BrentAllen

Several things here. 1. This is the type person who is teaching our youth in an institution of higher learning? 2. This person, qualified to teach as a professor, is dumb enough to brag about his illegal actions on the web? November 04, 2008 Professor ousted after tearing down McCain yard signs The St. Olaf (Northfield, Minn.) professor who, in a well-read Huffington Post item, recounted tearing down McCain campaign signs has resigned. Per the Northfield News, it appears that Philip Busse was forced out. St. Olaf spokesman David Gonnerman issued the following statement Monday afternoon: "The St. Olaf College administration first learned of Phil Busse's self-admitted theft and destruction of campaign signs on the morning of Oct. 31 as a result of his posting on the Internet. "The St. Olaf administration immediately referred the matter to local law enforcement authorities and commenced an investigation of its own. "Mr. Busse has tendered his resignation and is no longer affiliated with St. Olaf College. Busse has been charged with misdemeanor theft. And... closer to my home, more theft, from an Atlanta-Journal Constitution employee... DeKalb County police have issued two arrest warrants for an Atlanta Journal Constitution newspaper delivery person, charging her with stealing John McCain campaign signs. According to police reports, Sunday Harrell, 47, of Dunwoody, has been charged with two misdemeanors - theft by taking and criminal trespassing. As of Monday, Harrell had not turned herself in, and police were looking to serve her personally with the warrants. According to investigators, representatives from the Atlanta Journal Constitution researched the incident after being informed of the police inquiry, and suspended, and later fired Harrell after she confessed to at least one theft. Mary Dugenski, the director of communications at the AJC, confirmed that, after being informed of Harrells alleged actions, she was suspended and later terminated. As a result of the internal investigation, the employee was terminated, Dugenski said. We are continuing to cooperate with the police, but now consider this to be a criminal investigation. (This message has been edited by a staff member.) (This message has been edited by a staff member.)

My calculator tells me the US House is 54% Democrat, 46% Republican. Funny, my disapproval has to do with their action - spending like drunken sailors, pork-barrel projects for everyone, budgets hundreds of pages long - long enough that no one can read them all before they vote.

How many zeros in a billion? This is too true to be funny. The next time you hear a politician use the word 'billion' in a casual manner, think about whether you want the 'politicians' spending YOUR tax money. A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of it's releases. A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959. B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive. C. A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age. D. A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth. E. A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it. While this thought is still fresh in our brain... let's take a look at New Orleans .... It's amazing what you can learn with some simple division. Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrieu (D) asked Congress for 250 BILLION DOLLARS to rebuild New Orleans Interesting number... what does it mean? A. Well... if you are one of the 484,674 residents of New Orleans (every man, woman, and child) you each get $516,528. B. Or... if you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans , your home gets $1,329,787. C. Or... if you are a family of four... your family gets $2,066,012. Washington , D. C < HELLO! > Are all your calculators broken?? Accounts Receivable Tax Building Permit Tax CDL License Tax Cigarette Tax Corporate Income Tax Dog License Tax Federal Income Tax Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA) Fishing License Tax Food License Tax Fuel Permit Tax Gasoline Tax Hunting License Tax Inheritance Tax Inventory Tax IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax) IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax) Liquor Tax Luxury Tax Marriage License Tax Medicare Tax Property Tax Real Estate Tax Service charge taxes Social Security Tax Road Usage Tax (Truckers) Sales Taxes Recreational Vehicle Tax School Tax State Income Tax State Unemployment Tax (SUTA) Telephone Federal Excise Tax Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax Telephone State and Local Tax Telephone Usage Charge Tax Utility Tax Vehicle License Registration Tax Vehicle Sales Tax Watercraft Registration Tax Well Permit Tax Workers Compensation Tax STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY? Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago... and our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt.... We had the largest middle class in the world... and Mom stayed home to raise the kids. What happened? Can you spell 'politicians!' What the heck happened? ????

pack, It's very simple, and only involves a few concepts. Use a carrot, not a stick. The technology must make economic sense as well as environmental sense. The free enterprise system will solve the problem. Get government out of the way.

pack wrote: "In 2000 I was optimistic and hopeful about Bush even though I didn't vote for him. I wasn't prejudiced. I didn't change my view until several years into his term. His actions were the basis of my negative view. In contrast, in 2008 you've already decided about the likely next President. Now think about that term 'extreme'." Actually, I felt the same way about Clinton when he was first elected. I actually hoped he might live up to all the hype. Nope, not a chance. It didn't take long to see who he really was. Luckily, the country did as well, and the Republican revolution of '94 kept him in check. So, no, I won't fall for that again. Trick me once.... With all the "extreme" things Obama has said, I don't see how my views can be considered "extreme" at all.

OK, pack, just so I understand. The Republicans were trying to make the Democrats do the right thing about Fannie and Freddie, but were brow-beaten and accused of publically lynching a black (crooked) man, so they backed down. And since they failed, you now want to put the Democrats in charge of everything? The very ones who were defending the crooks? The very ones who approved of the actions that put us in this huge mess? The very ones who fought the Republicans at every turn? Sorry, but I just don't understand how that makes any sense. You are going to have to explain that one to me.

Lisa, If you are really interested in perspective, check out the approval rating for the Democrat-controlled congress. That number makes Bush look like Mr. Popularity. Terry - you forgot to mention what is going to happen to the PRICE of energy that you and I pay. It is going to go through the roof! $4.50/gal gas is going to look like an absolute bargain! And all in the name of the greatest hoax of the 21st century - globull warming. Our only hope is all the Obama voters can't operate a touch-screen any better than Oprah, and McCain wins.

pack, Your extreme hatred of Bush is almost entertaining. It is also amusing that you can't see the huge part the Democrats played in this financial mess, even after I provided you with video of Dems defending Franklin Raines, and stating that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were in great shape. Republicans tried to change the course Franklin had us headed in, and they were accused of trying to lynch him! But no, it was all Bush's fault, right?

Wow. I'm a little shocked to see the owner of this site play the race card, but I guess I should just get used to getting shocked, if Obama wins. Tell me, where does democracy end, and socialism begin? Are we already there? Was it when we instituted the progressive income tax system? Or started taxing estates? Social Security? Welfare? Section 8 housing? Earned income tax credit? Or will it be when Obama starts giving more money to the 30% of Americans who pay no taxes, to be "fair"? To me, there is a big difference between paying for government services and programs on a progressive scale, and redistributing wealth. I'm afraid that is where we are heading. BTW, the definition of "rich" has already been lowered (to $150,000) and will go lower. Finally, do you realize what is going to happen to energy costs when Obama starts making coal-fired plants pay for cap & trade carbon emissions? He is going to make Carter look like an economic genius!

Beavah, You must have a different take on that radio interview than mine. The way I see it, Obama is disappointed the Supreme Court didn't go further, and that other activities weren't successful in bringing about redistributive change. He thinks we still suffer from that. Do you see that? He believes in redistribution, to settle old scores! Can you say 40 acres and a mule! Only it will be dollars, instead. He wasn't talking about changes in marginal tax rates in that interview, he was talking about taking from the rich and giving to the poor, or whoever's civil rights were violated. Just a little "spreading the wealth around." Is it that hard to see? He sees "fairness" through the lense of a Marxist. You are right - if the Ayers connection stood alone, I wouldn't pay it much attention. But add in the other parts - from his memoir, Rev. Wright, his comment to Joe the Plumber, his redistribution interview - way too much for me to ignore.

I guess I prefer incompetent freedom over polished, charismatic socialism. And yes, I hope I'm very wrong on this. I guess I always understood liberalism to equate to making decisions with your heart, not with your mind. And being that Obama is a far-left liberal, I think we are going to see plenty of this, if he is elected. So, even with his Ivey League education, get ready to see emotion rule over intellect. Beaveh, I would agree with you about the "Obama for being in the same room 4 times a year" if it was just any room. Problem is - the room was Ayers' living room. I don't know about you, but I don't think that happens between just casual friends or acquaintances. People only do that for those with similar ideas they want promoted, or if they are going to be paid off in return. Maybe you don't think someone claiming to be a Marxist is radical, but I certainly do. Remember, he claimed this in 2002 - not when Obama was in first grade. This relationship is much deeper than you describe, and has gone on for a long time.

GW, Get in line. Take a number.

Why I voted against Obama (and why I can't understand why anyone would vote for him) He is a Marxist. Don't take me at my word; just listen to his: OBAMA: "But the Supreme Court never ventured into the issues of redistribution of wealth and sort of more basic issues of political and economic justice in this society. And, to that extent, as radical as I think people try to characterize the Warren Court, it wasn't that radical. It didn't break free from the essential constraints that were placed by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution, at least as it's been interpreted, and Warren Court interpreted it in the same way that, generally, the Constitution is a charter of negative liberties -- says what the states can't do to you, says what the federal government can't do to you, but it doesn't say what the federal government or the state government must do on your behalf, and that hasn't shifted. And one of the -- I think the tragedies of the civil rights movement was, because the civil rights movements became so court-focused, I think that there was a tendency to lose track of the political and community organizing, and activities on the ground that are able to put together the actual coalitions of power through which you bring about redistributive change. And, in some ways, we still suffer from that." Other evidence?: "To avoid being mistaken for a sellout, I chose my friends carefully," the Democratic presidential candidate wrote in his memoir, "Dreams From My Father." "The more politically active black students. The foreign students. The Chicanos. The Marxist professors and structural feminists." [i teach our Scouts that they are a product of their friends, so choose them carefully] Obama chose to launch his political career in the Chicago living room of Ayers, a domestic terrorist who in 2002 proclaimed: "I am a Marxist." Also present at that meeting was Ayers' wife, fellow terrorist Bernardine Dohrn, who once gave a speech extolling socialism, communism and "Marxism-Leninism." Obama chose the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, an anti-American firebrand, as his pastor for 20 years. Wright is a purveyor of black liberation theology, which is based in part on Marxist ideas. Obama tells Joe the Plumber that he just wants to "spread the wealth around." Now, he wants to bankrupt coal. "So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can; it's just that it will bankrupt them because they're going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that's being emitted." If you don't think he is a Marxist, then please explain why he spends so much time seeking them out and enjoying their company? This guy is truly scary.

I tell our Scouts - do your best to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Today, that means living on less than you make, paying off your debt, starting to save more. If you have trouble with trying to do that, I strongly suggest checking out Dave Ramsey. His Financial Peace University and Total Money Makeover plans offer inspiring instruction to help get your financial house in order. The more Americans who do this, the fewer Americans who will need the government to help them out. Land of the free, home of the brave. Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps. And if you are already sure of who you are going to vote for, turn off the political shows! Save your sanity!

I see the purpose as preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Those would include duty to God, and being reverent. We try to run our Troop in a manner that glorifies God. This can be challenging when we have members who are Christian, Jewish and Hindu. :-) I don't agree with your idea of selfishness, unless nearly everything can be sort of twisted to end up at that point. I don't see how that jibes with John 15:13 - Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. That would appear to be a very selfless act. God created us in His image, and He is a giver. He gave us life, this world, everything we have. He gave us his Son, that we might have eternal life. I believe we get closer to God when we give, we are living more in His image. This thought process could be viewed two ways - one is selfless, giving of one's self. The other would be we do this because we are selfish; we do it because we want to be closer to God, and through these acts, we get where we want to be.

"Secret Service says "Kill him" allegation unfounded " http://www.timesleader.com/news/breakingnews/Secret_Service_says_Kill_him_allegation_unfounded_.html According to the Secret Service, it never happened.

I'm not arguing about who has the largest audience, I'm talking about who/what has had the biggest effect on turning the campaign negative. It wasn't talk radio that spread the despicable story that Sarah Palin's daughter was the mother of their baby Trig, with her dad Todd being the father. You may not think much of those sites, but they get plenty of attention. All the big Democratic contenders attended the Daily Kos Annual Convention to try to win their support. Would they do that for some no-name web site? They recognized they needed to play to this group if they wanted to win the nomination.

I lay the blame at the feet of far-left web sites, like Daily Kos and Huffington Post. Talk radio is rated G, in comparison. Many of the articles and opinions posted on those pages couldn't even be read on the airwaves. They are like a bunch of high schoolers, pushing the envelope, cheering each other on, seeing who can be the most outlandish. The uglier things you write, the higher your star rises.

Lisa, Lieberman is fairly conservative. I believe he has even endorsed McCain. I know several conservative Libertarians that feel the same way about drugs. I think the common thread he is conservatism, which Obama is not.

I hate to admit that I mostly agree with Buckley, in his second paragraph. That doesn't mean I'm going to suddenly become a liberal. No, I'm going to try to work on the Republican party to get back to their conservative roots. Does he actually think the GOP big tent would welcome those who support the opposition?

OGE, I just thought you might know something about Sarah that I hadn't heard. :-) BTW, I believe the couple plan on getting married, but not sure if that will be before or after the birth. Sorry, but I won't indulge you. I don't care for the threats or vicious attacks in the campaign. If I heard someone yelling Obama was a terrorist, of to "kill him" I would go out of my way to shut them up. I do think Ayers is a terrorist, and that Obama has made a huge mistake in associating with him. I think that association is fair game. Some here say they judge a candidate by what he says and does. I try to judge by their character. Character counts more than anything. Isn't that why we are all involved with the BSA - to develop the character of our youth, by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law? A big part of a person's character is seeing who they choose to associate with. Judging Obama in that light, I am not impressed or encouraged. I'm not a big McCain fan either, so don't paint me as a Republican shrill. I am a conservative, and will vote for the more conservative candidate, as long as their character doesn't disqualify them.

Oliver North: Graduated from the Naval Academy, commissioned into the Marines in 1968. Served in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts. 20 years in the Marines, serving his country. Indicted in the Iran-Contra affair, but charges overturned. Hosts War Stories and works as a news correspondent. Can often be seen on the ground with soldiers, praising their service to country, pointing out the difficult jobs they do. Loves his country. William Ayers: While Oliver North was serving his country in the Marines, William Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn (his wife) were doing and saying the following: Ayers explained what the Weather Underground was all about: "Kill all the rich people. Break up their cars and apartments. Bring the revolution home, kill your parents, that's where it's really at." Both went underground after she was charged with instigating riots at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968 and after several of their fellow Weatherman associates were killed when bombs they were building blew up in a Greenwich Village townhouse. One of those killed was Ayers girlfriend at the time, Diana Oughton. The group was planning to bomb Fort Dix Army Base in New Jersey. Dohrn publicly celebrated the group's maiming of Chicago prosecutor Richard Elrod in the Chicago riots. Following the mass murders of actress Sharon Tate and others by disciples of Charles Manson, Dohrn had this to say: "Dig it. First they killed those pigs, then they ate dinner in the same room with them, then they even shoved a fork into a victim's stomach! Wild!" Ayers participated in more than 30 bombings during his 11-year reign of underground terror. He says his only regret is not doing more to "bring the war home" to America. In an article he penned for the New York Times op-ed page ironically published Sept. 11, 2001, he wrote: "I don't regret setting bombs. I feel we didn't do enough." Ayers had his picture taken in August, 2001 for a magazine article, where he is standing on an American flag. http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/August-2001/features_ayers1.jpg As for who I would associate with, this isn't a hard decision for me.

OGE wrote: "...yeah our VP candidate is having an baby out of wedlock,..." Say what?

Lisabob wrote: "But I haven't yet heard the other side responding with threats of violence, either." So... Sandra Bernhard warning Sarah Palin not to come to NY lest she be "gang-raped by my big black brothers" isn't a threat of violence?

Must be your monitor and speakers. If you had viewed it all, you would have certainly heard several "Obama" chants, especially in front of the restaurant. It made my point.