Search Results for 'Ba'

[Sue]

Keith, I’m with you – after being out of power for 5 days in the big windstorm last year (and living at home in about 42 degrees that whole time), anytime the wind gets crazy, I get a little scared. Fortunately I’m not living in the same place and so far the power has not gone out (although our back fence did break into pieces and now my landlord’s got something to fix). I’m up in Canada right now, but midweek when I was in downtown Seattle, I was nearly blown off my feet. I’m a person of considerable weight, so for me to be afraid to take a foot off the ground because I might blow away, well, that’s scary. At one point the wind was behind my back and I could feel as if I was being pushed along by it, at a faster pace than I could safely walk, and it was a miracle I wasn’t thrown over. I was hoping it would be done by the time I got home Sunday night.

[JanS]

Refunding money that we have paid to them, while they’re cutting medicare, medicaid, etc. to “balance the budget”, seems totally backwards to me. If we have all this money to use for something let’s provide healthcare for kids, elderly. Let’s let it mean something, instead of using it to shut people up…”oh, our wonderful gov’t…look what they’re doing for us”…it’s such a crock…mine will just go back into the pot so I can pay my self-employed taxes next year…

[JanS]

how come I’m never around when there’s guys running around outside in their boxer shorts….? hehehe…what neighborhood did you say you live in?

Cinnamon…I understand what you’re saying.. I just think you could say it less harshly? We really are a nice bunch of people on here. You’re very lucky that you have no complaints in the world…very lucky indeed. There are so many things that I let slide off my back..life’s too short to bother with quite a few of them…but…you have to admit…a totally sunny day in Seattle…all blue sky, no clouds…seeing the snowcapped Olympics, Cascades, Mt. Rainier..there’s nothing more beautiful…or spirit lifting…

[Keith]

Yeesh. I just wanted to vent about the nonstop wind, wasn’t expecting such a blowhard response. Might I suggest you go fly a kite?

Yes, I remember the wind last year and the power outages, which is part of why 3 nights of strong and relentless wind has me a little on edge… that and chasing flyaway garbage cans around at 3 am in my boxer shorts. I hope I’m not caught by a WSB camera. That would really give cinnamon something to complain about.

That all being said, I love my home here and I doubt I’ll ever leave. But I did spend several hours online yesterday perusing getaways in Palm Springs . :)

[picklemom]

On the positive side, we West Seattle-ites can bundle up in our Gore-tex and head over to Beach Drive to watch the waves kicking up. It’s fun to get sprayed by the salty water and taste it on your lips afterward. We often see kids who are absolutely gleeful, enjoying the excitement. The negative side is that I have to get back into my car after about 3 minutes!

[picklemom]

Right on, Julie! It’s an insult to us. Those clowns in DC think we’re going to say, “Wow, they’re giving me FREE money! That’s so nice of them! I’m going to go out and buy a new iPhone.” A rebate will not stimulate an economy built on deception, bad decisions, short-term thinking, waste, and greed. I always find it amusing when Republicans accuse the Democrats of “big government spending.” Who created the massive deficit, hmmm?

[katydid]

Hmmm, are there upper limits to this play group? I’m a tad older but lots of fun (I think) and looking for just the kind of playmates you are describing on your “wish” list. I’ve got wrinkles, bags and sags but still love playing and laughing – shopping not so much…I mean it isn’t a main event in my life anymore.

[JanS]

Erik….so sorry to hear about the job…that sucks, if for no other reason than…gee, you have to look for another one? Not always a fun prospect. But…if you didn’t like the job to begin with, the world is your oyster, huh…and the doors are wide open. Daughter works for Nordstrom (Product Group)..terrific company to work for…maybe switch your allegiance? lol…

when you get to AZ, send some of that sun back quickly…it so lifts the spirits :)

[JoB]

Re: political polls…if the polls were an accurate prediction of what would happen in this race, we wouldn’t be having this conversation now. The polls said that Hillary wouldn’t survive Super Tuesday.. remember?

Re: Obama’s turnout… Hillary wasn’t expected to have much of a turnout and she also had to close her doors due to capacity. And she wasn’t just attended by middle class middle aged females either.

Re: “Hillary will not win an election against McCain.. she is one issue that will unite all conservatives for McCain” …. conservatives may not like McCain, but they will not desert in droves for Obama either. yet, conservative women may well cross over for a woman. However, It is the undecided vote that is important here.. and we know that vote is strongly anti-war. A democratic vote is going t be a vote for middle class pocketbooks and an end to the war.

Re: Hillary is a legacy candidate… how can any woman be a legacy candidate? True, it took one with strong political connections to even get a serous bid for nomination… but calling her a legacy candidate is overlooking some pretty persuasive prejudice here. …

Re: Hillary’s scandals… ok.. sigh.. i am so tired of hearing about Hillary’s scandals. What part of they couldn’t prove any of it did you not get? these are not Hillary’s scandals.. these are republican scandals perpetrated against her. You maybe tired of the accusations, but accusations is all they were. If Obama gets the nomination, we will be incredibly tired of Obama scandals by the time this election is over. He is cute.. he is black.. he is one heck of a preacher.. and he is not bulletproof. they don’t have to go after him as a black, all they have to do is dig into his past.. and his political associations in Chicago. and they will.

i am really looking forward to the discussions tomorrow. With any luck there will be someone incredibly articulate at my caucus and i can sit quietly in a corner… but if not, i want to thank everyone for doing such a good job of warming me up and honing my arguments:)

[Jack]

I think that “toying” with the idea of homeschooling is one thing but actually doing it is a completely different story. If your children are already in school you risk losing established friendships. If you are not a teacher already then the learning curve is probably bigger than you think. If you have a healthy relationship with your child then you risk changing your family dynamics. I am not saying it is bad to homeschool; I am saying these are things you might want to consider. I have friends who have been very successful at it. Their children excel in every subject and are well adjusted. I have other friends whose children are not properly socialized, very ahead in some subjects and DRAMATICALLY delayed in others, plus they have a strained relationship with their children. If your child is not getting what they need in the classroom there is always supplemental education. There are many, many reasons to homeschool. Keep in mind there are many reasons not to homeschool.Venture in carefully.

[Julie]

So, that pocket money our Congress just decided we should all have so we’ll go out and spend, spend, spend? I’m thinking we all better save it, instead: since Congress can act quickly to hand out money, but can’t act to make sure everyone has healthcare, we’d better be prepared when we lose our insurance by changing jobs (or not having jobs). Save every penny; it’s expensive and likely to get more so!

So much for stimulating the economy.

[karen]

We’ve got Clearwire and the service was horrible for quite a while. However they must have upgraded something recently because the last couple of months have been satisfactory.

Since I have no real idea about how this stuff works (I like to think little internet fairies fly back and forth with my information – makes as much sense to me) I’m not sure what has changed.

It seems like all the services are pretty close in monthly cost. What else is there to consider? Of course I don’t want slow, do want to send pictures or download music. Does every provider pretty much work the same way?

[JoB]

Tish.. i am confused.

after reading your post a second time, i asked myself.. who is Noonan?

the only Noonan i know of is a political reporter named Peggy.. a conservative political reporter.

You can’t be quoting conservatives like Peggy Noonan to be making points about political strategy for democrats… so i must have missed something.

enlighten me please.

in the meantime, i will follow your other link.

…………

ok did that. pretty impressive video by Lawrence Lessig.

But it is based on some fundamental assumptions that might not be true…

That a the image of an unknown black man as a president will be more effective than that of a woman to signal America’s willingness to change.

That Obama has more moral character than Hillary based on selected quotes from her campaign.

That Obama’s speech about opposing the war while a Senate candidate (after we had begun the war if i remember the timing accurately) was equal in weight to Clinton’s vote for a war that we (all of America) were assured would only be a war of last resort.. not an immediate engagement.

That Obama was not inconsistent between his moral stance and his actions because his vote funding the war was a separate matter from his disapproval of the war… overlooking the fact that he campaigned as a progressive yet does not have a more progressive voting record than Hillary Clinton in the Senate.

That because Bill Clinton was unable to carry through his campaign promises with a hostile congress… (and military by the way).. that he lacked moral coourage.

And that implies Hillary will do the same.

Lots more assumptions, but those are some of the basic ones..

I think i could probably sit down with a point to prove and write an equally measured response cherry picking both Obama speeches and Obama campaign materials to support it if i spent the time.

i won’t. (and yes, i hear that immense sigh of relief from the entire blog).

Suffice it to say that he had a point to make and he made it.

it is up to each of us to look at the underlying assumptions and ask ourself if you truly believe them to be accurate.

His arguments, unfortunately, are about the appearance of things.. not necessarily about their substance.

[Huindekmi]

Poll numbers are backing up what the Obama supporters are saying.

RealClearPolitics.com can show you the aggregates of poll data from 7 sources (Rassmussen, Time, CNN, Cook/RT Strategies, ABC/Wash Post, FOX News and NPR) as well as a weighted average.

Clinton vs McCain

In the latest polls, McCain is leading in all but one poll (CNN).

Obama vs. McCain

The latest polls show Obama leading in all but one poll (NPR) and then only by 1 point.

[Julie]

lowmanbeach, I very much appreciate the intent to keep these fora civil, if lively. The profanity and profuse mindless back-and-forth insults you refer to on “some sites” gets so tedious, and tends to obscure substantive discussion so much, I generally avoid them–but appreciate having a place where I can learn what my fellow West Seattleites are thinking. Thank you!

[denny]

I’ll keep this brief, but try to have enough “meat” for Bob so that he doesn’t dismiss me as he does Obama.

Hilary will not win a November election against McCain. She is the one issue that will unite the conservatives around McCain, and she has negatives that have historically scored at plus 40%. For over ten years. That will push enough independents towards McCain as well.

I have a great deal of respect for John McCain and his service to America, but I am interested in having a major change in the White House.

I was at the rally today, too. I saw a stump speech that was no better or worse than Hilary’s, but perhaps more eloquently delivered. No stump speech is heavy on details. Neither are the American People. You want details, keep reading their websites.

More importantly, I saw tens of thousands of people show up, faces representative of our whole community. Some of them aren’t even democrats. I want all of those people to show up in November and put Obama in the White House.

See you Saturday at the caucuses.

[Tish]

What I think you’re forgetting, however, is that:

1) We, as a nation, are tired of legacy candidates. Not that many people are that enthused about the fact that we have gone from Bush Sr. to Clinton to Bush Jr and possibly, back to Clinton again. That’s over 20+ years of Clinton and Bush! In this sense, people honestly DO want change.

2) The campaigns haven’t gone negative yet. Once they do, people are going to be reminded of ALL of Clinton’s scandals (travelgate, watergate, etc.) and she is going to take a major hit. After enduring all the scandals associated with Clinton and Bush, people are yearning for a candidate who is relatively scandal free.

3) Barack’s wins in the Midwest and in red states (where independents carried him to victory) clearly shows that while Hillary can carries true blue democratic states (like CA and NY) she doesn’t have the ability to pull in independents or Republicans to the degree that Obama can. This fact is not going to go away…even if she does win the nomination.

4) Last but not least, I wouldn’t discount Peggy Noonan’s predictions. After all, Bill Clinton recently hurt Hillary’s campaign (and was credited with helping her lose South Carolina) for making comments that others perceived as racist (they weren’t in my opinion). People ARE weary to attack Obama because they will be accused on being a racist. It’s the Clarence Thomas senate confirmation hearings (where Dems were afraid to attack his record for fear of being perceived as racist) all over again. It’s a simple fact.

I agree with you that we’ll have a win win either way. I still think, however, that Obama is our best choice.

[JoB]

Bob.. mea culpa… you are right.

His only real lie was one of misdirection.

He had sexual interaction with her.. but not “sex”.

It was misdirection under oath… and that’s what Georgia’s bar went after him for.

Anyway.. lots of taxpayer money spent and in the end that was the best they could do.

Much ado about a whole lot of nothing.. but all anyone seems to remember is the scandal.

[JoB]

oh tish, would that it were so.

yes, the republicans are going to go after hillary. they have been going after hillary for 12 years and have created more scandals than most people see in a lifetime already.

But they have run out of ammunition as far as the scandals go… there isn’t anything new to drag out of the closet.

And.. other than her husband lieing about sex, they haven’t been able to prove any of their allegations in spite of spending a ton of taxpayer money to do so.

The swift boat defense won’t be so effective without new scandals to feed it.

They haven’t landed on Obama yet.. but you can bet every dollar you have that if he is our candidate they have plenty to use. Heck, i could come up with a fair amount… just after reading his book.

They won’t even have to go the black route.

As for Teflon… McCain has made a political career out of his Teflon… tortured Vietnam vet.

and if they want to add more Teflon to him, all they have to do is give him Condolesa or some other black woman as a running mate..

There is no Teflon Democratic candidate. If there was, this would be a much easier decision.

As it is, we are all going with our guts here and hoping for the best.

In the meantime, i am thankful to have a win win situation with our candidates. They are both inspiring people who talk about what they want to do to help the American middle class… and with our help, they should be able to do a lot of it.

[BobLoblaw]

I doubt it. All of it above. Except the part where no one will use race. But why would they? They won’t be afraid of being called out for questioning him. Yes he’s African-American — but whoopideedoo. For a majority of voters, that is absolutely no issue. What will matter to the 51 percenters are the tried and true words “change,” “hope,” “together,” etc. heck — it makes me want to salute the flag right now. Still, I think Reagan actually trademarked those to bamboozle the American public.

I’ve read both their big papers (written by staff) and see more polish and meat behind Hillary’s. That’s why she gets my vote. But Obama has more of the feel good puffery that America buys.

But, hey, how about that Erik Bedard? Now there’s somebody we should all be excited about.

I digress …

[Tish]

I am basing my vote for Obama on his polcies and sound judgement. In addiiton, I happen to believe what Noonan said today on his blog is true:

“Mrs. Clinton is stoking the idea that Mr. Obama is too soft to withstand the dread Republican attack machine. (I nod in tribute to all Democrats who have succeeded in removing the phrase “Republican and Democratic attack machines” from the political lexicon. Both parties have them.) But Mr. Obama will not be easy for Republicans to attack. He will be hard to get at, hard to address. There are many reasons, but a primary one is that the fact of his race will freeze them. No one, no candidate, no party, no heavy-breathing consultant, will want to cross any line–lines that have never been drawn, that are sure to be shifting and not always visible–in approaching the first major-party African-American nominee for president of the United States.

He is the brilliant young black man as American dream. No consultant, no matter how opportunistic and hungry, will think it easy–or professionally desirable–to take him down in a low manner. If anything, they’ve learned from the Clintons in South Carolina what that gets you. (I add that yes, there are always freelance mental cases, who exist on both sides and are empowered by modern technology. They’ll make their YouTubes. But the mad are ever with us, and this year their work will likely stay subterranean.)

With Mr. Obama the campaign will be about issues. “He’ll raise your taxes.” He will, and I suspect Americans may vote for him anyway. But the race won’t go low.

Mrs. Clinton would be easier for Republicans. With her cavalcade of scandals, they’d be delighted to go at her. They’d get medals for it. Consultants would get rich on it.

The Democrats have it exactly wrong. Hillary is the easier candidate, Mr. Obama the tougher. Hillary brings negative; it’s fair to hit her back with negative. Mr. Obama brings hope, and speaks of a better way. He’s not Bambi, he’s bulletproof.

The biggest problem for the Republicans will be that no matter what they say that is not issue oriented–“He’s too young, he’s never run anything, he’s not fully baked”–the mainstream media will tag them as dealing in racial overtones, or undertones. You can bet on this. Go to the bank on it.

The Democrats continue not to recognize what they have in this guy. Believe me, Republican professionals know. They can tell. “

Enough said.

[Tish]

I don’t understand why you think that Obama will be pummelled and not Hillary. As Noonan said on his blog earlier today:

“Mrs. Clinton is stoking the idea that Mr. Obama is too soft to withstand the dread Republican attack machine. (I nod in tribute to all Democrats who have succeeded in removing the phrase “Republican and Democratic attack machines” from the political lexicon. Both parties have them.) But Mr. Obama will not be easy for Republicans to attack. He will be hard to get at, hard to address. There are many reasons, but a primary one is that the fact of his race will freeze them. No one, no candidate, no party, no heavy-breathing consultant, will want to cross any line–lines that have never been drawn, that are sure to be shifting and not always visible–in approaching the first major-party African-American nominee for president of the United States.

He is the brilliant young black man as American dream. No consultant, no matter how opportunistic and hungry, will think it easy–or professionally desirable–to take him down in a low manner. If anything, they’ve learned from the Clintons in South Carolina what that gets you. (I add that yes, there are always freelance mental cases, who exist on both sides and are empowered by modern technology. They’ll make their YouTubes. But the mad are ever with us, and this year their work will likely stay subterranean.)

With Mr. Obama the campaign will be about issues. “He’ll raise your taxes.” He will, and I suspect Americans may vote for him anyway. But the race won’t go low.

Mrs. Clinton would be easier for Republicans. With her cavalcade of scandals, they’d be delighted to go at her. They’d get medals for it. Consultants would get rich on it.

The Democrats have it exactly wrong. Hillary is the easier candidate, Mr. Obama the tougher. Hillary brings negative; it’s fair to hit her back with negative. Mr. Obama brings hope, and speaks of a better way. He’s not Bambi, he’s bulletproof.

The biggest problem for the Republicans will be that no matter what they say that is not issue oriented–“He’s too young, he’s never run anything, he’s not fully baked”–the mainstream media will tag them as dealing in racial overtones, or undertones. You can bet on this. Go to the bank on it.

The Democrats continue not to recognize what they have in this guy. Believe me, Republican professionals know. They can tell. “

Enough said.

[WSB]

Just one contribution and then we step back out: Having been on somebody else’s payroll going back to age 16 … with a nice health-insurance policy, mostly employer-paid, for most of that time … I didn’t really appreciate how bleak the picture was for those not so lucky, until we went into business for ourselves with WSB. Just finally found something that will at least (knock wood) be there for coverage if one of us gets seriously ill or injured … but otherwise, its deductible is so high that it’s not good for anything else. To get an individual policy without a high deductible, there seems to be no way to avoid paying an incredibly high price — four digits per month for a family of three — which is what I would have had to pay to continue my old work policy thru COBRA. Really never walked a mile in these moccasins before, but now I can feel every stone on the path. And yet at that, I know I’m still one of the “lucky ones” … at least we can afford that high-deductible policy … its cost would be out of reach for many families just getting by.

[JoB]

this was just sent to me.

i scanned the printout of the broadcast (you can watch or listen) and learned a few things.

You can bet i will go through it more carefully before tomorrow:)

http://www.democracynow.org/2008/2/8/examining_clinton_obamas_stances_on_the

[BobLoblaw]

Clinton will certainly have a harder time in debates with some things. Her health care plan would be targeted because it is the most opposite of the Republicans. Her ties to Bill (58% of voters in Iowa or someplace — I forget where and think polls are a bit weak to go by — say they liked her because Bill was her husband) would be brought into play. Her record on approving $$ for the war over and over again would be questioned — although not by Republicans, obviously :-)

Overall, however, I think the Republicans will eat Obama alive. They are one well-oiled, polished political machine. “Our” best chance is to throw somebody into the battle who has some experience and meat behind the rhetoric.

Just my opinion, btw. I was soooo happy to see people who were not old, white, male (or a combo of all) around Key Arena I nearly cried. You are the future of this country. And seeing that somebody has kicked young people and the African-American community into gear is fantastic.