Conventions- Rep & Dem BOTH (WARNING! Rant ensues!)

[minicoopercraig]

Okay,
I know this probably isn't the right place for this, but this is my main posting "channel" on here, so I'm putting it here! :P ANYWHO!
Is it just me or do you find yourself comparing all of these conventions and speeches and chanting and mottos all reminiscent of a much hated "dictator" of the 1930's and 40's. I won't name names for fear of starting a rather HEATED and TOUCHY debate.
Unfortunately I do! I mean come on, following blindly one candidate over another because they're the only ones running on your parties ticket is just fool-hearted. I would do research, read more speeches, check out voting history, see what their goals are, and then decide who I'd vote for. But NO we're not supposed to do that, it's supposed to be, and I hate to put it this way, but it's supposed to be "Cut And Dry". It's not that way anymore. I can the if you listen to both candidates that are in the limelight right now, they just remind me of an episode of "Futurama" called "A Head In The Polls". Two candidates are debating on TV and one says one thing and his clone says the exact same thing but phrased a little different. That's all that seems to be going on for me. Call me cynical, but that's the way I see it. They aren't speaking about things that "really" matter to me like equal rights, same-sex marriages, domestic partner benefits, and others. They just keep rehashing that same thing over and over again about senior health-care, minimum wage, prescriptions, and so on. Yet when they get into office they never do anything about those things.
Also, the police state we're constantly living in making it harder and harder to get anything done without fear of someone checking up on you to make sure you aren't planing to blow something up is just rediculous. I know for a fact that there is a motion up for vote in PA that a senetor or representative wants to make it so that if you're on Megan's List for whatever reason that no matter how long you've been on that your extended to 25 years on the list MANDATORY. Okay, does anyone else see this as a violation of rights? I mean come on, the people were sentenced, and are serving their time, you can't extend it once they've been sentenced. That's like saying, ok, we know a jury and judge said you're only on here for 5 years because you looked at an 8 year old wrong in the park, but we think you are a danger to society and need to be tracked for 25 year. I don't get it....Grr...maybe I need to move out of the country, does Canada have any tropical islands in their possession I can live on? :)

We now return you to your mindless subliminal messaging brought to you by (INSERT YOUR PARTY NAME HERE).

[DVCajun]

I think most of us are getting a little tired of politics at this point. It's been hard core, in your face for over a year and I know I'll be glad when it's over. I work in a very politically charged atmosphere (only because some of the people there are soooo interested in making sure everyone hears about what's going on in the political world), and I'm sick to *death* of it. Unfortunately for me, things aren't really going to change in my work place after the election .... I'll *still* hear about it all the dam time.

Re: Megan's List. Um. :confused3 Seriously? You don't get on that list for "looking at an 8 year old wrong." And geez -- what are you doing "looking at an 8 year old wrong" anyway? Guh-ross. There are reasons they want to extend the time, dude. Cuz some of those folks are managing to find jobs at schools, churches or elsewhere that gives them access to all of those adorable 8 year olds, and I'm sorry, that's not ok. There may be some poor soul on the list who "served their time" and now want to live their lives off of Megan's List, but sorry, they, too, shouldn't be allowed anywhere near children. Ever. Again. I don't think there should be a 25 year limit... what's wrong with life?? :confused3

[Mackey Mouse]

Just a thought here.. I said this last night to my husband. All the money spent on elaborate conventions....we have not seen McCain's yet, but last night for example...it took lots of money to do that convention, would it not be better served to do a lesser extravanganza and donate the money to those who need it. Call me crazy, but that is what I was thinking watching last night. I am listening to both and have always tried to be an educated voter and will decide who I vote for based on what they will do for the country. There are so many hot buttons for me.....healthcare, social security, energy, gay rights, pro choice, thankfully I live in MA where we allow gays to marry. I am not threatened by that, if people love each other, I do not care who they choose to spend their lives with..

I will probably be excommunicated from the church from my stance on many things, but you know what I do think and will vote for the person who stands up and speaks up on these issues and offers something on a way to mend this country and not just a bandaid.

Who that person is is still not clear to me.. sorry, guys, neither one has wowed me yet. I know this is a bit of an epistle, but I am watching both conventions and listening and will try and make an educated vote....

[ticktock]

I think most of us are getting a little tired of politics at this point. It's been hard core, in your face for over a year and I know I'll be glad when it's over. I work in a very politically charged atmosphere (only because some of the people there are soooo interested in making sure everyone hears about what's going on in the political world), and I'm sick to *death* of it. Unfortunately for me, things aren't really going to change in my work place after the election .... I'll *still* hear about it all the dam time.

Re: Megan's List. Um. :confused3 Seriously? You don't get on that list for "looking at an 8 year old wrong." And geez -- what are you doing "looking at an 8 year old wrong" anyway? Guh-ross. There are reasons they want to extend the time, dude. Cuz some of those folks are managing to find jobs at schools, churches or elsewhere that gives them access to all of those adorable 8 year olds, and I'm sorry, that's not ok. There may be some poor soul on the list who "served their time" and now want to live their lives off of Megan's List, but sorry, they, too, shouldn't be allowed anywhere near children. Ever. Again. I don't think there should be a 25 year limit... what's wrong with life?? :confused3


:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

What really pisses me off is that you have people serving more time for possesion of pot than for raping kids. Those people need to die, not be given a slap on the wrist.


OP if your worried about a "police state" I wouldn't go to Canada. They have some political jihadist thing there that is prosecuting people for things they've said on their blogs! No kidding, it's the speach police! The thought police. Typical socialist crap. Of course what they're doing might be right up your alley. I've noticed that most people that scream the loudest for their "rights" have no regard for the rights of others. Just sayin'.

[rpmdfw]

Just a thought here.. I said this last night to my husband. All the money spent on elaborate conventions....we have not seen McCain's yet, but last night for example...it took lots of money to do that convention, would it not be better served to do a lesser extravanganza and donate the money to those who need it. Call me crazy, but that is what I was thinking watching last night. I am listening to both and have always tried to be an educated voter and will decide who I vote for based on what they will do for the country. There are so many hot buttons for me.....healthcare, social security, energy, gay rights, pro choice, thankfully I live in MA where we allow gays to marry. I am not threatened by that, if people love each other, I do not care who they choose to spend their lives with..

I will probably be excommunicated from the church from my stance on many things, but you know what I do think and will vote for the person who stands up and speaks up on these issues and offers something on a way to mend this country and not just a bandaid.

Who that person is is still not clear to me.. sorry, guys, neither one has wowed me yet. I know this is a bit of an epistle, but I am watching both conventions and listening and will try and make an educated vote....

I read somewhere that both Obama and McCain have raised and spent more money this year than the Red Cross will spend in disaster relief. That's EACH of them! Imagine the good that money could do elsewhere. There's something seriously wrong with that. The conventions are so pointless now. They served their purpose once, but now we already know who the candidate will be. Why waste all the money, time, & resources for a self-congratulatory party?

We need some SERIOUS election reform in this country. The sad thing is, it'll never happen. The very people we vote for would never jeopardize their own system that keeps returning them to office.

[minicoopercraig]

Re: Megan's List. Um. :confused3 Seriously? You don't get on that list for "looking at an 8 year old wrong." And geez -- what are you doing "looking at an 8 year old wrong" anyway? Guh-ross. There are reasons they want to extend the time, dude. Cuz some of those folks are managing to find jobs at schools, churches or elsewhere that gives them access to all of those adorable 8 year olds, and I'm sorry, that's not ok. There may be some poor soul on the list who "served their time" and now want to live their lives off of Megan's List, but sorry, they, too, shouldn't be allowed anywhere near children. Ever. Again. I don't think there should be a 25 year limit... what's wrong with life?? :confused3

Really? You'd like to ignore the whole theory behind our justice system? I understand it involves children, but people who didn't even commit a crime against children (such as an indecent aggravated assault). According to PA law, he/she is immediately put onto Megan's List for a mandatory 10 years if convicted. They may have forced themselves upon a date on the car ride home, or whatever qualifies to be charged with that. After 5-6 years of complying with the laws of the list (not having contact with the victim, reporting for monthly check-ins with state police, getting a respectable job, and overall learning their lesson) along comes a gung-ho politician that makes it mandatory that everyone who is on the list for whatever reason now has to serve 25 years in addition to what they've already served. How is that right? Our system is supposed to be once your convicted, you can't be tried for the same crime again, that's in essence what they're trying to do. Sorry for the side rant, didn't mean to. Really I didn't.

[OrlandoMike]

While I feel the "system" is definitely broken, I don't think our country is.

Three things are being discussed today in the news that I, quite frankly, never though I would see in my lifetime.

The Democrats have nominated a black man as their guy.

The Republicans (it's being rumored right now) may have a woman as a VP on their ticket.

And gays are legally allowed to get married in two states, and the issue is being pushed forward in many more states.

Social change moves slow in our country, but as long as it continues to move in the right direction, I'll be happy....

Now lets hammer home things like health care, making our country greener, getting along better with other countries, and more social justice!

[OrlandoMike]

Well it's official, we do have a woman as a VP pick...

One quick search on the interntet and I found....

She opposes same-sex marriage, but she has stated that she has gay friends

Well isn't that special! :rotfl2: They can be my friends, but can't get married!

[turkygurl]

Yeah, I wondered about that as well. But there are some folks like that. I'm not one, but I know of some who are.

[Jaxpiper]

Okay,
because you looked at an 8 year old wrong in the park, but we think you are a danger to society and need to be tracked for 25 year. I don't get it....Grr...maybe I need to move out of the country, does Canada have any tropical islands in their possession I can live on? :)


If you violated a child, you surely do need to get the hell out of our country.

I read somewhere that both Obama and McCain have raised and spent more money this year than the Red Cross will spend in disaster relief. That's EACH of them! Imagine the good that money could do elsewhere. There's something seriously wrong with that. The conventions are so pointless now. They served their purpose once, but now we already know who the candidate will be. Why waste all the money, time, & resources for a self-congratulatory party?

Yeah, you're absolutely right. Unfortunately, I don't see that changing anytime soon mainly due to the "mass-media" culture of our society. I can't imagine what good could be done with the money that's currently being spent on TV commercials.

[kingLouiethe1]

I am at a "disgusted" with politics phase right now. I am tired of people saying because you're gay you have to support the democrats, well guess what, the democrats aren't doing a whole lot for us. They're trying to offend the least amount of people to get the most votes and not really stand for anything.

At least when McCain says marriage should be between a man and a woman it's the sort of behavior I would expect.

[Mackey Mouse]

Darn, darn, darn... I have to admit I was pretty excited when I heard McCain was picking a woman for VP.. I heard her speech and thought she did a good job.... then I get to read she is against gay marriage. I can deal with her pro life stance, but why does she have to be against gay marriage. I do not get it, why do they care who you marry. It is about choice and if you choose to love someone and marry that someone, why do they care?
I will never get it...

I am still watching this as it plays out.

[mykidsintow]

My husband completely supports Palin. He has had her picked as the only decient VP option for quite some time. I think McCain, who usually sucks, has finally done something right.

Palin may not support gay marriage. HOWEVER, if you read more into what she DOES believe.... she believes its the states right to decide. While she may not personally support it, she does not believe that decision should be made in DC and WILL support the states that so choose to legalize it.

Obama is just going to run in circles hoping everyone will agree.... will never happen.

Who knows maybe I won't vote libertarian....

[Chuck S]

I think the only missing with Palin is Orange Bird and the Florida Sunshine Tree. ;)

She's right out of the 1970s

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Sadly, Obama looks better as each day passes here lately.

[Maxamuus]

What keeps running thru my mind is these two are really the best two among us to lead our nation ?? :lmao:

I dont think i would vote for either of them to be the chief of sanitation in my city, yet i am supposed to vote for one of them to be President ??

Tweedle Dee or Tweedle Dumb in 08!

[minicoopercraig]

It really is like the Futurama episode "A Head in the Polls" where two clones run for president but are blindsided by Richard Nixon's head, considering he doesn't have a body (which is the loop hole in no"body" can serve more than two terms in office). They just keep saying the same thing but worded differently to get your vote on their side.

And in response to my bringing up the Megan's List here's my thoughts: Honestly, I am appalled by anyone that does anything to harm a child, BUT they are US citizens, and therefore are granted the same rights and punishments we are all privy to. What I'm trying to say doesn't only apply to Megan's law, it's just the starting point. Once they can "re-sentence" one criminal, they're going to do it all over the board, and I don't think that's what our Bill of Rights, or Constitution, or Declaration of Independence was meant for.
I'm not saying that all criminals are innocent and don't deserve what they've got coming to them, I'm just taking the Switzerland approach and seeing that some people are trying to take away rights of others. That's all. Sorry to have upset. I'll be neutral from here on out. ;)

[Maxamuus]

Criag - I understood you and agree with you.

Its always easy to say "yeah i am pro-free speach" Yet are you willing to defend the rights of skinheads to say the nasty hatefully things they say? Its easy to defend the "easy" rights, but to be truely free all rights must be respected even the rights of people that we find repugnante.

When it comes to child molesters or anyone that harms a child most peoples gut reaction is to want to string them up and i agree with those emotions. Yet they are citzens too and should recieve the same rights that is afforded all of us in the constitution.

Side note i read this today and about lost my lunch http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j5SL3asyWQyvMaH1N1_TNdCYndCwD92S5ET04 what kind of person could even think of such a thing, let alone do it?

[minicoopercraig]

I heard another case of that on the Maury show, which is kinda funny that there's another person who did it...um...hello?! Copycat anyone?!

[jrsmom]

Well it's official, we do have a woman as a VP pick...

One quick search on the interntet and I found....

She opposes same-sex marriage, but she has stated that she has gay friends

Well isn't that special! :rotfl2: They can be my friends, but can't get married!

She is also very anti choice, pro creationism being taught in schools, has stated that she doesn't even know what a VP's job description is. Has stated that she knows nothing about Iraq. Good grief she could be one step away from running this country. We go to a very small bank and our usual teller is into politics as we are and when she asked my son what he thought about her, I was very happy to hear him talk about how she is against womans rights and gay rights. He is only 13 and was a Hillary supporter and he is now helping with the Obama campaign.

[ConcKahuna]

She is also very anti choice, pro creationism being taught in schools, has stated that she doesn't even know what a VP's job description is. Has stated that she knows nothing about Iraq. Good grief she could be one step away from running this country. We go to a very small bank and our usual teller is into politics as we are and when she asked my son what he thought about her, I was very happy to hear him talk about how she is against womans rights and gay rights. He is only 13 and was a Hillary supporter and he is now helping with the Obama campaign.

She's nothing but a "good 'ole boy" in drag!

She's super-hardcore right-wing, and has been a NRA member "for life" :rotfl: (I myself had a NRA card at 5 years old, but I don't go around using it as a selling point :rotfl2: )

[ConcKahuna]

And did anyone else notice the uncanny reseblence??
http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-CE666_829_Pa_NS_20080829094152.jpghttp://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z14/vikbll/KarenWalker.jpg

[rpmdfw]

And did anyone else notice the uncanny reseblence??
http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-CE666_829_Pa_NS_20080829094152.jpghttp://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z14/vikbll/KarenWalker.jpg

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

What a pity. I think I'd vote for Megan Mullally.

[OrlandoMike]

And todays breaking news.....

Not only did our gal light it up, she inhaled!! :scared1:

[ConcKahuna]

And todays breaking news.....

Not only did our gal light it up, she inhaled!! :scared1:

So she really is a drugged up "old-fashioned" gal! :lmao:

Maybe their sisters :confused3

[OrlandoMike]

Sometimes it's on, Sometimes it's off....

It doesn't appear to be one of those removable things for when you have a minor injury....

Just wondering if she just removes it for photo ops, then puts it back on to avoid shaking hands with people....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKByFPy7-RU

Scroll over to 9:50....clearly no cast.

Then later in the day when they go shopping, the cast is back on. Weird!

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd268/Orlandomike4/caston.jpg

[DVCajun]

Bottom line -- we simply can't expect the Republican party to align with our beliefs, attitudes and RIGHTS. They don't give a flying you know what, and their supporters don't either. In fact, they would LOSe support if they helped us out at all. So. Hardly surprising that their VP choice is a "good ole boy in drag." Duh. But, hey, cool, she's a woman so this is a historic election either way it goes.

[minicoopercraig]

Yeah but did he only pick her because she's a woman?! I don't get it. I'm pretty sure there are other women in power in this country that would have done a heck of a lot better of a job than her, well at least someone that understood foreign policy

[jrsmom]

Yeah but did he only pick her because she's a woman?! I don't get it. I'm pretty sure there are other women in power in this country that would have done a heck of a lot better of a job than her, well at least someone that understood foreign policy

That is the scary part when she has said that she knows nothing about Iraq even though her son is getting sent there soon. The woman has a bachelor degree in journalism and McCain thinks she is qualified to be a step away from running this country.

[minicoopercraig]

More like a "heartbeat" away if you ask me.

[Kaler131]

More like a "heartbeat" away if you ask me.

:scared1: :scared1: :scared1: :scared1:

[OrlandoMike]

Sorry, but I have no intent on voting for a guy who says I can't get married,
yet he decides that after his wife is in an automobile accident, to trade her in for a rich Barbie dream girl!

Just not my idea of "family values"!:confused:

[Mackey Mouse]

Mike, did you post that after you went out?? LOLOL She is definitely a very rich Barbie, that is for sure and I do not think he is any Ken. I would love to see you get married to Shrek.

I am taking a wait and see attitude here......I am watching and listening and will not make my decision till I go into that little booth to vote. I am trying to stay open to all and will vote with my heart and conscience.....what else can we all do? There has been many times that DH and I have had to stop talking about elections before we kill each other.. LOLOLOL... and then we go to the polls and cancel each other out. But we vote and we take it seriously.

I wish I could say I liked either candidate...truly liked them and believed in what they say. I cannot.

[npmommie]

Re: Megan's List. Um. :confused3 Seriously? You don't get on that list for "looking at an 8 year old wrong." And geez -- what are you doing "looking at an 8 year old wrong" anyway? Guh-ross. There are reasons they want to extend the time, dude. Cuz some of those folks are managing to find jobs at schools, churches or elsewhere that gives them access to all of those adorable 8 year olds, and I'm sorry, that's not ok. There may be some poor soul on the list who "served their time" and now want to live their lives off of Megan's List, but sorry, they, too, shouldn't be allowed anywhere near children. Ever. Again. I don't think there should be a 25 year limit... what's wrong with life?? :confused3
I agree with this, it should be life in prison, never mind megans law.
and look at the offenses that are committed for someone to get on this list
http://www.pameganslaw.state.pa.us/CrimeCode.aspx?dt=LCGECFDDL4EDNIINEF4Ua

nothing to take lightly in my opinion.
Really? You'd like to ignore the whole theory behind our justice system? I understand it involves children, but people who didn't even commit a crime against children (such as an indecent aggravated assault). According to PA law, he/she is immediately put onto Megan's List for a mandatory 10 years if convicted. They may have forced themselves upon a date on the car ride home, or whatever qualifies to be charged with that. After 5-6 years of complying with the laws of the list (not having contact with the victim, reporting for monthly check-ins with state police, getting a respectable job, and overall learning their lesson) along comes a gung-ho politician that makes it mandatory that everyone who is on the list for whatever reason now has to serve 25 years in addition to what they've already served. How is that right? Our system is supposed to be once your convicted, you can't be tried for the same crime again, that's in essence what they're trying to do. Sorry for the side rant, didn't mean to. Really I didn't.
indecent aggravated assault is RAPE plain and simple. and yes they deserve to be reported as a sex offender for life in my opinion.
they serve their jail time, no one is making them serve more jail time, unfortuneaty, this is a list of known sex offenders, who the public will have access to and rightfully so. i dont want a sex offender to be the baseball coach on my kids team


And in response to my bringing up the Megan's List here's my thoughts: Honestly, I am appalled by anyone that does anything to harm a child, BUT they are US citizens, and therefore are granted the same rights and punishments we are all privy to. What I'm trying to say doesn't only apply to Megan's law, it's just the starting point. Once they can "re-sentence" one criminal, they're going to do it all over the board, and I don't think that's what our Bill of Rights, or Constitution, or Declaration of Independence was meant for.
I'm not saying that all criminals are innocent and don't deserve what they've got coming to them, I'm just taking the Switzerland approach and seeing that some people are trying to take away rights of others. That's all. Sorry to have upset. I'll be neutral from here on out. ;)
they are not re sentencing anyone by adhereing to meaghans law. they did what they did, plain and simple, and the public has a right to know.

Years ago I did nursing in a state prison with a population majority sex offenders, Trust me when I tell you these people cannot be rehabilitated, I heard more than one brag about what they did.
no remorse, none whatsoever, they don't think they did anything wrong. and they use every excuse in the book to blame something else on their deviant compulsions.

ok off my soapbox now!

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Yeah but did he only pick her because she's a woman?!

You betcha he did. (Or maybe -- it's more like the McCain machine picked her in sort of a Hail Mary / Hail Hillary attempt...)

You know, it's a funny thing... A year ago I would not have voted for McCain but I think I would have been OK (Disappointed but OK) if my Democratic candidate (whoever it might have been) had lost the election. I met John McCain many many years ago at a United Way function and was immediately impressed. Even though our positions on many issues are 180 degrees off, I believe he is a fundamentally good, honorable man.

Borrowing Mr. Conk's term: selecting a "Good ole boy in Drag" as a VP candidate has changed my feelings significantly. He is an OLD man after all and the last thing we need is another unprepared, unready ideologue a heartbeat away from the presidency. :scared1:

[merryweather20]

OP if your worried about a "police state" I wouldn't go to Canada. They have some political jihadist thing there that is prosecuting people for things they've said on their blogs! No kidding, it's the speach police! The thought police. Typical socialist crap. Of course what they're doing might be right up your alley. I've noticed that most people that scream the loudest for their "rights" have no regard for the rights of others. Just sayin'.

We have a "political jihadist thing" do we? Not so much actually. I've only heard of one blogger being arrested and that wasn't even for blogging it was for his physical presence at an event. But I suppose thats because our "police state" so tightly controls our journalists. No matter I'll rest easy knowing that the government will never tap my phone lines in Canada.

News flash the U.S. arrests plenty of bloggers.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080615-worldwide-rise-in-the-number-of-blogger-arrests.html

[minicoopercraig]

I agree with this, it should be life in prison, never mind megans law.
and look at the offenses that are committed for someone to get on this list
http://www.pameganslaw.state.pa.us/CrimeCode.aspx?dt=LCGECFDDL4EDNIINEF4Ua

nothing to take lightly in my opinion.

indecent aggravated assault is RAPE plain and simple. and yes they deserve to be reported as a sex offender for life in my opinion.
they serve their jail time, no one is making them serve more jail time, unfortuneaty, this is a list of known sex offenders, who the public will have access to and rightfully so. i dont want a sex offender to be the baseball coach on my kids team

they are not re sentencing anyone by adhereing to meaghans law. they did what they did, plain and simple, and the public has a right to know.

Years ago I did nursing in a state prison with a population majority sex offenders, Trust me when I tell you these people cannot be rehabilitated, I heard more than one brag about what they did.
no remorse, none whatsoever, they don't think they did anything wrong. and they use every excuse in the book to blame something else on their deviant compulsions.

ok off my soapbox now!

I'm not saying the people who are in jail for offenses against children shouldn't be there for their life, on the contrary, they should get what's coming to them, BUT it should be determined by a jury of his/her peers, not by a mandatory sentencing that a judge has no control over. Let's look at it this way (And I HATE to compare apples to pineapples, but that's what I'm doing.). If someone were to expose themselves to a group of teenagers walking down the street and continue to expose themselves to every person they encounter until someone calls the police and they get arrested. Okay. Now, if someone were to do you know what with a minor and they get arrested. They both come before the same judge, and since they both corrupted a minor they both get a mandatory 10 years on Megan's List. They're equal in that rite, BUT even though the one had a much more heinous crime, they might have a crayon missing to make them a complete 64 set box, and they undoubtably would do it again. On the other hand, the flasher would have learned his/her lesson and probably wouldn't do it again. BUT say 5 years into each of their sentence (considering neither one is in jail for whatever reason) they pass a law stating that anyone that is or will be on Megan's List is immediately forced to register for a total of 25 years. They're trying to change the initial sentence that was decreed.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that like they say with pot as a gateway drug, Megan's Law is a gateway law, if they can get away with ignoring the 5th amendment on this one, they can ignore it on any others. Here's what I'm trying to say: Double Jeopardy Law (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_jeopardy)

My turns done on the soap box.:laughing:

[OrlandoMike]

You know this election is getting more like a soap opera every day!

The latest rumor, Palin's youngest son is not hers, but her daughters.....much like Bree in Desperate Housewives!:eek:

For us political junkies, it should be a pretty interisting week! popcorn::

[mykidsintow]

CNN is reporting a possible delay/total reschedule for the RNC. So now they are reporting the hurricane from St Paul it seems....

They are going to announce "soon" what the "new plan" will be for the convention.

[rpmdfw]

CNN is reporting a possible delay/total reschedule for the RNC. So now they are reporting the hurricane from St Paul it seems....

They are going to announce "soon" what the "new plan" will be for the convention.


So they're admitting that the hurricane is God's punishment for republicans? :confused3


:rotfl2:

Sorry. Just couldn't resist.

[OrlandoMike]

So they're admitting that the hurricane is God's punishment for republicans? :confused3


:rotfl2:

Sorry. Just couldn't resist.

Geesh that God is a busy guy! Remember when he torched Orlando for flying rainbow flags on the street lamps downtown? :laughing:

[minicoopercraig]

All I can say is from what I've heard lately, they're planing on shortening the RNC because of the hurricanes. I'm going to have to say that if they don't do something and continue with it as scheduled, they're going to get some serious criticisms from everyone! I hope they continue forward with it as planned to just keep shooting themselves in the foot. ;)

[npmommie]

I'm not saying the people who are in jail for offenses against children shouldn't be there for their life, on the contrary, they should get what's coming to them, BUT it should be determined by a jury of his/her peers, not by a mandatory sentencing that a judge has no control over. Let's look at it this way (And I HATE to compare apples to pineapples, but that's what I'm doing.). If someone were to expose themselves to a group of teenagers walking down the street and continue to expose themselves to every person they encounter until someone calls the police and they get arrested. Okay. Now, if someone were to do you know what with a minor and they get arrested. They both come before the same judge, and since they both corrupted a minor they both get a mandatory 10 years on Megan's List. They're equal in that rite, BUT even though the one had a much more heinous crime, they might have a crayon missing to make them a complete 64 set box, and they undoubtably would do it again. On the other hand, the flasher would have learned his/her lesson and probably wouldn't do it again. BUT say 5 years into each of their sentence (considering neither one is in jail for whatever reason) they pass a law stating that anyone that is or will be on Megan's List is immediately forced to register for a total of 25 years. They're trying to change the initial sentence that was decreed.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that like they say with pot as a gateway drug, Megan's Law is a gateway law, if they can get away with ignoring the 5th amendment on this one, they can ignore it on any others. Here's what I'm trying to say: Double Jeopardy Law (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_jeopardy)

My turns done on the soap box.:laughing:
well we don't know for sure if the flasher will do it again or not, and they may step it up to the next level.
and requiring a registry for 25 years is not re-sentencing someone.
they get sentenced to their jail time whatever that is, and they get put on the sex offender registry list, rightfully so. and if the lawmakers in your state make it 25 yrs instead of 10, well so be it.

that is not double jeopardy, retrying them after they are released from prison and sentencing them to prison again would be double jeopardy.
and think of the child they may have harmed, their "sentence" will last their entire life.

[minicoopercraig]

But you didn't read the actual stipulations in the law, which states that a person cannot be punished multiple times for the same offense, in other words, once their initial punishment is handed down, whatever the case may dictate, if they're sentenced to probation, they were given a certain amount of time. And if someone were to go back and re-sentence them, that's exactly a double jeopardy regardless if they're being punished or have been punished.

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

You know this election is getting more like a soap opera every day!

The latest rumor, Palin's youngest son is not hers, but her daughters.....much like Bree in Desperate Housewives!:eek:

For us political junkies, it should be a pretty interisting week! popcorn::

Well, that baby is 4 months old, but now it turns out that Sarah's 17 year old is 5 months pregnant. So, it's impossible for her to be 5 months pregnant with a 4 month old baby. On top of all of that, did you know that baby has Downs Syndrome, meaning that on top of being in the VP slot she would have a special needs child? Then you add in having a grown son serving in Iraq and there's more stress. Then as a bonus, a grandchild on the way with a wedding to plan somewhere in her daughter's senior year of high school, oh, and let's not forget prom or the other 2 kids. This woman has no business being VP.

And, did you hear that Palin's hubby had a DWI 24 years ago? Oh yeah, if McCain was trying to lose this with someone else to blame, he couldn't have picked a better disaster.

[OrlandoMike]

She is "about" 5 months pregnant......so in reality, Baby #1 could still be Bristol's.

To continue with this particular saga I direct you to the CB! :happytv:

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

She is "about" 5 months pregnant......so in reality, Baby #1 could still be Bristol's.

To continue with this particular saga I direct you to the CB! :happytv:

:rolleyes1 Ok, Dad, I will chill.

[OrlandoMike]

:rolleyes1 Ok, Dad, I will chill.

Oh don't chill, this story is too good for color TV! Just letting you know, it's being beaten like a dead horse over of the CB!

But it is nice to know those abstinence lessons really work!:thumbsup2

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

:rotfl2: Yeah, just like Don't Drink and Drive slogans prevent DWI's.

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Okay -- I'm going to take a step back here. I think maybe I'm seeing a little more to this woman than I initially thought...

Given her age, I'd be very surprised that she didn't know in advance that the baby would have Downs. She had the baby anyways. (She says the baby's hers so in the absence of contradictory evidence, I'm not willing to go the way of the CB.) Now, her high school age daughter turns up pregnant -- again she didn't do the quick, quiet, politically expedient thing.

I still don't want her as VP and I still think she's an ideologue... but at least, she's apparently an ideologue with principles. Maybe John McCain really did pick her, himself.

[minicoopercraig]

And maybe the Easter Bunny is my step-father with Mother Nature as my wife. I mean come on! Can she be any more planted than a fern in a hotel lobby?! I mean sheesh! LOL.

[Saxton]

Mike - I was outside doing yardwork all day and got quite a surprise when I came in. This story gets stranger and stranger. No matter what, I honestly feel bad for Bristol (the daughter), being thrust into the spotlight as a teenager can't be easy and with all this going on it's got to be incredibly difficult.

I haven't posted on any of the CB threads (though I like your Desperate Housewives analogy!!) but my head is swimming right now. They're saying she's 'about 5 months' pregnant and little Trig is 4 months old. Well, what if she isn't that far along? One of my employees got pregnant right after she had her first child so it does happen. When the birthdays roll around the kids are the same age for a little while.

The other thing that bothers me is that the McCain campaign said they knew Bristol was pregnant before they announced that Palin was the VP choice. Call me cynical but if that was the case then why didn't they announce it right away? I would think they would even include her fiance in all the photo ops to show the happy family. If the McCain camp knew from the beginning then A) they wouldn't have picked her or B) they would have controlled the publicity and tried to head it off at the pass. None of this makes any sense. Personally I think McCain made a choice without delving into her background enough and I think there's more to come.

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

I had not even checked the CB before I posted here. I have been there since Mike posted. I just can't help but think that Ronald Reagan is rolling over in his grave over this one.

McCain should have handled this much differently.

[ConcKahuna]

Maybe they should switch party affiliation? After all, we liberals are a lot more accepting of that sort of thing... :rolleyes:

[ConcKahuna]

Just found this and had to laugh..
http://static.crooksandliars.com/2008/08/greenberg21.jpg

[OrlandoMike]

That is a classic! :lmao:

[minicoopercraig]

Wow, I didn't realize all of our presidents were animated! That's actually interesting.

[zulemara]

it should be noted I am not a one issue person. I follow the democrats on many of their beliefs. That said, I will never vote for a president who is against my rights as human being to love who I want to love and marry that person no matter his or her gender. It just so happens that I align with democrats on several other issues, so it's a no brainer.

I do not believe McCain is the worst thing that could happen if he is elected, but I really hope he isn't. What's scary is if he gets elected and his right wing nutjub VP runs for president, THEN we're in serious trouble. He picked her to appeal to the evangelic voters who believe we should elect God president of the country.

I won't make any cuts on her family issues because I firmly believe it has nothing to do with the ability to run the country. I said the same thing about Bill Clinton and I will hold to my word when it's a republican. What I DO find ironic is that she advocates for abstinence only education. That's really all I need to say.

On the money issue, I agree with everyone. The money spent on advertising is ridiculous. Unfortunately there are a lot of idiots in this country who would rather listen to the negative campaign ads(on BOTH sides) than get on the internet and get educated about the issues and make an informed decision. When you have people saying "I don't want a black in charge" or "I don't want no hussein as president"(both quotes after the primaries in WV) it makes you understand who the campaigns are targeting with their ads

[ConcKahuna]

I agree with you. I actually don't mind McCain. He's very middle-of-the-road on most topics.

It's the VP that I worry about, since McCain is having health issues.

And does anyone else think John McCain was super hot back in his military days???

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/7222/78172995zu1.jpg

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Rush tried to spin the whole pregnancy thing today. He said that he thought it was a good move on Palin's part to take the nomination because that way her daughter didn't have to carry the guilt that she had caused her mother's career to stagnate due to the unwed pregnancy.

BFS! If the woman cared about her daughter, she would have done the nonselfish thing and told her a little white lie. The little white lie would have been that she didn't get the nomination call from McCain. I doubt that the press would have said a word about the declined offer. The kid would have never known. The press would have never known the name Bristol Palin or Levi Johnson. The daughter's dignity would have been preserved on a national level at least.

My whole problem with Palin is that she is obviously not an advocate for her children. She has little empathy for her daughter. That is not the sort of person that I want in a position that might lead him or her to the highest political office in our land.

Palin's character is very flawed, in my opinion. I like John McCain pretty well. I would have loved for him to have won in 2000. I don't think that he made a wise choice and that calls his judgement into question too.

Overall, the Obama Biden package is looking better and better all of the time.

[minicoopercraig]

He might have been hot in his younger days, but he needed a few more "don't ask don't tell" moments in order to get through to us. ;) JMO.

[zulemara]

I agree with you. I actually don't mind McCain. He's very middle-of-the-road on most topics.

It's the VP that I worry about, since McCain is having health issues.


exactly. He is not the kind of person who would say he makes decisions based on God talking to him, but with the VP pick, it makes me even more motivated ot get Obama elected.

Then on the other hand, I owe the Obama campaign 10 dollars. I got a pledge card in the mail. I'm not going to pay them the 10 dollars because I don't approve of the majority of the advertising the Obama campaign is doing. I'm not giving money to a campaign that just runs negative ads and slaughters the opponent. Start making advertisements that highlight YOUR positions, not ones that cut down the opposition. If he really wants to run a new kind of politics, make a commercial that flat out says "I support equality for everyone, black, white, asian, gay, and straight." It won't be popular but damnit it'd be standing up to the politics of the past. Then make an advertisement actually highlighting your energy plan or tax plan. That's the campaign he should be running but he isn't and it's making me angry. Therefore, they aren't getting another dime from me.


I will, of course, still vote for him, but I'm not giving him anymore money.

[mousefanMI]

[QUOTE=zulemara;27329828]exactly. He is not the kind of person who would say he makes decisions based on God talking to him, but with the VP pick, it makes me even more motivated ot get Obama elected.

OK... jumping back in after last posting some five or six months ago(!):

You knew this would happen at some point: the actuarial tables from Social Security are now being used to suggest that there's a 1 in 3 chance that McCain won't make it to the end of his 2nd term (if such a thing happens as he's elected in the first place). That puts Palin in a spot that I really don't feel she is qualified for... and makes me want to work for an Obama victory even harder.

And yes, Zule... I'm also disappointed by Obama's stance on marriage equality. But I'm saying take it one step at a time-- if McCain adds to the SC's conservative tilt, it will be tough to get any real change going.

[TuckandStuiesMom]

I agree with you. I actually don't mind McCain. He's very middle-of-the-road on most topics.

It's the VP that I worry about, since McCain is having health issues.

And does anyone else think John McCain was super hot back in his military days???

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/7222/78172995zu1.jpg

That pic doesn't do him justice -- When I met him (probably in either 1978 or 80), he was much cuter. Skinny, prematurely grey, and on crutches but very VERY VERY cute. (also funny and irreverent as all get out)

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

The National Enquirer is now saying that Palin had an affair with her husband's friend!

http://www.gaywired.com/Article.cfm?ID=20201

Republican presidential nominee John McCain is blasting a story by the National Enquirer claiming his vice-presidential running mate Sarah Palin had an extramarital affair. McCain's campaign is threatening a lawsuit against the tabloid magazine. According to the Enquirer, Palin allegedly had an affair with a 'former business associate' of her husband, Todd Palin. This latest scandalous rumor comes only days after Palin announced that her 17-year-old daughter, Bristol Palin, is pregnant by 18-year-old boyfriend Levi Johnston.

The National Enquirer, citing unidentified sources, reported that Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin allegedly engaged in an extramarital affair with a friend of her husband, Todd Palin. According to the unnamed source whom the tabloid labeled ‘an enemy’, “Todd discovered the affair and quickly dissolved his friendship and his business associations with the guy… Many people in Alaska are talking about the rumor and say Todd swept it under the rug.”

In a statement released on Wednesday, John McCain’s campaign threatened to sue the National Enquirer over the story. “The smearing of the Palin family must end. The allegations contained on the cover of the National Enquirer insinuating that Gov. Palin had an extramarital affair are categorically false. It is a vicious lie,” said McCain senior adviser Steve Schmidt.

“The efforts of the media and tabloids to destroy this fine and accomplished public servant are a disgrace. The American people will reject it.”

According to the Enquirer, Palin also reportedly unjustly fired a public safety official while she was in office. However, the magazine did not site any named sources in their report.

“Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin look forward to discussing the issues that Americans care about, fixing broken government, creating jobs, making our country energy independent and securing the peace for the next generation by bringing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to a victorious end,” said Schmidt.

“Legal action will be considered with regard to this disgraceful smear.”

The rumors of Sarah Palin’s possible extramarital affair are only the latest in a seemingly endless progression of scandal following the announcement of the Alaskan governor’s addition as Republican John McCain’s vice-presidential running mate. Previously, a pervasive rumor flying across the internet claimed that Palin’s daughter, Bristol Palin, was actually the real birth mother of her youngest child, Trig Palin. Several web sites, including DailyKos.com, outlined a convoluted plotline of a faked pregnancy, illustrated by photos of mother and daughter, to support their claim that Sarah Palin was actually Trig’s grandmother, not his mother.

That rumor was met with the announcement that Bristol Palin was five months old with a child fathered by 18-year-old boyfriend Levi Johnston—therefore making it impossible she could have fathered four-month-old Trig Palin.

Even that announcement was fodder for the Enquirer, however, which says an insider claims Palin had wanted to announce her daughter’s pregnancy and impending marriage to her boyfriend before the vice-presidential announcement—but Levi Johnston, the baby’s father, was not yet on board with the plan.

Johnston has been cited as being an unwilling participant in the decision that he and Bristol Palin should marry before their child is born. In a posting on his MySpace page, which has since been set to private, Johnston claimed that he was not interested in having kids.

The Enquirer’s claims that Sarah Palin engaged in an extramarital affair might have previously been largely ignored, as many such similar stories have been in the past. However, the magazine’s accurate information regarding former Democratic presidential candidate John Edward’s affair with mistress Rielle Hunter has lately given the Enquirer a bit more credibility as a new source in the mainstream media.

[zulemara]

[QUOTE=zulemara;27329828]exactly. He is not the kind of person who would say he makes decisions based on God talking to him, but with the VP pick, it makes me even more motivated ot get Obama elected.

OK... jumping back in after last posting some five or six months ago(!):

You knew this would happen at some point: the actuarial tables from Social Security are now being used to suggest that there's a 1 in 3 chance that McCain won't make it to the end of his 2nd term (if such a thing happens as he's elected in the first place). That puts Palin in a spot that I really don't feel she is qualified for... and makes me want to work for an Obama victory even harder.

And yes, Zule... I'm also disappointed by Obama's stance on marriage equality. But I'm saying take it one step at a time-- if McCain adds to the SC's conservative tilt, it will be tough to get any real change going.

hm maybe I got the wrong point across. I support Obama and his stance on equality for the time being. He is one who says the Federal government needs to recognize unions. He just doesn't want to call it marriage. Right now, I'm fine with that.

[mousefanMI]

[QUOTE=mousefanMI;27339313]

hm maybe I got the wrong point across. I support Obama and his stance on equality for the time being. He is one who says the Federal government needs to recognize unions. He just doesn't want to call it marriage. Right now, I'm fine with that.

OK, yeah that's what I had in mind as well. Never mind!