From gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net Mon Mar 10 22:31:39 2008 From: gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net (Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List) Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:31:39 -0600 Subject: [GCFL-discuss] FW: Your Age by Dining Out Message-ID: <20080311.195437.-398263.3.jsiarlys@juno.com> I figured out why this works. If you want, I will send you the math. But I wouldn't spoil it by sending that with this message right away. Siarlys --------- Forwarded message ---------- These crazy math tricks are the reason I think we need to go back to the time when scientists and mathematicians were herded up and stoned for heresy and witchcraft. . . just my opinion though. . . YOUR AGE BY EATING OUT Don't tell me your age; you probably would tell a falsehood anyway-but your waiter may know! YOUR AGE BY DINER & RESTAURANT MATH This is pretty neat. DON'T CHEAT BY SCROLLING DOWN FIRST! It takes less than a minute. Work this out as you read. 1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to go out to eat (more than once but less than 10). 2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold) 3. Add 5 4. Multiply it by 50 5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1758 (if you haven't, add 1757). 6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born. You should have a three digit number. The first digit of this was your original number. (I.e., How many times you want to go out to restaurants in a week.) The next two numbers are YOUR AGE ! ------ (Oh YES, it is!) Sent by Avi. From gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net Wed Mar 12 22:09:38 2008 From: gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net (Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List) Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:09:38 -0600 Subject: [GCFL-discuss] 35 years? Message-ID: <20080313.185915.-516895.2.jsiarlys@juno.com> > When I hear Hillary Clinton speak of her 35 years experience in > government, I can't help think of Nancy Reagan's observation "For > eight years I was sleeping with the President of the United States. If > that doesn't give you special access, I don't know what does." > > Unlike Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton had her own law degree, in her > own right, and her own law practice, distinct from the career of her > husband. However, her own distinct experience in government is only seven > years. Prior to 2000, she had been the governor's wife, the ex-governor's > wife, the governor returned to office's wife, the president's wife... that > is what her experience in government consisted of. > > Michelle Obama has her own law degree too. But if she says, eight > years from now, that she has experience in the Illinois legislature, the > U.S. senate, and the White House, I will not be in the least impressed > that she is a viable candidate for president. She might run on her own > merit for governor of Illinois -- that would be a different question > entirely. > > Any man or woman who aspires to be president should do so on their > own distinct and individual experience in government, or lack thereof. > > Take, for instance, Margaret Thatcher. I would never have voted for > her for anything, becuse there is very little she did or said that I do > not abhor. But, as a woman in public office, she got to be prime > minister as the culmination of her own service in parilament. Her husband > Dennis never ran for or served in public office. He had a business of his > own, and he was very much a quiet man in the background of Thatcher's > public career. > > On her own, Hillary has seven going on eight years in government. > Barack Obama has 8 years in the Illinois legislature, three going on four > years in the United States Senate, total of 11+ years. It hardly seems like > the angle which makes her shine. From gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net Thu Mar 13 19:59:34 2008 From: gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net (Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List) Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:59:34 -0700 Subject: [GCFL-discuss] 35 years? In-Reply-To: <20080313.185915.-516895.2.jsiarlys@juno.com> References: <20080313.185915.-516895.2.jsiarlys@juno.com> Message-ID: <37915b720803131759g3148e0a9p845e9e15075011af@mail.gmail.com> I don't think Hillary shines. She scares me!! But I know so little about Obama. How are people looking at this years elections? Who do they like and why? ~Lance On Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 8:09 PM, Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List wrote: > > When I hear Hillary Clinton speak of her 35 years experience in > > government, I can't help think of Nancy Reagan's observation "For > > eight years I was sleeping with the President of the United States. If > > that doesn't give you special access, I don't know what does." > > > > Unlike Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton had her own law degree, in her > > own right, and her own law practice, distinct from the career of her > > husband. However, her own distinct experience in government is only > seven > > years. Prior to 2000, she had been the governor's wife, the > ex-governor's > > wife, the governor returned to office's wife, the president's wife... > that > > is what her experience in government consisted of. > > > > Michelle Obama has her own law degree too. But if she says, eight > > years from now, that she has experience in the Illinois legislature, > the > > U.S. senate, and the White House, I will not be in the least impressed > > that she is a viable candidate for president. She might run on her own > > merit for governor of Illinois -- that would be a different question > > entirely. > > > > Any man or woman who aspires to be president should do so on their > > own distinct and individual experience in government, or lack thereof. > > > > Take, for instance, Margaret Thatcher. I would never have voted for > > her for anything, becuse there is very little she did or said that I do > > > not abhor. But, as a woman in public office, she got to be prime > > minister as the culmination of her own service in parilament. Her > husband > > Dennis never ran for or served in public office. He had a business of > his > > own, and he was very much a quiet man in the background of Thatcher's > > public career. > > > > On her own, Hillary has seven going on eight years in government. > > Barack Obama has 8 years in the Illinois legislature, three going on > four > > years in the United States Senate, total of 11+ years. It hardly seems > like > > the angle which makes her shine. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://gcfl.net/pipermail/gcfl-discuss/attachments/20080313/28d0b56b/attachment.htm From gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net Fri Mar 14 00:47:15 2008 From: gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net (Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List) Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2008 01:47:15 -0400 Subject: [GCFL-discuss] 35 years? In-Reply-To: <37915b720803131759g3148e0a9p845e9e15075011af@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <731D5439887C914F8A59C280ACCDD764041260D0@USMLVV1EXCTV04.ww005.siemens.net> i don't like any of the candidates. i voted for hilary in the primary as in "better the devil you know ...." and will probably vote mccain in november. greenBubble ________________________________ Subject: Re: [GCFL-discuss] 35 years? I don't think Hillary shines. She scares me!! But I know so little about Obama. How are people looking at this years elections? Who do they like and why? ~Lance On Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 8:09 PM, Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List wrote: > When I hear Hillary Clinton speak of her 35 years experience in > government, I can't help think of Nancy Reagan's observation "For > eight years I was sleeping with the President of the United States. If > that doesn't give you special access, I don't know what does." > > Unlike Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton had her own law degree, in her > own right, and her own law practice, distinct from the career of her > husband. However, her own distinct experience in government is only seven > years. Prior to 2000, she had been the governor's wife, the ex-governor's > wife, the governor returned to office's wife, the president's wife... that > is what her experience in government consisted of. > > Michelle Obama has her own law degree too. But if she says, eight > years from now, that she has experience in the Illinois legislature, the > U.S. senate, and the White House, I will not be in the least impressed > that she is a viable candidate for president. She might run on her own > merit for governor of Illinois -- that would be a different question > entirely. > > Any man or woman who aspires to be president should do so on their > own distinct and individual experience in government, or lack thereof. > > Take, for instance, Margaret Thatcher. I would never have voted for > her for anything, becuse there is very little she did or said that I do > not abhor. But, as a woman in public office, she got to be prime > minister as the culmination of her own service in parilament. Her husband > Dennis never ran for or served in public office. He had a business of his > own, and he was very much a quiet man in the background of Thatcher's > public career. > > On her own, Hillary has seven going on eight years in government. > Barack Obama has 8 years in the Illinois legislature, three going on four > years in the United States Senate, total of 11+ years. It hardly seems like > the angle which makes her shine. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- This message and any included attachments are from Siemens Medical Solutions and are intended only for the addressee(s). The information contained herein may include trade secrets or privileged or otherwise confidential information. Unauthorized review, forwarding, printing, copying, distributing, or using such information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you received this message in error, or have reason to believe you are not authorized to receive it, please promptly delete this message and notify the sender by e-mail with a copy to Central.SecurityOffice at siemens.com Thank you -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://gcfl.net/pipermail/gcfl-discuss/attachments/20080314/4de60e92/attachment.htm From gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net Fri Mar 14 11:07:21 2008 From: gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net (Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List) Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:07:21 -0700 Subject: [GCFL-discuss] 35 years? In-Reply-To: <731D5439887C914F8A59C280ACCDD764041260D0@USMLVV1EXCTV04.ww005.siemens.net> References: <37915b720803131759g3148e0a9p845e9e15075011af@mail.gmail.com> <731D5439887C914F8A59C280ACCDD764041260D0@USMLVV1EXCTV04.ww005.siemens.net> Message-ID: <37915b720803140907r4bc48f88x1ce5ff8ad6ba4224@mail.gmail.com> Thanks Green!! ~Lance On 3/13/08, Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List < gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net> wrote: > > i don't like any of the candidates. > i voted for hilary in the primary as in "better the devil you know ...." > and will probably vote mccain in november. > > greenBubble > > ------------------------------ > *Subject:* Re: [GCFL-discuss] 35 years? > > > I don't think Hillary shines. She scares me!! But I know so little about > Obama. > > How are people looking at this years elections? Who do they like and why? > ~Lance > > On Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 8:09 PM, Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies > List wrote: > > > > When I hear Hillary Clinton speak of her 35 years experience in > > > government, I can't help think of Nancy Reagan's observation "For > > > eight years I was sleeping with the President of the United States. If > > > that doesn't give you special access, I don't know what does." > > > > > > Unlike Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton had her own law degree, in her > > > own right, and her own law practice, distinct from the career of her > > > husband. However, her own distinct experience in government is only > > seven > > > years. Prior to 2000, she had been the governor's wife, the > > ex-governor's > > > wife, the governor returned to office's wife, the president's wife... > > that > > > is what her experience in government consisted of. > > > > > > Michelle Obama has her own law degree too. But if she says, eight > > > years from now, that she has experience in the Illinois legislature, > > the > > > U.S. senate, and the White House, I will not be in the least impressed > > > that she is a viable candidate for president. She might run on her own > > > merit for governor of Illinois -- that would be a different question > > > entirely. > > > > > > Any man or woman who aspires to be president should do so on their > > > own distinct and individual experience in government, or lack thereof. > > > > > > Take, for instance, Margaret Thatcher. I would never have voted for > > > her for anything, becuse there is very little she did or said that I > > do > > > > > not abhor. But, as a woman in public office, she got to be prime > > > minister as the culmination of her own service in parilament. Her > > husband > > > Dennis never ran for or served in public office. He had a business of > > his > > > own, and he was very much a quiet man in the background of Thatcher's > > > public career. > > > > > > On her own, Hillary has seven going on eight years in government. > > > Barack Obama has 8 years in the Illinois legislature, three going on > > four > > > years in the United States Senate, total of 11+ years. It hardly seems > > like > > > the angle which makes her shine. > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://gcfl.net/pipermail/gcfl-discuss/attachments/20080314/eeabc063/attachment.htm From gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net Fri Mar 14 22:38:18 2008 From: gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net (Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List) Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:38:18 -0700 Subject: [GCFL-discuss] 35 years? References: <731D5439887C914F8A59C280ACCDD764041260D0@USMLVV1EXCTV04.ww005.siemens.net> Message-ID: <012b01c8864e$032bc3b0$6501a8c0@Jeanene> Could we throw the current ones out and start all over again? I don't like the 3 choices I see. There has to be a better way... I mean, we are 7+ months away from the election, and we are already unhappy with the only three choices we have. How American is that? It's NOT. Jeanene ----- Original Message ----- i don't like any of the candidates. i voted for hilary in the primary as in "better the devil you know ...." and will probably vote mccain in november. greenBubble -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://gcfl.net/pipermail/gcfl-discuss/attachments/20080314/85f3a3ae/attachment.htm From gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net Fri Mar 14 21:48:10 2008 From: gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net (Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List) Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:48:10 -0600 Subject: [GCFL-discuss] 35 years? Message-ID: <20080315.200059.-397083.1.jsiarlys@juno.com> Obviously, I don't trust Hillary, and see some good potential in Obama. I don't trust McCain either. Before Edwards dropped out, I was torn between him and Obama. I think a southern cotton mill worker's son offers a good foundation for pulling the country together on some kind of basis most of us can be proud of (not 45% of us plus 6% of the 10% that really swing elections, but most of us.) In the general election, he might have broader appeal than a man with a mother from Kansas and a father from Kenya. Remember in 1996 when Sen. Bob Dole criticized Hillary Clinton's book, "It Takes a Village"? He said "It doesn't take a village to raise a child, it takes a family." He was wrong -- one reason a lot more children are a lot more out of control these days is that families have to do it all, while it really takes a much larger network of adults to make a child into a well-rounded adult, or even a well-rounded child. Family is central, but not sufficient. On the other hand, Hillary's book openly advocated that in the modern world, government is that village. Its not, and it can't be. That is as good a paradigm as any for why I don't trust her. Government has responsibilities, but it is not the village. I am a little disappointed with Obama right now. His campaign is spending too much time sending me emails on the delegate count and the fundraising. The media started that, but I would like him to rise above it, in a way he isn't doing. I don't care who is ahead in the delegate count, I want to hear the latest on why anyone should WANT to vote for him. I'm alos looking for candidates with the courage to tell their own constituencies, Democrat or Republican, that it is time to stop politicizing marriage, get it out of silly lawsuits and constitutional amendments, and really, its no business of the federal government anyway. But underneath it all, I see inspiration to move a program forward, budget skills to sort out what we want to pay for and what we don't, and how we will finance it, and a great opportunity to mend ties with the rest of the world while holding with firm integrity to our better principles as a nation. Yeah, he's a liberal, but liberals have been putting money into funding community police presence that conservatives seem to gut when they get the chance. Among other things. Siarlys On Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:07:21 -0700 "Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List" writes: Thanks Green!! ~Lance On 3/13/08, Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List wrote: i don't like any of the candidates. i voted for hilary in the primary as in "better the devil you know ...." and will probably vote mccain in november. greenBubble Subject: Re: [GCFL-discuss] 35 years? I don't think Hillary shines. She scares me!! But I know so little about Obama. How are people looking at this years elections? Who do they like and why? ~Lance On Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 8:09 PM, Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List wrote: > When I hear Hillary Clinton speak of her 35 years experience in > government, I can't help think of Nancy Reagan's observation "For > eight years I was sleeping with the President of the United States. If > that doesn't give you special access, I don't know what does." > > Unlike Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton had her own law degree, in her > own right, and her own law practice, distinct from the career of her > husband. However, her own distinct experience in government is only seven > years. Prior to 2000, she had been the governor's wife, the ex-governor's > wife, the governor returned to office's wife, the president's wife... that > is what her experience in government consisted of. > > Michelle Obama has her own law degree too. But if she says, eight > years from now, that she has experience in the Illinois legislature, the > U.S. senate, and the White House, I will not be in the least impressed > that she is a viable candidate for president. She might run on her own > merit for governor of Illinois -- that would be a different question > entirely. > > Any man or woman who aspires to be president should do so on their > own distinct and individual experience in government, or lack thereof. > > Take, for instance, Margaret Thatcher. I would never have voted for > her for anything, becuse there is very little she did or said that I do > not abhor. But, as a woman in public office, she got to be prime > minister as the culmination of her own service in parilament. Her husband > Dennis never ran for or served in public office. He had a business of his > own, and he was very much a quiet man in the background of Thatcher's > public career. > > On her own, Hillary has seven going on eight years in government. > Barack Obama has 8 years in the Illinois legislature, three going on four > years in the United States Senate, total of 11+ years. It hardly seems like > the angle which makes her shine. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://gcfl.net/pipermail/gcfl-discuss/attachments/20080314/fd6fba9a/attachment.htm From gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net Sat Mar 15 19:26:02 2008 From: gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net (Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List) Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2008 18:26:02 -0600 Subject: [GCFL-discuss] Stimulus Message-ID: <20080315.200059.-397083.2.jsiarlys@juno.com> I just a got in the mail AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE URS ON THE ECONOMIC STIMULUS ACT OF 2008. Anyone have any thoughts on this subject? My first thought when it was announced amounted to, anything that Nancy Pelosi and George W. Bush can agree on is probably no good. My second thought was, sure, I can use some free money. Who would have thought George W. Bush would have advocated such free-spending welfare? Will I spend it or save it? Truth to tell, it just might push me over the edge to buy that laptop I don't really need, since I haven't filled the 4 GB hard drive on my Toshiba Tecra 550 CDT running Windows 98. But my building has installed wireless access, and I also need something that can talk to my digital camera (not W-98). Of course I'll look for a bargain priced not-cutting-edge unit running Windows XP, avoiding Vista like the plague, so it may not do much to sustain jobs for people making the latest and the greatest. Finally, since the government has no money of its own, this is pretty much robbing Peter to pay Paul. On the other hand, putting money in the hands of people earning under $75,000 ($150,000 if married) and not those above that level is a step in the right direction. A better and more permanent approach would be to exempt the first $20,000 from taxation for EVERYONE ($50,000 for families with dependent children), and maybe beef up the earned income credit as well. But, to get the stimulus check, even if you otherwise didn't have to file a return, now you do. Paperwork reduction? Making payments out of the federal treasury is a gimmick. Since it doesn't come out until May, in the meantime I am sending a check with my 1040 for slightly more than the stimulus check will amount to. I can run up some credit charges while I wait for it though. Siarlys From gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net Sat Mar 15 21:15:41 2008 From: gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net (Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List) Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2008 20:15:41 -0600 Subject: [GCFL-discuss] 35 years? Message-ID: <20080316.194157.-435869.0.jsiarlys@juno.com> I don't fully agree with Jeanene on the choices we have, but I agree on the method, or lack of method. Looking at the Democratic side, I believe a lot of voters who stayed home or voted for Clinton would have preferred Edwards to either her or Obama, and they would have had a voice in the final outcome (even if Edwards were not the nominee) if he had stayed in the race, and collected a proportional share of delegates. On the Republican side, McCain was left standing because viable candidates who happened to lose here and there all pulled out, although probably a majority of Republicans don't want him, they just didn't agree between Giuliani, Romney, Huckabee, etc. And they shouldn't have to this early. (I also thought the 2000 race was too close to let either candidate be president. Like Jeanene says now, throw them both out and run it again. Or let Tipper Gore and Laura Bush flip a coin, one becoming prez and the other vice. Or in October 2004, could we dump Kerry please, and try Edwards after all? I talked to a lot of southerners in 2005 who would have voted for him, but did vote for GWB.) I would like to see a nationwide order-of-preference ballot, without regard to party. I could then have turned in a ballot saying (1) Edwards, (2) Obama, (3) might-have-been-Huckabee, (4) either Dennis Kucinick or Ron Paul, etc. etc. etc. Someone of different views might have turned in (1) Fred Thompson, (2) Giuliani, (3) Ron Paul, (4) Edwards, (5) Romney. Then everyone's vote can be recounted until it reaches the place where it does the most good. Also, the people we really want, who often don't run, would have a better change, because arguments about "wasted votes" would not apply. Maybe Jeanene wants Newt Gingrich. Maybe I want Harold Ford. Siarlys On Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:38:18 -0700 "Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List" writes: Could we throw the current ones out and start all over again? I don't like the 3 choices I see. There has to be a better way... I mean, we are 7+ months away from the election, and we are already unhappy with the only three choices we have. How American is that? It's NOT. Jeanene ----- Original Message ----- i don't like any of the candidates. i voted for hilary in the primary as in "better the devil you know ...." and will probably vote mccain in november. greenBubble -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://gcfl.net/pipermail/gcfl-discuss/attachments/20080315/b89dd3c4/attachment.htm From gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net Sun Mar 16 20:58:12 2008 From: gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net (Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List) Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:58:12 -0600 Subject: [GCFL-discuss] green McCain Message-ID: <20080317.191605.-436785.2.jsiarlys@juno.com> greenBubble: you're voting for McCain? What do you think of his endorsement by Rev. Hagee? Oh, I forget, its Catholics who are outraged over that one. Oh well, I'm sure he'll get an endorsement by someone Jewish groups object to. Everyone gets an endorsement from someone who has offended almost everyone. I'm glad I'm an American. Nothing offends me. (Don't bother to point out how offensive that statement is in twelve different ways. That is the point.) Siarlys From gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net Mon Mar 17 20:34:24 2008 From: gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net (Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List) Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:34:24 -0400 Subject: [GCFL-discuss] green McCain In-Reply-To: <20080317.191605.-436785.2.jsiarlys@juno.com> Message-ID: <731D5439887C914F8A59C280ACCDD7640416CD65@USMLVV1EXCTV04.ww005.siemens.net> As you say, everyone is endorsed by someone offensive to someone. My objections to obama are not specific to his rong association with wright. He hasn't said anything substantial to justify voting for him and what he has said I don't like. I especially do not like some of his advisors, gleaned from the administration of one of the worst presidents in recent memory. If I vote for mccain, it will be more of a vote against clinton or obama. Between the latter, to me it's an absolute toss-up as to who is worse. I hope you won't be diappointed, but I was not offended by anything you wrote here. Try harder. greenBubble -----Original Message----- Subject: Re: [GCFL-discuss] green McCain greenBubble: you're voting for McCain? What do you think of his endorsement by Rev. Hagee? Oh, I forget, its Catholics who are outraged over that one. Oh well, I'm sure he'll get an endorsement by someone Jewish groups object to. Everyone gets an endorsement from someone who has offended almost everyone. I'm glad I'm an American. Nothing offends me. (Don't bother to point out how offensive that statement is in twelve different ways. That is the point.) Siarlys _______________________________________________ GCFL-discuss mailing list GCFL-discuss at gcfl.net http://gcfl.net/mailman/listinfo/gcfl-discuss ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- This message and any included attachments are from Siemens Medical Solutions and are intended only for the addressee(s). The information contained herein may include trade secrets or privileged or otherwise confidential information. Unauthorized review, forwarding, printing, copying, distributing, or using such information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you received this message in error, or have reason to believe you are not authorized to receive it, please promptly delete this message and notify the sender by e-mail with a copy to Central.SecurityOffice at siemens.com Thank you From gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net Thu Mar 20 13:04:57 2008 From: gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net (Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List) Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:04:57 -0600 Subject: [GCFL-discuss] green McCain Message-ID: <20080320.184823.-496603.2.jsiarlys@juno.com> On Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:34:24 -0400 "Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List" writes: > > My objections to obama ... I especially do not like some of > his advisors, gleaned from the administration of one of the worst > presidents in recent memory. Obama has advisors gleaned from the administration of George W. Bush? I know Human Events has compared Obama favorably to Colin Powell, but still... I believe you to be a fiscal conservative greenBubble, so I KNOW you wouldn't be referring to the first president in living memory to balance the budget and pay down the national debt as one of our worst (although I told plenty of jokes about him myself), nor referring to the president who blew it all in less than a year, mortgaging our government to the national bank of China, as anything but. (This is something I hear about from my mother, whose family has been east Tennessee Republican ever since my great-great-grandfather came home from the Civil War with discharge papers signed by Abraham Lincoln). But seriously, I didn't know what you meant about Wright. After I got a link to a recent speech by Obama, which turned out to be responding to some flap about his pastor, I backtracked what the Wright thing was about. Like you, I could care less. A pastor is responsible to his own congregation, nobody else, and no church member is responsible for what his or her pastor says from the pulpit. What DID impress me was the content of the speech, in which Wright was, rightly, only a footnote. I found plenty to admire in Obama long before he had a campaign, but I had found his campaign to be as fluffy as the critics say (literature, TV commercials, etc.) The speech reinspired me -- it was the real person behind the campaign. He put some real thought into it, he made it something that could stand on its own, rather than a tit-for-tat to some dubious namecalling, it was comprehensive. It debunked what is not true, it held firmly to what is true. He made clear what he disagrees with Wright on, while forthrightly saying what he admired about Wright. He talked about the continuing legacy of Jim Crow (and correctly nailed that the most lingering legacy is being fifteen generations behind on accumulation of capital, which often gets passed along within a family), while openly acknowledging that there are plenty of middle class or formerly middle class families, taught to think of themselves as "white" (my choice of quote marks, not his), who have legitimate grievances as well, and the two are often pitted against each other. The word "nuance" got a bad rap in 2004, but it is exactly what I look for in a candidate for high office. It may be a fancy sounding word, it may be of French origin, but it means about the same as Ray Stevens's lyrics "the answers aren't all yes or no con or pro to or fro, everything's not left or right black or white day or night." Obama really looked at all sides of this one, in one speech, not saying a little of one thing to one audience and a little of another thing to another audience. Campaign promises are silly, because nobody, including the candidate, knows what a new president is really going to be faced with. I want to know what thought process the candidate will bring to problems and crises we haven't even seen coming yet. So far, I'm still favorably impressed. Siarlys -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://gcfl.net/pipermail/gcfl-discuss/attachments/20080320/1f72bfe0/attachment.htm From gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net Mon Mar 31 22:13:01 2008 From: gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net (Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List) Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:13:01 -0600 Subject: [GCFL-discuss] Marine on Iraq Message-ID: <20080401.201038.-426345.2.jsiarlys@juno.com> I ran across this quote, and thought it worth passing along: Marine Corps 3-star General Gregory Newbold, the former Operations Director at the Pentagon, said about the war in Iraq, "The commitment of our forces to this fight was done with a casualness and swagger that are the special province of those who have never had to execute these missions - or bury the results." Siarlys -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://gcfl.net/pipermail/gcfl-discuss/attachments/20080331/7bc6adeb/attachment.htm From gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net Mon Mar 31 21:54:49 2008 From: gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net (Discussion of the Good, Clean Funnies List) Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:54:49 -0600 Subject: [GCFL-discuss] Fw: [GCFL.net] I Hope I'm Sick Message-ID: <20080401.201037.-426345.0.jsiarlys@juno.com> That one rang a bell. A few years ago, I decided to work full time, vs. part time, because I felt something was wrong, and I wanted medical insurance before it was diagnosed. Once I was covered, I scheduled my first general check-up in fifteen years or so. It all went well, but I was happy when one test out of the usual series showed abnormal. My symptoms matched, I was hyperthyroid, and then I could begin a course of medication to alleviate it. Otherwise, I would still know I didn't feel right, but I wouldn't know what was wrong. Oh, the diagnosis also put to rest vague fears that I might me diabetic, or have cancer, etc. etc. etc. Siarlys