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Letters to the Editor: July 24, 2008
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Letter of the Day: ’We did this to ourselves’
Editor, Daily News:
AT&T announces the death of the pay phone, almost 130 years after its birth.
The Daily News chimes in, ’’Pay phones becoming extinct ...,” on July 21.
Cell phones rang the death knell of pay phones. And now we’re all privy to this lack of privacy.
Remember swinging shut that hinged phone-booth door? We were seen but not heard.
And, so long as we fed the coin slot our words meant something, but only to the listener at the other end of the line.
And, remember when eavesdropping was considered rude? Now we’re all forced to listen in.
We did this to ourselves. We’re attached and dependent on those plastic cylinders, our cell phones. We slide them into pockets where once we might have stashed our cigarettes, determined to keep our mouths busy.
Now the time’s come to hang up the pay phone, tear down the booth and evict Superman.
Arlene Rutstein, Bonita Springs
Letter: Bottom line
Editor, Daily News:
In answer to the question posed by letter-writer Mark Thomas on “odd pump pricing,” I believe the practice is called “price gouging.”
Definition from Wikipedia: Price gouging is a pejorative term for a seller pricing much higher than is seen as “fair” under the circumstances.
Jack Mischung, Naples
Letter: In the cards?
Editor, Daily News:
Re: Donald Trump.
Wow!
Imagine buying a house in 2004 for $41 million and selling it in 2008 for $100 million.
It would be hard to trump that!
James F. Cantwell Jr., Naples
Letter: In and out of touch
Editor, Daily News:
I’m extremely worried that if John McCain wins, he’ll attack Iran. Our engaging in a rash war with Iran will tip us over completely.
Iran does not want war. In fact, that poor country is quaking, wondering if either Israel or we will attack it.
I don’t blame Iran for trying to get some kind of defense against such irrational and belligerent behavior as we’ve already shown. We invaded Iraq by building lies, so Iran knows we can do the same to them.
America has a huge debt, a falling dollar, a banking crisis, no energy self-sufficiency and a troubled economy. Just the fact of Iran testing a few missiles sent the Dow into a tailspin, and oil shot up $5 in a day.
Think what an invasion into Iran would do!
McCain must not become president. He has a bad temper. He’s fixated on winning in Iraq, meaning never leaving, and he’s too eager to attack Iran.
Barack Obama will use diplomacy in Iran, get us out of Iraq and put more troops into Afghanistan, the center of terrorism.
And, Obama, contrary to the lies, will cut taxes for the middle class and businesses. However, energy will be his domestic priority.
So, our choice must be Obama, not McCain, who’s so out of touch he thinks al-Qaida’s in Iran, there’s still a Czechoslovakia and Vladimir Putin’s in Germany. He mixes up Somalia with the Sudan and on and on. That’s too scary for the presidency.
Jane Varner, Naples
Letter: Puns intended
Editor, Daily News:
Please don’t make this country an “Obama Nation.”
John McCain is “Able.”
Paul Van Stone, Naples
Letter: Almost over
Editor, Daily News:
I have been trying to not let some of the letters printed upset me enough to write. But some of the letters have been just too much to ignore.
At the end of one letter, the writer asks if America can afford Democratic leadership in the Oval Office.
Well, after the rotten leadership we have suffered under President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney for eight years, there’s no question that whatever the Democrats would do would be a great improvement.
Who started a terrible war for no understandable reason, costing us trillions of dollars while killing several thousands of our soldiers, and not properly caring for the wounded?
Bush and Cheney, that’s who.
The last time I looked, they were Republicans.
Bush, a Republican, has strutted and smirked his way for eight long years, causing all kinds of misery for the American people. Thank God he will soon be gone.
Democrats are not to blame for Bush’s stupidity and the condition of our country — so stop blaming them!
Genevieve DeLisle, Naples
Letter: Good service stands out
Editor, Daily News:
Sometimes it takes a few people commenting on a subject to get ideas and solutions out there — one being the shopping on Naples’ Fifth Avenue South.
First of all, on Mother’s Day weekend my daughters and I shopped Fifth Avenue and Third Street South.
At most of the shops the women waiting on visitors were downright rude, and if they think this is customer service or customer-friendly, they have some of the answers to their problems.
One exception was a woman in Kay’s On The Beach. Her name was Falichia, I believe.
She joined us for two hours in a fun shopping thing that ended up with each daughter spending over a thousand dollars.
She even shipped the dresses — in top-notch shape and included a personal note.
I got great service at a women’s shop, Acorn, too.
You see, the difference is noticed.
Naples has a horrible reputation for customer service.
Marilyn J. Romeo, Naples
Letter: What about us?
Editor, Daily News:
I would like to echo the sentiment expressed by Joanne Purcell about the Collier County commissioners’ vote to eliminate the 18 constantly-in-use public parking places on the north side of Vanderbilt Beach, between the future Moraya Bay and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park.
Just what Vanderbilt Beach really needed — another beach access with no parking! Will developer horrors ever cease?
I cannot believe the commissioners have once again put the needs and wants of developers ahead of those of the residents of North Naples. Some of us prefer the relative quiet of the north end of the beach. We are already outraged about the sheer size of Moraya Bay, which blocks the view of the beach and quite literally the sun, on the way west on 111th Avenue North. Now, residents will also have to hike a block in the blazing sun across the bridge, after parking in Conner Park.
The commissioners seem to be pleased that the beach access will have pavers and a restroom.
How about a year-round electric trolley from parking facilities at Conner Park? Notice I did not request a “seasonal trolley.” After all, it is the year-round residents who will have to do the hiking in the blazing sun, while the beach in front of Moraya Bay is deserted all summer.
And no, the answer is not increasing density at our beloved Delnor-Wiggins. At least the state keeps that mile-long stretch away from the greedy hands of the developers. Way to go, Florida State Parks!
Alicia Astorga, North Naples
Letter: No secret now
Editor, Daily News:
Recently I attended a performance by the Naples Players of “The Secret Garden.”
I don’t remember seeing a better production. Everything was outstanding — the music, talent of the actors, quality of the singing, costumes, scenery and expert direction.
“Bravo” to all who participated in giving Naples such a gift.
Bunny Levere, Naples
Letter: Uncorked
Editor, Daily News:
If you are a hypochondriac, it doesn’t mean you aren’t sick. If you’re paranoid, it doesn’t mean someone isn’t chasing you. If you’re a whiner, it doesn’t mean that, at this point, you don’t have something to complain about. So it is with modern Americans. We are chronic whiners who, currently perhaps, have something to complain about.
There is, however, a vintage American whine. We have been whining for the past quarter-century or more, with the volume of the whine steadily increasing. This intrusive cacophony is primarily created by envy, resentment or jealousy. There are, of course, two other major sources of the constant “pseudo-agony” the average American experiences.
The first is the presumption that if there is something wrong in their life then someone has done something to them. That is, if they don’t succeed, within their wildest expectations, someone (other than themselves) got in their way.
The next is that the world owes them something. That is, by reason of their personal glory, the world owes them a good job, a good grade, a good car, a good house, etc. If things aren’t perfect then they have the right to whine.
Entire political movements are created, of course, by harvesting this “whine.” Not only is it harvested, but it is actively encouraged by political demagogues. The current “whine master” is Barack Obama. He is building his political fortune around the “whiners” and he is seducing them with the only “drug” that temporarily numbs them — change, where the whiner doesn’t have to do anything.
Andrew R. Joppa, Naples
Letter: Show us something
Editor, Daily News:
There seem to be a lot of letter writers out there who subscribe to the adage “if you say the same thing often enough eventually some people might believe it.”
I’m a registered Republican, but I have become quite dismayed at the uneven-handed manner in which some of our readership push their ideology.
Why don’t you same people devote some future literary energy to espousing the grand accomplishments of our current Republican administration. Rather than try to belittle the other party, tell us why you are so proud of ours. Maybe if you are able to do this, I again will be able to feel good about calling myself a Republican.
I’m not a Democrat and even knew George and Laura Bush socially when we were all living in Dallas. He’s been quite a disappointment to me.
Let’s everyone put their “thinking caps” on as we approach the coming elections. Our country has a myriad of problems to solve. This is not a battle between good and evil as some Republican boob said the other day. It’s electing people with the brilliance to right the wrongs of the past and tactfully move this country in a forthright and positive direction.
Howard Clark, Naples
Letter: Proud now?
Editor, Daily News:
Perhaps the last time letter-writer John Riccio wore his “Proud To Be An American” T-shirt was when President Clinton carpet-bombed hordes of innocent Serbian civilians during the so-called Kosovo War?
Or perhaps when the same president was having dalliances with a girl his own daughter’s age in the Oval Office?
Or was it when President Roosevelt incarcerated thousands of American citizens of Japanese ancestry after Pearl Harbor?
His letter was just a rehash of all the Democrat/mainstream media talking points attacking the president. Few presidents have had to deal with an attack on U.S. soil. In that situation, strong measures are called for, and both FDR and President Bush did what they thought necessary to prevent any further attacks on the U.S. In both cases they were successful; we should be grateful to them for that, not vilifying them.
John A.Galotto, M.D., Naples and Potomac, Md.
Letter: Dark chapter
Editor, Daily News:
I have read your headlines and coverage of what I call Colliergate.
The facts are attributed to certain sources in the Collier County administration who have stated that various employees were fired or suspended for sending or receiving inappropriate e-mails.
The coverage by the newspaper has blackened the names of various employees by innuendo based on the subjective opinion of county spokespersons. It seems that they have arbitrarily decided to use certain employees as scapegoats as a means to set an example for all other employees.
What this story points out is the collective inefficiencies of this public body. Middle managers are unable to monitor inappropriate e-mails; this is usually a function of IT within an organization. The lack of internal security measures is the real culprit, as any efficient organization would not let its employees have direct access to the Web, unless necessary to the job function.
The firings and suspensions of employees without a clear and written policy is incomprehensible. The subjectivity of the firings of some and not others leaves this institution open to some very serious lawsuit actions.
As an administrative manager in public relations (now retired) for over 30 years with a federal agency, I am flabbergasted.
My belief is that the employees in question should be reinstated and the county manager fired. If I were a taxpayer in this county, I would be calling for a complete review of county administrative officials.
This is a sad reflection of guilt without representation. Isn’t this why the American forefathers fought a revolution?
Bob Trafford, Naples
Letter: Done? They should be
Editor, Daily News:
Immokalee Road is completed?
Do the local politicians think that taxpaying citizens are stupid, just plain ignorant or will believe anything they are told by these politicians?
I hope these political geniuses were driving Tuesday east or west on this so-called completed road anywhere remotely near Interstate 75.
I said “driving” but I meant “parking.”
What world do they live in? I guess it is a question of the definition of “completed” a la Bill Clinton and his definition(s) of “sex.”
Maybe it is just one shifting lane that is completed? How absurd!
Vote them all out as soon as possible!
Anthony Haisch, Naples
Letter: All wet
Editor, Daily News:
Our legal system seems to have the ability and capacity to support the arrest of a man for the theft of 42 cents from a shopping mall fountain, but lacks the capability to keep the lowlife who shot and killed Fort Myers police officer Andrew Widman off the streets!
Sad!
Charles Jarboe, Bonita Springs
Letter: Reconnect and trust
Editor, Daily News:
Phil Lewis did, on Sunday, what the great editors of great newspapers of the past have done. He placed a subject in front of the people and insisted that it become part of the public record.
The subject is the “disconnect and mistrust between the community and the school board.”
The Gulf Shore Association of Condominiums is comprised of 53 condos and almost 5,000 people. Very few of us have any children in the school system, but we happily pay substantial ad valorem taxes to support the education process.
We support Lewis’ request for a full investigation by the State Attorney’s Office in order to get answers to the hard questions and to finalize this chapter in the history of our community.
Murray H. Hendel, President, Gulf Shore Association of Condominiums
Letter: No bias?
Editor, Daily News:
Let’s see now.
The big three television network anchors are invited guests of Barack Obama’s tour, and The New York Times rejects John McCain’s guest commentary because he won’t follow Obama’s lead and include a time frame for troop withdrawals from Iraq. The Times’ editor is a former Clinton appointee.
And we are told by the national media “we’re not biased, nor supporting any particular candidate.”
Give me a break!
And to think I was one of them for 35 years.
David Rush, Marco Island
Letter: Bottom line
Editor, Daily News:
In answer to the question posed by letter-writer Mark Thomas on “odd pump pricing,” I believe the practice is called “price gouging.”
Definition from Wikipedia: Price gouging is a pejorative term for a seller pricing much higher than is seen as “fair” under the circumstances.
Jack Mischung, Naples
Letter: ’Jokers’ you can cheer for
Editor, Daily News:
The Daily News nicely covered The Carlisle retirement center’s opening “Olympics” pep rally.
The report was in error, however, in regard to the author of the Joker team cheer.
I wrote it entirely, and gathered members of the team to act as cheerleaders.
While it was hardly Shakespeare, I would appreciate an accurate acknowledgment of the effort.
The exact lines went:
There are no slow-pokers
Among us Jokers.
We’re the fast folkers
Rah, rah rah.
Chanted with enthusiasm, of course.
Sloane Robbins, Naples
Comments
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Jane Varner,
You are concerned about the US or Israel attacking Iran, a country that does not want war, but wants to kill every Jew in Israel, push them into the ocean and to attack the USA? They provide weapons to people for suicide bombs and rockets to shoot indiscriminantly killing women & children in Israel.
Why would Israel want to attack Iran??
Why would the USA want to attack Iran??
Why would Iran's caliphate be "quaking", wondering if either Israel or we will attack it.
Is there a logical reason to attack them?
Remember Iamadinnerjacket has visited Hugo 4 times in the last few years. Chavez just bought 8 diesel/electric submarines from Russia. That is called a delivery system.
Or consider 6 or more super tankers in the Gulf of Mexico, each containing 3 million barrels of crude. That's 18,000,000 barrels of crude. And we are worried about oil from a well leaking. It's 24 hour capacity is 750 barrels, and not worried about Chavez with subs?
Remember what Clinton said about Saddam?? He has them and he will use them.
Now we have Iamadinnerjacket saying he will use them when he gets them.
There have been countries negotiating with Iran, France, Germany, Russia, China for almost two years. Some of them are large trading partners. Zero results, even offering Nuclear fuel.
We should negotiate, but with our knee on his chest, not unconditionally.
#1 Posted by ChiDem on July 23, 2008 at 8:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If I am reading the numbers correctly, the Democrats have a majority in both houses and the combined favorable rating for both is 14%. Gas is over $4.00 per gallon. The economy is shakey but salvageable. The war continues on. SO MUCH FOR THE DEMOCRATS AFFECTING CHANGE! Republicans or Democrats they are all the same. The "REAL" problem is the way our political system is set up. A total of 537 men and women controlling the present and future welfare of 300,000,000 people is ludicrous. The "will" of the majority is a "must" and not negotiable. Implimenting the "will" of the people at all times is what needs to happen! I guess that's the "change" we all would welcome. "Majority rules".
#2 Posted by knital on July 23, 2008 at 8:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Please, don't bring up taxes. It might make people think for a change.
perdition, matching wits with you is easy. You just whine when you can't handle someone calling you a name in reference to your name calling.
Hence, the name fits, debutante.
Typical internet liberal. "I can call them names, but when they call me names, well, they're" ... [insert: racist, name callers, idiots, whatever it is that perditionman assumes]
Isn't that name also hel-boy?!
#3 Posted by GoneFishin on July 23, 2008 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Obama doesn't want inheritance tax because he isn't going to get any. I hope my kids can get what I worked and saved for so dopes don't get it to waste on government programs.
#4 Posted by GoneFishin on July 23, 2008 at 8:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Charles Jarboe...
I would swear I saw Inspector Javert chasing Jean Valjean through that very mall just yesterday.
#5 Posted by AARGGHHH on July 23, 2008 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I love Jane Varner letters. They always bring out the "best" of RR (Republican rhetoric) to assail a former compatriot. (How about that "com-patriot" reference?)
Taxes!! Why??? Vote Republican and keep more of your money from those high paying jobs the "trickle down economy" has provided. Be grateful for the "divine" leadership of the last 8 years.
#6 Posted by Elephanttamer on July 23, 2008 at 9:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dave Rush. Yes, these past 35 years have been a "living hell". But now we know! We have Fox Noise and we can listen to Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity to get the "truth". McCain is no Barry Goldwater, but he will have to do in a "pinch".
#7 Posted by Elephanttamer on July 23, 2008 at 10:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Arlene Rutstein. Congratulations on a very erudite description of our "cell phone society". You hit the nail right on the head. It couldn't have been said better! Kudos to you
#8 Posted by Elephanttamer on July 23, 2008 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
perdueman, er, um, ah, I mean perdition, I actually looked it up before I posted: debutante - one making a debut; specifically : a young woman making her formal entrance into society. You just got here (unless you're a troll with multiple names).
The insult was there deliberately, but you are also a NEET, so I figured you wouldn't get it. So, why don't I mimic one of your posts: Holy gay pride, bat girl, is that a sausage in his trousers or ...
Whatever, I'll probably have this one removed by the staff, but if so, the NDN should look at perditionman, er hel-boy's posts, too, and see how little he/she is actually contributing.
I try to post links to other stories and provoke conversational posts so topics can be discussed, but all I get is nonsense. Not going to stop posting, though, because the far left is spouting Obama foolishness in a time when we don't need new taxes or a pandering politician with no experience and an empty suit.
#9 Posted by GoneFishin on July 23, 2008 at 10:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Video of the two candidates today have been released.
PRESIDENT OBAMA- marching off the cargo door of an Osprey visiting a foreign leader.
senator mcsame-riding a cute golf cart around the Bush Compound in Kennebunkport with the owner of an oil company.
Pretty much says it all.
#10 Posted by boulderbilly on July 23, 2008 at 11:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why do we insist on bombing entire countries just to rid ourselves of a few morons. Isn't it like some sort of pre-WW1 mentality that you can't just kill the leader?
In an age of spy satellites and drones manned by geeks with joysticks and lasers that can hit a target on the moon in two seconds and stealth cruise missiles and booby-trapped shoes, you absolutely will not be able to convince me that we can't take out limited groups of people traveling in cars or planes or just sitting in a room or a park.
I think that our fearless leaders don't do it out some sort of "Divine Right of Kings" rule that prohibits them from killing each other instead of sending us to fight their wars.
Well... I think our leaders should be better than that. If we have a problem with the leader of Iran or Venezuela, we should take them out. If we don't like their replacements, we should take them out as well... ad nauseam. If they retaliate by taking out our leaders... well... I can live with that. If these guys are as bad as we say, they won't be missed and neither will their replacements.
As for Obama in an Osprey... if that's true, he's got more guts than I have. Gimme a Huey any day.
#11 Posted by AARGGHHH on July 24, 2008 at 2:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
O baaaaaama
The party of the American Sheeple.
#12 Posted by woods311 on July 24, 2008 at 6:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Rejoice,
If you are going to counter Jane, at least do it with facts. First there is no such organization as "American Association of Certified Public Tax Accountants." Next, the death tax will only be 0% for the year 2010. In 2011 it returns to the pre-Bush tax cut levels.
I'll bet anything your post was nothing moe than a recopying of an e-mail that you received and then forwarded to all your friends without even bothering to confirm the statements therein.
#13 Posted by MoreBeerPlease on July 24, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Galotto M.D. from MD. I raise your M.D. with my R.R.T. from MA.
First of all your M.D. does not impress me.I try to remember 50% of doctors graduated in the lower 50% of their class and your attack letter confirms to me you must have been in the lower range of that 50%.I do not know how old you are but at the start of WWII I was 4 years old and was not wearing a PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN T shirt.You are pathetic.
#14 Posted by jfriccio38 on July 24, 2008 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good letter Jane on McCAIN who now thinks their is a problem on the Iraq/Pakistan border.THe problem is their is no Iraq/Pakistan border.I guess geography is another subject on his long list of things he does not know too much about.
#15 Posted by jfriccio38 on July 24, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/ind...
This is great!!!
#16 Posted by boulderbilly on July 24, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's our lovely justice system, waste time on someone stealing pennies, forget the guy who kills cop.
#17 Posted by Mony on July 24, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jfriccio,
Great retort. Call him an idiot and pathetic.
Almost as good as "Oh yea, well f-you" in a high school debate. You continue to show everyone how much class you have.
You apparently have intelligence envy as well as wealth envy.
That is similar to Senator Obama's reply to the effect of the surge.
You really should spend more time before you make a reply. You appear to be writing without a teleprompter.
Hang in there John, you have all those Ohlberman fans and other hate sources to support you. Let's not forget the embarrassment of bossman1 & rationalman's support. How we envy you.
But don't stop, you'll quit winning votes for conservatives.
#18 Posted by ChiDem on July 24, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Howard Clark, very few people are proud of this administration. Even fewer are happy with the Congress.
Obama will be a rubber stamp for a poor Congress.
#19 Posted by GoneFishin on July 24, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
David Rush, I saw some idiot on CNN talking about the coverage of Obama as being "the media just wants to be part of history".
No, the media is liberal and wants a liberal as president.
BTW - I love how liberals say things like, "The media isn't liberal. Just look at Fox news and talk radio." They just want to gloss over, ABC, NBC, CBS, the NY Times, ...
#20 Posted by GoneFishin on July 24, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't you love it how Varner and her ilk, bossman, riccio, boulder, truth, etc, just gloss over the last two years and continue to blame it all on an administration they don't like. No doubt eight years of the Bush adminsitration and six years of republican controlled house and senate have been far from perfect. But face it, in the two years that democrats have been in control, we have gasoline up over 100%, record residential foreclosures, banks teetering on the edge of insolvency, and a dollar that has crashed to name a few. Things have gotten even worse than under republicans, but Varner and her ilk have gotten what they wanted, but are too blind (stupid?) to see what this is what they wished for.
#21 Posted by roadhouse on July 24, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ChiDem,
So long as the neocons misread this election, they are in for the largest landslide in presidential elections in history. You just don't get it.
This election is not about the next eight years as much as the last eight. Jeffrey Dahlmer could give McSame a run for his money. This process is a complete repudiation of neocon ideology,and what the they have done to this country, our world standing, the mideast, the value of the dollar, the gas crisis, the list is endless. As were Bush's mistakes. Bottom line, "it's the economy stupid."
This ain't about putting OBAMA in the White House. It has more to do with keeping McSame out. The American public is fed up with the direction the neocons have led, right off the freakin' cliff. So long as the they fail to see this, they are doomed.
Quite possibly, permanently.
#22 Posted by boulderbilly on July 24, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Accidentally read a jfreakio post. Dude should calm down a bit.
If you're gonna write, you're gonna get criticized, especially when you constantly denounce the country.
Looked up R.R.T. - Real Rap Talk
And since we're bashing doctors: 50% of doctors are in the lower half of the class. Some brilliant mathematics there. Good thing it's so hard to get into and stay in medical school.
#23 Posted by GoneFishin on July 24, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't get me wrong; I'm not for either McCain or Obama, but I do have to ask is what Obama has done as a senator that impresses folks to want him for Commander-in-Chief? The same question also goes for McCain.
Both candidates bring up some good points on important issues, but what, pray tell, is preventing them from implementing some kind of action on these issues now? Granted that campaigning for the presidency has taken up a lot of their time that could have been spent on the job that they've been paid to do, but seriously a position in our legislature isn't a full-time job.
#24 Posted by Illiar on July 24, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Illiar, yesterday Obama said you can look at his voting record to see who he is. How many times did he vote "present"? 129 times (1 in 31 of his overall Illinois votes.) Here's one reason why:
Pam Sutherland, chief lobbyist for the Illinois branch of Planned Parenthood, said Planned Parenthood calculated that a 'present' vote by Obama would encourage other senators to cast a similar vote, rather than voting for the legislation. "They were worried about direct mail pieces against them. The more senators voted present, the harder it was to mount an issues campaign against the senator."
Now, I am pro-choice, but check this out:
Here is a full list of Obama's seven 'present' votes on issues related to abortion:
1997 Votes
# SB 230 Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act. Senate approved bill 44-7, with five senators voting present, including Obama.
# HB 382 Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act. House version, passed Illinois State Senate, adopted as law. Under the bill, doctors who perform partial-birth abortions could be sent to prison for one to three years. The woman would not be held liable.
2001 Votes
# HB 1900 Parental Notice of Abortion Act. Bill passed 38-10, with nine present votes, including Obama.
# SB 562 Parental Notice of Abortion Act. Bill passed Senate 39-7, with 11 present votes, including Obama.
# SB 1093 Law to protect Liveborn children. Bill passed 34-6, with 12 present, including Obama.
# SB 1094 Bill to protect children born as result of induced labor abortion. Bill passed 33-6, with 13 present, including Obama.
# SB 1095 Bill defining "born alive" defines "born-alive infant" to include infant "born alive at any stage of development." Bill passed 34-5, with nine present, including Obama.
No need for Obama to take a stand on any of those issues, now is there?
#25 Posted by GoneFishin on July 24, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have to comment on John Galotto's letter wherein he makes the statement that the War in Iraq was "successful".
Successful by what standards Dr.? Also, doesn't success have to be measured by what cost was involved? Thousands of lost lives and billions (if not trillions) of dollars spent mostly in the form of staggering budget deficits that are crippling our economy.
Also, you make the eronious conclusion that the War in Iraq was in retaliation for 9-11. Did you forget Dr. that there was no evidence that Iraq was involved with 9-11. As I recall, it was mostly Saudi's on those planes, and yet Bush continues to hold hands with the Saudi Prince.
#26 Posted by reasonableguy on July 24, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
FTR - Here is where he stands:
"We worked on the 'present' vote strategy with Obama," said Pam Sutherland, chief lobbyist for the Illinois branch of Planned Parenthood, an abortion rights group. "He was willing to vote 'no', and was always going to be a 'no' vote for us."
#27 Posted by GoneFishin on July 24, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fish, How many times will you lie and say you mistakenly read John R's or Jane's LTE's or posts?
Be honest, You read all of our posts, it IS the only way you have a chance to learn anything factual.
#28 Posted by bossman1 on July 24, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
boss, I usually look ahead for the names. Since jfreakio didn't have a letter in today, I just assumed he wouldn't be posting here because he generally only posts when HIS letter get printed. He is one angry guy, though.
I did not read Jane Varner's letter, but I was wondering if she had left town or something. Glad she's OK.
I read your posts for a good face-palm. Can't believe you don't get it. For example, you still cling to the old "Clinton caused the best economy..."
#29 Posted by GoneFishin on July 24, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
let us look at the facts re: taxs...when the bush administration took office we had a surplus
of $400 million +/-. now we are have deficits that are staggering. if the republicians were true to their roots..there would have been a tax increase to pay for the stupid incurision into
iraq. so don't blame the democrats...or obama..
your children and grandchildren may be happy if
someone faces up to the fact that you should pay
as you go. do not foist your stupid errors on the
future generations. go democrats beat mccain
#30 Posted by berne4822 on July 24, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And you thought the FISA bill was bad?
How about a bill that gets all credit card transactions automatically reported to the IRS?
And guess what? It's attached to the Freddie/Fannie bailout bill and is sponsored by Chris Dodd.
http://www.dailyreckoning.us/blog/?p=841
#31 Posted by GoneFishin on July 24, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It looks like John Galotto has found many times for us not to be proud of our country.
I think this helps explain, however, that what we are not proud of is what is done under certain administrations. This should clarify what Michelle Obama meant when it was the first time she was really proud of her country. She was not referring to her love of America but what leaders have done under the name of our country.
We have to make sure we continually differentiate between our country and the differing administrations who do things not to be proud of. They degrade our country, debase it before the rest of the world.
#32 Posted by truthmatters on July 24, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Now this is what we mean by big government and guess who is sponsoring it?
Democrats.
"The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to debate two bills that could give the federal government unprecedented control over the way parents raise their children – even providing funds for state workers to come into homes and screen babies for emotional and developmental problems."
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.ph...
#33 Posted by GoneFishin on July 24, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So truth knows what Michelle Obama means.
#34 Posted by GoneFishin on July 24, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Regarding Jane Varner's letter: I too have said many times that I'm afraid of John McCain and this administration. They too easily invade countries without any clear logic of the adverse affects.
I don't see that Iran wants a war with us or Israel. But I do see they feel in a pretty precarious situation. We have said many things that make it appear we're building up to bombing Iran. As Varner said, they did see what we did to Iraq.
It seems to me that John McCain's lack of intelligence is showing. The more I watch him, the more I feel he's not only forgetful, the man just doesn't know the facts, and he need people around him constantly to help him with what's going on in the Middle East.
I don't even know what his knowledge of the rest of the world is. He seems to act on emotion. I too am very concerned about his ability to lead in foreign policy that need the clearest, most intelligent mind and the best judgment for all the situations that arise. A wrong decision has a great affect on us in many ways, and our economy is one of them.
#35 Posted by truthmatters on July 24, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Rejoice, while Obama has had no role in the passage of that legislation, his campaign has now clarified that what Obama meant is that the bill includes provisions that match legislation he introduced last year.
Guess you can just let that little sound bite go.
#36 Posted by GoneFishin on July 24, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's amazing how many Republicans are enthralled with the last two years of congressional performance by a Bush veto proof assembly. They conveniently ignore or attribute the 8 year GOP tenure in the White House as some sort of quirk. It was all due to 9/11 that happened while they were in power.
There was a black comedian on the Jay Leno show last night that got a joke off that "things have been so bad the last 8 years, that people are willing to even let a "black guy" run for president". Incidentally, if i heard right, he will be appearing a few nights on Marco Island next week. That should be a "blast".
Well, Cheney had and probably will return to Halliburton. I'm sure Chevron or Exxon will have a spot for GWB. He and Laura can live "happily ever after" in Dallas. I wonder if Laura bought a foreclosure? There are a lot of "deals" out there now.
One more thought. Is Jeb Bush a possibility for McCain's veep? He's a "natural".
#37 Posted by Elephanttamer on July 24, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The actual segment of the Der Spiegel interview that Obama fans take as a Maliki endorsement:
Spiegel: Would you hazard a prediction as to when most of the U.S. troops will finally leave Iraq?
Maliki: As soon as possible, as far as we're concerned. U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months. That, we think, would be the right time frame for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes.
Spiegel: Is this an endorsement for the U.S. presidential election in November? Does Obama, who has no military background, ultimately have a better understanding of Iraq than war hero John McCain?
Maliki: Those who operate on the premise of short time periods in Iraq today are being more realistic. Artificially prolonging the tenure of U.S. troops in Iraq would cause problems. --
Of course, this is by no means an election endorsement. --
Whom they choose as their president is the Americans' business. But it's the business of Iraqis to say what they want. And that's where the people and the government are in general agreement: The tenure of the coalition troops in Iraq should be limited.
#38 Posted by GoneFishin on July 24, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
McCain flips, but explains why.
Obama flips and acts like it never happened.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB12168...
#39 Posted by GoneFishin on July 24, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Throughout 2006 and early 2007, Mr. Obama pledged to remove all U.S. troops, even voting to immediately cut off funds for the troops while they were in combat. Then, in July 2007, he started talking about leaving a residual U.S. force, in Kuwait and elsewhere in the region, able to go back into Iraq if needed.
"By October, he shifted again, pledging to station the residual U.S. troops inside Iraq with two "limited missions of protecting our diplomats and carrying out targeted strikes on al Qaeda."
"Last week, writing in the New York Times, Mr. Obama changed again. He increased the missions his residual force would perform to three: "going after any remnants of al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, protecting American service members and, so long as the Iraqis make political progress, training Iraqi security forces." That's not all that different from what U.S. troops are doing now.
"And just how many U.S. troops would Mr. Obama leave in Iraq? Colin Kahl, an Obama adviser on Iraq, has said the senator wants to have "perhaps 60,000-80,000 forces" in Iraq by December 2010. So much for withdrawing all combat troops."
#40 Posted by GoneFishin on July 24, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Obama is already late for his big speech.
Is he just another megalomaniac or is the teleprompter broken?
#41 Posted by GoneFishin on July 24, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"our turn now"? Great way to keep an open mind. Oh, wait, you are cut throat.
#42 Posted by GoneFishin on July 24, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Today, the min.wage of $6.55 takes effect, those darn Democrats. For sure this will cause 1000's of small businesses, banks, etc. to go bankrupt, millions of workers more will be laid off, causing an economic collapse. OH wait, did that already happen?
About 2 million workers will get $.70 more per hour which won't even make-up for the recent inflation.
What will these people do with this added income?
Send it to an off-shore bank, invest it in a foreign company, by another BMW, buy a better quality of cocaine?
No, they will pay thier bills, buy more food,or maybe a new toy for thier children, creating more jobs, more wealth for businesses and corperations, pay more tax to our country. Those darn democrats.
#43 Posted by bossman1 on July 24, 2008 at 3:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
M , you should be happy about the new min.wage, you will get another $.70 an hour,--- your welcome.
#44 Posted by bossman1 on July 24, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
boss, unemployment claims have gone up. But thanks for the sarcasm.
#45 Posted by GoneFishin on July 24, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Woe is me. I'm worried about small business having to deal with the higher minumum wage. It's going to cut into their profits and certainly their very existence. The Republicans have it right. (no pun intended) Wages should be allowed to "fill the bill". That way employers can "negotiate" and let the market dictate how cheap labor will work to survive. That way a true basis for "development" and "new jobs" can be truly determined. That's Econ. 101 ala GOP!
Oh, just heard that the Republicans twarted a move by Democrats to release oil from Bush's reserve. Those Democrats and Pelosi will be thankful later when our Iran invasion will "succeed" as the result of foresight in having the oil to "win" the war with a new "surge". This Democrat congress seems to lack "muscle". Why is that? Doesn't a simple majority work? Surely the GOP scholars on this chat room have the answers.
#46 Posted by Elephanttamer on July 24, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bring back bill clinton..we can watch make it with on other chicks and keep our mind off the economy..
#47 Posted by naplesnole77 on July 24, 2008 at 4:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Everyone except far-left cretins knows the media is overwhelmingly liberal. Out of the vast pool of left wing media, one network in particular rises above the rest. This election season NBC has taken bias to a whole new level, and earned the reputation as the most dishonest and corrupt media outfit in America."
http://www.thehotjoints.com/2008/07/2...
#48 Posted by GoneFishin on July 24, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
More Gorebal Warming: Coldest summer in Alaska since 1970.
http://www.newsminer.com/news/2008/ju...
#49 Posted by GoneFishin on July 24, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Flash! McDonald's considering raising prices on their dollar menu. That must be partly due to the raise in the minimum wage. They probably will have to lay off a couple or more workers at each unit plus raise prices to boot. It's all the Democrats' fault, especially that Chappaquidack "monster". No doubt McCain will solve this problem with a "thrust" at the immigration "imbalance" to improve worker availability. Flip-flop.
#50 Posted by Elephanttamer on July 24, 2008 at 7:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Fish says "Boss, unemployment claims have gone up".
Really? Gee, none of us knew that, thanks for the info.
The unemployment rate has gone from 3.9% '2001' to 5.5% today and what will be 6% before Bush jr leaves office. So tell us who/what caused this to happen?
#51 Posted by bossman1 on July 24, 2008 at 7:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Another big down day for the market, must be the $.70 min wage jump that caused it. Those darn $6.55 dollar wage earners and the Democrats did it to us again.
#52 Posted by bossman1 on July 24, 2008 at 7:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
More News! McDonald's second quarter earnings beat Wall Street expectations. Hmmm. Today's business world can't settle for "just making a buck". Investors (euphemism for speculator) will not stay with a company that merely earns money without exceeding previous records. No hedge fund manager worth his salt would ever fall into that "trap". Old widows and retirees holding stocks of "mundane" companies are a "fairy tale" for children and GOP Econ. 101 advocates.
Big Mac is addressing that prospect with their $1 menu "adjustments".
#53 Posted by Elephanttamer on July 24, 2008 at 7:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Gator, read post 47 above. A majority of 51 to 49 is not vetoe proof. The democrats couldn't accomplish what they said they would because the Repubs thwarted them whenever they trid to move legislation. If not, Bush just vetoed it. In fact, the Dems caved on the patriot act which gave immunity to telecoms for illegal activities. That was a disappointment to say the least. Bush breaks the law and than has cronies pass a law that says it was ok and even provides protection to those breaking the law with him. And don't get me started on executive priviledge. He's just thumbing his nose at the US constitution and his cronies are allowing it. It is really pathetic.
#54 Posted by jathanas on July 28, 2008 at 7:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Re: Above Letter to the Editor from Murray H. Hendel, President, Gulf Shore Association of Condominiums
I thought that was a very important letter written by Mr. Hendel, praising the recent editorial demanding an investigation into the school board.
Today I featured Mr. Hendel's letter at the top of my site below -- which is full of other letters to the editor complaining about this school district and the current superintendent:
http://dennisthompsonresponds.blogspo...
#55 Posted by flcertifiedteacher on July 31, 2008 at 12:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Check it out... I may be right yet:
_____________________________________
Posted on July 15 at 10:46 p.m.
10,000 by Christmas! ... Make that New Years!
On Dow dives below 11,000 on economic worries
__________________________________________
Of course, this may be a bit too optimistic and I'm about 3 months off, but I'm doing better than those geniuses who run the place.
#56 Posted by AARGGHHH on September 29, 2008 at 5:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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