Alan: See what I mean? National campaigning while Americans are dying in escalating numbers doesn’t make good sense. Not sure how well it would play in PA.

Posted by: Anthony at April 14, 2004 09:05 AM

Nonsense. Americans have been dying in escalating numbers since 1776. It has never affected advertising before. I think that they are waiting for the proper time to strike. Right now the Demonrats are busy with self flagellation in the form of the 9-11 commission. Caught flagrante delicto stacking the commission with the creator of the very flaws exploiated by UBL while wincing under Ashcrofts indictment of the only mass murdered to ever serve as attorney general for her part in creating the mess, I’ll bet the DNC is looking for a plug to pull.
Why should the Bush campaign spend money now when they are getting all this free advertising? Save it for when the Donks finally figure it out and stop shooting off their toes. Kerry has the advantage of media support which will really show up after the convention. We have a long ways to go yet. Just wait until the WMD’s that were found last April turn up. Then listen to all the fools squeal as the vice closes on their testes.
“You lied”
crank the handle
“now, you lied to yourself”
crank the handle
Squealll “This is unfair”
crank the handle
“No, it’s politics”
crank the handle
Makes me feel all warm and fuzzzy inside
Abe

Posted by: ableiter at April 14, 2004 09:33 AM

“Just wait until the WMD’s that were found last April turn up.”

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA how’s that wishful thinking working out for you? if you think there were WMDs i have some great swampland in florida for you.

Posted by: x at April 14, 2004 10:11 AM

Could be. The troops have to take care of the riots in Iraq first so the message from the ads aren’t overshadowed by images on TV. The riots seem to have almost died down so that is good.

Posted by: Ricky Vandal at April 14, 2004 10:21 AM

It is obvious that the President is so far ahead of the “Herman Munsterish” Kerry that he needs to keep his powder dry for the final assault ….where The Republicans will expose Kerry as the traitor he really is.

Posted by: Gawdamman at April 14, 2004 10:36 AM

X -

The WMD’s aren’t like the easter bunny. They DID exist, and we know they existed because as late as 1998 the UN was cataloging them. Not to mention that I can post hundreds of pictures of Kurds who could testify to the existance of WMD, except that they are dead.

It’s a legitimate question as to what happened to them.

Did Saddam destroy them, planning to just make more after the sanctions were lifted?

Did he bury them in the desert?

Did he give them to someone else outside of Iraq?

Having been alive long enough to become familiar with how the world works, the likely answer is “all three”

However, there is no doubt that the DID exist, and finding out what happened to them is VERY important, not just for political reasons.

When you deny that they even existed in the first place, you give people an excuse to dismiss you as an idiot.

Is that what you want?

Posted by: eric at April 14, 2004 10:45 AM

So far ahead of Kerry? Certainly not in the polls. Fundraising yes buy certainly not in the polls.

Maybe Bush’s plan is to skip TV ads and send cash directly to folks if they promise to vote for him.
Yeah, that might work.

Posted by: Abburdlen Frue at April 14, 2004 10:48 AM

Election Polls are meaningless this far in advance, as they reflect only the fickle “news of the day”, in advance of the public making firm decisions nearer the elections. Bush knows this, and strategically is making a smart decision here. Dean proved once and for all that polls are misleading at best. The polls once showed that he was damn-near already in office, and the media reported it as such. When it came time for rubber to hit road, he was gone in a flash.

Posted by: Tommy at April 14, 2004 11:02 AM

Anthony You haven’t forgotten THIS Thread or have you looked at This one?

No pressure, Anthony. Just curious. :o)

Posted by: Cap'n DOC at April 14, 2004 11:54 AM

Hmmm, seems the demoncraps haven’t stopped THEIR “ads” however!

Of COURSE the upstanding DNC had NOTHING to do with it…just like the Kerry campaign has NOTHING to do with moveon…! (rollseyes)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040414/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/democratic_ad_rumsfeld&e=4

Posted by: TrollPatrol at April 14, 2004 11:56 AM

Doc: I have been busy with work the past few days and was left demoralized by Rice’s testimony. I have responded to the “U.S. Releases pre-9/11 Document” thread.

Posted by: Anthony at April 14, 2004 12:09 PM

albeiter: Americans have been dying in escalating numbers since 1776.

Nice rhetoric. I’m talking about 76 soldiers in about 9 days. That is escalating. Not a good time for campaigning. The President spent 40 million in the past

Bush Camp Scales Back Advertising

Many Democrats are relieved that the race remains so competitive after a Bush ad barrage that appears to have totaled at least $40 million. Pointing to recent polls that generally show Kerry at least even with the president, these Democrats say the Massachusetts senator has taken what could be the Bush campaign’s hardest punch and is still standing. The reelection team spent so much so soon “with the intent of putting this thing away early, and it didn’t happen,” said Erik Smith, executive director of the Media Fund, a group formed by leading Democrats that is running ads in support of Kerry.

A key factor blunting the ads’ impact, analysts said, was the escalation of violence in Iraq and questions that have surfaced about the administration’s antiterrorism efforts before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

The dynamics are pretty obvious if you keep both eyes opened.

Posted by: Anthony at April 14, 2004 12:20 PM

The President spent 40 million in the past month or so.

Posted by: Anthony at April 14, 2004 12:40 PM

Anthony Thanks. I’m keeping my mouth shut on this one.

Posted by: Cap'n DOC at April 14, 2004 12:46 PM

Anthony Thanks for responding on the “U.S. Releases pre-9/11 Document” thread. I have given my response. No pressure, and I understand if you have work that takes precedence.

Posted by: Cap'n DOC at April 14, 2004 01:04 PM

It is quite possible that Dubya’s supporters are raising 527 funds to counter the illegal control exerted by Kerry’s gang over Moveon/Media Fund nonsense. It would take Republican supporters a New York minute to raise some serious money…….perhaps to expose Kerry in his true light-http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnkerry.com/

Posted by: Gawdamman at April 14, 2004 01:28 PM

As to the link (VVAJK), I’m glad to see they took down the picture of him seated in front of an NVA flag. No need to use play bullets, when there is plenty of ammo for the FootShooter. :o)

Posted by: Cap'n DOC at April 14, 2004 02:14 PM

Alan: In addition, how much effect do you think the contentious Republican Senate primary is having on the Presidential poll numbers?

Posted by: Anthony at April 14, 2004 06:16 PM

Alan: The contentious Pennsylvania Republican Senate primary.

P>S. I know you know what I meant.

Posted by: Anthony at April 14, 2004 06:26 PM

Hopefully Specter will get ousted and a conservative will be elected. I’m tired of RINO’s

Posted by: skip at April 14, 2004 06:28 PM

Here in Mississippi we continue to be bombarded with the silly ad about Kerry’s views on gas taxes. Perhaps they are considering pulling back on some of the ads, because they are so ineffective. Even here the unease with Bush administration policies is rising. More than likely, however, Karl Rove is just simply floating this notion to deflect attention from the huge amounts of money they are already spending on such advertising. I suspect this particular ad is running much past its prime largely because they are struggling to figure out what other issue they might run on.

Its a more than a little absurd to harp on positions Kerry made in years past, given that Bush instead NOW SUPPORTS HIGH GASOLINE PRICES, prices that no doubt provide a kickback to republican campaigns around the country.

I would rather see more politicians advocating higher taxes to pay for the debt we are building up. At least that way we as Americans can better size up what their priorities really are and vote accordingly. If you really think your kids can live in a highly degraded environment and attend under-funded schools, then vote for it. Its your right.

The mantra that tax cuts are the panacea to every problem is not only silly, it is ultimately dangerous to a democratic society. If we don’t pay our bills as we go, in the long run we undermine the value of our money and the institutions that our taxes support. You would think that given our present predicament in Iraq support for our armed forces, which will be needed there for decades to come would be more vigorously protected by a fiscal policy that matches the rhetoric, but then this administration is full of inconsistencies and hidden agendas.

I personally don’t have any children, but I remain uncomfortable with passing on debts and a highly degraded environment to future generations. The substantial reduction or outright elimination of social security benefits, medicare funding, and environmental protection in Bush’s second term needed to pay for all this will come as a shock to many.

Unfortunately, the Bush tax and energy policies are so poorly thought out and so skewed to those with wealth, that they are beginning to have adverse effects on energy prices already.

If you don’t believe this, just wait to see what inflation and our present $600B debt is going to do in the relatively near future. We are already seeing signs in the market that interest rates are beginning to rise, since the Fed simply continues to print money to float our increasing debt. Since OPEC gets paid for oil in dollars and our dollars will soon buy less (not to mention that the currency of other oil consuming nations will buy relatively more), they will expect more dollars for the same unit of oil (setting aside any motivation they may have regarding disagreements they have with us on political upheaval in the Middle East or Venezuela).

The current Bush-Cheney energy policy tied together with their tax policies and dependence on Saudi support only serve to increase prices at the pump. Thus, harping on Kerry’s so called penchant for gas taxes, ignores the much larger problem of policies that drive energy prices ever upward by weakening our currency and financial accounts. Of course, ignoring the problems facing the average joe by distracting him with silly ads and rhetoric is what the Bush administration is about.

A bigger problem masked by the poor planning with respect to energy issues, is the effect this policy to support higher oil prices will have on inflation and on the real estate debt markets. As inflation rises, many with adjustable rate mortgages will be caught not only paying higher prices to get to work, but higher prices on their mortgages. Our government backed semi-corporate real estate lending agencies are already over-leveraged with respect to the amount of default they can withstand should an interest rate panic accompanying the spike in summer oil prices ensue.

Unfortunately, this will begin to kick in just as the Fed, faced with largely Japanese and Saudi bond buyers, who are reluctant to buy debt without an increase in interest, will find it necessary to raise rates lest they be unable to protect the market. Thus, the Bush and Cheney policies have now set in motion an almost unstoppable combination of disastrous effects that even the true believers will find disconcerting. Fortunately, most will begin to really kick in just after the election, so with Mr. Diebold’s help Bush will eke out another marginal victory.

The consequent effect on the construction market and the stock market is only now beginning to be felt. For an economy that is currently experience record levels of bankruptcy a foreign account deficit, this is definitely not good.

Here in Mississippi our new governor and republican stalwart Halley Barbour is working a stealth campaign together with the oil and gas industry to alter tort reform. This will preclude folks right to sue for damages. This is being marketed as a way to deal with the medical malpractice “crisis”. Few realize that the language being offered will actually allow the industry to more freely drill on private property with limits placed on the ability of property owners to sue for damages.

Mississippi like some other states separates mineral rights from property rights. Most folks may own their home, but don’t actually own the rights to underground mining on their homestead. Currently, there are relatively few legal restrictions to drill or mine on private property, even in residential areas. Thus, Tort reform, is critical to insuring that the legal expenses associated with home owner’s legal efforts to recoup damages in the courts is kept to a minimum to assist the oil and gas interests. These guys are too clever by half.

This is not all that different from efforts by mining and timber companies in western states to work behind the scenes with Gail Norton to weaken environmental and tort laws to allow more unfettered access to public lands.

Teddy Roosevelt has got to be rolling over in his grave!

Posted by: sgposs at April 16, 2004 01:00 AM

sgposs Whew. I don’t know where to start.

The Oil & Gas Industry cannot take what is not theirs. If the mineral rights (ie: oil, gas, minerals) are tied to property, you are dealing with an issue that is not federal, but rather state. Some property rights in the state separate surface rights from sub-surface rights, and some do or do not include water rights at the same time. If this is an issue that directly affects you, I suggest you spend some time studying up, and less time complaining about Industry thieves.

Posted by: Cap'n DOC at April 16, 2004 10:58 AM

The WMD’s aren’t like the easter bunny. They DID exist, and we know they existed because as late as 1998 the UN was cataloging them.

Why is it that IDIOTS like X and Anthony always miss that fact?
They were there, tons of them. Where are they?

And common x, loony left traitors (like you) are now saying Bush “hid” WMDS that are soon going to be discovered, don’t you read the papers?

And indeed! Why should the Republicans advertise? this Democrat mockery under the guise of “inquiry” is worth far more than money can buy! First, it puts the “blame” squarely were it belongs, which is on the previous democrat government. It shows where Bush’s “false Iraq information” came from, and it shows that the democrats are a risk to ever
have in government, because national security isn’t as important as getting a Lewinsky is, and lying to cover it up! Osama was standing out in the open, doing a jig pointing at Clinton and laughing.
Now, he’s crying, trying to by time because his organization hasn’t been having much fun lately.

There aren’t many reasons these loony left have to try discredit Bush.
A) They either don’t understand the serous threat these Fundamentalist islamic Jihadists are , and what their main goal is,
B) Or they do, and are supporters of the same, and will try do anything to discredit Bush so their cause can continue on it’s path.

If it is A, then wake up! do you think they are kidding when they say they are going to destroy western civilization, and turn it into islam controlled theocracy?

If it is B, get out while you have a chance to do so freely, because when things get ugly, you may not have a chance to do so. The Islamic goals are being understood more and more every day by the average American, one more attack just might trigger some American home grown vigilantism.

Posted by: Al-Lat at April 16, 2004 01:52 PM

The substantial reduction or outright elimination of social security benefits, medicare funding, and environmental protection in Bush’s second term needed to pay for all this will come as a shock to many.

that’s just plain fear mongering. there is nothing to substantiate that claim on whatsoever. In fact, everything you state is mere speculation.

How about this.
High gasoline prices will reduce your dependency of Mid East oil. Huh? what about that? How? it allows high cost wells to be brought online. It allows the more costly, and environmentally friendly ethanol blended fuels to be used.

Higher fuel prices have no effect on any of that crap you spout. LMAO what dribble.
If you haven’t noticed, despite higher fuel costs, the bank rate was just set… lower.
It might add a penny to your grocery bill, wow! devastating!
Maybe it will encourage you to walk a block, get off your fat ass and leave the car a home. Fat democrats are a burden on the health care system, and cause insurance rates to Rise.

Posted by: Al-Lat at April 16, 2004 02:03 PM

sgposs, democrats have done more to destroy private property rights than any other. In fact, a major 20 year court battle has just been won, and it shows how dirty and underhanded the government under the guise of enviromental protections etc. has been. The whole enviromentalist lobby as a whole has their counterparts in the UN. I don’t recall electing them. As Doc says, you should wake up and do some study.

Posted by: Al-Lat at April 16, 2004 02:11 PM

Democrats=Communists…..imho

Posted by: Gawdamman at April 16, 2004 02:16 PM

Communists=Scum……imho :-)

Posted by: Gawdamman at April 16, 2004 02:17 PM

Some interesting thoughts in there Spgoss.. as for the financial meltdown- rising interest rates causing a housing market bubble bursting- has been debated around.. Fortunately for Bush, Alan Greenspan is subject to preasuring, (see paul o’neils book) so baring a major development, the Fed will leave interest rates unchanged (i.e. low) through the election…

As for the tort reform you speak of… I thing your conflating two seperate issue here.. this does sound like a seperate federal issue… I was intererted to hear of this nexus between tort reform and the oil industry…

As for poor planning on energy issues- while its clear that Bush has uterly failed to do anything regarding energy conservation, I dont think this is the real problem at this point. I think the real problem is that Bush is such an asshole that even the Saudi goverment, which has numerous personal ties to the Bush family, has felt pissed at us for our screwed Iraq adventure, our Palestinian position, and have decided to put the screws to us by tightening supply within opec. Alternatively, they just dont care, or are inured based on the same previous issues and are tightening supply just for the money. Alternatively elements of the oil industry may actually be profiting substantially from the price spike and those elements are asking Bush to BREAK his campaign pledge (the one where he said he would preasure opec to lower fuel prices if they spiked) and of course, AWOL boy is happy to oblige. Heck he probably asked them to lower output. Maybe this last alternative is more likely considering that the last time oil prices spiked like this was during Bush1’s term!

Posted by: typhonus at April 17, 2004 12:15 AM

Some interesting thoughts in there Spgoss.. as for the financial meltdown- rising interest rates causing a housing market bubble bursting- has been debated around.. Fortunately for Bush, Alan Greenspan is subject to preasuring, (see paul o’neils book) so baring a major development, the Fed will leave interest rates unchanged (i.e. low) through the election…

As for the tort reform you speak of… I thing your conflating two seperate issue here.. this does sound like a seperate federal issue… I was intererted to hear of this nexus between tort reform and the oil industry…

As for poor planning on energy issues- while its clear that Bush has uterly failed to do anything regarding energy conservation, I dont think this is the real problem at this point. I think the real problem is that Bush is such an asshole that even the Saudi goverment, which has numerous personal ties to the Bush family, has felt pissed at us for our screwed Iraq adventure, our Palestinian position, and have decided to put the screws to us by tightening supply within opec. Alternatively, they just dont care, or are inured based on the same previous issues and are tightening supply just for the money. Alternatively elements of the oil industry may actually be profiting substantially from the price spike and those elements are asking Bush to BREAK his campaign pledge (the one where he said he would preasure opec to lower fuel prices if they spiked) and of course, AWOL boy is happy to oblige. Heck he probably asked them to lower output. Maybe this last alternative is more likely considering that the last time oil prices spiked like this was during Bush1’s term!

Posted by: typhonus at April 17, 2004 12:15 AM

Some interesting thoughts in there Spgoss.. as for the financial meltdown- rising interest rates causing a housing market bubble bursting- has been debated around.. Fortunately for Bush, Alan Greenspan is subject to preasuring, (see paul o’neils book) so baring a major development, the Fed will leave interest rates unchanged (i.e. low) through the election…

As for the tort reform you speak of… I thing your conflating two seperate issue here.. this does sound like a seperate federal issue… I was intererted to hear of this nexus between tort reform and the oil industry…

As for poor planning on energy issues- while its clear that Bush has uterly failed to do anything regarding energy conservation, I dont think this is the real problem at this point. I think the real problem is that Bush is such an asshole that even the Saudi goverment, which has numerous personal ties to the Bush family, has felt pissed at us for our screwed Iraq adventure, our Palestinian position, and have decided to put the screws to us by tightening supply within opec. Alternatively, they just dont care, or are inured based on the same previous issues and are tightening supply just for the money. Alternatively elements of the oil industry may actually be profiting substantially from the price spike and those elements are asking Bush to BREAK his campaign pledge (the one where he said he would preasure opec to lower fuel prices if they spiked) and of course, AWOL boy is happy to oblige. Heck he probably asked them to lower output. Maybe this last alternative is more likely considering that the last time oil prices spiked like this was during Bush1’s term!

Posted by: typhonus at April 17, 2004 12:15 AM

And of course the real reason Bush has cut back on advertising is that despite a huge and grossly expensive media blitz, its all coming undone now that his incompetance is coming out at the 9/11 commision hearings…
I love the conservative’s take on it: ‘its grossly pollitical becouse its showing what an incompetant Bush is’… ha ha ha…

Posted by: typhonus at April 17, 2004 12:18 AM

“The Oil & Gas Industry cannot take what is not theirs. If the mineral rights (ie: oil, gas, minerals) are tied to property, you are dealing with an issue that is not federal, but rather state. “

They can’t until they are able to change the tort laws, then the situation changes. Most people aren’t aware whether or not they own the subsurface rights to the property their home sits on. The tactics are sneaky because so many do not have health insurance, or have relatively weak plans that leave them at the mercy of corporate medicine (including insurance firms, HMO’s, doctor’s organization, pharmaceutical industry, etc.), so they are seduced to think that this is a benefit, as it supposedly keeps doctors from paying high insurance premiums and thus in the state, etc. But they never bother to read or never get a chance to see the legal language before its enacted. Only latter will they find out that there was a hidden agenda. Don’t get me wrong I see some democrats playing this game too. Here in the south they tend to morph into republicans.

I was only speaking about Mississippi state law. Other states are certainly different. However, the point I was making is that PUBLIC lands are being targeted for special disproportionate use by special interests, largely without public input. Notice how the the Bush Interior Department has largely eliminated public hearings on land use policy? Ever wondered why?

“that?s just plain fear mongering. there is nothing to substantiate that claim on whatsoever. In fact, everything you state is mere speculation.”

It is a prediction on my part based largely on language and rhetoric used by republicans in the house and in the executive branch. But, I am putting my money where my mouth is and so far my bets are paying off. Predictions are important in that should they not turn out, it is a good indication that one doesn’t know what they are talking about. Ever notice that you don’t read to many articles about psychics winning the lottery?

If you look at all the statements this administration has put out both before and after the election, virtually everyone, including Don Rumsfeld in his latest expression of his surprise, shows that predictions made by this crowd have been rather poor. The Iraqi’s were going to pay for the cost of the war with all their oil money, weren’t they? From whom did we hear that from?

Doesn’t Bush propose changing Social Security to “allow folks to choose their own plan”? Aren’t these the same folks that are constantly reminding us how social security and medicare are going to go broke unless they are “reformed”. The brokers in Wall Street are falling all over themselves to catch this fruit. There are a number of bills in the house, largely with republican sponsors to this effect already. Like the election year promise and criticisms regarding how we should never again “engage in nation-building”, things seem to have a way of turning out differently. Of course, they have to spin it differently. But, I bet folks notice when their checks are either smaller and buy a lot less. BTW haven’t you noticed efforts to trim veterans benefits?

Besides, where is the money to pay for the war going to come from? I only seem to hear silence on this critical point. The social security trust fund is the ONLY solvent part of the federal budget. We are presently using its surplus to pay for Mr. Bush’s war. Do you really expect him to raise taxes to cover the difference in his second term? I bet is he will rely on the Fed and congress to keep printing money and let the Saudis and the Japanese keep bailing us out. I sense that once both realize they have the upper hand that game will come to an end with unhappy consequences for the average American.

“Fortunately for Bush, Alan Greenspan is subject to preasuring [sic], (see paul o?neils book) so baring a major development, the Fed will leave interest rates unchanged (i.e. low) through the election?”

Thats the conventional wisdom, but presently the market is adjusting itself to an earlier interest rate hike. If the Fed waits too long, it runs the risk (like it did last time, of seeing the market over-react), that when they do raise they will have to raise more and more quickly, which would make economy in the early part of a Bush second term a lot worse than what it was in the early part of Bush first term, a period most commentators who have looked at the numbers have compared to the Hoover administration. Perhaps you never gave serious thought as to why they taught musical chairs in elementary school. Do you have a ticket for your seat reserved?

My prediction is that inflation will continue to heat up in Asian markets faster and at a faster rate than in the US The Chinese economy continues to grow at more than double the rate US economy (WalMart and Ruppert Murdoch are doing their share to help) and we are talking about a country with a significantly greater population. Just imagine what commodity prices will look like as the standard of living of the average Chinese approaches that of the average American. Consequently, the Fed, which must protect the bond market if US currency is to have any value whatsoever, will be forced to act sooner than most expect, although I do not dismiss the fed’s interest in playing politics and you might be right [my model has an standard error of about 4-6 months]. In any event, because much of the pressure is from overseas, the Fed will have a lot less influence on the inflation for a given percentage rise in interest rates. Japanese bond investors are now beginning to presently bet that there will be a rate rise in the US shortly, which explains why the market has adjusted as it has over the past week and bond prices have actually strengthened a bit. Now, the uncertainty sets in as these investors wait for their near term bet to pay off. If it doesn’t, the market will fall as these investors cover their losses, but the ratchet of expectation will have been moved up a notch, while our currency will drop and inflation will rise, as measured by a weighted average (eigenvalue in my model) of world currencies.

“it allows high cost wells to be brought online.”

Yes, it has in the past. Unfortunately for the US most of such existing fields have already been tapped by pressure injection technologies for some time now. The only other significant reserves are offshore. Offshore wells are VERY EXPENSIVE, and presently (at least if the comments of a friend who works offshore is an indication), drilling firms and production platforms are cutting back staff to raise the prices higher still and to avoid being caught in a squeeze by the Saudis whose reserves are sufficiently high to manipulate the price on relatively short notice. So as it turns out, in an economy near equilibrium you would be partially correct. But you miss the point. GAS PRICES are going up from here and these price increases are being stimulated by the Bush-Cheney energy policy.

Nothing in what you said will lower prices, unless the Saudis or Russsians begin to use such technologies at a much greater rate (and why should they, when all they have to do is pump a little less and then sell less crude for more). The more observant may have noted that OPEC has just DECREASED production and Putin has just greatly increased TAXES on oil production. There was a very nice article in Science magazine about world oil supplies about 4 years ago. You should have read it.

“I suggest you spend some time studying up, and less time complaining about Industry thieves.”

I have and that is why I have been playing this theme for the past 22 months to a very handsome reward! I wish to thank those of you who drive HUMMERS and large SUVS very much. KEEP GAS PRICES HIGH, DRIVE FAST! (ps gold has also been a nice investment to hedge what the consensus of opinion regarding potential FED moves).

“the bank rate was just set? lower.”

Interesting, which bank are you referring to? It must be one that I don’t have a URL for and my BOTs are not picking up. Better check the terms of the loan carefully to be sure its not an ARM or one with a balloon payment. The latter are the rage here in Mississippi as it permits the lenders to catch the unwary and then take possession of their homes.

“while its clear that Bush has uterly [sic] failed to do anything regarding energy conservation, I dont think this is the real problem at this point.”

I suggest you try an experiment. Drive your car at a top speed of 55 mph for 200 miles being sure to accellerate slowly (to average out short distance and long distance travel) and then drive another 200 miles at a top speed of 70 mph always accellerating with a lead foot. Compare your mileage. Convert this figure into a difference in gallons. Then multiply the percentage difference by the number of cars on the road in the US. You will be surprised to find that this is a relatively large number relative to the total volume of oil sold on a weekly basis. This was the primary reason Jimmy Carter argued successfully for lowering the speed limit to 55. Jimmy Carter if you may remember, was a nuclear [that’s pronounced noo kle ar] engineer so this wasn’t his initial gut response. Can you guess who repealed that?

“It allows the more costly, and environmentally friendly ethanol blended fuels to be used.”

Ironically, ethanol blended fuels can be less environmentally friendly depending on atmospheric conditions and the reason the state of California has requested a waiver to the recent legislation dealing with gasohol. Its interesting that there is a big fight going on within the adminstration on this point, with some wanting to spite Daschle while others worry about the impact on crucial midwest states. Hence, the long incubation time for a decision.

A larger question is what will be done about MTBE? My takes is that this problem (MTBE is a very serious ground water pollutant) won’t go away until the residents of Houston have the sense to vote out Tom the Hammer Delay, or the residents of Houston begin to succumb to cancer which ever is first. Like so many politicians, he will simply fossilize in office and no one will notice his neurons have been set on a pseudorandom repeat cycle for some time.

“In fact, a major 20 year court battle has just been won, and it shows how dirty and underhanded the government under the guise of enviromental protections etc. has been. The whole enviromentalist lobby as a whole has their counterparts in the UN. “

Sounds like you, your kids, or your grand kids are likely candidates for one of those spaceships offering refuge on Mars. You better start saving for the trip. Its going to be expensive. (P.S. don’t forget to take your jacket. The average temperature of mars is about -60 C [~ -100 F]).

“There aren?t many reasons these loony [sic] left have to try discredit Bush.
A) They either don?t understand the serous [sic] threat these Fundamentalist islamic Jihadists are , and what their main goal is,
B) Or they do, and are supporters of the same, and will try do anything to discredit Bush so their cause can continue on it?s path.”

Actually, I fully supported Bush’s decision to enter into Afghanistan to go after the terrorists, although having spent a few nights reading about Afghani geography and reading Rudyard Kipling as a youth, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, cheap, or quick, even with US air power. He did the right thing at the onset and got help from the UN so that foreign troops in Afghanistan.

However, Clarke had it right. Iraq got us off track and we now face a much larger pool of crazies, many of them simply so poor that they will try anything. I was dead set against going into Iraq because the consequences that we are now seeing were predictable. Simply put, it was a strategic blunder, by a guy for whom thinking is not his strong suit (perhaps like Rush, this is why he has such a strong following). What kind of a luminary is it who allows the guy who’s charged with helping him pick his VP candidate to nominate himself and then largely assume the strategic elements of his presidency in his place? I really don’t understand why democrats continue to ask the stupid question of why Cheney and Bush have to testify at the same time. Its obvious.

I fault Bush for falling into Bin Laden’s trap, by calling it a “war”. Bin Laden has been actually elevated in the process and we are now stuck with the fallout of many in the muslim world who view him as one who is willing to stand up to America. FRANKLY, THIS MAY BE LEADERSHIP, BUT I‘D MUCH PREFER TO FOLLOW A LEADER WHO CAN DEMONSTRATE A BETTER ABILITY TO THINK!

Fortunately for Bush, our professional military has shown it does know how to plan, when the Rumsfeld’s of this administration step out of the way.

I also find fault, because even today, Bush has done NOTHING (let me repeat NOTHING) to put an end to the Madrahs and Wahabi’s that are teaching children throughout the Muslim world to hate Americans. Of course don’t expect Bush to take on the Saudis or Pakistanis to solve this one. For those interested there is an interesting article on this subject at:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A1067-2002Aug9?language=printer

Until we teach a greater understanding of America to the young in Muslim countries, we are in for a very long struggle and there is no exit strategy that brings us anything that we can call victory (unless you get into the Orwellian double speak that Karl Rove is so fond of). This is an example of the LACK OF LEADERSHIP by Bush. All the rhetoric is focused on terrorists when it should be focused on rooting out the causes of terrorism and killing ONLY the terrorists [not everyone we find it politically expedient to kill].

Bush talks a good game, but as one reads between the lines and watches him carry out his business, one finds that its mostly cheer-leading happy talk while the real agenda is somewhere else, being accomplished by someone else (like our shadow president who meets with Bill Gates one week and 1 month later the Justice Department accepts Microsoft’s offer; and who meets with Ken Lay several times and then comes out with an energy policy whose source can’t be revealed).

Bush is no Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Truman, or Lincoln and right now we need someone who will at least get us closer to those gentlemen on the IQ scale. I suggest the media demand that both men be subject to rigorous IQ testing and PET scanning during the test, so that the public an get a much clearer idea of what its got in both candidates. Perhaps this should be a requirement for all elected officials. Personally, I don’t expect this to happen though, as Bush has spent far to much time boasting about how he is able to run in 100+ degree temperatures and the effects appear not to have been negligible. He would never submit to such a test. Besides some stinking democrat might ask tough questions about flying jet fighters and spoil the whole show.

I’m sure Bush’s personality will serve him well on the TV celebrity talk show circuit, so I’m not too worried about his prospects and like him, I share his love of baseball. However, now that he has created such a mess, we need leadership. Perhaps Kerry will stumble from time to time, as can be seen from his campaign style, but at least he seems to take his wits with him to combat.

Posted by: sgposs at April 17, 2004 04:38 AM