyone in this universe of freedom lovers.
COMMENT #30 [Permalink]
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Truth Seeker
said on 10/26/2005 @ 6:02 pm PT...
Brad,
I have enjoyed your website since I found it a few months ago. It provides an outlet for comments that I have not found elsewhere.
I contribute small amounts to several sources but have a limited ability to do so. While I value the website and the commentors who contribute, I get less value from the radio broadcasts and the various activities that require you to travel around the country.
Assuming that you have no other sources of income, how much does it take per month for you to pay your bills and run the website? Are you willing to share your budget info? It would help me to know how many contributors you have, how often they contribute, and what an average contribution would be.
I think it would also help to know how many paid subscribers you have, how much you need each month and how you are doing any particular month. I would not be offended by a daily counter on the website. The disappearance of the bradblog would be a great loss but I would like to see more information about finances.
COMMENT #31 [Permalink]
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Paul
said on 10/26/2005 @ 8:35 pm PT...
Robert Lockwood Mills said
> And the offer still stands...a signed copy of the book
I compared your books on Amazon.com to another very obscure book that my wife proofread and it was rank almost 400,000 ahead of yours.
I read on this blog that your books don't sell so you might as well give them away.
Red states give more -
http://www.catalogueforp...generosity.php?year=2004
I cannot find the exact article on liberals vs. conservative incomes, It was a great article and mentioned most average liberals earn only about $25,000 a year. I did find this though -
http://www.answers.com/t...ure-of-the-united-states
"The conservative Republican Party (United States) contains a larger portion of the upper class than the liberal Democratic Party (United States)."
This was also interesting -
http://www.calpundit.com/archives/001955.html
* My college friends spanned the ideological spectrum, from diehard conservative Republicans to flamingly liberal Democrats. [That latter would be, uh, me.] And the resolutely apolitical, too.
* We were all, if I say so myself, intelligent, ambitious people. Those of us who were slackers (and again, uh, that would be me) were slackers in a motivated, geeky sort of way.
* Almost none of the conservatives went on to graduate school; and of those few who did ALL went either to law school or med school. A few other conservatives were planning on going to business school down the road.
* Around a third of the liberals did (or had done) some kind of graduate work --- getting a teaching degree, MA, PhD, whatever --- but only ONE went into either law school or med school. [And he only went to law school after working on a math PhD for three years.] Another of my liberal friends is flirting with the idea of law school, but that's not saying much.
* As near as I could gauge it, the average conservative income was at least two to three times higher than the average liberal income. The only ones living in near-poverty (and that's a hat-trick of self-referentiality!) were of liberal persuasion; the only ones making insane amounts of money (at least three of my friends are near-millionaires) were conservatives.
The short version of this is that it appears fairly clear to me that, at least for this limited sample size, conservatives seem to prioritize income higher than liberals. And giving how appallingly academia pays --- or at least, how long you have to defer a legitimate income, and how small it tends to be relative to what you could make in the private sector --- it doesn't surprise me in the least that there are relatively few conservative (domestic) grad students in my department, and thus relatively few conservatives going on to be professors.
COMMENT #32 [Permalink]
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merifour
said on 10/26/2005 @ 10:16 pm PT...
The American Dream....be rich..part of the BIG LIE. How trite. What is wrong with this picture. I cannot believe that some people have themselves on some kind of perceived pedestal because they make more money than their neighbor. That is so shallow to me. Empty minds, empty souls. Nobody home. Such a shame.
I can not even imagine going to a pro-war, pro- bush site to talk about my money. Only a complete idiot would do such a thing. What a complete waste of my time to read this crap. M4
COMMENT #33 [Permalink]
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Robert Lockwood Mills
said on 10/27/2005 @ 7:36 am PT...
For Merifour: The notion that one's intrinsic worth, and self-esteem, are a function of wealth is deeply ingrained in the American psyche. It waxes and wanes according to societal trends...up during Gilded Ages, down during periods of progressivism and idealism.
The latest phase began in 1982. Reaganomics (which George H.W. Bush denounced as "voodoo," before accepting Reagan's V.P. offer) said, "Get government out of everything. Government is the enemy. Cut taxes. Deregulate. Let business do its thing." In this environment, the only possible outcome was the elevation of money, and even more the acquisition of it, to the highest pedestal.
"Greed is good," said Gordon Gekko in the movie "Wall Street." That movie was a satire, but hardly anybody realized it. Because of Reagan's personal popularity, his economic ignorance has been overlooked. George W. Bush's ignorance is more visible, because he's a bad person as well as a bad president.
COMMENT #34 [Permalink]
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Robert Lockwood Mills
said on 10/27/2005 @ 7:44 am PT...
For Paul: I'm not going to defend my book to you. And as far as I can tell, the only person on this blog who said my books don't sell is YOU. People who quote their own statements as representing someone else's views are intellectual pygmies.
For the record, my book climbed from around 600,000th place to under 200,000th place in Barnes & Noble's ranking, in one day. Someone has to be reading it. My publisher doesn't distribute through Amazon, so any books they sell are first acquired indirectly, so their sales numbers aren't meaningful.
Have a nice day. And when you write a book, please let me review it. Of course, I'll be sure to read it first, a formality you've apparently skipped.
COMMENT #35 [Permalink]
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Paul
said on 10/27/2005 @ 8:16 am PT...
Oh Robert, just having a little fun sweetness.
> And as far as I can tell, the only person on this blog who said my books don't sell is YOU
See the following -
https://bradblog.com/archives/00001802.htm
========
COMMENT #71 [link]
...KEN said on 9/7/2005 @ 1:01pm PT...
Robert,
If you think it was bush's job to save the people in New Orleans, you are an idiot.
Read the constitution.
Your analogy is ridiculous. Now I understand why your books don't sell
=================
I have some questions:
Why do you kooks hate the rich? Is it because you are socialists, communists?
Why do you hate our troops? Why do you compare them to terrorists?
Why do you hate America?
COMMENT #36 [Permalink]
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merifour
said on 10/27/2005 @ 8:47 am PT...
RLM, I know what you are saying and I guess I have transcended that way of thinking. I just can't tolerate the "I am better than you because I have more money attitude". I don't care how much money a person has or doesn't have. I find those that think they are better than everyone else because they have more money, are flys that I would like to swat. Money does not make them brilliant, ie: Paris Hilton.
The American people have been 'programmed' to believe a lot of lies during our history. My favorite is 'never talk about religion or politics'...well that one we bought real good..and we sure are paying today. The 'golden years'..show me. Marriages are made in heaven...yeah right. This list goes on and we need to start dissecting this deceit and recognize we were hoodwinked from the time we entered this world as babes. We swallowed the whole whale and it's time we realized it. M4 (who does not address letters to members of congress "HONORABLE" xxxxx.)
COMMENT #37 [Permalink]
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Savantster
said on 10/27/2005 @ 9:40 am PT...
Ok Paul, now you got my goat..
First off, the "rich" conservatives value money over human life.. period. I think it's telling that from your own post above, the "conservatives" are out to "get money" and can't be bothered to stay in school (except the Lawyers and Doctors).. I was gonna be a lawyer.. know why I didn't? I have morals.. being a lawyer is counter to having morals. Could I eek out a living as a "moral lawyer"? yeah, but why bother? the -real- money in law is corperate law, or defending "wealthy" people.. helping them avoid being accountable to the law.
Secondly.. I'm betting a BIG part of why "most" christins "give more" is because they have been threatend.. Don't believe me? read the bible.. "YOU'RE GOING TO HELL!!! BURN FOR ALL ETERNITY!! unless you do what your preacher says.. " Guilt is a wonderful motivator too.. "I'll just tithe more.. give some money and god will be happy.. then I get to heaven!".. Ties back into the (current) American Attitude of "I'll buy my happiness!".. Buying your way into heaven isn't possible.. yet that's what I see a lot of people trying to do.. and interestingly, the Pope lives in a palace of gold.. hmm..
It makes sense to me that "upper middle class and the rich" make up the "conservative movement".. those also tend to be the elitists who don't think laws apply to them.. who try to buy favors from officals, and vote in a way to "keep their hard earned money".. and don't give a shit about the -fact- that for them to have what they do, their countrymen have to suffer. Well, don't "have to", but are.. because the policies they try to get passed.. No more Capital Gains tax?? are you friggin kidding me? WHO does that benifit? and WHO does that hurt? It benifits 40% or LESS of the "richer types", and screws 60% or more of our citizens who don't have any capital to invest.. That lost revenue has to come from -somewhere-. It makes me sick to think I'm part of this country when the "haves" are content to shit all over the "have nots".. This country was founded to get AWAY from that kind of selfish ignorant mindset.. General Welfare.. that's what the government is charged with protecting.. NOT corperate interests.. NOT making sure the top 1% of the food chain sucks the rest of the country dry.. the GENERAL WELFARE.. that means for -everyone-..
To answer your -specific- question of why -I- hate the rich... it's because they are as immoral as the drug dealers in the ghetto, yet have enough money to honestly believe they are better than that. They run corperations whos god is money and are willing to sacrafice human beings for profit (both metaphorically and literally). Hell, you think the slinger on the street corner in the ghetto is getting Heroin in from Afghanastan? No..some "rich" jackass is doing that... and being aided and abeted by our government.. get it? Rich folks honestly believe they are "better" than everyone else.. what evidence do they have to support that hypothesis? none.. other than "money".. But, I tell ya what.. I could be a millionare in under 6 months.. IF I were willing to sell out. IF I were willing to "take advantage of other people" and exploit them.. I could do it legally too.. But, I won't. I refuse to give up who I am for money, it's not worth it. Rich people have sold their souls for cash, and have no qualms stating "I'm better than you. I have what I do because I'm better than you. I don't have to help contribute to the system that allowed me to have this money, because I'M BETTER THAN YOU".. Got news for ya.. No, they're not.. The only thing they have that I don't is a lack of desire to be decent human beings. (and before you try to get all high and mighty with "they donate to charities!".. they do that for exactly the reason you'd be saying that for.. Just SO they can say "I'm not a bad person.. I've given millions of my billions to others.. now leave me be with my billions!"
As a side note.. in a "strictest" context, I recon I could kind of be considered a "socialist".. in that I think everyone in this society should be taken care of to some minimal degree. Home, food, clothes.. There are MORE than enough resources to go around.. IF.. and ONLY IF.. we take back some of that 90% of the wealth tied up in the top 10% of our society. More to the point, the 80% tied up in the top 2%.. There's no excuse for someone to be worth $50 billion dollars while we have millions starving in the streets. -Another- reason I'm "kind of a socialist" is because I understand the Culture of Poverty.. That is, I understand that it's the class differences that drives a lot of crime in this society.. Letting people "fend for themselves" is what CAUSES crimes (well, the violent and domestic crimes.. the "white collar crimes" are caused by greed.. ). If you wipe out poverty, you will drastically reduce crime rates. Relieve a lot of the suffering of poverty and you will reduce a lot of the abuse of substances (drug/alcohol use)..
As you pointed out, more "liberals" are poor and uneducated.. Yet, the conservatives want to prevent the poor of this country from becoming educated.. ever wonder why that is? I'll tell ya.. it's easier to exploit someone when they are trapped in a cycle of "not thinking".. something an education tends to break.. and, gives them tools to see what's going on around them.. lets them notice the chains they are bound by are invisible, but real.. Educated people threaten to disrupt the chaos caused by the few uber-wealthy in their power grab..
As far as troops, you're a moron.. you know that? I don't think I've -ever- seen a post on this blog where someone said they disliked "our troops".. I don't dislike our troops, I dislike our troops being in Iraq.. I dislike -certian- troops.. like the pricks that wrote on a wall during the initial invasion "our god is better than your god".. I'm not a religious person and I found that disgusting. Americans, in general, seem to be ignorant, self-rightous, arrogant, ethnocentric, assholes. How do you go into a country you are supposedly "helping" and piss all over their beliefs? hello? MOST of our troops over there are only doing their jobs.. I don't get why you would think we'd have a problem with them.. the PROBLEM is with the lying assholes that shoved a war down our throats illegally and immorally.. get it? Probably not. And, there are reports of our GOVERNEMNT (not the troops) bombing civilians left and right in Iraq.. then LYING to us and saying they were all insurgents? How many times does our Government have to kill thousands of civilians and lie about it only to have us find out the truth later? We STILL do nothing to stop the madness.. AND, there's reports now of a unit in Afghanastan that was working with locals who rounded up a "box-car" of "prisoners", let them cook in the metal truck-box.. SHOT IT FULL OF HOLES with people inside when they got noisy about their dying of heat/thirst? If Americans were involved with a parallel to the Holocost, we have become the people we've been trying to rid the world of. America is supposed to be above that.. protecting people FROM that.. not contributing TO it.. Like the torture going on in our detention camps.. Illegal, immoral, CRIMINAL.. yet, you right-wingers keep saying "it's ok.. it has to be done.. quit being babies".. RIIIIIGHT.. just ignore INTERNATIONAL LAW.. LAWS that -we- signed up for.. Nothing like showing -exactly- what's wrong with America today.. "Laws don't matter, getting what we want at any cost.. that's all that matters". Hate our "troops"? no.. despise the way "some" are behaving? you betcha.. and at the direction of our Government, at that.. disgusting.
Why do we hate America? Are you on crack? We seem to be the only ones who CARE about America.. The "conservatives" in office today don't give a shit about America, the American way, truth, justice, law.. you name it, they don't give a shit about it.. -all- they care about is money.. and if you think "America" is about "money", you're a dipshit and have no business in my country.. Go read your Constitution. I'll say it again.. the government is to provied for the GENERAL WELFARE, and make sure people can persue LIFE, LIBERTY, and the PERSUIT OF HAPPINESS.. get it? Letting 1% of the people in this country exploit 70% (or so) is NOT looking out for the "general welfare"... it's looking out for the "specific welfare".. and of those who buy the politicians.. that is UN-AMERICAN (well, used to be.. now it's becoming the norm thanks to a growing sense of greed and lack of concerne about society in general... the attitude of "fuck you, I got mine.. you get yours" is becoming the prevailing mentality.. all the while IGNORING that laws are being written to make that impossible.. laws that let the "rich" keep what they have and encourage letting that wealth go OUT of this country and away from Americans). Anyone that can support the way things are going in this country are the Anti-American people. They are the people so blinded by greed and personal gain that they don't give a shit about "America".. The United States of America is about a larger comunity all working together to be the "best country in the world".. NOT about some rich fucks stealing what they can from everyone else with the help of a corrupt group of leaders who have been privledged all their lives. We LEFT a country where that was happening.. we LEFT and came HERE to start over.. make a place where -all men are created equal-.. yet, the elitist attitude is counter to that. The elitist attitude found in almost EVERY "conservative" or "republican" I've -ever- met honestly believes "they are better than ". They honestly believe they have more of a right to their watefull spending than other humans, other AMERICANS have a right to eat and sleep under shelter. The tired scapegoat of "hey, just go get a job! everyone can get a JOB.. if you weren't a lazy bastard, you could have money.. you have that right.. go get yours, I got mine!" won't cut it. The rich-elite are making sure they suck up that wealth.. to imply "getting a job" is all that is needed is to admit you don't give a shit. We need our industrial base back.. we need to get our "prosperity" OUT of "financial markets" and back into the hands of "the people".. The only people that gain from "financial markets" are the upper 40% who have money to "invest".. and in the interst of "financial markets", viable companies are shutting down plants, outsourcing jobs, being bought up and shut down, you name it.. It's "good on paper" and makes "some people a lot of money", but at the expense of 10s of thousands of Americans.
I say, you had your chance to show that "free markets" and your bastardized version of "capitalism" and "deregulation" would work.. The proof is in the pudding.. it is NOT working. It is NOT making this a "stronger nation".. it's making a few super rich people even more rich, and disenfranchising 10s of millions of Americans. If you had your way, we'd have no trees left, we'd have no clean water left, we'd have no breathable air left.. Regulation is REQUIRED to keep the greedy bastards with no respect for anything but the all mighty dollar in check. Without it, the world would be rendered unlivable in decades. Progress and protecting the planet aren't "profitable", and so those that can, won't.
COMMENT #38 [Permalink]
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merifour
said on 10/27/2005 @ 11:00 am PT...
Right on Savanster! I especially liked the comments regarding the drugs. This regime is so deep in drug running and anyone standing on the street corner peddling drugs is rounded up and put in prison. They threaten the machine. Privately run prisons, traded on the stock market, are full of kids arrested for using drugs...the murderers and child molesters roam our streets....guess that is telling about where the power elite's priorities lie. They don't like competion, even from those kids addicted to their illegal drug trade. What a sham.
The 'white collar' criminals live in luxury serving time, if they serve at all. Isn't Kenny Boy still on the street?
Dumbing Down America has been on the agenda for years. A point well given. Keep the people ignorant, busy and distracted as we screw them.
The troops are so brainwashed from the day they enter boot camp it is scary. Most have their sense of morality but a few lost it all and are willing to commit acts against other humans that are downright evil, following orders from their souless leaders. The few that balk are chastised.
I love America and that is why I am fighting as hard as I can to wake people up to what has happened to this Country. Those that think otherwise can live their life in their little box enjoying all the fruits of OUR labor. Their ignorance is their bliss. I hope they enjoy all OUR money after they are dead because they obviously think they get to take it with them and futhermore probably believe they will live some kind of luxurious life in 'heaven' or wherever they think they are going, and they will still be able to spit on the rest of us. What a joke. Furthermore, if they think they are going to give all their ill-gotten wealth to their kids, better think again. We are raising kids that are sick from our toxic environment. Doubt they will be healthy or smart enough to keep the family riches, so good luck on that idea too. Don't forget to give all your children those vaccines full of poison, and keep the Ritalan prescription full.
Regarding what these evildoers have done to this planet....I cannot even express my feelings. Mother Nature is pissed...all you 'rich' people figured that one out yet? This planet is done for because of the policies of the 'rich'. M4 aka: Alice N. Wunderland
P.S. Take a picture of a tree or a mountain so you can show future generations what they looked like before the 'rich' inheritated the earth.
COMMENT #39 [Permalink]
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Paul
said on 10/27/2005 @ 11:51 am PT...
I was right!
Thanks #37 and #38!
#37 - You are completely wrong in almost everything you say. Christians do not buy happiness or Heaven with their money. Christians do not blindly follow their preachers.
Conservatives value "life!"
The money supply is not like a pizza and once you cut it up, there is nothing left. If you think that, then I can see why you think some people [rich] are taking money away from other people [poor].
Christians take care of the poor. We just have a disagreement in whose job it is to do that. I prefer organizations and individuals. Liberals prefer the government.
#38 - Liberals and teachers unions are dumbing down the government school system and that is why so many conservatives are home schooling or putting their kids in private schools.
Ritalin? Every kid I know on it gets no discipline from their parents. And I know a lot.
Of course, you believe the earth is more important than the creator of the earth. The creator of the earth will come back and destroy it by fire someday. In the meantime, piano companies need trees for pianos and their suppliers are planting them. We have more trees in the US today than we had 100 years ago. No conservative wants dirty water.
What is wrong with this country is that you guys are not in charge and that socialism and communism fail everywhere they are tried.
You two are ruled by emotions and not by rational thought. But, that is one reason why you are liberals.
COMMENT #40 [Permalink]
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ADAM URBAN
said on 10/27/2005 @ 12:41 pm PT...
I for one will try to send something when I am able to. We have a site www.urbanterrorists.com and we do music and videos and we have the same problem. People will give millions to the red cross that is only a first response charity and expect something like a gift from God. However there are lots of groups like us that try and make a difference and we really do. However, we are not crooked so it is harder to finance the true way. Thanks Brad Blogg for all that you do! It isn't $ but I hope our kind words find you a great sponsor!
Thanks
www.urbanterrorists.com
COMMENT #41 [Permalink]
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Savantster
said on 10/27/2005 @ 12:46 pm PT...
Oh Paul.. poor deluded Paul..
"The money supply is not like a pizza and once you cut it up, there is nothing left. If you think that, then I can see why you think some people [rich] are taking money away from other people [poor]."
"Money" used to be backed by "gold".. the Gold Standard, perhaps you've heard of it? Money had "real" value.. Then we slipped into the "silver standard" because we had more silver, and needed more "notes" out there for people.. Then, we just started printing what ever we wanted.. Money, like all matter, is a finite thing. It's backed by "something real" at -some- point. Conservation of Energy tells us that you can't just "make something out of thin air", which is what you are proposing be done with money (and actually IS being done, that's why the dollar keeps LOSING VALUE.. get it?).
"Wealth" isn't about "cash".. it's about "resources".. that is, there are only X acres of land in the United States. If you OWN land, you OWN something of value. If you "own" paper money, you "own" nothing as that fluxuates and can be dismissed by the government at a moment's notice.. it "used to have value" in that you could go to the reserve and get "gold" for you money.. FROM THE GOVERNMENT.. can't do that now, now can you.. So, "land" is limited.. fresh water is limited (when "owned" by people).. oil is limited.. coal is limited.. Don't you get it? when 2% of the population "owns" 80% of all that there is to "own" in this country, that leaves the other 98% of the population fighting over 20% of what is available. Can't you see that? "money" can be printed all day long, you're right.. but the more you "print" just to do it, the "less" you can get with a dollar. Land and -other- things of value are "finite".. so yeah, when the "rich" are hording those resources, they -are- taking from the poor. Get it?
"Conservatives value "life!""
If that's the case, then why do their policies seem based on valuing "rich people's life" and not "all citizen's lives"? Again, let's look at the capital gains tax law that might be approved BY CONSERVATIVES.. That means a NET LOSS in revenue for the government, right? That means a NET LOSS for caring for the poor of this country. Sorry, when you KNOW a law is going to STARVE MORE PEOPLE, you do NOT give a shit about "life".. no matter -what- you say.. Actions speak louder than words.. in case you didn't get that. If you cared so much about "life", they why are we in Iraq? saving lives? why is it our government's job to save THEIR lives, but not the lives of OUR OWN CITIZENS? Nice hypocracy..
"Christians do not blindly follow their preachers."
LMFAO.. moron.. MOST Christians I've -ever- met do JUST THAT.. They vote how they are told because they are BRAIN WASHED and when the "preacher" says "god wants you to vote republican! god wants you to not bother with those sinners, let them deal with their own problems! They use drugs and have sex and comit other sins, and we can't support those liberals who cater to that!".. uh.. dipshit? they did JUST THAT this past election.. and, as I understand it, historically, "religious leaders" didn't want people voting because "they would be voting for someone that works in a broken system".. They changed their tune when Regan and the Conservatives turned to a "moral" platform (nice irony) and asked for their votes.
"Of course, you believe the earth is more important than the creator of the earth. The creator of the earth will come back and destroy it by fire someday. In the meantime, piano companies need trees for pianos and their suppliers are planting them."
2 things.. First, YOU believe there's a "creator" and he's coming back for you. And if you're wrong? deluded? there is no god? then what? I don't believe "god" is coming for you, I think you will have to suffer out your life here with the rest of us, and when you die and blink out of existence, you'll never know how wrong you were.. I suppose.. that can be some comfort to you. As for me, I believe we're alive now.. and have been for millions of years (not 6 thousand like some religious nuts believe).. I believe we have the capacity to stay on this planet for millions of more years (in some form or another), but we have to respect what we have. Funny thing is, there are envrionmentalists who are devout Christians too.. the difference? they don't think exploitation for greed is good.. like you seemingly do.. Secondly, "their suppliers plant them" is a NEW concept.. see, before us "liberals" started beating up on the issue, your piano makers were getting wood from guys that were clear-cutting forests with NO REAGARD to the mess left behind. You can't swtich gears now and pretend that the rapers of the planet actually give a shit. They don't, and havent. Ask the North American Bison.. or the 10s of thousands of other species that are endangered or extinct THANKS TO US (humans that is).. Yeah, that's what makes god happy.. us raping and destroying his creations while we wait for him to get back... good reasoning..
"Christians take care of the poor. We just have a disagreement in whose job it is to do that. I prefer organizations and individuals. Liberals prefer the government."
And Christians want to "take care of my soul" too, and that's not their right. And, "we" know all too well that you can't leave the fate of "millions" in the hands of "a group of people".. first, Christians have no legal obligation to help,and lots of "Christians" don't do shit for their fellow man.. ever.. Second, we've seen time and again that "christians" are -not- able to take care of everyone.. just can't be done. And, as I said, the GOVERNMENT is CHARGED with the GENERAL WELFARE.. what part of that can't you see? The POINT of government is to make SURE groups of people aren't shit on by other groups, get it? The rich elite are shitting on the rest of us.. why? cause our GOVERNMENT IS BROKE.. get it? rich corrupt (mostly christian, or so they claim) privledged assholes are running things, and they are bought and sold by the richest folks in the country. You can't see that? are you that stupid?
"What is wrong with this country is that you guys are not in charge and that socialism and communism fail everywhere they are tried."
Hmm.. strange.. The United States is one of the only civilized/developed countries WITHOUT NATIONAL HEALTHCARE.. I'd have to go back and read up on "socialism" to be sure, but I'm pretty sure ther are countries that are "close to being socialists" that haven't "failed" .. Socialism is about "everyone being taken care of".. not sure how that "kills a society".. Hell, some of the best socialisms in the world have been destroyed BY OTHER COUNTRIES as they try to invade and take over the resouces.. but, hey.. that's ok.. those resources are unlimited, right?
Communism is a different beast all together, and to my understanding, it's NOT been "properly used" in -any- government to date. That is, when the "government" is run by corrupt people who abuse the principles of the system, it -will- fail.. Kind of like "Capitalism" is failing here... get it? When "bad people" are in charge, -any- system is going to fail because it is going to allow "the corrupt" to abuse the rest.. when that happens, your "system" has failed.. get it? Probably not..
"Liberals and teachers unions are dumbing down the government school system and that is why so many conservatives are home schooling or putting their kids in private schools."
No.. what's dumbing down schools is Christians wanting the bible to be taught in school.. "Intelligent Design" is crap.. there's NO EVIDENCE to support it.. yet we're supposed to teach our kids this crap as "science"? No.. YOU teach them that at home, that's fine. I don't want MY child to be lied to or manipulated into believing what I consider a myth. Christianity has no place in my life.. I leave that for people that are too afriad to LIVE on their own, to small minded to handle "being alone in the univers".. to afriad to accept responsibility for their own lives so they blame it all on "god" and "the devil".. Nice copout.. Not for me, I'm stronger than that.. sorry. If you need religion to sleep at night, so be it... but to try and say "I'm ruled by emotion" when YOU are a christian is laughable. I'm ruled by FACT.. The FACT is, our system is crumbling.. I can't help it that you don't care because you think god is gonna come save you.. I have no such delusion in my thought process.
Also, we're talking about defunding "higher education", for the most part. What you learn up through High School isn't all that much.. though, with the economy the way it is, schools are more day-cares than schools.. especially with the lack of funding .. see, the "rich" like to say "we home school.. we shouldn't have to pay anything to support society".. but they can homeschool because they have (magic word.. ready for it?) RESOURCES to allow that. MOST families in this country don't have that luxury.. When both parents (or single-parent homes) are working all day, the kids need to be "someplace".. that place is "school". Again, when "rich" people "refuse to contribute", they are worsening problems. Those "rich people" don't mind using the roads or ports or airports that taxes pay for, they don't mind buying products made by those "poor people", they don't seem to mind letting people starve to death in their own country. Just so long as "they" don't have to pay for anything, they're ok.. right?
If you want to discuss politics or the state of the world, fine.. but leave religion out of it. If your entire view of the world is religiously motivated, then we have nothing to discuss. "using the planet up is ok cause god gave it to us and will come take us away soon".. and if you're wrong? Then my kids have to live in a wasteland in misery.. for what? your ignorance? thanks, but no thanks.. Let's make plans that DON'T include "god coming down".. ok? just to be safe..
COMMENT #42 [Permalink]
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Robert Lockwood Mills
said on 10/27/2005 @ 12:48 pm PT...
If there's one person on this planet who isn't ruled by rational thought, it's George W. Bush.
Thought: If we invade Iraq, they'll greet us as liberators.
Rational? Not.
Thought: After a few weeks in Iraq, our "mission was accomplished."
Rational? Uh...no.
Thought: Osama bin Laden is linked to Saddam Hussein, therefore Saddam is linked to 9/11.
Rational? Wrong on both counts.
Thought: "Dissasemble" means "lie."
Rational? Ha ha.
Thought: "I'm a compassionate conservative."
Rational? Not so far.
Thought: "I'm going to bring people together."
Rational? Ken Lay and Dick Cheney, maybe.
Thought: "Harriet Miers is the best qualified candidate for the Supreme Court. Trust me."
Rational? Not even to his right-wing friends.
Boy, it feels good to be a liberal these days. Even though I've never met a socialist or communist, I like being a liberal. Can't understand why some people think it's a pejorative word.
COMMENT #43 [Permalink]
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Robert Lockwood Mills
said on 10/27/2005 @ 1:00 pm PT...
Here's one more reason to support Bradblog.
NEWS FLASH: THOMAS NOE INDICTED BY U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN OHIO.
It's also a reason to thank the Toledo Blade. Without the Blade, and possibly without Bradblog, Noe would still be pulling his crooked tricks, his wife would still be blabbing about how clean last year's election was, and Diebold's machines would still be in use everywhere. Instead, the G.O.P. is at war with itself.
COMMENT #44 [Permalink]
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Savantster
said on 10/27/2005 @ 1:42 pm PT...
Here ya go Paul
A nice conservative group who thinks god is attacking America with the hurricanes... killing troops in Iraq as revenge.. Who thinks it's great that people hate them because it makes them "more right".. like Jesus..
COMMENT #45 [Permalink]
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Paul
said on 10/27/2005 @ 10:20 pm PT...
#41
> and when the "preacher" says "god wants you to vote republican
A good white preacher will never say that. They do in black churches. Clinton and Gore went to plenty of black churches. Our preacher would be arrested if he said what you say they say. A good church is not political but the members are smart enough to know who agress with their morals. My pastor never tells us how to vote. And, when a preacher teaches something that is contradicting to the Bible, the members will call him on it.
> I believe we have the capacity to stay on this planet for millions of more years
I am not one of those who thinks God will come back in our lifetime so I agree with you but millions of years might be a little to long as you know that the planet cannot sustain too many more people, as you guys believe
> Christianity has no place in my life.. I leave that for people that are too afriad to LIVE on their own, to small minded to handle
I love the way non-Christians think Christians are weak.
I also look at the world thought common sense.
I hope you are right about there is no God. If you are wrong, toast!
> A nice conservative group who thinks god is attacking America with the hurricanes
There are many Christian cults and false Christian teaching out there. Not all groups speak for all.
Bible says that there will be wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famine, etc., but they are only the beginning of the end.
COMMENT #46 [Permalink]
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merifour
said on 10/27/2005 @ 10:40 pm PT...
ROFL! Wow, what fun, haven't had a good laugh all day. Great job Sav and RLM. A friend of mine once said to never have a battle of wits with an unarmed man....sorry Paul. M4 (who hopes Paul is one of 144,000 chosen ones who will get raptured real soon...LOL)
COMMENT #47 [Permalink]
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Paul
said on 10/31/2005 @ 10:58 am PT...
> who hopes Paul is one of 144,000 chosen ones who will get raptured real soon...LOL)
Only Jehovah's Witnesses believe they will be the only ones in Heaven and that number is only 144,000.
The Bible talks about the 144,000 (clearly the 12 tribes of Israel) and then it mentions the MULTITUDES.
Therefore, you are showing just how much you do not know.
COMMENT #48 [Permalink]
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merifour
said on 11/1/2005 @ 11:39 am PT...
Paul, I apologize, you are right, I do not know which fundamental (Christian) religions believe what. I have stated before, I am not a bible student. The little I do know, however, confuses me. All of them have the same book but interpret it differently. Many people rely on their Church Leaders to interpret for them, thus they do not have to do any serious thinking or researching themselves.
The bible has even been changed, now to some 'common english' version so 'common' people can read it. Some preachers use this 'new' version from the pulpit....again I see cause for much misinterpretation of the message originally intended.
Our posts crossed each other and when I posted it, I saw your post above mine. You explained youself in your post and I should have responded immediately. I was remiss. I am glad you are an independent thinker. I am glad your church allows you to be, as a great many don't.
Just happened to be reading some past threads and came across this one...looks like you did that yesterday. Timing is everything. M4
COMMENT #49 [Permalink]
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Paul
said on 11/6/2005 @ 9:30 am PT...