BethFromVA

If we were questioning the validity of a republican to run (under the same circumstances), it would be a left-wing three-ring circus. They would NOT take this lying down, and they all know it.

BJean, how on earth can you blame the republicans for stating what Obama himself has said or done or who he has chosen to affiliate himself with?? It's not as if people are making stuff up! He has SAID he feels we need to "spread the wealth." That is what socialists do. He has chosen to hang with people who hate this country, who have tried to harm it, and who were responsible for bombing the Pentagon. HE has done this. It doesn't take republican fear mongering to point out the obvious! The leftist party has become a party of "are you gonna believe me or your lyin' eyes, baby?" The WORDS are there. The PROOF is there. HIS words, spoken by him. HIS affiliations, chosen by him. How you can turn this into a republican spin and say so with a straight face just boggles the mind. It proves to me that no matter what some people are shown and what proof there is, they have proven that they refuse to see the truth. Not that they can't see it, but that they choose to gloss over it. Which is sad, because like you said about me, you sound like a reasonably intelligent individual.

It's for anybody with a band. There is a forum down lower on the main page with posts specifically related to the Realize band too. Welcome, and congrats!!

I completely disagree. Besides being a patient that is looking for something more than fleeting moments with a person who did her surgery, he was paid GOOD MONEY for doing so. And part of that procedure is being available to talk to the patient. He owes her that much. This isn't about Grateful and her circumstances. This is about yet another doctor who is shirking his "bedside manner" and, imo, collecting the check and nothing more. She's entitled to talk to him, and he owes that to her.

I will be needing to have my hiatal hernia repaired when I get my band in a few weeks. I already knew I had one, so when they said they would have me do a barium swallow to see IF I had one... Well, I did that last Wednesday. I don't know how bad I have one, but was also wondering about the procedure (haven't talked at length to the doc yet). Does anybody know if it requires a bit longer stay in the hospital, like one full day versus outpatient? Also, do they just access it via the laproscopic cuts they make anyway? I've already told those at work that that is the surgery I am having (haven't mentioned the band) and was wondering if they do it via the incisions or down the throat somehow.

Crap, I tried, to reply to this earlier and either timed out or the server was having issues. BJean, thanks for the gratz on the date. It seems like it's going to take 3 1/2 years instead of 3 1/2 weeks to get here. Secondly, in case I haven't made myself clear enough, my dislike of Barack and/or the democrat policies they hold so dear does not automatically mean that I am walking lock step behind McCain. IF I vote for him, I can guarantee you that I will be holding my nose the whole way. For some reason it seems as if when somebody is anti Obama, they are somehow embracing McCain. I have consistently said I dislike BOTH of them. I just happen to despise Obama more. It's sad that you sound so anti-corporation, since THEY and not the government are what make things happen. Sure, there have been some greedy people out there, but I am of the belief that if you can build a better mouse trap, you should be able to and make as much money as that product will allow. You make it sound as if making good money is evil. I can assure you it is not. Everybody has the same ability to do so if they can market something worthwhile enough to warrant it. If you start punishing corporations for making money, what do you think will happen? Oh, you may feel better for a minute or two -- until you or your spouse or your loved ones or your neighbors get laid off because these companies have to make up for the losses somewhere. And I can assure you, it WILL happen. THAT will trickle down, and I'll bet my last dollar on it. Socialism never has and never will work. Obama wants to take what I make and give it to people who don't deserve it. Why should I work my ass off to give it to ANYbody besides my family?? I'm entitled to be greedy with my hard-earned money, and I will not be shamed into believing that is evil. Stealing from one group to give to another is the utmost in evil, and this man wants to do just that. I don't care what bill of goods he's selling you now or saying... you have to follow the trail. You have to pay attention to what he's DONE, not what he's SAYING now. You have to pay attention to the people he associates with because that will tell you about the man. You have to take heed and learn what he's about. There is nothing he's selling that I'm buying. But again, don't be mistaken into believing that I believe that we're talking about black hat and white hat guys here. They're all dark gray as far as I'm concerned, with some blacker than others. Detesting Obama does not mean I love McCain, and that's where I think you have me confused. As for drilling in Alaska, we need it. We need to not be beholden to terrorist countries, don't we? What is wrong with American independence, no matter who it makes rich?? And where did you get this "they don't want to share it with the rest of us"? The Obama website? Even if that's true, the value comes in 1) lower gas prices, and 2) not funding terrorist organizations. That to me is worth giving a few caribou a tummy ache. You asked me: You are so overtaxed now, you believe that under John McCain he's going to make it all better for you? You BELIEVE that? I could ask the very same thing. Obama is THE single most liberal pol to come down the pikes. You believe that under Barack Obama he's going to make it better for you? You BELIEVE that? He is a flaming socialist!! Liberals are KNOWN for their tax-and-spend policies, even though it has been proven time and again that that policy NEVER stimulates the economy. EVER. Now, I'm not saying the republicans are better these days. They have been feeding at the trough of liberal policymakers way too long to the point that the lines are a bit too blurred for me. But the liberals NEVER cut taxes. Beyond that, many of those guys are THE most morally bereft individuals ever to walk this earth. Republicans do bad, other republicans are calling for them to step down. Liberals do bad, and everybody asks what the hell the problem is and then reelect the guy!! There isn't a democratic atom in my body. However, the republicans of today do not represent me. I'm glad you're so gung ho for the Redistributor, but sadly I have nobody who represents me. You ask if I think withholding tax dollars from them is the right thing to do. We as a people not only have a right, we have a DUTY to force the government to do right by us. A government out of control is a government needing to have an armed uprising against them to oust them and give control back to the people. This very thing was even stated by our founding fathers. I believe we the people have a duty to withhold our money because only then might they listen to us. As it is, they are pimps for special interest groups and lobbyists, not "WE THE PEOPLE." If that's what it takes to make them listen, then I am all for it, yes. Calling them and writing them barely works. I have done both until I'm blue in the face, and I know many more who have done the same. To say we are not doing enough to make them listen to us is inherently dishonest. They are like bulls in a china shop with their own ideas. They haven't represented "WE THE PEOPLE" for way too long now. And finally, you were very respectful to me, and I hope I came across with the same respect to you. I have to rein myself in on this topic because these people just piss me off so much. I can see how revolutionaries were created, because I am about thisclose to joining just such a group.

There is NO better revenge, true. Sad thing is she'll be gone, but hey, I'll still be thinner and hotter than I am today. Omg, how slooooooow can 3 1/2 weeks go by??? The 10 months it took for my Hawaii vacation came like that, but this three-plus weeks is gonna kill me.

This is not a personal attack towards anyone (just a simple observation), but I find that to be a common tactic of the left. When faced with reason and fact, attack the messenger and divert attention.

With all due respect, I recognize a lot more than you give me credit for, BJean. Just so I can be clear, I blame ALL sides, along with the greedy lenders AND greedy buyers, in this home loan scandal. ALL sides. Not the dems only, not the repubs only, not the lenders only, not the buyers only. ALL of them came together in a perfect storm that has nearly brought our country to collapse... and still may. Too many people are hung up on only focusing on one group or another. I am saying they ALL created this. And yes, I am saying both sides are bad. They no longer listen to us. Oh, they may here and there, but overall, they believe that we can be ignored. What about the behind-doors attempt to give amnesty to tens of millions of illegals -- without voter input OR knowledge. Until it got leaked out, that is. Three times they tried to pass this, and three times the uproar was so great as to bring down the switchboards in DC. And yes, I WAS involved in campaigning against this blatant disregard for the American people's will on that one, as I have been involved in many other issues. You can't seriously believe a big mouth such as myself would sit on my hands and not do something. :thumbup: I was not aware that "Joe" was engineering a "pay no taxes" campaign, or simply showing his displeasure by not paying his. But frankly, I don't disagree with him. Why keep forking it over just to be abused by these idiots?? I would rather bring everything to a standstill in order to get them to LISTEN to us than keep forking over good money after bad. Funny, but when Americans are tightening the belt and doing without, the government never seems to. Why is that? I've done my letter campaigns the same that you have. What has it gotten us? Are the illegals gone? Are people not abusing the system? Are they no longer passing stupid stuff that the people are against? If they are doing the right thing, I sure as heck don't see it. As a prime example, are you aware of the PORK in that $700 billion bailout?? On a cursory skim of it, I came up with $1 BILLION of CRAP that is not about stimulating our economy -- it is ALL about greedy politicians taking care of themselves. Though I shouldn't be surprised that this is the fact, we are BLEEDING right now! They passed this bullcrap bill without a vote AND when most Americans were against it! All I keep seeing is if you are greedy or overextend yourself, you get blessed with bailouts, bankruptcies, and any other number of "get out of jail free" cards. Those of us who pay our bills get what? We get to pay for all the dolts who overextended themselves! YAY US! Why is this? When more than 50 percent of my pay goes to taxes, I say enough is enough. They are NOT good shepherds of MY money. They are not being diligent and careful and doing away with pork spending, paying for illegals, getting scammed through FEMA and welfare... I could go on. I don't blame Joe, and I wish enough people would stand up and say, DAMNIT, I'm not going to take this anymore!! The government has a responsibility to us that they have shirked for too long. It's treasonous is what it is. Lobbyists and special interest groups run this country, not us. We are simply a nuisance, but a necessary nuisance because we pay the bills. However, if we get Obama, you can rest assured things will change. They already treat us as if what we make is theirs and they grace us with what they will give us. No doubt it will be the norm if he's in office. This race HAS energized me and others to learn the truth. It is discouraging, however, when you have people who are just caught up in a dolt with a messiah complex. Not a helluva lot I can do if this guy gets into power. Then again, McCain isn't much better... it just may take longer to finally go over the deep end. Not by much, though... Like I said, I have cashed in on my rose-colored glasses some time ago. I used to be a very America-loving individual. And while I still love the America my grandfathers fought and died for, today's America is just a Frankenstein of what once was. I simply detest what these power-hungry losers have done to it.

LOL, thanks Jack. :thumbup:

You may pick and choose what you retain, but the greedy lenders is the secondary result to the government forcing a "fairness in lending" policy, requiring these lenders to find SOME way to lend to booger eatin' morons who had no business getting a loan. Once they saw the money that could be made -- AND greedy buyers who were not high risk realized they could get twice the home they could afford -- well then Sadie bar the door. Again, too many of you seem to see this as a single group's, a single person's, a single party's problem. There is enough blame to go around. Please, open your eyes for your own sake because stuff like this just shows how little you pay attention to what's going on around you. :thumbup:

I saw elsewhere where an Obama supporter asked why the Ayers thing mattered. We all know damn well if the shoe was on the other foot, it would matter.:thumbup:

Yes, I am angry. I'm angry that fools such as we have in office (from the president all the way down) are able to destroy our country in such short time. I'm angry that anything -- ANYTHING -- the government touches goes to crap, and now they own even MORE of the private sector. I'm angry that they punish good business people for being good at what they do and creating a better mouse trap and rewarding crooks and degenerates over and over and over again. Am I mad as hell? You bet I am. However, you see something great in a man who has served all of 143 DAYS in congress by the time he ran for office. He has done NOTHING except a little community organizing. Guess anybody who has run an HOA can qualify for president now. :thumbup: He is THE most liberal, THE most socialist loon to come down the pike ever. His "spread the wealth" comment is just the beginning. He is all for taking what I make and giving it to some lowlife who chooses to sit on his ass and collect a welfare check while watching Jerry Springer and drinking his 40 ounce. To me, if you CAN work but don't, you don't get a dime. If whichever of these morons gets into office raises even a DIME of my taxes while not addressing the BILLIONS spent on illegal immigrants in my country, they had better be ready for a mutiny. We are bleeding out and yet we still give billions to countries that hate us. Do away with these morons voting in their own pay raises. WE determine if or when they get one, based on them doing the will of the people. You know, those of us they are supposed to represent?? Term limits, toot sweet. Absolute power has proven to corrupt absolutely, and it starts in our elected offices. I swear, even somebody like me with half a lick of sense could do a thousand times better than a hundred of those dolts put together in shaping up this economy. Barack is no better than anybody else. You may see him as the second coming, but I have cashed in on my rose-colored glasses some time ago.

I expect riots either way. If he loses, it'll simply be worse. If he wins, it'll be like the idiots that tear up their towns after winning a soccer game. I have seen less and less unity across the country for decades now. It didn't begin with the Bush election and it won't end with this one.

I understand, reality is hard to swallow. You claim they are not complicit, but I showed you how many voted for the bailout, which costs each taxpayer tens of thousands of dollars. Rather than letting the market correct itself and capitalism to direct what happens, the dems along with the republicans voted to saddle us with even MORE debt. What's worse, I have yet to hear that those responsible for this travesty are being brought before the courts or being required to repay their multi-million dollar bonuses. Has either side pushed for this or made it happen? Unlike you, I blame BOTH sides. This didn't just happen in the last 8 years, as much as you seem convinced that it has. This has been going on for some time. It's a shame a woman of your age can't see this. I thought maybe you were 20-something, but then I saw that was not the issue.

An ignorant illegal from south of the border can get a real-looking birth certificate and other documents. How difficult would it be for the "next messiah?" Forensics have already shown that it is a horrible forgery created from his sister's birth certificate. But of course the news won't run with that because the news are a bunch of left-wing nuts who are constantly doing all they can to sway the vote for the liberal guy.

Democrats are tax and spend. They voted MORE for the bailout than the republicans did: Democrats: 38 yea, 9 nay, 1 did not vote Republicans: 35 yea, 15 nay Independents: 1 yea, 1 nay How you can deny that they are complicit in the horrors this country is facing just baffles the mind.

OH wait... California. I get it. Never mind. :thumbup:

The difference is, I don't have a partisan axe to grind. They all suck.

Because you may have missed it, clusk, here is the roll call for the bailout: The Senate bailout vote - Politico Staff - Politico.com Only nine democrats voted no. The Crypt: Senators who voted No - Politico.com Democrats also voted for the Iraq War, enough to help it pass: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2002/roll455.xml It is BOTH parties who are helping us sink like a rock. The government in all its wisdom created the housing debacle as well, making lending institutions lend to those who were not qualified. Those same institutions then got greedy and created insurmountable lending terms which ushered in hundreds of thousands of foreclosures. However, the government -- BOTH PARTIES -- forced the issue and created the problem. I don't know why you have been convinced that one party is better than the other. One party wants to take your money. The other, the libs, just want to take it and spend it faster. :thumbup:

Please listen and try to push your partisan ways aside. The dems were right there WITH the republicans to push this sham bailout down our throats. They also voted FOR the war along with the republicans. To CHOOSE to ignore that this problem we're in is EQUALLY SHARED by both sides is foolish and dishonest.

No, it's just that some of us can see the forest through the trees -- or don't vote simply based on race or political party. I'd rather be open minded than so narrow minded, but that's just me. There are none so blind than those who refuse to see. You have been given some solid information -- much of it HIS WORDS and people he has chosen to surround himself with -- and rather than pay attention or even legitimately dispute it somehow, you turn to the personal attacks. Ignorance truly must be bliss.

It's more amazing how many are willing to toss aside the Constitution when it doesn't supply them what they want. :thumbup:

The MSM is so left-wing that they are likely complicit in the coverup.

“Jay McKinnon, a self-described Department of Homeland Security-trained document specialist, has implicated himself in the production of fake Hawaii birth certificate images similar to the one endorsed as genuine by the Barack Obama campaign, and appearing on the same Daily Kos blog entry where the supposedly authentic document appears. http://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2008/07/05/obamas-birth-certificate-forgery-jay-mckinnon-admits-forging-obama-smears-site-israel-insider-story-blogger-admits-hawaii-birth-certificate-forgery-audacity-of-deception/ Independent analysts, working separately, claim to have discovered that the original Hawaiian Certificate of Live Birth used in the fabrication of the Barack Obama "birth certificate" belongs to the Presidential candidate's younger half-sister, Maya. Examining the high resolution image originally posted by the "Daily Kos" left-wing blog and subsequently claimed as authentic by the campaign, and posted in lower resolution on the campaign official "Fight the Smears" website, at least two analysts have been able to independently discern the name "Maya Kassandra Soetoro" from artifacts left behind in the process of forging a new fake document for Barack from an image of Maya's original document. Additional confirmatory information, such as her birthday and the nationality of her father have also been resurrected. A full report documenting all details is to be published in the coming days. israelinsider: politics: Claim: Obama's "birth certificate" forged with sister Maya's original