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Members are gathering there to mark NAACP's centennial; The civil rights group was founded in New York City in 1909.<br><br>The \"rapid response system\" would allow people to send texts, e-mails or video reports of police abuse to the association via cell phone.<br><br>read the rest here<br><br><a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/13/AR2009071301415.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_19:32:16", "killed": false, "user_key": "twitter-15330022", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12720727": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "you called conserv on point too..", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-15_21:02:07", "killed": false, "user_key": "Angelar", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12646931": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Yep......\"Fixed and Unbalanced\" news!", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_15:23:14", "killed": false, "user_key": "Angelar", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12644442, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12654105": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Someone has literally made a religion out of hating Obama.<br><br>Crabs in a bucket", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_18:01:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "LTMidnight", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12653766, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12657699": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "rikyrah:  Apologies IFF this is a duplicate:<br><br><a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/13/michelle-obamas-outfits-a_n_229716.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">Michelle Obama's Outfits Abroad - -SLIDESHOW</a><br><br><i>The Obamas' trip abroad has ended and with it, a week-long glimpse of the First Lady's wardrobe. Michelle packed some patterned summer dresses, kitten heels and flats, a bunch of yellow garments and of course, brooches and belts. Which of the first lady's 14 ensembles is the most fabulous? And which are flops?</i><br><br>THERE ARE PLACES 2 VOTE.  ENJOY!!  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_19:33:20", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12647974": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "That's nighlaters...<br><br>Meanwhile... SHUT UP DUDE. If you ain't got no baked beans already I'm not coming, so get your mind right.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_15:33:53", "killed": false, "user_key": "ASmith", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12646883, "depth": 4, "points": 2, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12657191": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "There can be no discussion when one side believes in voodoo and disregard science for their religious beliefs.When you and the rethugs call out the ignorance that runs thru your party then we can talk about a diversity of ideas.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_19:15:11", "killed": false, "user_key": "djchefron", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12650874, "depth": 2, "points": 3, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12645934": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Red, Miranda; we like RED Kool-aid! No flavor, just red.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_14:54:32", "killed": false, "user_key": "vulcan_girl", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 5, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12644340, "depth": 2, "points": 4, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12654130": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "He's such a maggot.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_18:02:26", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12653766, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12641331": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "The more I read about Dr. Benjamin, the more I love her!<br><br>Surgeon general pick 'would do anything to heal' <br>Benjamin ran clinic for underserved <br>By Janice Lloyd<br>USA TODAY <br><br>President Obama on Monday nominated for surgeon general an influential rural family physician who has spent the past two decades caring for a shrimping community along the Gulf Coast.<br>Obama said Regina Benjamin understands the needs of the poor and uninsured and is a tireless promoter of wellness programs, making her qualified to be America's advocate during health care reforms. <br><br>Benjamin founded her non-profit clinic in 1990 for a diverse community of 2,500 near her home in Bayou La Batre, Ala., and had to rebuild it three times. It was destroyed twice by hurricanes and once by fire. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Obama said, she mortgaged her own house for the reconstruction and told the pharmacy to send her patients' bills to her when they couldn't afford their medicine. <br><br>\"And for all that she's seen and overcome, she represents what's best about health care: doctors and nurses who give and care and sacrifice for the sake of their patients, those Americans who would do anything to heal a fellow citizen,\" Obama said. \"When people couldn't pay, she didn't charge them. When the clinic wasn't making money, she didn't take a salary for herself.\"<br><br>Benjamin, 51, became the first African-American woman to be named to the American Medical Association's board of trustees in 1995 and last year received one of the MacArthur Foundation's $500,000 \"genius grants.\" After graduating from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in 1984, she worked in Alabama as part of her obligation to the National Health Service Corps, a Department of Health and Human Services program that places physicians in underserved communities in exchange for tuition reimbursement.<br>Public health also has become \"very personal\" to her.<br><br>\"My father died of diabetes and hypertension. My older brother and only sibling died at age 44 of HIV-related illness. My mother died of lung cancer because as a young girl, she wanted to smoke, just like her twin brother. My uncle Buddy, my mother's twin, is at home right now on oxygen struggling for each breath because of the years of smoking.\"<br><br>Those preventable diseases, she said, were why her family wasn't present with her at the nomination announcement: \"While I cannot change my family's past, I can be a voice in the movement to improve our nation's health care and a nation's health for the future.\"<br>She thanked Obama for making health care reform a top priority, adding that \"Millions of Americans can't afford insurance and don't have basic health services available where they live.\"<br>She also thanked former surgeon general David Satcher and former Department of Health and Human Services secretary Louis Sullivan for mentoring her and leading her to start her clinic, which she helped pay for by moonlighting in emergency rooms. <br><br>\"I am really impressed with how she's dealt with the underserved and how she's dealt with tragedy,\" said Satcher, one of her Morehouse teachers. \"Her outstanding contributions have been recognized at the highest level.\" <br>Her nomination requires Senate confirmation. Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming), the ranking member on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pension, said he's looking forward to \"carefully\" reviewing her nomination.<br>Enzi said: \"I'd like to know how Dr. Benjamin, if confirmed, would work with Congress to promote prevention and wellness initiatives that will bring down costs and help people lead healthier lives.\"<br><br><a href=\"http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/life/20090714/surgeongeneral14_st.art.htm\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/life/20090...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_12:55:27", "killed": false, "user_key": "spirit_55z", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12658441": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Hi there, nice to see you posting!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_19:56:17", "killed": false, "user_key": "Angelar", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12657277, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12644414": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "PULLLEEEZE.<br><br>This abhorrent treatment has been going on for centuries. And, let us not forget that this treatment included incidents of handing out blankets w/ smallpox to some and they died. In fact, the health care system for indigenous people is really all about how to kill them off, ergo, genocide.<br><br>Now, rationed health care in the 21st century is about serving all Americans, rich and poor, rural, suburban, and urban. And, it's about prevention: care that enhances quality of life; care that heeds the conditions that people face in their jobs, housing, neighborhoods, relationships.<br><br>So, conserv1, try to conserve some of the ideals that this country was founded on so the rest of us can make this country live up to these ideals.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_14:13:03", "killed": false, "user_key": "goldenstar", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12641112, "depth": 1, "points": 2, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12661827": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I had to post a reply.  Just had to. thanks for the link", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:10:55", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12655589, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12650053": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "The line for brains forms on the right <br>Creativity could rule the future <br>By Marco R. della Cava<br>USA TODAY <br><br>SAN FRANCISCO \u2014 On a recent foggy night, the newest wave in educational thinking crashed into this city's oldest high school. <br>And its waters weren't warm.<br>\"It worries me that we're not thinking big enough, that we're not preparing our kids for a world that will be terribly different from the one we grew up in,\" says Patrick Bassett, scanning the rapt faces of a few dozen parents in the auditorium of 103-year-old Mission High School, whose alums include poet Maya Angelou and rocker Carlos Santana.<br><br>\"We need kids to be more risk-taking, more entrepreneurial,\" he says. \"More than ever, we need the right brain to mix with the left.\"<br>Although Bassett, president of the National Association of Independent Schools, has been quietly delivering this \"Right-Brain Future\" talk for a few years, recent economic events have lately sent him on the road non-stop. \"My reception has shifted dramatically,\" he says. \"More people seem to want to hear this message.\"<br>Here's the CliffsNotes version: As traditional jobs in the left-brain world of finance shrink, the USA's economy will increasingly be tethered to creative innovations rooted in right-brain thinking.<br><br>Sachin Desai, 45, attended Bassett's lecture with his wife, Sejal, 44. Both are software engineers; their sons are 12 and 8. <br>\"Growing up in Britain, it was all about linear thinking,\" he says. \"But my kids are American, a place known for coming up with unique solutions and ideas. I fear we're losing that. So it's critical these kids become creative thinkers.\"<br>An impediment has been a No Child Left Behind educational system that is too geared to test-taking, says Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, the book that inspired Bassett to hit the lecture trail. \"What's troubling is that our system is obsessed with standardization at the very time when the future of our economy depends on the opposite.\"<br>Some schools have gotten that message. At High Tech High, a charter school in San Diego, students are encouraged to use those skills to practical ends such as dreaming up new sources of energy or calculating ways to stretch the West's limited water supply, says the school's CEO, Larry Rosenstock. <br><br>\"You want kids who are math whizzes, yes. But you want them to also have the creative talent to apply those math skills to find answers to big questions.\" <br>Barrett praises other schools that are pushing students to think outside the box. He cites Fay School in Southborough, Mass., whose students last year teamed with peers at South Saigon International School in Vietnam. Using video chats and a specially created online wiki-space, they designed a \"socially conscious business model\" that involved both selling products and creating public service announcements to build awareness for disaster relief.<br>\"That's the future,\" he says. \"Kids being analytical and creative to come up with solutions for us all.<br><br><a href=\"http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/life/20090714/rightbrainedu14_st.art.htm\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/life/20090...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_16:16:57", "killed": false, "user_key": "spirit_55z", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12709964": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Bravo.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-15_14:58:38", "killed": false, "user_key": "CraigHickman", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12651961, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12667471": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "LOL...I have been looking up more info on this story, it is fascinating yet terrifying....I just read this:<br><br><a href=\"http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/20090714_Suspect_linked_to_Thal-Gilmore_killings_turns_self_in.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/2009071...</a><br><br>I wanna find out more about Katoya Jones....is this another \"Kemba Smith\" or what? The whole thing is just a damn shame.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:58:30", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12665549, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12652624": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "HEYYYYYY! how are you Greenladyhere?  I was just thinking about you today.<br><br>Hope you are doing well.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_17:21:29", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12651979, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12657751": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Miranda:  HEEEY!  :&gt;)  ME 2!!  :&gt;)  <br><br><a href=\"http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif\" rel=\"nofollow\">THANKS 4 YOUR KIND THOUGHTS! :&gt;)</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_19:35:09", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12657550, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12644442": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Interesting - some news outlets were \"volunteering\" to help spin the story...guess which ones<br><br>Sanford\u2019s office couldn't locate missing governor<br><br>Gov. Mark Sanford\u2019s chief of staff, Scott English, called the governor\u2019s cell phones 15 times during the governor\u2019s secret trip to Argentina to visit his lover last month. But the governor never picked up.<br>Meanwhile Sanford\u2019s communications director, Joel Sawyer, worked to minimize the fact the governor had been out of touch with his staff for about four days.<br>Records released Monday show Sawyer juggled e-mails and media calls from around the nation, giving a consistent message that was later proven to be untrue. <br><br>Further down you learn who was offering their help:<br><br>By June 22, four days after Sanford had left for his trip, dozens of media outlets were working to determine where he was. <br>Some outlets, hoping to outdo their competition, were volunteering to coordinate with the governor\u2019s office to spin the story to Sanford\u2019s advantage. <br>A staffer with The Washington Times wrote in an e-mail that \u201cif you all want to speak on this publicly, you\u2019re welcome to Washington Times Radio. You know that you will be on friendly ground here!\u201d<br><br>On June 23, a Fox News Channel correspondent wrote to Sawyer, \u201cHaving known the Governor for years and even worked with him when he would host radio shows for me \u2014 I find this story and the media frenzy surrounding it to be absolutely ridiculous! Please give him my best.\u201d <br><a href=\"http://www.thestate.com/154/story/862957.html?storylink=omni_popular\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.thestate.com/154/story/862957.html?s...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_14:13:40", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12656485": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Sepia   HEEEEEY!!      :&gt;)<br><br><a href=\"http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif\" rel=\"nofollow\">THANK U!!  LUV YA!!</a>   :&gt;)    <br><br>Miss U much!!!   :&gt;)", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_18:49:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12654915, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12642401": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "<strong>First Lady's father burried at Burr Oak Cemetery</strong><br><br><em>First Lady Michelle Obama's father, Fraser Robinson III, is buried at Burr Oak Cemetery, the Alsip facility involved in a grave desecration scandal, according to a White House spokeswoman.<br><br><strong>There was no indication whether Robinson's grave was among those disturbed. Camille Johnston, the first lady's communications director, disclosed that Robinson was buried there but declined to comment further.</strong><br><br>Fraser Robinson III was a pump operator for the water department in Chicago and a Democratic party precinct captain who battled multiple sclerosis. He died in 1991 from complications from multiple sclerosis.<br><br>Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Robinson, moved from the South Side to the White House when her son-in-law, Barack Obama, was inaugurated in January.</em><br><a href=\"http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/07/michelle-obamas-father-buried-at-burr-oak.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/07/mich...</a><br><br><br>this whole story is so disturbing, i feel terrible for anyone who is now left wondering what has happened to their loved one's remains.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_13:21:34", "killed": false, "user_key": "moja31", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12665446": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "WordSmith!   WordSmith!   WordSmith!!   LOL!!    :&gt;)<br><br>4 C-L-A-R-I-T-Y!! - - -- I'm on medical - LOCKDOWN - - - -NOT <b>LOCK-UP!!!</b>  :&gt;)      :&gt;)<br><br>***shakin' my head***<br><br><a href=\"http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif\" rel=\"nofollow\">THANKS 4 DA LAFF!!!  LUV YA!!</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:39:34", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 14, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12665188, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12654182": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Val:  HEEEY!  Farin' betta! :&gt;)   MISSIN' U!!   :&gt;)<br><br> <a href=\"http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif\" rel=\"nofollow\">THANKS 4 YOUR WARM THOUGHTS!!  LUV YA!!</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_18:03:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12652624, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12645484": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "good god! i despise alan keyes and his fellow reynolds wrap wearers with the heat of a thousand hells.<br><br>how many times do they have to be shown the link to pbo's authentic birth certificate?<br><br>how many times do they have to be told that NO ONE in the state of hawaii can get a long form birth certificate and haven't been able to since 2003!?<br><br>*would pull her hair if she still had enough to pull*", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_14:42:48", "killed": false, "user_key": "Ladyvenoms", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12641459, "depth": 1, "points": 3, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12649072": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "\"nighlaters\"...ROFLMAO", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_15:52:52", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12647974, "depth": 5, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12657277": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Angelar:  HEEEEY!   :&gt;)    :&gt;)<br><br>The \"Soon-2-B- EX-GOV.\"  just KEEPS exposin' her STOOPIDITY!!   :&gt;)   :&gt;)<br><br>LAWD HA'MERCY!!  :&gt;)      :&gt;)  ***shakin' my head***  ***doublin' ova***  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_19:18:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 4, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12655856, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12656405": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "LTMidnight:  HEEEEY!   <br><br>Er. . . um. . .  Just providin' the VISUAL -<a href=\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2181EgrxELg/SP3UyyUkKnI/AAAAAAAAAGs/tTE3LPwYzcE/s320/crabs+in+a+bucket\" rel=\"nofollow\">Crabs in a bucket!</a><br><br>THEY JUS' AIN'T RIGHT!!!   :&gt;)     <b>THEY KNOW!!!</b>  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_18:47:07", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12654105, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12651141": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Rikyrah:  IFF this is a duplicate, I APOLOGIZE for WASTIN' the space:<br><br><a href=\"http://blackpoliticsontheweb.com/2009/07/14/remarks-of-rnc-chairman-michael-steele-at-the-naacp-centennial-convention/\" rel=\"nofollow\"></a><br><br><i>Thank you for that warm welcome. I would like to thank the NAACP board of directors and Chairman Julian Bond for having me here to speak with you today. Also, President Jealous, Vice Chairman Roslyn M. Brock, and Assistant Treasurer Jesse Turner. Jr.<br><br>President Jealous and Vice Chairman Brock, I thank you for your willingness to seek out advocates in all circles. We are all interested in the educational, economic, political and social wealth of our community. I thank the board for their passion and dedication to serving the disadvantaged among us, for breaking down barriers and standing as leaders.<br><br>As a proud member of the Prince George\u2019s county chapter of the NAACP, I am honored to be here to celebrate 100 years.<br><br>The NAACP was born to fight for freedom, liberty, opportunity and fairness. Its founders were a group of brave visionaries from varying backgrounds, including black and white Republican men and women. Perhaps the most prominent African-American Republican of the group was James Weldon Johnson, the co-author of \u201cLift Ev\u2019ry Voice And Sing.\u201d Such a proud institution with an incredibly rich legacy.<br><br>I am proud to be here as the first African-American chairman of the Republican National Committee and on behalf of the RNC I bring you the warmest of greetings and congratulations!<br><br><u>I\u2019ve been looking forward to this day for some time. It is for me, a particular honor to bring greetings in this 100th year. I spent some time looking at previous remarks by Republicans before this body and I was struck by the litany of phrases that republicans often cut and paste into a speech to this organization. \u201cParty of Lincoln\u201d  four or five times \u2026 Reminders that Teddy Roosevelt was a Republican, and he invited Booker T. Washington to the White House \u2026 and the civil rights act was passed by a Republican congress over democrat filibusters \u2026 oh, and one of my favorites, Bull Connor was a democrat.</u>  <b>[NOTE:  Guess he took his foot out of his mouth - long enough 2 say this (and soma his other lines).  ***shakin' my head - - HARD!***]</b><br><br>I decided instead, that today I would depart from \u201cthe complete Republican\u2019s guide to speaking to African-Americans.\u201d<br><br>Let me begin with something I read the other day \u2013 a look at the statistical averages of black babies versus whites:\u201cThe black baby born in America today, regardless of the section of the nation in which he is born, has about one-half as much chance of completing high school as a white baby born in the same place on the same day . . . One-third as much chance of completing college, one-third as much chance of becoming a professional man . . . Twice as much chance of becoming unemployed, a life expectancy which is 7 years shorter, and the prospect of earning only half as much.\u201d<br><br>That is not a pretty picture. But here\u2019s the really heart wrenching point: those words were spoken by President John F. Kennedy in 1963.<br><br>Nearly all of what we think of as \u201cthe civil rights era\u201d has taken place since JFK gave that speech. And in that time, a lot of progress has been made in both the political and the cultural arenas. Many of you in this room have been the authors of that progress and many others of you have witnessed it.<br><br>Indeed, not far from the steps on which I was inaugurated the first African-American Lt. Governor of Maryland in 2002, Kunta Kinte was sold into slavery over 150 years ago. Moreover, not far from the very steps on which Barack Obama was inaugurated the nation\u2019s first African-American president, black men and women could not drink from the same water fountain as whites.<br><br>But our standing on those steps was not just a testament to progress, but also a challenge to the idea that we have completed the journey.<br><br>As far as we\u2019ve come since 1963, the amount of progress that has been made, while impressive, leaves us empty in the face of incarceration rates, unemployment rates, drop-out rates, aids infection rates, and the general rate of poverty for African-Americans.<br><br>For 46 years of these 100 years, we have carried a lot of water for others. And yet, the long odds faced by our children have changed very little. So it is time we start to carry that water for ourselves; or we will continue to fail our community, our children, and our ability to build legacy.<br><br>At the dawning of this century, most of the problems facing black America are rooted in diminished access to quality education and fewer and fewer opportunities to either work a job or own a business. On these points, a one-party agenda often fails to get the job done.<br><br>My friends, educational and economic upward mobility are the root source of empowerment, ownership and opportunity. You undermine those and you guarantee preservation of the status quo. But you and I know our legacy has never been about status quo \u2014 remember Attucks, Tubman, Douglass, Booker t., Dubois, Malcolm, Parks, King and so many others including those who founded this venerable organization.<br><br>We are the post-civil rights generation of African-Americans and for us the battle for civil rights in the latter half of the twentieth century has become a struggle for economic and educational opportunity at the dawning of this century.<br><br>Thurgood Marshall once said, \u201cNone of us has gotten where we are solely by pulling ourselves up from our bootstraps. We got here because somebody bent down and helped us.\u201d<br><br>My purpose for coming here today, is simply to tell you face to face, that you are not alone in that struggle. The Republican Party, which has shared an inextricable link to the African-American community, has a way forward.<br><br>The Republican Party is prepared to bend down every day to help; but, we will do so with a different perspective\u2014a 21st century perspective that pursues policies and advances principles that turns the hope of economic liberty and empowerment into action. True freedom is ill-served by diminishing educational choices, choking off entrepreneurial spirit, and empowering government more than the people.<br><br>As Chairman of the Republican National Committee, I recognize the efforts it took to get a seat at the lunch counter, but I also know what it will take for this and future generations to own the diner. So, I have come here today not only to bring greetings, but also to renew our relationship with the NAACP and the African-American community.<br><br>And I do this with a sense of purpose and not clich\u00e9 because the GOP and NAACP have very often missed real opportunities to communicate and engage each other. Indeed, for the GOP and the NAACP \u201coutreach\u201d should mean more than a speech here and a pat on the back there. Genuine outreach must establish a relationship on common ground and build a partnership that will benefit all concerned.<br><br>So to that end, I have already reoriented the RNC away from \u201cdoing outreach\u201d and towards building coalitions instead \u2014 moving beyond its comfort zone to create a relationship with diverse communities and constituencies. My goal: to advance freedom in the African-American community.<br><br>As the African-American middle class emerges and grows, the Republican Party wants to be a partner who works with you to put in place the tools necessary to sustain that growth and to bring out of poverty those so often left behind. I thank you for the opportunity to explain how my party is committed to continuing in that cause. And I thank you for your kind attention here today.<br><br>Certainly my visit here today does not represent some miraculous breakthrough in GOP-NAACP relations. This is the first baby step in many more baby steps to come. After all, we all know that old loyalties and attitudes die hard. But the question is, if the GOP is willing to take those steps, will the NAACP be willing to do the same?<br><br>As you start your second century, now is an opportune time for both the NAACP and Republicans to take hold of their political destinies and step together into a new partnership.<br><br>Think about it this way: if a black man can become chairman of the Republican National Committee, then anything is possible.<br><br>Congratulations; and may God continue his blessings upon your work.</i><br><br><b>G-A-G!!</b><br><br>***shakin' my head****", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_16:43:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 4, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12648072": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124753066246235811.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">The Economy Is Even Worse Than You Think</a> - <i>The average length of unemployment is higher than it's been since government began tracking the data in 1948 ... More companies are asking employees to take unpaid leave. These people don't count on the unemployment roll ... No fewer than 1.4 million people wanted or were available for work in the last 12 months but were not counted ...The number of workers taking part-time jobs due to the slack economy, a kind of stealth underemployment, has doubled in this recession to about nine million ... Add those whose hours have been cut to those who cannot find a full-time job and the total unemployed rises to 16.5% ... The average work week for rank-and-file employees in the private sector, roughly 80% of the work force, slipped to 33 hours ... The average length of official unemployment increased to 24.5 weeks ...</i> etc etc etc.<br><br>This is just the beginning...", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_15:37:08", "killed": false, "user_key": "Karmi", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12656779": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "TyrenM:   HEEEEY!!   :&gt;)  Misssin' U  2!!!   :&gt;)<br><br><a href=\"http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif\" rel=\"nofollow\">THANKS 4 YOU KIND THOUGHTS!!  :&gt;)</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_18:59:44", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12651700, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12644499": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "The orderlies really need to check and see what these idiots are doing when they get \"computer time\".", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_14:15:09", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12642780, "depth": 2, "points": 2, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12658324": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "rikyrah:  <b>Sotomayor 2 Sessions - - - - CHECKMATE!!</b><br><br><a href=\"http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/07/14/sotomayor-surprises-sessions/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Sotomayor Surprises Sessions</a><br><br><i><b>Ouch!</b><br><br>Sen. Jeff Sessions (R., Ala.), seeking to discredit Judge Sonia Sotomayor\u2019s judicial philosophy, cited her 2001 \u201cwise Latina\u201d speech, and contrasted the view that ethnicity and sex influence judging with that of Judge Miriam Cedarbaum, who \u201cbelieves that judges must transcend their personal sympathies and prejudices.\u201d<br><br>\u201cSo I would just say to you, I believe in Judge Cedarbaum\u2019s formulation,\u201d Sessions told Sotomayor.<br><br>\u201cMy friend Judge Cedarbaum is here,\u201d Sotomayor riposted, to Sessions\u2019 apparent surprise. \u201cWe are good friends, and I believe that we both approach judging in the same way, which is looking at the facts of each individual case and applying the law to those facts.\u201d<br><br>Cedarbaum agreed.<br><br>\u201cI don\u2019t believe for a minute that there are any differences in our approach to judging, and her personal predilections have no effect on her approach to judging,\u201d she told Washington Wire. \u201cWe\u2019d both like to see more women on the courts,\u201d she added.<br><br>Cedarbaum, a pioneering woman lawyer who graduated from Columbia Law School in 1953, goes way back with both participants in the colloquy. Cedarbaum mentored Sotomayor after she joined the federal district court in Manhattan in 1992, and they have been close friends ever since.<br><br><b>In 1986, Cedarbaum and Sessions were both nominated to the federal bench by President Ronald Reagan, and were members of the same orientation class for future judges. Their paths then diverged, however. Cedarbaum was confirmed,<u> but Sessions nomination floundered over a controversy surrounding comments he made involving the Ku Klux Klan and the NAACP.</u></b></i><br><br>***NEOSPORIN, MERCUROCHROME, IODINE, BACTINE & BAND-AID!!!****   :&gt;)    :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_19:52:05", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 22, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 2, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12657813": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Is Steele really a white man in Blackface?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_19:37:26", "killed": false, "user_key": "Muzikal203", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12643772, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12665369": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Coming UP:  Presdient Obama throws the first pitch of the MLB All-Star game!<br>Fox channel", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:35:27", "killed": false, "user_key": "spirit_55z", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12652697": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "who cares  He is still President.<br><br>Next", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_17:21:56", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12651356, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12654235": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "dj:  HEEEEEY!  :&gt;)<br><br>TELL!   IT!!!   U  JUST SPEAK!!!  :&gt;)<br><br>Missin' U.  :&gt;)  ****hugs****    :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_18:05:35", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12652443, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12671645": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Hey GLH!!<br><br>Glad you are posting. I miss your MUSIC and joyful praise!!<br><br>Hope you spirits are good and that your health matches it!!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_21:18:59", "killed": false, "user_key": "whiterosebuddy", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12671172, "depth": 9, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12651167": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "THE CASE AGAINST COLLEGE ENTITLEMENTS<br><a href=\"http://reason.tv/video/show/the-case-against-college\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://reason.tv/video/show/the-case-against-co...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_16:43:28", "killed": false, "user_key": "Conserv1", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12664995": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Wordsmith:   Doncha JUST LOVE IT!!   :&gt;)     :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:16:18", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 16, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12659153, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12657837": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Wordsmith:  HEEEY!   :&gt;)<br><br>MEGA- CO-SIGN!!   :&gt;)", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_19:38:26", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12641160, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12657949": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "rikyrah:  Here's another article on the FIRST LADY!!  :&gt;)<br><br><a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/14/whats-michelles-signature_n_231473.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">What's Michelle's Signature Scent?</a><br><br><i><br><br>Fashion Week Daily:<br><br>We anticipate, dissect and debate everything she wears, from her white Jason Wu inagural gown to her Lanvin sneakers and that Alaia belt. But what of First Lady Michelle Obama's scent? According to July's Washingtonian, MObama's preferred fragrance is Creed's Love in White...which has its fair share of presidential history.<br><br>Read the whole story: Fashion Week Daily</i><br><br>Is this pic <b>GOR-GE-OUS!!?</b>  :&gt;)<br><br><b>YES!  IT!/SHE!  IS!  :&gt;)<br><br>U go FIRST LADY!!!   :&gt;)</b>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_19:42:51", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12641459": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "The \"birthers\" are so funny<br><br><a href=\"http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/07/opponents-of-barack-obamas-presidency-claim-small-court-victory.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/07/o...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_12:59:23", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 4, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12651700": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Welcome back,<br>you've been missed.<br><br>Tyren", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_16:56:47", "killed": false, "user_key": "TyrenM", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12651141, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12671172": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "rorysmomma:  ***Runnin' 2 give U a BIG HUG!!**<br><br>HEEEEY!!   MISSIN' U   2!!   :&gt;)<br><br><a href=\"http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif\" rel=\"nofollow\">THANK U 4 YOUR KINDNESS!!   LUV YA!!  :&gt;)</a>   :&gt;)<br><br>L8R!!!    :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_21:08:20", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 8, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12667730, "depth": 8, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12665029": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Oh no....that kind of smackdown required this<br><br><a href=\"http://www.topnews.in/files/surgery-leg.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.topnews.in/files/surgery-leg.jpg</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:17:41", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12658563, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12653766": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Dr. Manning is at it again...calls Obama \"Mack Daddy\" and Michelle O \"Ugly\"<br><br><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TrXE7NbYpU\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TrXE7NbYpU</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_17:52:11", "killed": false, "user_key": "HopeOverFear", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 10, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12651722": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "deleted", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_16:57:20", "killed": false, "user_key": "LisaM5432", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12665549": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Miranda, you find the most interesting stories.  Now, I want to read more about Rian Thal.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:44:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "sagittarius", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12657512, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12654297": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Seriously, I think Michelle turns Manning on. Why else would he go into such detail about her body parts and her clothes?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_18:08:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "HopeOverFear", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12654130, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12650202": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "they've had to put those arrested in Isolation, because they've gotten death threats inside of the jail.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_16:20:10", "killed": false, "user_key": "rikyrah", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": true, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12642401, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12650717": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Who says the right does not want to fund healthcare reform? Typical 'straw man' argument....that the right wants to do nothing. Simply not true. But before we embark on a single-payer government run system that is designed to elimate private sector competition and remake 1/6th of of economy isn't examining and exposing problems in Medicare, the Va and the IHS the responsible thing to do?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_16:33:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "Conserv1", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12641637, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12654302": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "alison269:   HEY!  :&gt;)  ***extending my hand***  Please ta meetcha!!  :&gt;)<br><br><i>Has it occurred to you that it will take more than 2 moths to fix this mess that republicans created fro a period of 8 years?</i><br><br>\"WHYCOME\"  U SPEAK TA-RUTH!??<br><br>Don't worry!  <b>THEY KNOW!!!</b>  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_18:08:13", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12651940, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12645091": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Ya talkin' ta me!", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_14:31:10", "killed": false, "user_key": "IWordsmith", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12644499, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12665061": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Val:   LOL!!  :&gt;)  I jus'  hadta!!   :&gt;)<br><br>Betcha he'll learn NOT ta GO THERE - - again!!   :&gt;)", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:19:44", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12658563, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12642541": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Rationed medicine it is, government-run or private. President Barack Obama has fulfilled his promise when appointing Kimberly Teehee to a high-level White House advisor on Indian affairs. He also appointed Jodi Archambault Gillette as Deputy Associate Director, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.  The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs provides the primary link between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and state, local, and tribal governments. Hopefully, it will get better.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_13:24:33", "killed": false, "user_key": "morphusBfly", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12641112, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12654830": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "rikyrah:  Mr. President continues to SUPPORT EDUCATION!!<br><br><a href=\"http://blackpoliticsontheweb.com/2009/07/14/obama-to-unveil-12-billion-community-college-plan/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Obama to unveil $12 billion community college plan</a><br><br><i>President Barack Obama will unveil a $12 billion initiative on Tuesday to boost community colleges and propel the United States toward his goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020, administration officials said.<br><br>The 10-year program, which he will announce during a visit on Tuesday afternoon to Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan, includes a new goal of graduating an additional 5 million students from community colleges over the next decade, double the current number of expected graduates.<br><br>Education is the often-forgotten third pillar of Obama\u2019s economic plan and has received far less attention than the other two \u2014 healthcare reform and renewable energy.<br><br>In a speech to a joint session of the U.S. Congress in February, Obama warned that the fastest growing fields of employment required more than a high school diploma, while only about half the U.S. population had graduated from high school.<br><br>He urged Americans to commit to at least one year of higher education or career training and set a goal of having the United States lead the world in proportion of college graduates by the year 2020.<br><br>Obama\u2019s Council of Economic Advisers issued a report on the future of the U.S. job market on Monday that was aimed at bolstering the case for more higher education.<br><br>\u201cWell-trained and highly-skilled workers will be best positioned to secure high-wage jobs, thereby fueling American prosperity,\u201d the report said.<br><br>\u201cOccupations requiring higher educational attainment are projected to grow much faster than those with lower education requirements, with the fastest growth among occupations that require an associate\u2019s degree or a post-secondary vocational award,\u201d it said.<br><br>Community colleges are two-year schools that generally grant associate degrees or training certificates. The annual cost of attendance is around half that of public four-year colleges and universities.<br><br>There are more than a thousand community colleges in the United States with more than 6 million students enrolled. Nearly half a million students graduate from community colleges annually.<br><br>Deputy Undersecretary of Education Bob Shireman said $9 billion of the funds Obama proposes to spend will go mainly for challenge grants awarded on a competitive basis to encourage community colleges to propose and launch innovative new programs.<br><br>Some of the $9 billion would fund programs to address the problem of students dropping out of college.<br><br>James Kvaal, special assistant to the president for education policy, said $2.5 billion would be used as seed money to generate $10 billion in renovation and construction at community colleges.<br><br>Another $500 million would be used to develop online courses and materials to improve student learning, including artificial intelligence tutoring and multimedia courses, Kvaal said.<br><br>David Alexander, Reuters</i><br><br>THANK U, Mr. President.  :&gt;)<br><br>P.S.  Here's a <b>VIDEO</b>   <br><br><a href=\"http://www.politico.com/largevideobox.html?bcpid=14146694001&bclid=1201016315&bctid=29465112001\" rel=\"nofollow\">\"Obama:  I won't carp and gripe\"</a><br><br>Here's an article:<br><br><a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/14/obama-on-economy-i-want-t_n_232265.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">Obama On Responsibility For Economy: \"Give It To Me\"</a><br><br><i>WARREN, Mich. \u2014 Conceding unemployment will get worse before it shrinks, President Barack Obama on Tuesday unveiled a $12 billion plan to help community colleges prepare millions of people for a new generation of jobs. Challenging critics, he said he welcomed the task of turning around the economy.<br><br>\"I love the folks who helped get us in this mess and then suddenly say, 'Well, this is Obama's economy,'\" the president told an outdoor crowd at Macomb Community College, veering off his scripted words. \"That's fine. Give it to me. My job is to solve problems, not to stand on the sidelines and harp and gripe.\"<br><br>Obama did not identify his target for those comments, but he has been under increasing fire from Republicans over the pace of the economic recovery and the soaring deficit. He brought his message to a state reeling from the loss of auto jobs. Michigan's unemployment rate is 14.1 percent, the nation's worst.<br><br>\"The hard truth is that some of the jobs that have been lost in the auto industry and elsewhere won't be coming back,\" Obama said. \"They are the casualties of a changing economy.\"</i><br>THERE IS MORE.<br><br>I'm believin'  that he said - - -- <b>BRANG IT!!</b>  :&gt;)     :&gt;)<br><br>U Go - - -Mr. President!!!   :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_18:18:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 3, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12683503": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I don't understand why we gotta brang anythang, antyway. He want us to come he needs to already have the baked beans.<br><br>I'ma bring something, tho -- don't worry.<br><br>Some foil and some tupperware.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-15_08:43:55", "killed": false, "user_key": "ASmith", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12672894, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12655856": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "this is funny, excerpt from politicususa.com......hooo boy....and today was only the first of her \"op eds.\"    Lord help us.<br><br><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WykvUyUuLo\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WykvUyUuLo</a><br><br>Palin was for cap and trade when she ran for v.p.<br><br>\"Ifill: We do need to keep within our two minutes. But I just wanted to ask you, do you support capping carbon emissions?<br><br>Palin: I do. I do.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_18:28:23", "killed": false, "user_key": "Angelar", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 5, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12671219": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Love you!!!!!! stay rested.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_21:08:59", "killed": false, "user_key": "rorysmomma", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 5, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12671172, "depth": 9, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12675829": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.odesk.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/blushing-icon.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\">LUV U!</a>  :&gt;)  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-15_00:17:13", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12675630, "depth": 14, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12665592": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "spirit:  HEEEEY!  Betta.  :&gt;)<br><br><a href=\"http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif\" rel=\"nofollow\">THANK U!  LUV YA!!</a>   :&gt;)", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:46:22", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12658025, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12652283": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Hey GLH!!<br><br>How are you doing? Are you following doctor's orders?<br><br>We really have missed you. I was hoping you'd pop in during the First Family's trip to Africa. Scroll down and see the great pics from that trip.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_17:13:42", "killed": false, "user_key": "rikyrah", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": true, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12651979, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12658430": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "nope just a moron.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_19:56:01", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12657813, "depth": 2, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12671753": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "WordSmith:    LOL!!   :&gt;)     :&gt;)<br><br><a href=\"http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif\" rel=\"nofollow\">I CARRY JJP IN MY HEART - - - 4-EVA!!</a>    TA-RUST!!   :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_21:24:35", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12671288, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12665099": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I read thru her blog a bit.  But in my response I only asked if the same questions were raised in relation to those in Bush administration. Would they have been raised if the McCain/Palin had managed to pull if off?  Were they asked of Cindy McCain? <br><br>Although I did comment about her view of 'being Christian' in my estimation was warped or something akin. <br><br>I have degrees in Biology and Religious Studies, but I have no doubt that people like this blogger have no real clue about how to really be a Christian.<br><br>I mean, I don't even make the attempt; too hard for me.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:21:19", "killed": false, "user_key": "IWordsmith", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12661827, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12642572": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "More fucking scare tactics, but not surprising that they would use POC to further their agenda.<br><br>I wonder what Angelar thinks about this article.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_13:25:25", "killed": false, "user_key": "spirit_55z", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12641637, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12675630": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Hugs to you too greenlady!? I hope to be at least half as awesome as you when I grow up!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-15_00:06:17", "killed": false, "user_key": "rorysmomma", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12675541, "depth": 13, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12675351": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "WRB:  HEEEEEY!   :&gt;)  :&gt;)<br>4 U:<br>   <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqPKGODUnW4\" rel=\"nofollow\">Victory!</a><br><br>I've!  GOT  IT!   :&gt;)<br><br>SPIRITS - - GOOD!!  :&gt;)  Improvin'<br><br>Annnnnnnnd,<br><br><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ObMFJrQFwM&feature=related\" rel=\"nofollow\">THANK U!</a><br><br><a href=\"http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif\" rel=\"nofollow\">THANK U 4 YOUR GOOD WISHES!  LUV YA!</a>  :&gt;)<br><br>God BLess!  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_23:50:38", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12671645, "depth": 10, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12663375": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Angelar:  <a href=\"http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif\" rel=\"nofollow\">THANK U VERY MUCH!!  LUV YA!!</a>  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:13:05", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12658441, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12654365": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "LisaM:  HEEEEEY!  :&gt;)  :&gt;)<br><br><a href=\"http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif\" rel=\"nofollow\">THANKS 4 YOUR GOOD WISHES!!  LUV YA MUCH!!</a>  :&gt;)<br><br>Good ta C  U  2!   :&gt;)    :&gt;)  Missin' U!!  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_18:10:22", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12652421, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12645150": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Fool he is.  But the nigro done made me hungry.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_14:32:35", "killed": false, "user_key": "RonnieB", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12643772, "depth": 1, "points": 3, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12652836": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "lol MsKitty raotflmao<br><br>admit it. whoooo hoooo hahahahahahaaha it is funny.  hahahahahahaha<br><br>my favorite part of the article -- \"Since he mentions Republicans should also be reaching out to the LGBT community, I wonder what stereotype he's going to offer us? Buttplugs and Birkenstocks?\"", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_17:23:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12643772, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12651821": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Obama nominates new Peace Corps director<br><br>WASHINGTON \u2014 President Barack Obama says he will nominate a career international development specialist to be director of the Peace Corps.<br><br>Aaron Williams is the vice president for international business development with RTI International. He has helped design and manage assistance programs in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia.<br><br>Williams was a senior manager at the U.S. Agency for International Development and reached the rank of career minister in the Senior Foreign Service.<br><br>If confirmed, Williams will fill a slot that has been occupied in an acting capacity by Jody K. Olsen, the Peace Corps' deputy director since 2002. Williams is a former Peace Corps volunteer, serving in the Dominican Republic in 1967-1970.<br><a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20090714/us-obama-peace-corps/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/200907...</a><br><br>More on Mr. Williams<br><a href=\"http://peacecorpsconnect.org/bio/aaron-williams\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://peacecorpsconnect.org/bio/aaron-williams</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_16:59:59", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12652846": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<P>While we were distracted with the pool story:<A HREF=\"http://www.detnews.com/article/20090711/SCHOOLS/907110354\" rel=\"nofollow\"><B>Detroit gives control of lagging schools to private sector</B></A></P><br><BLOCKQUOTE STYLE=\"font-weight: normal\"><I>Detroit -- Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb announced Friday that <b>he has hired four educational management companies</b> to turn around 17 of the worst-performing high schools in the district, a move that marks what leaders say is the largest public school district overhaul of its kind in the nation.<BR><BR>&quot;We have not been making the grade,&quot; Bobb said at a press conference at Central High School.<BR><BR>School board members expressed shock and dismay Friday -- just one day after they rolled out their own academic plan that they've asked Bobb to fund. <b>Some accused Bobb of overstepping his bounds</b> as a financial manager by launching an academic plan that will affect 20,000 students in three-quarters of the district's high schools without the board's knowledge. </I><br></BLOCKQUOTE><br><P>Earlier story: <A HREF=\"http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&amp;sid=a8v0eSJuC4o4\" rel=\"nofollow\">Detroit Schools May Consider Bankruptcy to Resolve Deficit </A><br></P><br><BLOCKQUOTE>July 13 (Bloomberg) -- Detroit Public Schools may consider reorganizing under bankruptcy protection to cut costs after seven years of budget deficits, a district spokesman said. <br></BR><BR><br>Robert C. Bobb, who Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm  appointed in January as emergency financial manager for the 15th-largest U.S. school system, recommended bankruptcy as one option for addressing the deficit, said Steven Wasko, district spokesman. <br><BR><BR><br>Bobb proposed a $1.18 billion budget for fiscal 2010, which began July 1, that would result in the district generating $17.4 million more revenue than it spends. That doesn\u2019t erase its $276.8 million deficit from fiscal 2009 and prior years, according to a <A HREF=\"http://www.detroit.k12.mi.us/admin/finance/manager/docs/2009.06.29_DPS_FY2010_Budget.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow\">budget report</A>. <br><BR><BR><br>\u201cTo cut spending to the levels needed to pay off this deficit would take 80 percent to 90 percent of our revenue,\u201d Wasko said. \u201cThat\u2019s not something parents would have any interest in accepting.\u201d <br></BLOCKQUOTE><br><P>In majority minority school districts if the kids aren't being farmed out to the private sector they are being farmed out to the military.<BR><BR>  <A HREF=\"http://www.alternet.org/story/141034/the_military_invades_u.s._schools:_how_military_academies_are_being_used_to_destroy_public_education/?comments=view&amp;cID=1250409&amp;pID=1250396\" rel=\"nofollow\">The Military Invades U.S. Schools: How Military Academies Are Being Used to Destroy Public Education</A></P><br><BLOCKQUOTE>In Chicago, there's a push to replace public schools with military academies. This model may soon spread to the rest of the country.<BR><BR><br>For the past four years, I have observed the military occupation of the high school where I teach science. Currently, Chicago's Senn High School houses Rickover Naval Academy (RNA). I use the term &quot;occupation&quot; because part of our building was taken away despite student, parent, teacher and community opposition to RNA's opening.<BR><BR><br><I><B>Senn students are made to feel like second-class citizens inside their own school, due to inequalities.</B></I> The facilities and resources are better on the RNA side. RNA students are allowed to walk on the Senn side, while Senn students cannot walk on the RNA side. RNA &quot;disenrolls&quot; students and we accept those students who get kicked out if they live within our attendance boundaries. This practice is against Chicago policy, but goes unchecked. All of these things maintain a two-tiered system within the same school building.<BR><BR><br>This phenomenon is not restricted to Senn. Chicago has more military academies and more students in JROTC than any other city in the US. As the tentacles of school militarization reach beyond Chicago, the process used in this city seems to serve as a model of expansion. There was a Marine Academy planned for Georgia's Dekalb County, which includes 10 percent of Atlanta. Fortunately, due to protest, the school has been postponed until 2010. Despite it being postponed, it is still useful to analyze the rhetoric used to rationalize the Marine Academy. Many of the lies and excuses used to justify school militarization in Chicago and Georgia may well be used in other cities as militarism grows.</BLOCKQUOTE></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_17:24:08", "killed": false, "user_key": "morphusBfly", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12675378": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "rorysmomma:  Love U  2!!  :&gt;)<br><br>Now get your \"GREEN\" Choir Robe on annnnnd,   LET'S SANG!!  :&gt;)    :&gt;)<br><br>I am restin'!   TA-RUST!!  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_23:52:26", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 4, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12671219, "depth": 10, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12671288": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Oh - ooppsss... DOWN ==== UP,  wotever!<br><br>Ya know - as much as you flash that heart, it still has PIZZAZ.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_21:09:41", "killed": false, "user_key": "IWordsmith", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12665446, "depth": 5, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12657467": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.politico.com/politico44/wbarchive/whiteboard07142009.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">MAYS TO POTUS: 'FOLLOW THROUGH' </a><br><br><blockquote>On board Air Force One with the traveling press, legendary baseball Hall-of-Famer Willie Mays said on the day Barack Obama was elected he cried for most of the night and stayed up until 7 or 8 in the morning.<br><br>\u201cI reminded him that I dreamed about this day,\u201d Mays said when asked what he and Obama had been talking about during the president\u2019s flight from Detroit to St. Louis Tuesday. \u201cNot being on Air Force One, but dreamed about someone in my race being president. Not knowing that anyone would be. But I reminded him that I cried for most of the night in Chicago.\u201d<br><br>Mays got emotional as he continued, recalling election night. \u201cStayed up all night,\u201d he said. \u201cI went to sleep about 7, maybe 8 in the morning I was so proud. So that tells me all the things I went through, it was for good things. So I\u2019m just proud of him, you know.\u201d<br><br>Mays said that he gave POTUS just one tip for his first pitch as president: \u201cFollow through.\u201d<br><br>\u201cI\u2019m telling him follow through,\u201d Mays said. \u201cHe\u2019s gonna do fine, I guarantee you. He\u2019ll be fine. I just want to make sure he follows through.\u201d<br>More after the jump... Mays, who lives in San Francisco, joined Obama in Detroit after the president\u2019s speech at Macomb County Community College. He was accompanying POTUS to Busch Stadium in St. Louis for the All-Star Game, where Obama will throw out his first pitch as president. <br><br>Obama, who changed into jeans and sneakers mid-flight, is set to watch the game from an exclusive box with guests that include Hank Aaron and his wife.<br><br>At 76 years of age, Mays appeared humble by the occasion. Asked what he thought of Air Force One, he replied: \u201cI\u2019m impressed. I don\u2019t know about you.\u201d<br><br>Bantering with reporters, Mays chided Dodgers and Cubs fans in the audience -- and took issue when one  predicted the American League would win tonight\u2019s game.<br><br>\u201cWait a minute,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen I played, we didn\u2019t lose a game \u2013 we didn\u2019t lose a game from 1954 to 1973. And you say that American is gonna win? Who they got?\u201d<br><br>Asked what was it like to go up against Sandy Koufax, Mays said: \u201cWell, it\u2019s like sleeping. You don\u2019t know what you\u2019re gonna do.\u201d<br><br>Toughest pitcher to face today? \u201cI\u2019m 76 years old,\u201d Mays said. \u201cIf I can bunt, than I\u2019ll be fine.\" <br><br>Things got briefly serious \u2013 asked about his godson, Barry Bonds, Mays said he hasn\u2019t talked to him in a bit and couldn\u2019t say if he was still thinking about returning to the game.<br><br>It wasn't just reporters who enjoyed the moment. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs joked: \u201cI\u2019ve never seen this much excitement from the press on one of these trips.\u201d (6:57 p.m.) </blockquote>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_19:24:54", "killed": false, "user_key": "lamh", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 2, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12655935": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "HopeOverFear:   WHAT!  A!   MEGA-HATA!!<br><br>BUT. . . what else can we expect??  SAD!!!<br><br><b>Saaaaaaaa-LAP!!</b>   ***Whew!  That felt good!****    :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_18:31:17", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12653766, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12654402": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Val:  ***MEGA DAP!!***   :&gt;)     :&gt;)", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_18:11:20", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12652697, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12654915": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Hey Green Lady! Good to see you! :-)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_18:18:53", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sepia", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12651979, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12657994": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "\"Mays said that he gave POTUS just one tip for his first pitch as president: \u201cFollow through.\u201d<br><br>I\u2019m telling him follow through,\u201d Mays said. \u201cHe\u2019s gonna do fine, I guarantee you. He\u2019ll be fine. I just want to make sure he follows through.\u201d<br><br>I think President Obama will take the advise of \"FOLLOWING THROUGH in his presidency too.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_19:44:35", "killed": false, "user_key": "spirit_55z", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12657467, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12658509": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Appreciate your sharing, Angelar.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_19:58:29", "killed": false, "user_key": "spirit_55z", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12651961, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12665681": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "He done good!! Whew!!", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:48:41", "killed": false, "user_key": "LisaM5432", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12665369, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12649298": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "In light of the guy in the background saying \"I'll bring the collard greens,\" it's not that bad.<br><br>Guess he could've said, \"I'll bring a cake.\" Good, race-neutral food.<br><br>Of course, HuffPo would try to blow it way out of proportion.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_15:56:11", "killed": false, "user_key": "Coby_D", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12643772, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12641112": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Mary Clare Jalonick of the Associated Press provides an eye-opening report on Indian Health Service, a single-payer system that rations care to Native Americans on reservations across the country \u2014 and kills them through neglect and a severe lack of resources:<br><br><a href=\"http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090615/ap_on_go_ot/us_health_care_s_forgotten\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090615/ap_on_go_ot...</a><br><br><br>    \"On some reservations, the oft-quoted refrain is \u201cdon\u2019t get sick after June,\u201d when the federal dollars run out. It\u2019s a sick joke, and a sad one, because it\u2019s sometimes true, especially on the poorest reservations where residents cannot afford health insurance. Officials say they have about half of what they need to operate, and patients know they must be dying or about to lose a limb to get serious care.<br><br>    Wealthier tribes can supplement the federal health service budget with their own money. But poorer tribes, often those on the most remote reservations, far away from city hospitals, are stuck with grossly substandard care. The agency itself describes a \u201crationed health care system.\u201d<br><br>    The sad fact is an old fact, too.<br><br>    The U.S. has an obligation, based on a 1787 agreement between tribes and the government, to provide American Indians with free health care on reservations. But that promise has not been kept. About one-third more is spent per capita on health care for felons in federal prison, according to 2005 data from the health service.\"<br><br>Without a doubt, the people on the reservations represent some of the poorest of the poor in America.  Yet we already have a single-payer system in place to provide health care to Native Americans on these reservations.  Do we properly fund it?  Do we make sure that enough resources are applied to ensure good health care?  Not at all.  It is, as the agency itself describes, a system of rationing medical resources, and the end result is a poor population unable to seek out its own care locked into a system that only works when someone is on death\u2019s door.<br><br>In fact, as Jalonick reports, it often doesn\u2019t recognize when a patient faces death.  Jalonick profiles the heartrending case of Ta\u2019Shon Rain Little Light, who began complaining of stomach pains at the age of 5, and stopped eating and playing.  The overwhelmed clinic diagnosed her as depressed, and ten subsequent visits to the clinic over the next several months while Ta\u2019Shon\u2019s symptoms worsened didn\u2019t change the diagnosis.  Only when she suffered a collapsed lung did IHS airlift her to Denver, where Ta\u2019Shon was diagnosed with terminal cancer.  Could it have been treated?  We\u2019ll never know, thanks to a diagnostic service that appears to be just above the wild-guess level on the reservation.<br><br>When government owns the nation\u2019s health-care system, we can all look forward to the same level of care.  After all, as Obama himself insists, a government-run system will \u201csave costs,\u201d but he never explains how those costs get saved.  We will all go into the rationing-system grinder, just as veterans do with the VA, seniors and disabled do with Medicare, and Native Americans do with IHS.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_12:48:34", "killed": false, "user_key": "Conserv1", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 10, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12651356": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "POLLING: CBS: Obama dropped six points in a month. Why? \u201cGrowing skepticism about his handling of the economy and questions about the impact of the stimulus package.\u201d<br><a href=\"http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/13/opinion/polls/main5156648.shtml\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/13/opini...</a><br><br>Plenty of skepticism in Detroit. The Detroit News comments: \u201cPresident Barack Obama\u2019s plan to attack the recession through massive deficit spending is not producing the results the president promised in February when he convinced the American people to go deep into hock in the name of creating jobs and boosting economic growth. . . . Administration economists projected that the huge influx of borrowed federal dollars would keep the national unemployment rate from breaking through the 8 percent mark. It stands at 9.5 percent today and is still rising.\u201d<br><a href=\"http://www.detnews.com/article/20090714/OPINION01/907140314/1008/Editorial--Obama-s-stimulus-plan-is-not-working\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.detnews.com/article/20090714/OPINION...</a><br><br>And the Detroit Free Press editorializes: \u201cSo President Barack Obama makes his first return to Michigan since the 2008 election and plans to put on a big push for community colleges and the kind of training they offer. Not a bad idea on its face. But Michigan has emphasized job retraining for months, if not years now \u2014 and yet people keep losing their jobs, even in supposedly hot fields such as health care.\u201d <br><a href=\"http://www.freep.com/article/20090714/OPINION01/907140317/1069/OPINION/Michigan-needs-hope-of-jobs--Mr.-President\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.freep.com/article/20090714/OPINION01...</a><br><br>Maybe reducing taxes and regulation would help. Michigan hasn\u2019t tried that \u2014 and neither has Obama . . . .", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_16:48:16", "killed": false, "user_key": "Conserv1", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 6, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12666206": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I hope you're still online GLH (only if you're supposed to be), so I can tell you 'hi' and that you are missed.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:54:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "sagittarius", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 11, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12665446, "depth": 5, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12655589": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Talk 'bout \"UUgly as sin\"  - Jezzus!  for being so edumacated, the man doesn't know protocol when meeting the Pope or too much else.<br><br>Now granted I wasn't aware it was 'canon law' to specifically wear a black veil.   Besides the fact that Catholic canon law doesn't apply to noncatholics. I ran across a woman describing as Christian who is NASTY! And an Obama hater.  She won't even post my comments or questions.  ...... Noooo, I didn't say fuck.<br><br>Go check this shit out:  <a href=\"http://mommylife.net/archives/2009/07/michelle_obama_5.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://mommylife.net/archives/2009/07/michelle_...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_18:23:50", "killed": false, "user_key": "IWordsmith", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12653766, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12650848": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "In Sonia v. Sarah, GOP is doomed <br>The Bronx judge, the Alaska pin-up girl and the Republican Party<br><br>The Democrats have Sonia Sotomayor. The Republicans have Sarah Palin. That's all you really need to know. Between them, these two women explain why the Republicans are doomed. <br><br>Sonia Sotomayor, a Latina who grew up in a Bronx housing project, is a shoo-in for the Supreme Court. Barack Obama knew exactly what he was doing when he picked her. She is a symbol of Hispanic aspirations in a country where Hispanics are an increasingly powerful political force. She's known for her ferocious drive and work ethic and, despite what you may hear, she appears to be a moderate. She represents the American dream in action. The Republicans hate her. <br><br>Sarah Palin was the most scarily incompetent vice-presidential nominee in the history of the United States. She graduated from the University of Idaho, where she majored in communications (still not her strong suit). She represents the Peter Principle in action. The Republicans love her. <br><br>Guess which one has been attacked by Karl Rove for not having the intellect for the job? That's right. Sonia Sotomayor. <br><br>According to leading Republican pundits, Judge Sotomayor is a hot-tempered, dim-witted bigot whose judicial activism (read nutty identity politics) could play havoc with the Constitution. Newt Gingrich, the former Republican House speaker, even called her a \u201cLatina racist.\u201d Amazingly, these are the same people who continue to insist that Sarah Palin is qualified to run for president of the United States. They insist she is the victim of a vicious smear job by the eastern media elites. <br><br>Some Republicans admit that, if they'd bothered to give the pin-up girl from Alaska 1 per cent of the grilling that Judge Sotomayor is going to get, they'd be a lot better off today. But Alaska was so very far away. And Sarah was so fetching in her running shorts. They did less vetting than you'd do to choose the family dog. And then, when she peed all over the carpet, they forgave her. After she bizarrely quit her job as governor of Alaska, two-thirds of registered Republicans said they'd still vote for her for president. <br><br>In her fishing overalls and boots, Ms. Palin styles herself as a working-class hero. In fact, her father was a teacher, and her background is utterly middle class. Judge Sotomayor's father died when she was 9. He was a Puerto Rican factory worker with a third-grade education. <br><br>Ms. Palin despises people who were educated in elite Ivy League universities. Judge Sotomayor, on the other hand, was smart enough to get into them. She put herself through school on scholarships, and graduated from Princeton with top honours. Ms. Palin, who finds homework disagreeable, has never doubted her own abilities for a minute. But Judge Sotomayor worries constantly that she's not good enough. \u201cI am always looking over my shoulder, wondering if I measure up,\u201d she has said. <br><br>Ms. Palin plays identity politics to the hilt. But Republicans charge that Judge Sotomayor's identity will dangerously skew her judgments. They can't seem to grasp that everyone's perspective (even theirs) is to some extent informed by their background and life experience. No one should be shocked that a minority woman from the South Bronx might have a different lens on life than, say, Karl Rove. Sonia Sotomayor put it nicely when she said, \u201cI simply do not know what the difference will be in my judging, but I accept there will be some based on my gender and my Latina heritage.\u201d <br><br>I used to think that, after the debacle of the Bush years, the train wreck of Sarah Palin and the Obama rout, the Republican Party would recover its sanity and regroup. Clearly, I was wrong. People who argue that Sarah Palin is good for America while Sonia Sotomayor is a threat are obviously out of their minds. They are determined to drive their own party off a cliff into oblivion. And they're succeeding nicely. <br><a href=\"http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/in-sonia-v-sarah-gop-is-doomed/article1216888/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/in...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_16:36:03", "killed": false, "user_key": "djchefron", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 5, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12665188": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Oh GOOD LAWD!  IT'S U!!  (look...practicing my GLH language)<br><br>Does the prison hospital know you're on the director's 'puter??!!!<br><br>Jus' Kidding!!<br><br>You are SORELY missed around here.  Some folks hands are getting mighty worn out, slapping the shit out of the like of Jeff Sessions, Chuck Grassley, and Miss Lindsay Graham her own self.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:26:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "IWordsmith", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 15, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12664995, "depth": 3, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12641637": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "We've been neglecting, abusing, and killing First Americans for centuries.<br><br>Now the right wants to use that neglect, abuse, and genocide as an anecdote to not fund heathcare reform?<br><br>How fucking <i>American</i>.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_13:04:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "CraigHickman", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 7, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12641112, "depth": 1, "points": 9, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12657512": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "This is a movie waiting to happen - real life is so much more intriguing than fiction.<br><br>How a Rich Suburban Girl Became a Drug Kingpin<br>Ever since the murder of Rian Thal two weeks ago in Philadelphia, everyone wants to know how this girl from a wealthy suburb ended up a high-stakes drug trafficker in the city\u2019s hip-hop scene\u2014but it\u2019s not as unusual as you might think.<br><br><a href=\"http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-07-10/how-a-rich-suburban-girl-became-a-drug-kingpin/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_19:26:36", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12658025": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Hey, sweet Lady.  How you Be?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_19:46:04", "killed": false, "user_key": "spirit_55z", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12654830, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12651885": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "{{{{{hugs}}}}}<br><br>How are you feeling?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_17:01:16", "killed": false, "user_key": "MsKitty", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12651141, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12650874": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Great article. This sort of connects with my earlier comments about fostering 'engaged' students to will work bilaterally with educators to create knowledge, not simply regurgitate it.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_16:36:42", "killed": false, "user_key": "Conserv1", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12650053, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12672894": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I SSAAAAAAID,  June is bringin' the baked beans.  Listen, dammit.   WHATCHU bringin, huh?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_22:06:52", "killed": false, "user_key": "isonprize", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12647974, "depth": 5, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12675455": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I am la la la-ing as I type.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_23:56:33", "killed": false, "user_key": "rorysmomma", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12675378, "depth": 11, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12658563": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "***NEOSPORIN, MERCUROCHROME, IODINE, BACTINE & BAND-AID!!!**** <br><br>lol", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:00:57", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12658324, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12652421": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "How you doing? It's so good to see you.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_17:17:34", "killed": false, "user_key": "LisaM5432", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12651979, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12641160": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I haven't everything I wanted yesterday, but this woman is SO obviously a wonderful choice for Surgeon General.  My congratulations to her on her nomination.  She appears to be an outstanding physician.  I am suitably impressed and excited for her.<br><br>Damn! This president sure KNOWS how to pick 'em!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_12:49:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "IWordsmith", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 3, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "15006089": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "There were two passages in Obama's speech in Ankara, which I suppose is his much-touted address to the Muslim world, that struck me...Barack Obama was just sworn in as President of the US and though he stumbled in repeating his oath, the speech that followed was delivered...<br><a href=\"http://www.universityframes.com\" rel=\"follow\" rel=\"nofollow\">university diploma</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-08-18_07:55:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "augu4", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "3 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12657550": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "How are you GLH?!?!? We been missing you round these parts!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_19:27:37", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12657277, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12658414": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "lol", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_19:55:25", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12655101, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12652443": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "See this why you rethugs are stupid,you believe polls.Just like in Nov. Sarah will put us over the top.Hillary's voters wont vote for Obama.You and the rest of your party don't have any ideas so to give yourself a hard on you go by a CBS poll which always leans rethugs(and I based that on their track record from the last election)so take your polls and roll with it like a pig in shit because that is exactly what your bigoted party represent. A pile of shit.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_17:18:22", "killed": false, "user_key": "djchefron", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12651356, "depth": 1, "points": 2, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12651940": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Except we tried cutting taxes and deregulation. Thats what created this financial tsunami we are in. <br><br>Has it occurred to you that it will take more than 2 moths to fix this mess that republicans created fro a period of 8 years?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_17:03:17", "killed": false, "user_key": "alison269", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12651356, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12665170": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Miranda:  LOL!!  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:25:17", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12665029, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12667309": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "he really needs to sit his con-artist azz down<br>i can't believe people fall for his jive", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:58:05", "killed": false, "user_key": "danadevin74", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12653766, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12644784": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Damn.  Who got da hot sauce?      Way min, June is bringin' da baked beans.  And Annie got the pasta salad.   Who brought da white bread? <br><br><br>(11 minut temu  - Any idea what language this is?  Every now and then, the time tag on the \"Recent Comments\" column comes up in a different language.  It's been spanish, french, an asian language - I did not recognize the characters, but I don't have a clue on this one.  Anyone?)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_14:22:33", "killed": false, "user_key": "isonprize", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12643772, "depth": 1, "points": 2, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12649400": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<i>Prediction: Murdoch buys NY Daily News<br>Jeff Bercovici<br>Jul 13th 2009 at 3:00PM<br><br>Everyone wants to know when Rupert Murdoch is going to make his long-dreamed-about play for The New York Times. Murdoch himself denies he's plotting anything of the kind -- but could he have a different target in mind? <br><br>That's the view of Baldwin, N.Y-based media appraiser Kevin Kamen, who predicts that the News Corp. (NWS) chairman will attempt to buy the New York Daily News by the end of 2009 -- and expects him to succeed. \"I believe that's something that's being looked at very seriously, although very quietly\" inside News Corp., Kamen tells DailyFinance. \"Obviously, I can't say it's definitely happening, but I think it's being considered by Murdoch for sure. Nobody should be surprised, although everyone will be.\"<br><br>Kamen bases his prediction on information from confidential sources, but also on various public moves Murdoch has made in recent years -- namely, buying the Brooklyn Paper and the TimesLedger and Courier-Life newspaper groups. (The former publishers newspapers in Brooklyn, N.Y. the latter in Queens, N.Y.) Acquiring the Daily News would complete the puzzle, says Kamen. \"There's a strategy there,\" he says. \"He's building up the scenery, if you will -- the support system.\" <br><br>There may be a strategy there, but Mort Zuckerman, who owns the News, is under no obligation to go along with it if he doesn't want to. The real estate mogul calls Kamen's scenario \"total fiction,\" adding, \"The Daily News is not for sale, has never been for sale, and will not be for sale.\" A News Corp. spokeswoman said the company never comments on speculation. <br><br>If it's fiction, however, it's not terribly far-fetched. Just a year ago, Murdoch and Zuckerman were discussing a possible merger of the Daily News's business operations with those of Murdoch's New York Post. The idea for the money-saving collaboration grew out of both moguls' failed bids for Newsday, which went to Cablevision for $650 million. The Post is believed to lose tens of millions of dollars a year; the News has historically been more profitable, but Zuckerman said two years ago that it was sliding into the red, although he claims a new color printing plant will change that. <br><br>Whatever Zuckerman says now, Kamen believes the outcome is all but preordained. \"I think this is inevitable,\" he says. \"Murdoch is never going to have an opportunity to buy the Times, but if he can put together a proposal that's reasonable for the Daily News, I believe Zuckerman will listen.\" <br><a href=\"http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/07/13/prediction-murdoch-buys-ny-daily-news/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/07/13/predicti...</a><br></i>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_15:59:22", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sepia", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12651961": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "It is true that the Indian Health Service is lacking and needs improvement.  I admit that I, personally, don\u2019t have to rely on it, but, I have relatives who do and from what I can see our Tribe doesn\u2019t seem to have the kind of problems some others do.  That may be due to our ability to bring in more revenue.  A key part of this article says a lot as to why many tribes are lacking in health care even though most qualify for medicare or Medicaid.  These barriers, including access to health coverage must be dealt with.  I personally believe the cultural aspect is a big one.   <br><br>\u201cThese issues include cultural barriers, geographic isolation, inadequate sewage disposal and low income.\"  <br><br>Just a few days ago Wendell Potter, an insurance whistleblower, (and we discussed this a little in a thread yesterday) admitted the below to Bill Moyers.   Notice Conserv won\u2019t tell admit to this information though. <br><br>\u201cPotter explains that one of their strategies is to try to convince the American people that they should fear government involvement in health care.<br>To demean and scare people about a government-run plan, try to make people not even remember that Medicare, their Medicare program, is a government-run plan that has operated a lot more efficiently. And also, the people who are enrolled in our Medicare plan like it better. The satisfaction ratings are higher in our Medicare program, a government-run program, than in private insurance. But they don't want you to remember that or to know that, and they want to scare you into thinking that through the anecdotes they tell you, that any government-run system, particularly those in Canada, and UK, and France that the people are very unhappy.\u201d<br><br>These monsters like Conserv are using the predictable scare tactics and playbook of the anti health reform lobbyists even if it means using the most disadvantaged and poverty stricken group of Americans as a tool to serve their goal.   After all is said and done, without major health care reform, the very same people written about in this article will be the ones who will continue to suffer the most.   <br><br>Some commenters in that article are trying to over simplify using Native Indian medical issues as automatically transferable across the board.   It is another throw everything at the wall and see what sticks mentality.<br><br>To prey on such deplorable and sad situations in the Native American community to further the political and profitable gains of the private health care industry is despicable and without conscience.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_17:03:54", "killed": false, "user_key": "Angelar", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12642572, "depth": 3, "points": 5, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12643772": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Good Lord, this man is a Fool with a capital F:<br><br><a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bil-browning/steele-gop-woos-blacks-wi_b_231534.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">Steele: GOP \"woos Blacks\" with Fried Chicken and Potato Salad</a><br><br>What? They were too cheap to spring for some watermelon too?  SMH", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_13:55:51", "killed": false, "user_key": "MsKitty", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 13, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12651457": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "What single-payer government run system?<br><br>What Medicare? The one that runs more efficiently than private insurance?<br><br>Why can't the private sector compete? Or, do you have a problem with them <i>having</i> to compete?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_16:51:01", "killed": false, "user_key": "Plantsmantx", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12650717, "depth": 3, "points": 4, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12651979": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "rikyrah:  <b>SHE'S!  A! WINNER!!!</b>  <br><br><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regina_Benjamin\" rel=\"nofollow\"><b>Regina Marcia Benjamin</b></a><br><br><i>Regina Marcia Benjamin[1] (born on October 26, 1956 in Mobile, Alabama[2]) is an American physician, who runs a nonprofit medical clinic in Bayou La Batre, Alabama, in the United States.<br><br>Dr. Benjamin notably became the first African American woman on the American Medical Association's board of trustees when she was elected to the post in 1995.<br><br>On July 13, 2009 President Barack Obama announced the choice of Benjamin for the position of Surgeon General of the United States.[3][4] Benjamin will be the President's second choice for Surgeon General, after his first choice, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, declined the position.[5] If confirmed, Benjamin will become the third African American and the third non-acting woman[6] to hold the position.<br><br>Education<br><br>Born in 1956, Dr. Benjamin attended Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans and was a member of the second class of the Morehouse School of Medicine.[1] She received her M.D. degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and completed her residency in family practice at the Medical Center of Central Georgia.[1] After entering solo practice in Bayou La Batre, Dr. Benjamin spent several years moonlighting in emergency rooms and nursing homes to keep her practice open. After receiving an MBA from Tulane University in New Orleans, she converted her office to a rural health clinic.[7]<br><br>[edit] Professional Activities<br><br>Regina Benjamin is former associate dean for rural health at the University of South Alabama's College of Medicine in Mobile, where she administers the Alabama AHEC program and previously directed its Telemedicine Program. She serves as the current president of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama. In 1995 she was elected to the American Medical Association's board of trustees, making her the first physician under age 40 and the first African-American woman to be elected.[8]<br><br>Benjamin is a diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice and a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. She was a Kellogg National Fellow and also a Rockefeller Next Generation Leader. She has served on a variety of boards and committees, including the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, Catholic Health East, Medical Association of the State of Alabama, Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, Alabama State Committee of Public Health, Mobile County Medical Society, Alabama Rural Health Association, Leadership Alabama, Mobile Area Red Cross, Mercy Medical, Mobile Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Mobile, and Deep South Girl Scout Council.[9]<br><br>She was appointed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act Committee and to the Council of Graduate Medical Education, and she is also a member of the \"Step 3 Committee.\"[9] In Alabama, she formerly served as vice president of the Governor's Commission on Aging, and also formerly as a member of the Governor's Health Care Reform Task Force and the Governor's Task Force on Children's Health.[9]<br><br>Benjamin's clinic was destroyed in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina and in 2006 by a fire on New Year's Day, one day before the scheduled reopening. She made headlines when she rebuilt the clinic a second time.[7]<br><br>[edit] Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic<br><br>Dr. Benjamin is founder and CEO of the Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. Bayou La Batre is a small shrimping village along the gulf coast. Dr. Benjamin was the subject of a Reader's Digest article that chronicled her efforts to rebuild the clinic after Hurricane Katrina.[10]<br><br>Surgeon General of the United States<br>Benjamin accepting President Obama's nomination.<br><br>On July 13, 2009, Benjamin was nominated by President Barack Obama to hold the position of Surgeon General of the United States.[11] Benjamin accepted the President's nomination, and made clear of her dissatisfaction with the current health care system, in terms of both accessibilty, as well as cost.[1]<br><br>Also in accepting her nomination, Benjamin described her own hardships faced by disease and illness in her own family. She noted her brother, who died of HIV, as well as her father, who died of high blood pressure and diabetes, and her mother who died of lung cancer. All of which, she implied, were \"preventable diseases.\"[12]<br><br>[edit] Awards<br><br>In 1998 she was the United States recipient of the Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights.[7]<br><br>Dr. Benjamin was named by Time Magazine as one of the \"Nation's 50 Future Leaders Age 40 and Under.\" She has been featured in a New York Times article, \"Angel in a White Coat,\" and was chosen \"Person of the Week\" by ABC's World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, \"Woman of the Year\" by CBS This Morning, and \"Woman of the Year\" by People Magazine. She was also featured on the December 1999 cover of Clarity Magazine and received the 2000 National Caring Award, which was inspired by Mother Teresa.[9]<br><br>In 2006, she was awarded the papal cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice by Pope Benedict XVI.[13]<br><br>In 2008, Benjamin was named one of America's Best Leaders by U.S. News & World Report.[14]<br><br>In September, she was one of 25 recipients of the $500,000 \u201cgenius awards,\u201d awarded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.[15]<br><br>[edit] References<br><br>   1. ^ a b c d e Woman in the News | Regina Marcia Benjamin A Doctor From the Bayou\u200e<br>   2. ^ Regina Benjamin Picked as Surgeon General\u200e<br>   3. ^ Alabama Doctor Tapped for Surgeon General<br>   4. ^ Obama picks Regina Benjamin as surgeon general<br>   5. ^ Obama chooses Alabama doctor as next surgeon general<br>   6. ^ Benjamin will be the third woman after former Surgeon Generals Antonia Coello Novello and Joycelyn Elders, or the fourth woman after Audrey F. Manley, who served as acting Surgeon General in 1993.<br>   7. ^ a b c \"Obama Taps 'Genius' Doctor, Katrina Victim for Surgeon General\". article (FOX News Network). 2009-07-13. <a href=\"http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/07/13/obama-taps-alabama-doctor-surgeon-general/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/07/13/obam...</a>. Retrieved on 2009-07-13. <br>   8. ^ Dr. Regina Benjamin's Background - <a href=\"http://FOX10tv.com\" rel=\"nofollow\">FOX10tv.com</a><br>   9. ^ a b c d Regina M. Benjamin, MD - Bayou Clinic Homepage<br>  10. ^ <a href=\"http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/dr-regina-benjamin----a-healing-force/article19591.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people...</a><br>  11. ^ The Doctor Is (Finally) In: Obama To Name Regina Benjamin<br>  12. ^ Regina Benjamin, Obama's Pick For Surgeon General<br>  13. ^ \"Obama Taps Ala. Doctor For Surgeon General\". <a href=\"http://cbs5.com/national/obama.surgeon.general.2.1083264.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://cbs5.com/national/obama.surgeon.general....</a>. Retrieved on 2009-07-13. <br>  14. ^ \"America's Best Leaders - Regina Benjamin\". <a href=\"http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/best-leaders/2008/11/19/americas-best-leaders-regina-benjamin-small-town-primary-care-physician.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/best-leader...</a>. Retrieved on 2009-07-13. <br>  15. ^ Obama Names Regina Benjamin as Surgeon General</i><br><br><br><b>HER CREDENTIALS - - - S-P-E-A-K!!</b>  :&gt;)<br><br><b>THANK YOU - - -PRESIDENT OBAMA!!</b>   :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_17:04:28", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 8, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 2, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12659153": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "<i>\u201cMy friend Judge Cedarbaum is here,\u201d Sotomayor riposted, to Sessions\u2019 apparent surprise. \u201cWe are good friends, and I believe that we both approach judging in the same way, which is looking at the facts of each individual case and applying the law to those facts.\u201d</i><br><br>The only PART I got to see, this was part of it.  And I laughed out loud!!   <br><br>\"My friend, Judge Cedarbaum...\"   Ah, jus' loverly.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:06:52", "killed": false, "user_key": "IWordsmith", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 17, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12658324, "depth": 1, "points": 2, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12675541": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "LOL!!  I!  HEAR!  YA!  :&gt;)   :&gt;)<br><br>***HUGS***  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-15_00:01:56", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12675455, "depth": 12, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12654042": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "An interesting development in the NJ governor's race ...<br><br><a href=\"http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/report_says_gov_jon_corzine_is.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">Report: Gov. Corzine to pick 'Apprentice' Winner Randal Pinkett for lieutenant governor run</a><br><br>I haven't really followed Pinkett since he was TV so I'll reserve judgment.  Having said that, some polls have Corzine is lagging behind Chris Christie by double digits so getting out the minority vote is going to be crucial.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_17:59:52", "killed": false, "user_key": "MsKitty", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12656719": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "MsKitty:   HEEEEY!!!   :&gt;)      :&gt;)     ****HUGS****    :&gt;)<br><br>Farin' betta!!!   :&gt;)    :&gt;)<br><br><a href=\"http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif\" rel=\"nofollow\">THANKS 4 YOUR GOOD WISHES!!  LUV YA!!</a>   :&gt;)   :&gt;)", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_18:57:32", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12651885, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12642780": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "GAWD, put these mofos out of their misery....soon.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_13:30:41", "killed": false, "user_key": "spirit_55z", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12641459, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12646883": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Oh snap...you're right! The only thing we like grape is the now & laters candy! LOL", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_15:21:56", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 4, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12645934, "depth": 3, "points": 3, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12667365": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "sagittarius:  HEEEEY!     :&gt;)    :&gt;)<br><br><a href=\"http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif\" rel=\"nofollow\">HOW ABSOLUTELY KIND OF U!  LUV YA!!  :&gt;)</a>   :&gt;)<br><br>YES!  I am followin' DOCs ORDERS PRECISELY!!  :&gt;)  TA-RUST!!   :&gt;)<br><br>God Bless U!  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:58:17", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 10, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12666206, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12649961": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "2 Somali men indicted in terror plot<br><br>The charges against the two men are part of a massive investigation into the disappearance of up to 20 local men of Somali descent. <br>By JAMES WALSH, RICHARD MERYHEW and ALLIE SHAH, Star Tribune staff writers <br>Last update: July 14, 2009 - 6:01 AM<br><br>The first indictments in a major counterterrorism investigation became public Monday when a Twin Cities Somali man appeared in federal court on charges of providing support to terrorists and conspiracy to \"kill, kidnap, maim or injure\" people in foreign countries.<br>A federal grand jury had indicted Salah Osman Ahmed, 26, of Brooklyn Park, and Abdifatah Yusuf Isse, of Seattle, in February, but the indictments were kept sealed until Ahmed appeared Monday afternoon before Magistrate Judge Susan Richard Nelson.<br>Special agent E.K. Wilson confirmed Monday that the indictments of Isse and Ahmed are connected to a major federal investigation into the disappearance of up to 20 local men of Somali descent. It is believed that the Minnesota men may have been recruited by terrorists to return to their families' homeland to fight in the continuing civil war there. Since October, at least four have died there.<br>\"It is related to the ongoing investigation,\" Wilson said of the charges unsealed Monday.<br>The alleged time frame of Isse and Ahmed's involvement overlaps the period when several of the Twin Cities men disappeared. The first wave of young men to leave Minneapolis for Somalia began in early 2007. A second wave is believed to have left in the late summer and late fall of 2008.<br>According to the indictment, federal investigators allege the men \"provided material support and resources, namely personnel, including themselves, knowing and intending that the material support and resources were to be used in preparation for and to carry out a conspiracy to kill, kidnap, maim or injure persons in a foreign country\" from September 2007 through December 2008.<br><br><a href=\"http://www.startribune.com/local/north/50654962.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.startribune.com/local/north/50654962...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_16:14:57", "killed": false, "user_key": "spirit_55z", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12654571": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Oh I agree totally.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_18:14:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12654297, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12667730": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Hey Greenlady!!! I soo missed you!  It is good to see you online.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:59:23", "killed": false, "user_key": "rorysmomma", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 9, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12667365, "depth": 7, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12666110": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "EVENING OPEN THREAD IS UP!!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_20:54:16", "killed": false, "user_key": "rikyrah", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": true, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12644340": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "No grape kool-aid?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_14:10:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 6, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12643772, "depth": 1, "points": 3, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12654069": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "rikyrah:  HEEEEY!   :&gt;)  Doin' betta!  Just still have care-takin' of another family member, etc.  Tight!  But God is blessing.  :&gt;)<br><br>I BEGGED 2 post on the FIRST FAMILY'S trip 2 Ghana [I lived there at 1 time] BUT. . . . .   :&gt;)<br><br>Again, <b>C-O-N-G-R-A-T-U-L-A-T-O-N-S</b> on the JJP RECOGNITION!!<br><br>Followin' doctor's ORDERS!  TA-RUST!!!   :&gt;)    :&gt;)<br><br><a href=\"http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif\" rel=\"nofollow\"><b>MISSIN' U'ALL TERRIBLY!  :&gt;)  THANKS!!  MUCH LUV!!</b></a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_18:00:36", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12652283, "depth": 2, "points": 2, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "12655101": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "So you think all of your great leaders like Bush,liz Cheney and the rest of your ilk shouldn't  go to College because of family entitlements?Well I am not religious but praise Jesus, Conserv has seen the light.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-07-14_18:21:02", "killed": false, "user_key": "djchefron", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "4 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 12651167, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}}, "integration": {"receiver_url": "", "theme": 4, "reply_position": true, "disqus_logo": false}, "timer": {"timer_url": "http://localhost:8005", "thread_id": "25445721", "user_id": "anonymous", "forum_id": "21630", "hash": -1075657913744450222}, "thread": {"days_alive": 0, "slug": "afternoon_open_thread_40", "paginate": false, "num_pages": 1, "num_posts": 128, "per_page": 0, "total_posts": 0, "realtime_paused": true, "id": 25445721, "queued": false}, "reactions_limit": 10, "context": {"show_reply": true, "use_fb_connect": true, "forum_facebook_key": "bd6a8bc56f8eb204984f34b6fefe228d", "use_yahoo": false, "subscribed": false, "use_twitter_signin": true, "use_openid": false, "realtime_speed": 5000}, "reactions_start": 0, "settings": {"debug": false, "disqus_url": "http://disqus.com", "media_url": "http://media.disqus.com"}, "media_url": "http://media.disqus.com"};
	/* */ this.jsonData.cookie_messages = {"user_created": null, "post_has_profile": null, "post_twitter": null, "post_not_approved": null}; this.jsonData.session = {"url": null, "name": null, "email": null}; /* */

	
	this.curPageId = 'dsq-comments';

	this.frames = {};
};

var disqus_popup_reference = null;

if(typeof DsqLocal == 'undefined') {
	DsqLocal = {};
}



/**
 * Dsq.Strings: UI strings
 */
Dsq.Strings = new function() {
	this.ADD_NEW_COMMENT = "Add New Comment";
	this.LOG_INTO_DISQUS = "Log into DISQUS";
	this.USE_MEDIA = "Use Media";
	this.LOGOUT = "Logout";
	this.SHARING_OPTIONS = "Sharing options";
	this.SHARE_ON = "Share on";
	this.TWEET_THIS_COMMENT = "Tweet this comment";
	this.SHARE_ON_NEWSFEED = "Share on news feed";
	this.SEND_UPDATE_TO_YAHOO = "Send update to Yahoo!";
	this.REBLOG_ON = "Reblog on";
	this.CONFIGURE_OPTIONS = "Configure options";
	this.POST_AS = "Post as";
	this.SORT_BY = "Sort by";
	this.SUBSCRIBE_BY_EMAIL = "Subscribe by email";
	this.SUBSCRIBE_BY_RSS = "Subscribe by RSS";
	this.POPULAR_NOW = "Popular now";
	this.BEST_RATING = "Best Rating";
	this.NEWEST_FIRST = "Newest first";
	this.OLDEST_FIRST = "Oldest first";
	this.HIGHLIGHTED = "Highlighted";
	this.UNSUBSCRIBE = "Unsubscribe";
	this.REQUIRED = "Required";
	this.OPTIONAL = "Optional";
	this.YOU_ARE_COMMENTING_AS_A = "You are commenting as a";
	this.LOGIN_BELOW = "Login below";
	this.PLEASE_LOGIN_BELOW_TO_COMMENT = "Please login below to comment.";
	this.SUBSCRIBE_TO_ALL_COMMENTS_BY_EMAIL = "Subscribe to all comments by email";
	this.DO_NOT_SUBSCRIBE_TO_COMMENTS = "Do not subscribe to comments";
	this.REALTIME_UPDATING_IS = "Real-time updating is";
	this.ENABLED = "enabled";
	this.PAUSED = "paused";
	this.PAUSE = "Pause";
	this.RESUME = "Resume";
	this.SHOW = "Show";
	this.JUST_NOW = "Just now";
	this.REPLY = "Reply";
	this.EDIT = "Edit";
	this.FLAG = "Flag";
	this.MODERATE = "Moderate";
	this.CANCEL = "Cancel";
	this.REPLYING_TO = "Replying to";
	this.REPORT_MISSING_REACTIONS = "Report missing reactions";
	this.POST_A_COMMENT = "Post a comment";
	this.FLAG_INAPPROPRIATE_COMMENT = "Flag inappropriate comment";
	this.FLAGGED = "Flagged";
	this.NO = "No";
	this.YES = "Yes";
	this.NEVER_MIND = "Never mind";
	this.ARE_YOU_SURE_YOU_WOULD_LIKE_TO_REPORT_THIS_COMMENT_TO_A_MODERATOR = "Are you sure you would like to report this comment to a moderator";
	this.THIS_WILL_FLAG_COMMENTS_FOR_MODERATORS_TO_TAKE_ACTION = "This will flag comments for moderators to take action";
	this.TO_RATE_PLEASE_LOG_IN = "To rate, please log in";
	this.JUST_A_MOMENT = "Just a moment...";
	this.GUEST = "Guest";
	this.NAME = "Name";
	this.EMAIL = "Email";
  this.WEBSITE = "Website";
  this.SETTINGS = "Settings";
  this.MODERATOR_OPTIONS = "Moderator options: ";
};
// Dsq.Strings

/**
 * Dsq.FmtStrings: functions that return interpolated UI strings
 */
Dsq.FmtStrings = new function() {
	// Seems we have to use named interpolation for Django to translate. Investigate more.
	this.LOGGED_IN_AS = function(username) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate('Logged in as %(username)s', {username:username});
	};

	this.LOGOUT_FROM = function(disqus) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate('Logout from %(disqus)s', {disqus:disqus});
	};

	this.SHOWING_COMMENTS_FULL = function(total, num) {
		if (num === 1) {
			return Dsq.Utils.interpolate("Showing <span id='dsq-num-posts'>%(num)s</span> of <span id='dsq-total-posts'>%(total)s</span> comment", {num:num, total:total});
		} else {
			return Dsq.Utils.interpolate("Showing <span id='dsq-num-posts'>%(num)s</span> of <span id='dsq-total-posts'>%(total)s</span> comments", {num:num, total:total});
		}
	};

	this.SHOWING_COMMENTS_WITHOUT_PAGINATION = function(num) {
		if (num === 1) {
			return Dsq.Utils.interpolate("Showing <span id='dsq-num-posts'>%(num)s</span> comment", {num:num});
		} else {
			return Dsq.Utils.interpolate("Showing <span id='dsq-num-posts'>%(num)s</span> comments", {num:num});
		}
	};

	this.NUMBER_OF_COMMENTS = function(num) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
			(num == 1
				? '%(num)s comment'
				: '%(num)s comments'
			), {num:num});
	};

	this.NUMBER_OF_LIKES = function(num) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
			(num == 1
				? '%(num)s like'
				: '%(num)s likes'
			), {num:num});
	};

	this.NUMBER_OF_POINTS = function(num) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
			(num == 1
				? '%(num)s point'
				: '%(num)s points'
			), {num:num});
	};
};
// Dsq.FmtStrings





Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN = '3a1994e3330279e78957da82fb64f754';
Dsq.COMMENTS_RE = /(<li.*?id="?dsq-comment-(\d+)"?.*?>)((?:.|\s)*?)(<\/li>)/gim;
Dsq.POST_RE = /(<div.*?id="?dsq-comment-header-(\d+)"?.*?>)((?:.|\s)*?)(<\/div>)\s*(<div.*?class="?dsq-comment-body"?.*?>)((?:.|\s)*)(<\/div>)/gim;
Dsq.POST_BODY_RE = /\s*(<div.*?id="?dsq-comment-message-(\d+)"?.*?>)((?:.|\s)*)(<\/div>)/gim;
// HACK: Safari ends with "-->" while other browsers end with "--&gt;" as expected.
Dsq.MEDIA_POST_RE = /&lt;!--\[(.*?)\]--(?:>|&gt;)/gim;



var FragmentPacket = function(reader, writer, writer_url, is_child, receiveCallback) {
	var that = this;
	this.reader = reader;
	this.writer = writer;
	this.writer_url = writer_url;

	this.is_child = is_child || false;
	this.receiveCallback = receiveCallback;

	this._lastHash = null;

	this._accumMsg = '';

	this._lastSeqno = 0;

	this.MAX_DATA_LEN	= 1024;

	this.WAIT_TIME		= 10;

	this.READY		= 0x1;
	this.WRITING	= 0x2;
	this.FIN		= 0x4;
	this.ACK		= 0x8;

};

FragmentPacket.prototype.createListener = function() {
	var that = this;
	var listener = function() {
		that.recv();
	};
	return window.setInterval(listener, 10);
};

FragmentPacket.prototype.log = function(msg) {



};

FragmentPacket.prototype.recv = function() {
	var hash;
	if (/MSIE/.test(navigator.userAgent)) {

		hash = this.reader.name;
	} else {

		var hashIndex = this.reader.location.href.indexOf('#');
		if (hashIndex == -1) {
			return;
		}
		hash = this.reader.location.href.substring(hashIndex+1);
	}
	var flags = parseInt(hash.substring(0, 4), 10);
	var seqno = parseInt(hash.substring(4, 24), 10);
	var data  = hash.substring(24);

	if (this._lastHash !== hash) {
		this._lastHash = hash;
		this.log('recv: ' + hash);

		this.log(' flags: ' + flags);
		this.log(' seqno: ' + seqno + ' len: ' + hash.substring(4, 24).length + ' (' + hash.substring(4, 24) + ')');
		this.log(' data: ' + data + ' len: ' + data.length);

		this._lastSeqno = seqno;

		if (flags & this.WRITING) {
			this._accumMsg += data;
			this.sendFlag(this.ACK, seqno);
			if (flags & this.FIN) {
				this.log('recv finished: ' + decodeURIComponent(this._accumMsg));
				this.receiveCallback(decodeURIComponent(this._accumMsg));

				this._accumMsg = '';

				this.sendFlag(this.READY | this.ACK, this._lastSeqno);
			}
		}
	}

	return {
		flags: flags,
		seqno: seqno,
		data: data
	};
};

FragmentPacket.prototype.sendRawPacket = function(packet) {
	if (/MSIE/.test(navigator.userAgent)) {
		this.writer.name = packet;
	} else {

		this.writer.location.href = this.writer_url + '#' + packet;
	}

};

FragmentPacket.prototype.sendFlag = function(flag, seqno) {
	this.sendRawPacket(this._zerofill(flag, 4) + this._zerofill(seqno, 20));
};

FragmentPacket.prototype.send = function(msg) {
	this._send(0, encodeURIComponent(msg));
};

FragmentPacket.prototype._send = function(packetNum, msg) {
	var that = this;
	var recvBuf = this.recv();

	if (packetNum === 0) {

		if (!(recvBuf.flags & this.READY)) {
			this.log('client is not ready, waiting...');
			window.setTimeout(function() { that._send(packetNum, msg); }, this.WAIT_TIME);
			return;
		}
	} else {

		if (!( (recvBuf.flags & this.ACK) && (recvBuf.seqno === this._lastSeqno) )) {
			this.log('waiting for ack from client...');
			window.setTimeout(function() { that._send(packetNum, msg); }, this.WAIT_TIME);
			return;
		} else {
			this.log('received ack: ' + this._lastSeqno + ' ' + recvBuf.seqno);
		}
	}

	var flags = this.WRITING;
	var num_packets = Math.ceil(msg.length / this.MAX_DATA_LEN);
	this.log('num_packets: ' + num_packets);

	if (num_packets === packetNum) {

		this.log('message successfully sent!');
		this.sendFlag(this.READY | this.ACK, this._lastSeqno);
		return true;
	}

	this._lastSeqno++;

	if (packetNum == num_packets-1) {
		flags |= this.FIN;
	}

	var data = msg.substring(packetNum * this.MAX_DATA_LEN, (packetNum+1) * this.MAX_DATA_LEN);
	var packet = this._zerofill(flags, 4) + this._zerofill(this._lastSeqno, 20) + data;

	this.log('sending raw packet: ' + packet);
	this.sendRawPacket(packet);

	return this._send(packetNum + 1, msg);
};

FragmentPacket.prototype._zerofill = function(num, width) {
	var retval = num.toString();
	var retval_len = retval.length;
	for (var i = 0; i < width - retval_len; i++) {
		retval = '0' + retval;
	}
	return retval;
};

var PostMessagePacket = function(receiver, receiveCallback, id, receiverId) {
	var that = this;
	this.receiver = receiver;
	this.receiveCallback = receiveCallback;
	this.id = id;


	this.receiverId = receiverId;
};

PostMessagePacket.prototype.createListener = function() {
	var that = this;

	var listener = function(e) {

		if (!that.id) {
			that.id = e.data;
			return;
		}


		var id = e.data.split(';')[0];
		if (id !== that.id) {
			return;
		}
		var data = e.data.substring(e.data.indexOf(';') + 1);

		that.receiveCallback(data);
	};

	if (typeof window.attachEvent == 'function') {
		window.attachEvent('onmessage', listener);
	} else if (typeof window.addEventListener == 'function') {
		window.addEventListener('message', listener, false);
	} else {
		throw new Error('No method found to create event listener for PostMessagePacket.');
	}
};

PostMessagePacket.prototype.send = function(msg) {



	var needs_reget = false;
	try {
		if (typeof this.receiver.id == 'undefined' || typeof this.receiver.postMessage == 'undefined') {
			needs_reget = true;
		}
	} catch(e) {


	}
	if (needs_reget && typeof this.receiverId != 'undefined') {
		this.receiver = document.getElementById(this.receiverId).contentWindow;
	}

	var packet;
	if (!msg) {

		packet = this.id;
	} else {
		packet = this.id + ';' + msg;
	}
	this.receiver.postMessage(packet, '*');
};

PostMessagePacket._last_unique_id = null;
PostMessagePacket._get_unique_id = function() {
	var id = (new Date()).getTime();
	if (id == PostMessagePacket._last_unique_id) {
		id++;
	}
	PostMessagePacket._last_unique_id = id;
	return id.toString();
};

var JsonRpc = function() {

	this.ids = {};

	this.objectToJSON = function(obj) {
		var json = '';
		var results = [];

		if (obj === undefined || obj === null) {
			return 'null';
		}

		switch (obj.constructor) {
			case Object:
				for (var property in obj) {
					if (obj.hasOwnProperty(property)) {
						results.push(this.objectToJSON(property) + ': ' + this.objectToJSON(obj[property]));
					}
				}
				json = '{' + results.join(', ') + '}';
				break;
			case Array:
				for (var i = 0; i < obj.length; i++) {
					results.push(this.objectToJSON(obj[i]));
				}
				json = '[' + results.join(', ') + ']';
				break;
			case Number:
			case Boolean:
				json = obj.toString();
				break;
			case String:

				var specialChars = {'\b': '\\b', '\t': '\\t', '\n': '\\n', '\f': '\\f', '\r': '\\r', '\\': '\\\\'};

				json = obj.replace(/[\x00-\x1f\\]/g, function(match) {
					var ch = specialChars[match];
					return ch ? ch : '\\u00' + match.charCodeAt().toPaddedString(2, 16);
				});

				json = '"' + json.replace(/"/g, '\\"') + '"';
				break;
			default:

				json = 'null';
				break;
		}

		return json;
	};

	this.createHandler = function(send_func, registered_funcs) {
		var that = this;
		var handler = function(message) {

			try {
				var rpc = eval('(' + message + ')');
			} catch(e) {
				alert('bad JSON: ' + message);
				return;
			}
			if (rpc.method) {

				if (!registered_funcs[rpc.method]) {
					return;
				}

				var retval = registered_funcs[rpc.method].apply(null, rpc.params);
				if (rpc.id) {
					var response = {
						result: retval,
						error: null,	// TODO
						id: rpc.id
					};
					send_func(that.objectToJSON(response));
				}
			} else if(rpc.result) {

				if (!that.ids[rpc.id]) {
					return;
				}

				that.ids[rpc.id](rpc.result);
				delete that.ids[rpc.id];
			}
		};
		return handler;
	};

	this.execute = function(send_func, method, params, response_callback) {
		response_callback = response_callback || null;
		var id = (response_callback) ? (new Date()).getTime() : null;

		var request = {
			method: method,
			params: params,
			id: id
		};

		send_func(this.objectToJSON(request));

		if (id) {
			this.ids[id] = response_callback;
		}
	};
};
JsonRpc = new JsonRpc();

var ParentMessenger = function(childUrl, receiverUrl, container, receiveCallback) {


	if (navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Safari') >= 0 && parseInt(navigator.userAgent.substring(navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Version/') + 8), 10) == 3) {
		throw new Error("unsupported.");
	} else if (window.opera) {
		throw new Error("unsupported.");
	}



	if (!receiverUrl &&
		navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Gecko') >= 0 &&
		parseFloat(navigator.userAgent.slice(navigator.userAgent.indexOf('rv:') + 3, navigator.userAgent.indexOf('rv:') + 6)) < 1.9) {
		throw new Error("unsupported.");
	}


	if (/msie/i.test(navigator.userAgent) && !/opera/i.test(navigator.userAgent)) {


		if (document.domain == window.location.hostname) {
			receiverUrl = '';
		}
	}

	var that = this;
	this.childUrl = childUrl;
	this.receiverUrl = receiverUrl;
	this.container = container || document.body;

	this.packetHandler = null;


	this._ready = false;
	this._error = false;


	var _createReceiverForFragmentPacket = function() {

		that.receiver = document.createElement('iframe');
		that.receiver.src = receiverUrl;
		that.receiver.id = 'receiver_' + (new Date()).getTime();
		that.receiver.name = that.receiver.id;

		that.receiver.frameBorder = '0';
		that.receiver.frameSpacing = '0';
		that.receiver.style.borderStyle = 'none';

		var receiver_onload = function() {
			var receiver = document.getElementById(that.receiver.id).contentWindow;

			try {
				receiver.document.body.innerHTML = '';
			} catch(e) {

				that._error = true;
			}
			receiver.document.body.style.padding = '0px';
			receiver.document.body.style.margin = '0px';

			var child = receiver.document.createElement('iframe');
			child.id = 'child';
			child.name = 'child';
			child.src = that.childUrl;

			child.frameBorder = '0';
			child.frameSpacing = '0';
			child.style.borderStyle = 'none';
			child.style.width = '100%';
			child.style.height = '100%';
			receiver.document.body.appendChild(child);

			that.child = receiver.document.getElementById('child').contentWindow;
			that.receiver = receiver;

			that.packetHandler = new FragmentPacket(that.receiver, that.child, that.childUrl, false, receiveCallback);

			that._listener = that.packetHandler.createListener();

			that.packetHandler.sendFlag(that.packetHandler.READY, 0);

			that._ready = true;
		};

		that.receiver.onreadystatechange = function() {
			if (this.readyState == 'complete') {
				receiver_onload();
			}
		};

		that.receiver.onload = receiver_onload;







		if (Dsq.Utils.ie) {
			if (that.container.clientWidth === 0) {

				var _waitForWidth = function() {
					if (that.container.clientWidth > 0) {
						Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(that.container.id);
					} else {
						window.setTimeout(_waitForWidth, 100);
					}
				};
				_waitForWidth();

				that._once = false;
				that.receiver.onresize = function() {
					if (!that._once) {
						Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(that.container.id);
					}
					that._once = true;
				};
			}
		}

		that.container.appendChild(that.receiver);
	};


	var _createReceiverForPostMessage = function() {

		var receiver_onload = function() {

			that.packetHandler.send();
			that._ready = true;
		};

		var id = PostMessagePacket._get_unique_id();
		var receiverId = 'child_' + id;


		ParentMessenger['_receiver_onload_' + receiverId] = receiver_onload;

		that.container.innerHTML += '<iframe ' +
			'src="' + childUrl + '" ' +
			'id="' + receiverId + '" ' +
			'name="' + receiverId + '" ' +
			'onload="ParentMessenger._receiver_onload_' + receiverId +'();" ' +
			'></iframe>';

		that.receiver = document.getElementById(receiverId).contentWindow;
		that.packetHandler = new PostMessagePacket(that.receiver, receiveCallback, id, receiverId);
		that._listener = that.packetHandler.createListener();
	};

	if (typeof window.postMessage == 'function') {
		_createReceiverForPostMessage();
	} else {
		_createReceiverForFragmentPacket();
	}

};

ParentMessenger.prototype.sendMessage = function(message) {
	var that = this;
	if (!this._ready) {

		window.setTimeout(function() { that.sendMessage(message); }, 10);
		return;
	}
	this.packetHandler.send(message);
	return true;
};

Dsq.NewFrames = function(url) {
	this.url = url;
};

Dsq.NewFrames.prototype.init = function(onFailure) {
	var that = this;

	try {
		this.messenger = new ParentMessenger(this.url, Dsq.jsonData.integration.receiver_url, this.container, this.receive_callback);
	} catch(e) {
		if (typeof onFailure == 'function') {
			onFailure();
		}
	}

	if (typeof onFailure == 'function') {
		var iId = window.setInterval(function() {
			if (typeof that.messenger == 'undefined') {
				window.clearInterval(iId);
				return;
			}
			if (that.messenger._ready) {
				window.clearInterval(iId);
			} else if (that.messenger._error) {
				window.clearInterval(iId);
				onFailure();
			}
		}, 10);
	}
};

Dsq.NewFrames.prototype._execute = function(method, args, callback) {
	var that = this;
	if (typeof that.messenger == 'undefined') {
		return false;
	}
	JsonRpc.execute(
		function(msg) { that.messenger.sendMessage(msg); },
		method,
		args || [],
		callback);
	return true;
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame = function(container, parent_post_id) {
	var that = this;
	this.container = container;
	this.parent_post_id = parent_post_id;

	var sendFunc = function(msg) {

		Dsq.Debug.log('Dsq.ReplyFrame.sendFunc');
		that.messenger.sendMessage(msg);
	};


	var postComment_onSuccess = function(response) {
		Dsq.jsonData.posts[response.message.id] = response.message.post_meta;
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.users[response.message.post_meta.user_key]) {
			Dsq.jsonData.users[response.message.post_meta.user_key] = response.message.user_meta;
		}


		var reply_position = (typeof(disqus_insert_wrt_sort) == 'undefined' 
			? (Dsq.jsonData.forum.reply_position ? -1 : null) 
			: (Dsq.jsonData.request.sort == 2 ? null : -1));
		
		if (response.message.post_meta.approved) {
			Dsq.Post.insert(response.message.post_meta.parent_post_id || reply_position, response.message.id, response.message.post_meta.message);
		}

		Dsq.Templates.postComment_onSuccess(response, parent_post_id, response.message.id);
	};

	var postComment_onFailure = function(response) {
		Dsq.Popup.popModal(response.message, 'Error');
		Dsq.Templates.postComment_onFailure(response, parent_post_id, response.message.id);
	};

	var editComment_onSuccess = function(response) {
		var post_id = parent_post_id;
		var message = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-message-' + post_id);
		
		message.innerHTML = response.message;
		Dsq.Templates.toggleEdit(post_id);
		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(false);
	};
	
	var editComment_onFailure = function(response) {
		var post_id = parent_post_id;
		
		Dsq.Popup.popModal('Sorry, there was an error editing this comment.', 'Edit Error');
		Dsq.Templates.toggleEdit(post_id);
		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(false);
	};

	var getUserByEmail_onSuccess = function(response) {
		var msg = response.message;
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(parent_post_id);

		if (msg.username) {

			Dsq.Templates.lightboxAuthenticate(parent_post_id, 'login', {
				'username': msg.username,
				'display_name': msg.display_name,
				'avatar_url': msg.avatar_url,
				'verified': msg.verified,
				'email': fields.email.value
			});
		} else {

			Dsq.Templates.lightboxAuthenticate(parent_post_id, 'register');
		}
	};

	var validateAuth_onSuccess = function(response, auth_choice) {
		Dsq.Templates.postComment(parent_post_id, null, true, auth_choice);
	};

	var validateAuth_onFailure = function(response, auth_choice) {
		var pid = parent_post_id ? '-' + parent_post_id : '';
		var msg = response.message;

		if (auth_choice == 'register') {
			var fields = ['email', 'username', 'password'];

			for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; i++) {
				var field = fields[i];
				var errorDiv = Dsq.$('dsq-' + field + '-errors' + pid);

				if (msg[field]) {
					errorDiv.innerHTML = msg[field];
				} else {
					errorDiv.innerHTML = '';
				}
			}
		} else if (auth_choice == 'login') {
			Dsq.$('dsq-lightbox-errors' + pid).innerHTML = '<p>We couldn\'t log you in. Please verify your login.</p>';
		}
		
		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(false);
	};

	this.receive_callback = JsonRpc.createHandler(sendFunc, {
		'postComment.onSuccess': postComment_onSuccess,
		'postComment.onFailure': postComment_onFailure,
		'editComment.onSuccess': editComment_onSuccess,
		'editComment.onFailure': editComment_onFailure,		
		'getUserByEmail.onSuccess': getUserByEmail_onSuccess,
		'validateAuth.onSuccess': validateAuth_onSuccess,
		'validateAuth.onFailure': validateAuth_onFailure,
		'reload': function() { window.location.reload(); }
	});

	this.url = Dsq.Urls.REPLY +
		'?' + (new Date()).getTime() +
		'&f=jackandjillpolitics' +
		'&t=afternoon_open_thread_40' +
		'&ff=' + Dsq.Thread.ff +
		'&default_text=' + disqus_default_text +
		'&ifrs=' + encodeURIComponent(disqus_iframe_css);
	if (this.parent_post_id) {
		this.url += '&parent_post=' + this.parent_post_id;
	}
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype = new Dsq.NewFrames(Dsq.ReplyFrame.url);

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.post = function(author_name, author_email, author_url, authenticate, sharing_services, subscribe) {
	this._execute('postComment', [author_name, author_email, author_url, authenticate, sharing_services, subscribe]);
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.edit = function(post_id, message) {
	this._execute('editComment', [post_id, message]);
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.setState = function(parent_post_id, depth) {
	this._execute('setState', [parent_post_id, depth]);
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.getUserByEmail = function(email) {
	this._execute('getUserByEmail', [email]);
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.validateAuth = function(auth_choice, email, username, password) {
	this._execute('validateAuth', [auth_choice, email, username, password]);
};

Dsq.ReplyFrame.prototype.authenticateFacebook = function(session, forum_url) {
	this._execute('authenticateFacebook', [session, forum_url]);
};

	Dsq.Facebook = function() {
	var that = this;

	var handleSessionData = function(session) {

		var forum_url = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;




		if (typeof disqus_facebook_forum != 'undefined') {
			forum_url = disqus_facebook_forum;
		}
		Dsq.frames.reply_0.authenticateFacebook(session, forum_url);
	};

	var onLogin = function() {
		FB.Connect.getSignedPublicSessionData(handleSessionData);
	};

	this.login = function() {
		FB.Connect.requireSession(onLogin, true);
	};
};
Dsq.Facebook = new Dsq.Facebook();


	






Dsq.Themes = {};

Dsq.Themes.narcissus = new function() {
	this.addPostContainer = 'dsq-form-area';
	this.textareaContainer = 'dsq-textarea-wrapper';



	
	this.header = function() {
		var comments_count, total_posts, num_posts;
		var html = '';
		var missing_perm_tmpl;

		if (Dsq.jsonData.request.missing_perm) {
			missing_perm_tmpl = Dsq.Templates.missingPermissions();
			if (missing_perm_tmpl) {
				html += '<div class="dsq-missing-permissions">' + missing_perm_tmpl + '</div>';
			}
		}

		total_posts = Dsq.jsonData.thread.total_posts;
		num_posts = Dsq.jsonData.thread.num_posts;

		if (total_posts) {
			comments_count = Dsq.FmtStrings.SHOWING_COMMENTS_FULL(total_posts, num_posts);
		} else {
			comments_count = Dsq.FmtStrings.SHOWING_COMMENTS_WITHOUT_PAGINATION(num_posts);
		}

		html += ' \
		<div id="dsq-comments-title"> \
			<h3>' + comments_count + '</h3> \
		</div> \
		';

		html += ' \
		<div class="dsq-options"> \
			<span class="dsq-item-sort">'
				+ Dsq.Strings.SORT_BY + ' \
				<select id="dsq-sort-select" onchange="Dsq.Thread.sortBy(this.value);"> \
					<option value="hot" ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.sort == 4 ? 'selected="selected"' : '') + '>' + Dsq.Strings.POPULAR_NOW + '</option> \
					<option value="best" ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.sort == 3 ? 'selected="selected"' : '') + '>' + Dsq.Strings.BEST_RATING + '</option> \
					<option value="newest" ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.sort == 2 ? 'selected="selected"' : '') + '>' + Dsq.Strings.NEWEST_FIRST + '</option> \
					<option value="oldest" ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.sort == 1 ? 'selected="selected"' : '') + '>' + Dsq.Strings.OLDEST_FIRST + '</option> \
				</select> \
				&nbsp; \
			</span> \
			<span class="dsq-subscribe-email"> \
				<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/email.png" style="width:12px;height:12px;vertical-align:middle"> \
				<span id="dsq-subscribe">'
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.context.subscribed
						? '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(0); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.UNSUBSCRIBE + '</a>'
						: '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(1); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.SUBSCRIBE_BY_EMAIL + '</a>')
				+ '</span> \
			</span> \
			<span class="dsq-subscribe-rss" style="width:12px;height:12px;vertical-align:middle"> \
				<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/bullet-feed.png" alt="" /> \
				<a href="http://jackandjillpolitics.disqus.com/afternoon_open_thread_40/latest.rss">' + Dsq.Strings.SUBSCRIBE_BY_RSS + '</a> \
			</span> \
		</div> \
		';

		
		

		return html;

	};
	
	this.footer = function() {
		var html = '';

		html += Dsq.Templates.pagination();

		
		
			html += Dsq.Templates.realtime();
			html += Dsq.Templates.showThreadSettings();
			html += Dsq.Templates.postBox();

		html += Dsq.Templates.reactions();

		
			html += Dsq.Templates.trackbacks();
		


		if (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator) {
 			html += ' \
				<div class="dsq-global-moderator-extras">'
					+ '<strong>shortname:</strong> ' + Dsq.jsonData.forum.url
					+ '<strong>thread id:</strong> ' + Dsq.jsonData.thread.id
					+ '<strong>thread slug:</strong> ' + Dsq.jsonData.thread.slug
				+ '</div> \
			';
		}

		return html;
	};
	
	this.realtime = function() {
		var html = '';
		
		if (Dsq.jsonData.realtime_enabled) {
			html += '<div id="dsq-realtime-options" class="dsq-options">'
					 + Dsq.Strings.REALTIME_UPDATING_IS + ' <strong id="dsq-realtime-status" style="text-transform: lowercase">' + Dsq.Strings.ENABLED + '</strong>. \
					 <a href="#" id="dsq-realtime-toggle" style="text-transform: capitalize"></a> \
					</div>';
		}

		if (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.streaming_realtime) {
			html += ' \
				<div style="display: none" id="dsq-realtime-alert" class="dsq-realtime-alert"><span id="dsq-realtime-queued"></span> <a href="#" id="dsq-realtime-show"></a></div> \
			';
		}
		
		return html;
	};

	this.showThreadSettings = function() {
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator) {
			return '';
		}

		html = '<div id="dsq-thread-settings" class="dsq-thread-settings">' + Dsq.Strings.MODERATOR_OPTIONS;
		html += '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.showSettings(); return false;">' + Dsq.Strings.SETTINGS + '</a>';
		if (Dsq.jsonData.forum.reactions_enabled && Dsq.jsonData.reactions.length === 0) {
			html += '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Reaction.reportMissingReactions(); return false;">'
						+ Dsq.Strings.REPORT_MISSING_REACTIONS
						+ '</a>';
		}
		html +='</div>';

		return html;
	};

	this.postBox = function(post_id, use_fallback_iframe) {


		var html;
		var display_sharing_options = Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated;

		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated && Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled && !Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post) {
			return '';
		}
		
		if (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote) {


			if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.hasOwnProperty(Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain)) {
				display_sharing_options = false;
			}
		}
		
		if (post_id) {
			var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
			var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];				
		}
		
		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';

		var _requestUserInfo = function() {
			var html;



			var user_has_email = false;

			html = '<div class="dsq-request-user-info"> <!-- // If authenticated --> \
				<a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + Dsq.Urls.LOGOUT + '?ctkn=' + Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN + '" class="dsq-request-user-logout">' + Dsq.Strings.LOGOUT + '</a> \
				<table> \
					<tr> \
						<td rowspan="2">'
							+ (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? '<a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE + '">' : '')
								+ '<img src="' + Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_AVATAR + '" width="48" height="48" class="dsq-request-user-avatar">'
							+ (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? '</a>' : '')
						+ '</td> \
						<td class="dsq-request-user-name">'
								+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
									 ? '<span class="dsq-badge-small dsq-badge-' + Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain + '">' + Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain + '</span>'
									 : (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_verified
											? '<span class="dsq-badge-small dsq-badge-verified">Verified</span>'
											: '<span class="dsq-badge-small dsq-badge-registered">Registered</span>'))
							+ (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? ' <a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE + '">' : '') 
								+ Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username 
							+ (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? '</a>' : '')
							+  (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote && user_has_email ? ' <small>(<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.remoteAccountSettings(); return false;">change settings</a>)</small>' : '')
							+  (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote && !Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? ' <small>(<a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/profile/info/" target="_blank">change name</a> or <a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/profile/avatar/" target="_blank">picture</a>)</small>' : '')
						+ '</td> \
					</tr> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-request-user-stats"> \
							<span><big>' + Dsq.jsonData.request.comments_count + '</big> ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.comments_count == 1 ? 'comment' : 'comments') + '</span> \
							<span><big>' + Dsq.jsonData.request.likes_count + '</big> ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.likes_count == 1 ? 'like' : 'likes') + '</span> \
							<span><big>' + Dsq.jsonData.request.points + '</big> ' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.points == 1 ? 'point' : 'points') + '</span> \
						</td> \
					</tr> \
				</table> \
			</div> \
			';
			return html;
		};

		var _loginOptions = function() {
			var html;
			html = ' \
			<div class="dsq-authenticate"> \
				<p class="dsq-autheneticate-copy">'
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post
					? Dsq.Strings.YOU_ARE_COMMENTING_AS_A + ' <a class="dsq-help" title="Click for more information" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges(); return false">Guest</a>. ' + Dsq.Strings.OPTIONAL + ': ' + Dsq.Strings.LOGIN_BELOW + '.'
					: Dsq.Strings.REQUIRED + ': ' + Dsq.Strings.PLEASE_LOGIN_BELOW_TO_COMMENT + '.')
				+ '</p> \
				<ul class="dsq-login-buttons">'
					+ (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled ? '<li class="dsq-login-button"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.login(); return false"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/login-disqus.gif" /></a></li>' : '')
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_fb_connect ? '<li class="dsq-login-button"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Facebook.login(); return false;"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/login-facebook.gif" /></a></li>' : '')
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_twitter_signin ? '<li class="dsq-login-button"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Twitter.startTwitterConnect(); return false"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/login-twitter.gif" /></a></li>' : '')
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_openid ? '<li class="dsq-login-button"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.OpenID.requestURL(); return false" ><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/login-openid.gif" /></a></li>' : '')
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_yahoo ? '<li class="dsq-login-button"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Yahoo.startYahooConnect(); return false"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/login-yahoo.gif" /></a></li>' : '')
				+ '</ul> \
			</div> \
			';
			return html;
		};

		if (!Dsq.jsonData.context.show_reply) {


			if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) {



				return '<div id="dsq-form-area" style="display:none"><div id="dsq-textarea-wrapper"></div></div>' + _loginOptions();
			} else {
				return '';
			}
		}

		html = ' \
		<div id="' + (post_id 
			? 'dsq-reply-post-' + post_id
			: 'dsq-new-post')
		 	+ '" class="dsq-post-area"> \
			<div class="dsq-dc-logo"> \
				<a href="http://disqus.com/comments" target="_blank"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/disqus-logo.png"></a> \
			</div>'
			+ (post_id 
				? '<h3>' + Dsq.Strings.REPLYING_TO + ' ' + userData.display_name + '</h3>'
				: '<h3>' + Dsq.Strings.ADD_NEW_COMMENT + '</h3>')
			+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated 
				? _requestUserInfo()
				: _loginOptions() )
			+ '<div id="dsq-form-area' + pid + '">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-textarea"> \
				<div class="dsq-textarea-wrapper" id="dsq-textarea-wrapper' + pid + '"></div> \
			</div>'
			+ (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated
			? ' \
			<div class="dsq-post-fields"> \
				<form action="." method="GET" onsubmit="Dsq.Templates.postComment(' + post_id + ', this, false); return false;"> \
				<table> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-post-fields-left"><div class="dsq-input-wrapper"><input id="dsq-field-name' + pid + '" type="text" value="' + (disqus_def_name ? disqus_def_name : (Dsq.jsonData.session.name ? Dsq.jsonData.session.name : Dsq.Strings.NAME + '" class="dsq-placeholder')) + '" onfocus="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'name\')" onblur="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'name\')" /></div></td> \
						<td class="dsq-post-fields-right"><div class="dsq-input-wrapper"><input id="dsq-field-website' + pid + '" type="text" value="' + (Dsq.jsonData.session.url ? Dsq.jsonData.session.url : Dsq.Strings.WEBSITE + ' (' + Dsq.Strings.OPTIONAL.toLowerCase() + ')" class="dsq-placeholder') + '" onfocus="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'website\')" onblur="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'website\')" /></div></td> \
					</tr> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-post-fields-left"><div class="dsq-input-wrapper"><input id="dsq-field-email' + pid + '" type="text" value="' + (disqus_def_email ? disqus_def_email : (Dsq.jsonData.session.email ? Dsq.jsonData.session.email : Dsq.Strings.EMAIL + '" class="dsq-placeholder')) + '" onfocus="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'email\')" onblur="Dsq.Templates.handlePlaceholder(event, this, \'email\')" /></div></td> \
						<td class="dsq-post-fields-right"> \
							<div class="dsq-subscribe"> \
								<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.chooseSubscribe(' + post_id + '); return false" class="dsq-subscribe-menu"><span id="dsq-subscribe-select' + pid + '">' + (Dsq.jsonData.request.subscribe_on_post ? Dsq.Strings.SUBSCRIBE_TO_ALL_COMMENTS_BY_EMAIL : Dsq.Strings.DO_NOT_SUBSCRIBE_TO_COMMENTS) + '</span> <small>&#9660;</small></a> \
								<ul class="dsq-panel" id="dsq-subscribe-menu' + pid + '"> \
									<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.setSubscribe(2, this, ' + post_id + '); return false">Subscribe to all comments by email</a></li> \
									<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.setSubscribe(0, this, ' + post_id + '); return false">Do not subscribe to comments</a></li> \
								</ul> \
								<input id="dsq-subscribe-on-post' + pid + '" type="hidden" value="' + Dsq.jsonData.request.subscribe_on_post + '" /> \
							</div> \
						</td> \
					</tr> \
				</table> \
				</form> \
			</div>'
			: '')
			+ '<div class="dsq-post-footer"> \
				<div class="dsq-sharing-options" ' + (!display_sharing_options ? 'style="display:none;"' : '') + '> \
					<button class="dsq-button-small" onfocus="document.getElementById(\'dsq-post-button' + pid + '\').focus();"><span>' + Dsq.Strings.SHARING_OPTIONS + ' <small>&#9660;</small></span></button> \
					<div class="dsq-panel"> '
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.twitter !== undefined
								&& Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.twitter.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-twitter' + pid + '"'
								  + (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.twitter.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-twitter' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Twitter</label> \
								 </div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.facebook
								&& (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.facebook.enabled === true ||
										(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote && Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain == 'facebook'))
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-facebook' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.facebook.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-facebook' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Facebook</label> \
								 </div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.yahoo !== undefined
								&& Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.yahoo.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-yahoo' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.yahoo.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-yahoo' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Yahoo!</label> \
								</div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.tumblr !== undefined
								&& Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.tumblr.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-tumblr' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.tumblr.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-tumblr' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Tumblr</label> \
								 </div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.wordpress !== undefined
								&& Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.wordpress.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-wordpress' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.wordpress.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-wordpress' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Wordpress</label> \
								 </div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.movabletype !== undefined
							  && Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.movabletype.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-movabletype' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.movabletype.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
									<label for="dsq-sharing-movabletype' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' Movable Type</label> \
							   </div>'
							: '')
						+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.typepad !== undefined
							  && Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.typepad.enabled === true
							? '<div><input type="checkbox" id="dsq-sharing-typepad' + pid + '"'
									+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.sharing.typepad.auto === true ? 'checked=true' : '') + '/> \
								  <label for="dsq-sharing-typepad' + pid + '">' + Dsq.Strings.SHARE_ON + ' TypePad</label> \
							   </div>'
							: '')
						+ '<div><a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/profile/connections/" target="_blank" class="dsq-configure-options">' + Dsq.Strings.CONFIGURE_OPTIONS + '</a></div>'
					+ '</div> \
				</div>'
				+ '<button class="dsq-button" id="dsq-post-button' + pid + '" onclick="Dsq.Templates.postComment(' + post_id + ', this, false)"><span>' + Dsq.Strings.POST_AS + ' '
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username
					? Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username
					: Dsq.Strings.GUEST)
				+ '</span></button>'
				+ (post_id
					? '<button class="dsq-button" id="dsq-cancel-button' + pid + '" onclick="Dsq.Post.toggleReply(' + post_id +', this)"><span>' + Dsq.Strings.CANCEL + '</span></button>'
					: '')
			+ '</div>'
			+ '</div>' // end dsq-form-area
		+ '</div> \
		';
		
		return html;
	};




	this.appendPost = function(post_id) {
		var html = '<div id="dsq-append-post-' + post_id + '"></div>';
		return html;
	};

	this.postPrependHeader = function(post_id) {
		var html;
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];
		
		html = ' \
		<table> \
			<tr> \
				<td id="dsq-header-avatar-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-header-avatar" onmouseover="Dsq.Post.dropProfile(' + post_id + ')"> \
					<a id="dsq-avatar-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-avatar" href="' + userData.url + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.popProfile(' + post_id + '); return false;">'
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.show_avatar
					? '<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.users[_meta.user_key].avatar + '" alt="" />'
					: '')
				+ '</a> \
				</td> \
				<td class="dsq-comment-header-meta"> \
		';

		
		return html;
	};
	
	this.postAppendHeader = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var html;
		var parent_display_name = '';
		
		if(_meta.parent_post_id) {

			var _parent_meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[_meta.parent_post_id];

			if (_parent_meta) {
				var parentUserData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_parent_meta.user_key];
				parent_display_name = parentUserData.display_name;
			}
		}

		html = ' \
		<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/themes/narcissus/moderator.png" class="dsq-moderator-star" title="Moderator" /> \
		<span class="dsq-comment-header-time"><a href="#comment-' + post_id + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.permalink(' + post_id + ')" title="Permalink">' + (_meta.is_realtime ? Dsq.Strings.JUST_NOW : _meta.date) + '</a></span> '
		+ (_meta.parent_post_id && parent_display_name
			? '<a href="#comment-' + _meta.parent_post_id + '" title="Jump to comment">in reply to ' + parent_display_name + '</a>'
			: '')
		+ '</td> \
		<td id="dsq-like-pts-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-comment-header-likes">'
		+ (_meta.points
			? _meta.points + Dsq.Utils.pluralize(_meta.points, ' person', ' people') + ' liked this.'
			: '')
		+ '</td> \
		</tr> \
		</table> \
		';
		return html;
	};

	this.preBody = function(post_id) {
		var html = '';
		return html;
	};

	this.postFooter = function(post_id) {
		var html;
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		if(_meta.killed || !_meta.approved) { return ''; }
		
		html = ' \
		<div class="dsq-comment-footer" id="dsq-comment-footer-' + post_id + '"> \
			<div class="dsq-comment-footer-left">'
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator
					? '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.moderateOptions(' + post_id+ '); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.MODERATE + '</a>'
					: '')
				+ '<a href="#" id="dsq-post-report-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-post-report" onclick="Dsq.Post.report(' + post_id + ', false); return false;">' + Dsq.Strings.FLAG + '</a> \
			</div> \
			<div class="dsq-comment-footer-right">'
				+ (_meta.votable 
					? '<span id="dsq-like-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-like">'
					+ (!_meta.up_voted
						? '<button class="dsq-button-small" onclick="Dsq.Post.rate(this, ' + post_id + ', 1)" >Like</button>'
						: 'You liked this.&nbsp;&nbsp;')
					+ '</span>'
					: '')
				+ (_meta.can_reply && !_meta.has_replies && _meta.from_request_user
					? '<button class="dsq-button-small dsq-post-edit" onclick="Dsq.Post.edit(this, ' + post_id + ')" >' + Dsq.Strings.EDIT + '</button>'
					: '')
				+ (_meta.can_reply
					? '<span class="dsq-comment-footer-reply" id="dsq-comment-footer-reply-' + post_id + '" onclick="Dsq.Post.toggleReply(' + post_id +', this)"> \
						<button class="dsq-button-small">' + Dsq.Strings.REPLY + '</button> \
						<button class="dsq-comment-footer-reply-tab">' + Dsq.Strings.REPLY + '</button><span></span> \
					</span>'
					: '')
			+ '</div> \
		</div> \
		';
		
		return html;
	};



	
	this.showRetweets = function(id, limit, element_id /* Optional */) {
		var source, html = '';

		for (var i = 0, reaction; reaction = Dsq.jsonData.reactions[i]; i++) {
			if (reaction.id === id) {
				source = reaction.retweets;
			}
		}

		if (source) {
			if (limit === 0) {
				limit = source.length;
			}

			for (var j = 0; j < limit; j++) {
				var rt = source[j];
				html += '<a href="' + rt.url + '">' + rt.author_name + '</a>'	+ ((j === (limit - 1)) ? '.' : ', ');
			}
		}

		if (element_id === undefined) {
			return html;
		}

		var element = document.getElementById(element_id);
		element.innerHTML = html;
		return element;
	};

	this.showMoreReactions = function(reactions, has_more, start, limit) {
		var link = document.getElementById('dsq-show-more-reactions');
		var container = link.parentNode;
		container.removeChild(link);

		for (var i = 0, reaction; reaction = reactions[i]; i++) {
			var el = Dsq.Templates.generateReactionHTML(reaction);
			if (el) {
				container.innerHTML += el;
			}
		}

		if (has_more) {
			var d = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url;
			var f = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;
			var t = Dsq.jsonData.thread.id;
			var s = start;
			var l = limit;

			var handler = 'Dsq.Utils.execScript(\'' + d + '/forums/' + f + '/more_reactions.js?t=' + t + '&s=' + s + '&l=' + l + '\', true); return false;';
			container.innerHTML += '<li id="dsq-show-more-reactions" class="dsq-show-more-reactions"><button class="dsq-button-small" onclick="' + handler + '">Show more reactions</button></li>';
		}
	};

	this.generateReactionHTML = function(reaction) {
		if (reaction.body === null || reaction.body == '') {
			return;
		}

		if (reaction.author_name === '') {
			reaction.author_name = '&nbsp;';
		}

		if (reaction.url === '') {
			reaction.url = reaction.get_service_url;
		}

		var item = '<li class="dsq-comment dsq-reaction" id="dsq-reaction-' + reaction.id + '">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-comment-header"> \
			<table> \
			<tr> \
			<td class="dsq-header-avatar"> \
			';

		if (reaction.author_url && reaction.author_url !== '') {
			item += '<a target="_blank" href="' + reaction.author_url +'" class="dsq-avatar">';
		}

		if (reaction.avatar_url && reaction.avatar_url !== '') {
			item += '<img src="' + reaction.avatar_url + '"/>';
		} else {

			item += '<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/noavatar92.png"/>';
		}

		var service_icon = (reaction.get_service_name == 'trackback' || reaction.get_service_name == 'pingback' ? 'rss' : reaction.get_service_name.replace(' ', ''));
		item += (reaction.author_url && reaction.author_url !== ''
				? '</a>'
				: '')
			+ '</td>'
			+ '<td><cite class="dsq-comment-cite">' + reaction.author_name + '</cite> <span class="dsq-comment-header-time">' + reaction.date_created + '</span></td>'
			+ '<td class="dsq-comment-header-likes"></td>'
			+ '</tr></table></div>' // end dsq-comment-header
			+ '<div class="dsq-reaction-header" \
				<table> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-reaction-header-left">'
							+ '<img class="dsq-service-icon" src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/reactions/services/' + service_icon + '.png" />'
							+ ' From <a class="dsq-service-name" target="_blank" href="' + reaction.url + '">' + reaction.get_service_name + '</a> '
							+ 'via ' + (reaction.source == 'backtype' ? '<a href="http://backtype.com/">BackType</a>' : '<a href="' + reaction.source_url + '">UberVU</a>')
						+ '</td>'
						+ '<td class="dsq-reaction-header-right">';
			
			if(reaction.retweets) {
				var num_retweets = reaction.retweets.length;
				if (num_retweets > 0) {
					if (num_retweets == 1) {
						item += 'One more retweet from <a href="' + reaction.retweets[0].url + '">'  + reaction.retweets[0].author_name + '</a>';
					} else {
						item += (num_retweets + ' more retweets from ');
						item += '<span id="dsq-reaction-retweets-' + reaction.id + '">';
						var n_tweets = (num_retweets > 3) ? 3 : num_retweets;
						item += Dsq.Templates.showRetweets(reaction.id, n_tweets);
						if (n_tweets != num_retweets) {
							item += '</span> <a onclick="Dsq.Templates.showRetweets(' + reaction.id + ', 0, \'dsq-reaction-retweets-' + reaction.id + '\');'
								+ 'this.parentNode.removeChild(this); return false;" href="#">Show all</a>';
						}
					}
				}
			}	
			item += '</td></tr> \
			</table> \
			</div>' // end dsq-reaction-header
			+ '<div class="dsq-comment-body"> \
				<div class="dsq-comment-message">' + reaction.body + '</div>'
			+ '</div> \
			<div class="dsq-comment-footer"> \
				<div class="dsq-comment-footer-left"> \
				</div>'
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator 
					? ' \
					<div class="dsq-comment-footer-right"> \
						<button class="dsq-button-small dsq-hide-reaction" onclick="Dsq.Reaction.hide(' + reaction.id + ')">Hide</button> \
					</div>'
					: '')
			+ '</div>'
		item += '</li>'; /* Reaction HTML ends */
		return item;
	};

	this.reactions = function() {
		var html, reaction;

		if (Dsq.jsonData.reactions === undefined || Dsq.jsonData.reactions.length === 0) {
			return '';
		}

		html = '';
		for (var i = 0; reaction = Dsq.jsonData.reactions[i]; i++) {
			var item = Dsq.Templates.generateReactionHTML(reaction);
			if (item) {
				html += item;
			}
		}

		if (Dsq.jsonData.has_more_reactions) {
			var d = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url;
			var f = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;
			var t = Dsq.jsonData.thread.id;
			var s = Dsq.jsonData.reactions_start;
			var l = Dsq.jsonData.reactions_limit;

			var handler = 'Dsq.Utils.execScript(\'' + d + '/forums/' + f + '/more_reactions.js?t=' + t + '&s=' + s + '&l=' + l + '\', true); return false;';
			html += '<li id="dsq-show-more-reactions" class="dsq-show-more-reactions"><button class="dsq-button-small" onclick="' + handler + '">Show more reactions</button></li>';
		}

		return '<h3 id="dsq-reactions-title" class="dsq-h3-reactions">Reactions</h3><ul id="dsq-reactions" class="dsq-reactions">' + html + '</ul>';
	};
	
	this._popupGeneric = function(content) {
		return ' \
		<div class="dsq-popup-container"> \
			<table> \
				<tbody> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-popup-tl"></td><td class="dsq-popup-b"></td><td class="dsq-popup-tr"></td> \
					</tr> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-popup-b"></td> \
						<td class="dsq-popup-body"> \
							<div class="dsq-popup-content"> \
								<div class="dsq-popup-title"> \
									<button class="dsq-button-small" style="float:right" onclick="Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true)">Close</button>' 
									+ content['header'] 
								+ '</div>'
								+ content['body']
							+ '</div> \
							<div class="powered-by"><a href="http://disqus.com/comments/">Powered by <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/disqus-logo.png" alt="Disqus Comments" style="margin-bottom:-5px" /></a></div> \
						</td> \
						<td class="dsq-popup-b"></td> \
					</tr> \
					<tr> \
						<td class="dsq-popup-bl"></td><td class="dsq-popup-b"></td><td class="dsq-popup-br"></td> \
					</tr> \
				</tbody> \
			</table> \
		</div> \
		';
	};



	
	this.chooseSubscribe = function(post_id) {

		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';
		var menu = Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe-menu' + pid);
		
		menu.style.display = menu.style.display == 'block' ? 'none' : 'block';
		
	};
	
	this.setSubscribe = function(value, el, post_id) {

		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';
		var input = Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe-on-post' + pid);
		var select = Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe-select' + pid);
		var menu = Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe-menu' + pid);
		
		select.innerHTML = el.innerHTML;
		input.value = value;
		this.chooseSubscribe(post_id);
	};
	
	this.getFormFields = function(post_id) {

		var fields = {};
		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';
		var name = Dsq.$('dsq-field-name' + pid);
		var email = Dsq.$('dsq-field-email' + pid);
		var website = Dsq.$('dsq-field-website' + pid);
		var username = Dsq.$('dsq-field-username' + pid);
		var password = Dsq.$('dsq-field-password' + pid);

		fields = {
			'name': name,
			'email': email,
			'website': website,
			'username': username,
			'password': password
		}
		
		return fields;
	}
	
	this.validateFields = function(post_id) {
		
		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) { return true; }
		
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);
		
		var nameField = fields.name;
		var websiteField = fields.website;
		var emailField = fields.email;
		
		websiteField.value = (websiteField.value == Dsq.Templates.placeholder['website']) ? '' : websiteField.value;
		
		var v = [{

			validator: Dsq.Validators.name,
			value: nameField.value
		}, {

			validator: Dsq.Validators.email,
			value: emailField.value
		}, {

			validator: Dsq.Validators.url,
			value: websiteField.value
		}];
		
		return Dsq.Validators.validate(v, function(e) { Dsq.Popup.popModal(e, 'Oops...') } );
	};
	
	this.checkExistingUser = function(post_id) {
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);		
		Dsq.Popup.loading(post_id);
		
		if (post_id) {
			Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id].getUserByEmail(fields.email.value);
		} else {
			Dsq.frames['reply_0'].getUserByEmail(fields.email.value);
		}
	};

	this.validateAuth = function(el_clicked, post_id, auth_choice) {
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);
		var email = fields.email ? fields.email.value : '';
		var username = fields.username ? fields.username.value : '';
		var password = fields.password ? fields.password.value : '';
		
		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(el_clicked, post_id);
		
		if (post_id) {
			Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id].validateAuth(auth_choice, email, username, password);
		} else {
			Dsq.frames['reply_0'].validateAuth(auth_choice, email, username, password);
		}
	};

	this.lightboxUpdateEmail = function(post_id, new_email) {
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);
		fields.email.value = new_email;
	};

	this.lightboxAuthenticate = function(post_id, auth_choice, auth_data) {
		var title, body;
		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';

		if(typeof(auth_data) == 'undefined') {
			var auth_data = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);
		}

		d = auth_data;

		switch(auth_choice) {
			case 'register':
				var suggestedUsername = d.name.value.replace(/[^a-zA-Z0-9-]/g,'').toLowerCase();
			
				title = Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post ? 'Optional:' : 'Required:';
				title += ' Register a <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/disqus-profile.png" alt=Disqus Profile" />';

				body = ' \
				<ul class="dsq-lightbox-register-reasons"> \
				<li>Verify your comments</li> \
				<li>Edit and delete comments</li> \
				<li>Manage comments and replies</li> \
				</ul> \
				';

				body += ' \
				<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-fields"> \
					<table> \
						<tr> \
							<td>Email</td> \
							<td><input type="text" value="' + d.email.value + '" onchange="Dsq.Templates.lightboxUpdateEmail(' + post_id + ', this.value)" /><div id="dsq-email-errors' + pid + '"></div></td> \
						</tr> \
						<tr> \
							<td>Username</td> \
							<td><input id="dsq-field-username' + pid + '" type="text" value="' + suggestedUsername + '"/><div id="dsq-username-errors' + pid + '"></div></td> \
						</tr> \
						<tr> \
							<td>Password</td> \
							<td><input id="dsq-field-password' + pid + '" type="password" /><div id="dsq-password-errors' + pid + '"></div></td> \
						</tr> \
					</table> \
					<div class="dsq-lightbox-switch-auth"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.lightboxAuthenticate(' + post_id + ',\'login\'); return false">Login instead</a></div> \
				</div> \
				<div id="dsq-lightbox-errors' + pid + '" class="dsq-lightbox-errors"></div> \
				<div class="dsq-lightbox-submit"> \
					<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-post"><button class="dsq-button" onclick="Dsq.Templates.validateAuth(this, ' + post_id + ',\'' + auth_choice + '\')">Register and Post comment</button></div>'
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post
						? '<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-skip"><button class="dsq-button-small" onclick="Dsq.Templates.postComment(' + post_id + ', this, true)">Just post as a Guest</button></div>'
						: '')
				+ '</div> \
				';
				break;
			case 'login':
				title = Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post ? 'Optional:' : 'Required:';
				title += ' Login to your <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/disqus-profile.png" alt=Disqus Profile" />';
				body = '';
				
				if(d.avatar_url) {
					body += '<div class="dsq-lightbox-recognized"><table><tr>';
					body += '<td><img src="' + d.avatar_url + '" alt="" /></td>';
					body += '<td><span class="dsq-badge ' + (d.verified ? 'dsq-badge-verified' : 'dsq-badge-registered') + '">' + (d.verified ? 'Verified' : 'Registered') + '</span></td>';
					body += '<td>Hey <strong>' + d.display_name + '</strong>, is that you? Login below to claim this comment.';
					body += '</tr></table></div>';
				}

				body += ' \
				<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-fields"> \
					<table> \
						<tr> \
							<td>Username or Email</td> \
							<td><input id="dsq-field-username' + pid + '" type="text" value="' + (d.avatar_url ? d.username : '') + '" /></td> \
						</tr> \
						<tr> \
							<td>Password <a href="http://disqus.com/forgot" target="_blank">(cannot log in?)</a></td> \
							<td><input id="dsq-field-password' + pid + '" type="password" /></td> \
						</tr> \
					</table> \
					<div class="dsq-lightbox-switch-auth"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Templates.lightboxAuthenticate(' + post_id + ',\'register\'); return false">Register instead</a></div> \
				</div> \
				<div id="dsq-lightbox-errors' + pid + '" class="dsq-lightbox-errors"></div> \
				<div class="dsq-lightbox-submit"> \
					<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-post"><button class="dsq-button" onclick="Dsq.Templates.validateAuth(this, ' + post_id + ',\'' + auth_choice + '\')">Login and Post comment</button></div>'
					+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post
						? '<div class="dsq-lightbox-auth-skip"><button class="dsq-button-small" onclick="Dsq.Templates.postComment(' + post_id + ', this, true)">Just post as a Guest</button></div>'
						: '')
				+ '</div> \
				';
				break;
			default:
				break;
		}
		Dsq.Popup.lightbox(body, title, post_id);
		Dsq.$('dsq-field-username' + pid).focus();
	};
	
	this.buttonsToRestore = [];
	this.setLoadingButton = function(btn, post_id) {
		var pid = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';
		if (btn) {

			var loadingBtn = document.createElement('button');
			loadingBtn.id = btn.id + '-loading';
			loadingBtn.innerHTML = '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-lite.gif" alt="" /> Just a moment...';
			loadingBtn.className = btn.className + ' dsq-post-loading';
			btn.parentNode.appendChild(loadingBtn);
			btn.style.display = 'none';
			var cancelBtn = Dsq.$('dsq-cancel-button' + pid);
			if(cancelBtn) { cancelBtn.style.display = 'none'; this.buttonsToRestore.push(cancelBtn); }
			this.buttonsToRestore.push(btn);
		} else {

			var buttons = this.buttonsToRestore;
			for(var i = 0; i < buttons.length; i++) {
				buttons[i].style.display = 'inline';
				Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(Dsq.$(buttons[i].id + '-loading'));
			}
		}
		
	};

	this.postComment = function(post_id, el_clicked, force, auth_choice) {
		var append_id = post_id ? '-' + post_id : '';
		var fields = Dsq.Templates.getFormFields(post_id);

		if (Dsq.Templates.validateFields(post_id)) {

			if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated && !force &&
				((!Dsq.Utils.readCookie('skipped_auth') && !disqus_skip_auth && !Dsq.jsonData.forum.disqus_auth_disabled) || !Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post)) {
				Dsq.Templates.checkExistingUser(post_id);
				return false;
			}
			var params = [];
			if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) {
				params.push(fields.name.value,
					fields.email.value,
					fields.website.value);

				if (auth_choice == 'login' || auth_choice == 'register') {
					params.push({
						auth_choice: auth_choice,
						username: fields.username.value,
						password: fields.password.value,
						email: fields.email.value
					});
				} else {
					params.push(null);
				}

				params.push(null /* sharing options */, Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe-on-post' + append_id).value);
			} else {
				var service_checked = function(name) {
					var el = Dsq.$('dsq-sharing-' + name + append_id);
					return (el !== null && el.checked === true) ? '1' : '0';
				};
				params.push(null, null, null, null, {
					tw: service_checked('twitter'),
					fb: service_checked('facebook'),
					tr: service_checked('tumblr'),
					wp: service_checked('wordpress'),
					mt: service_checked('movabletype'),
					tp: service_checked('typepad'),
					yh: service_checked('yahoo')
				});
			}

			var frame = Dsq.frames['reply_' + (post_id ? post_id : 0)];
			frame.post.apply(frame, params);

			if (el_clicked) {
				Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(el_clicked, post_id);
			}
			
			if (force) {
				Dsq.Utils.createCookie('skipped_auth', true);	
			}
			
		} else {
			return false;
		}
	};

	this.editComment = function(el_clicked, post_id) {
		var edited_message = Dsq.$('dsq-edit-textarea-' + post_id).value;

		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(el_clicked, post_id);
		Dsq.frames['edit_' + post_id].edit(post_id, edited_message);
	};

	this.toggleEdit = function(post_id) {
		var body = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-body-' + post_id);
		var message = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-message-' + post_id);

		if (!Dsq.Post.stateEditToggled[post_id]) {


			message.style.display = 'none';
			if (Dsq.$('dsq-edit-' + post_id)) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-edit-' + post_id).style.display = 'block';
			} else {

				var edit_area = document.createElement('div');
				edit_area.id = 'dsq-edit-' + post_id;
				edit_area.className = 'dsq-edit dsq-textarea';
				edit_area.innerHTML = ' \
				<div class="dsq-textarea-wrapper"> \
					<textarea class="dsq-edit-textarea" id="dsq-edit-textarea-' + post_id + '">' + message.innerHTML + '</textarea> \
				</div> \
				<div class="dsq-save-edit"> \
					<button onclick="Dsq.Templates.editComment(this, ' + post_id + ')" class="dsq-button-small">Save Edit</button> \
				</div> \
				<div id="dsq-edit-iframe-' + post_id + '" style="display: none"></div> \
				';

				body.appendChild(edit_area);

				if (!Dsq.frames['edit_' + post_id]) {
					var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
					Dsq.frames['edit_' + post_id] = new Dsq.ReplyFrame(Dsq.$('dsq-edit-iframe-' + post_id), post_id);
					Dsq.frames['edit_' + post_id].init();
					Dsq.frames['edit_' + post_id].setState(post_id, _meta.depth);
				}
			}
		} else {

			message.style.display = 'block';
			Dsq.$('dsq-edit-' + post_id).style.display = 'none';
		}
		
		Dsq.Post.stateEditToggled[post_id] = !Dsq.Post.stateEditToggled[post_id];
	};
	
	this.edit = function(el, post_id) {

		Dsq.Templates.toggleEdit(post_id);
	};

	this.toggleReply = function(post_id, button) {
		
		if(!this.stateReplyToggled[post_id]) {

			if (Dsq.$('dsq-reply-post-' + post_id)) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).style.display = 'block';
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.postBox(post_id);
				var container = Dsq.$('dsq-textarea-wrapper-' + post_id);
				if (!Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id] && container) {
					var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id] = new Dsq.ReplyFrame(container, post_id);
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id].init(function() {

						Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.postBox(post_id, true);
						Dsq.$('dsq-form-area-' + post_id).innerHTML = '';

						var theme = (typeof disqus_frame_theme == 'undefined') ? 'default' : disqus_frame_theme;
						Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainer(Dsq.$('dsq-form-area-' + post_id), post_id, {theme: theme});

					});
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + post_id].setState(post_id, _meta.depth);
				}
			}
			Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).className = 'dsq-append-post';
			Dsq.$('dsq-comment-footer-reply-' + post_id).className = 'dsq-comment-footer-reply-active';
			
		} else {

			Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).style.display = 'none';
			Dsq.$('dsq-append-post-' + post_id).className = '';
			Dsq.$('dsq-comment-footer-reply-' + post_id).className = 'dsq-comment-footer-reply';
		}
		
		this.stateReplyToggled[post_id] = !this.stateReplyToggled[post_id];

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie && this.stateReplyToggled[post_id]) {

		}

		Dsq.Events.fire(Dsq.Events.REPLY_IFRAME_TOGGLED, {
			postId: post_id,
			opened: this.stateReplyToggled[post_id]
		});
	};
	
	this.moderateOptions = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];
		
		if(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator && !Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator) { return false; }

		var html;
		
		html = ' \
		<div class="dsq-moderate-options"> \
		<table>'
		+ (_meta.email ? '<tr><td>Email</td><td>' + _meta.email + '</td></tr>' : '')
		+ (_meta.ip ? '<tr><td>IP address</td><td>' + _meta.ip + '</td></tr>' : '')
		+ '<tr> \
			<td>Actions</td> \
			<td><ul>'
			+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.moderator_can_edit
				? '<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.edit(this, ' + post_id + '); Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true); return false;">Edit Comment</a></li>'
				: '')
			+ '<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.removePost(' + post_id + ', 1); Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true); return false;">Delete Comment</a></li> \
			<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.reportSpam(' + post_id + '); Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true); return false;">Mark Spam</a></li> \
			<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.blacklist(' + post_id + '); return false">Block User</a></li> \
			</ul></td> \
			</table> \
		</div> \
		';
		
		html += '<p>Go to the full <a href="http://disqus.com/comments/moderate/" target="_blank">moderate panel</a> for more options.</p>';
		
		return Dsq.Popup.popModal(html, 'Moderate Options', post_id);
	};
	
	this.placeholder = {
		'class': 'dsq-placeholder',
		'name': Dsq.Strings.NAME,
		'email': Dsq.Strings.EMAIL,
		'website': Dsq.Strings.WEBSITE + ' (' + Dsq.Strings.OPTIONAL.toLowerCase() + ')'
	};
	
	this.handlePlaceholder = function(evt, el, key) {
		var placeholder = Dsq.Templates.placeholder[key];
		var className = Dsq.Templates.placeholder['class'];
		
		switch(evt.type) {
			case 'focus':
				if(el.value == placeholder) {
					el.value = '';
					el.className = '';
				}
				break;

			case 'blur':
				if(el.value == '') {
					el.value = placeholder;
					el.className = className;
				}
				break;
			default:
				break;
		}
	};
	
	this.paginate = function(page, el_clicked) {

		var extra_params = '';

		if(typeof disqus_per_page != 'undefined') {
			extra_params += '&per_page=' + disqus_per_page;
		}
		if(typeof disqus_sort != 'undefined') {
			extra_params += '&sort=' + disqus_sort;
		}

		Dsq.$('dsq-pagination').innerHTML += '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-small.gif">';
		
		if(el_clicked) {
			Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(el_clicked);
		}
		
		Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/jackandjillpolitics/thread.js'
			+ '?slug='	+ 'afternoon_open_thread_40'
			+ '&p='		+ page
			+ extra_params);
	};
	
	
	this.rate = function(el, id, vote) {


		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated || Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_votes) {
			if(vote == 1) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-like-' + id).innerHTML = '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-small.gif">';
			}
			Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/jackandjillpolitics/vote.js'
				+ '?post_id='    + id
				+ '&vote='        + vote);
		} else {
			Dsq.Popup.login('To rate, please log in');
		}
	};

	this.voted = function(post_id, points, vote) {

		Dsq.$('dsq-like-pts-' + post_id).innerHTML = points + Dsq.Utils.pluralize(points, ' person', ' people') + ' liked this.';

		if(vote) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-like-' + post_id).innerHTML = 'You liked this.&nbsp;&nbsp;';
		}
	};




	this.postComment_onSuccess = function(response, parent_post_id, post_id) {
		var approved = response.message.post_meta.approved;

		if (parent_post_id) {
			Dsq.Post.toggleReply(parent_post_id);
		}

		Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true);
		
		if (approved) {
			Dsq.Post.incrementPostCount();
			Dsq.Post.outlineComment(post_id);
		} else {			
			var unapproved_msg = 'Thanks for posting!\
	 Your comment must be approved by a moderator before appearing here.\
			';
			Dsq.Popup.popModal(unapproved_msg, 'Comment awaiting approval', post_id);
		}

		var sharing_results = response.message.sharing_results;
		var sharing_errors = '';
		for (var service in sharing_results) {
			if (sharing_results.hasOwnProperty(service) === true) {
				if (sharing_results[service].error === true) {
					sharing_errors += service + ', ';
				}
			}
		}

		if (sharing_results.facebook && sharing_results.facebook.callback) {
			FB.ensureInit(function() {
				FB.Connect.streamPublish('', sharing_results.facebook.attachment);
			});
		}

		if (sharing_errors !== '') {
			var message = 'Your comment was posted, but there were errors sharing with the following connections: ';
			message += sharing_errors.replace(/,\s$/, '');
			message += '<p><a href="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/profile/connections" target="_blank">Configure your connections here</a></p>'
			Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, 'Sharing options');
		}

		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(false);
	};

	this.postComment_onFailure = function(response, parent_post_id, post_id) {

		Dsq.Templates.setLoadingButton(false);
	};
};




// TODO: It might be faster to use string methods to find all <li (...) </li> blocks and pass to Dsq.PostHandler manually.
Dsq.CommentsHandler = function(str, head, post_id, content, tail, offset, s) {
	var prepend_post = Dsq.Templates.prependPost(post_id);
	var append_post = Dsq.Templates.appendPost(post_id);

	content = content.replace(Dsq.POST_RE, Dsq.PostHandler);
	Dsq.Templates.postLoopCounter++;
	head = Dsq.Templates.Filters.commentContainer(post_id, head);
	return prepend_post + head + content + tail + append_post;
};

Dsq.PostHandler = function(str, h_head, post_id, h_content, h_tail, b_head, b_content, b_tail, offset, s) {
	var prepend_header = Dsq.Templates.postPrependHeader(post_id);
	var append_header = Dsq.Templates.postAppendHeader(post_id);
	var prepend_body = Dsq.Templates.preBody(post_id);
	var append_body = Dsq.Templates.postBody(post_id);
	var append_footer = Dsq.Templates.postFooter(post_id);

	b_content = b_content.replace(Dsq.POST_BODY_RE, Dsq.PostBodyHandler);
	return h_head + prepend_header + h_content + append_header + h_tail + b_head + prepend_body + b_content + append_body + b_tail + append_footer;
};

Dsq.PostBodyHandler = function(str, head, post_id, content, tail, offset, s) {
	content = Dsq.Templates.Filters.commentContent(post_id, content);
	return head + content + tail;
};

Dsq.MediaPostHandler = function(str, args, offset, s) {
	args = args.split(' ');
	if(args[0] == 'seesmic') {
		return '<br />' + Dsq.Templates.mediaSeesmic(args[1], args[2]);
	}
	return '';
};


/**
 * Shorcuts
 */
Dsq.$ = function(element) { return document.getElementById(element); };
Dsq.$b = document.body || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0];


/**
 * Dsq.Debug: Logging functions.
 */

Dsq.Debug = new function() {this.log=function(s){};this.profile=function(f){if(typeof f == 'function')return f();else return eval(f);};};


/**
 * Dsq.Urls: URL paths
 */
Dsq.Urls = new function() {
	this.LOGIN = '/profile/login/';
	this.LOGOUT = '/logout/';
	this.REPLY = 'http://jackandjillpolitics.disqus.com/afternoon_open_thread_40/reply.html';
	this.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE = '/AnonymousUser/';
	this.REQUEST_USER_AVATAR = 'http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png';
};
// Dsq.Urls

/**
 * Dsq.Validators: Validation for form fields
 */
Dsq.Validators = new function() {
	this.VALID_EMAIL_RE = /^[a-z0-9\-\_\+]+(\.[a-z0-9\-\_\+]+)*\@(([a-z0-9\-\_\+]+(\.[a-z0-9\-\_\+]+)*)+\.[a-z]{2,}|([0-9]+\.){3}[0-9]+)$/i;
	this.name = function(name) {
		var error = false;

		if(typeof Dsq.Templates.placeholder !== 'undefined' &&
		   name == Dsq.Templates.placeholder.name) {
			error = true;
		}
		if(name.length <= 1) {
			error = true;
		}

		if(error) {
			return "Please enter a name to comment.";
		} else {
			return true;
		}
	};
	this.email = function(addr) {
		if(Dsq.Validators.VALID_EMAIL_RE.test(addr)) {
			return true;
		} else {
			return "Please enter a valid email to comment.";
		}
	};
	this.url = function(addr) {
		if(!addr || addr.indexOf('.') != -1) {
			return true;
		} else {
			return "Please check your website URL (this field is optional).";
		}
	};

	this.validate = function(bulk_validation, failure_callback) {
		failure_callback = failure_callback || function(e){ alert(e); };

		for(var i = 0; i < bulk_validation.length; i++) {
			v = bulk_validation[i];
			ret = v.validator(v.value);
			if(ret !== true) {
				failure_callback(ret);
				return false;
			}
		}
		return true;
	};
};

/**
 * Dsq.Utils: Generic utility functions.
 */
Dsq.Utils = new function() {
	this.ie = /msie/i.test(navigator.userAgent) && !/opera/i.test(navigator.userAgent);
	this.ie7 = (document.all && !window.opera && window.XMLHttpRequest) ? true : false;
	this.ie6 = (!window.XMLHttpRequest) ? true: false;
	this.webkit = navigator.userAgent.indexOf('AppleWebKit/') >= 0;
	this.gebiFromElementCollectionCache = {};
	this._styleSheet = null;

	this.gebiFromElement = function(el, id, tag) {
		// This only method only helps IE.
		if(!this.ie) {
			return Dsq.$(id);
		} else {
			var cacheKey = el.id + '-' + tag;
			tag = tag || 'div';
			if(typeof this.gebiFromElementCollectionCache[cacheKey] != 'undefined') {
				collection = this.gebiFromElementCollectionCache[cacheKey];
			} else {
				collection = el.getElementsByTagName(tag);
				this.gebiFromElementCollectionCache[cacheKey] = collection;
			}

			for(var i = 0; i < collection.length; i++) {
				if(collection[i].id == id) {
					return collection[i];
				}
			}
			return null;
		}
	};

	this.execOnReady = function(func) {
		var node = document.createElement('document:ready');
		try {
			node.doScroll('left');
			func();
			node = null;
		} catch(err) {
			setTimeout(function() { Dsq.Utils.execOnReady(func); }, 10);
		}
	};


	// Courtesy of http://www.quirksmode.org/js/cookies.html
	this.createCookie = function(name,value,days) {
		if (days) {
			var date = new Date();
			date.setTime(date.getTime()+(days*24*60*60*1000));
			var expires = "; expires="+date.toGMTString();
		}
		else var expires = "";
		document.cookie = name+"="+value+expires+"; path=/";
	};

	this.readCookie = function(name) {
		var nameEQ = name + "=";
		var ca = document.cookie.split(';');
		for(var i=0;i < ca.length;i++) {
			var c = ca[i];
			while (c.charAt(0)==' ') c = c.substring(1,c.length);
			if (c.indexOf(nameEQ) == 0) return c.substring(nameEQ.length,c.length);
		}
		return null;
	};

	this.eraseCookie = function(name) {
		Dsq.Utils.createCookie(name,"",-1);
	};

	this.deleteNode = function(node) {
		if(node) {
			this.deleteChildren(node);
			if(typeof node.outerHTML != 'undefined') { node.outerHTML = ''; }
			else if(node.parentNode) { node.parentNode.removeChild(node); }
			delete node;
		}
	};

	this.deleteChildren = function(node) {
		if(node) {
			for(var x = node.childNodes.length-1; x >= 0; x--) {
				var childNode = node.childNodes[x];
				if(childNode.hasChildNodes()) { this.deleteChildren(childNode); }
				if(typeof childNode.outerHTML != 'undefined') { childNode.outerHTML = ''; }
				else node.removeChild(childNode);
				delete childNode;
			}
		}
	};

	this.findPos = function(obj) {
		var curleft = 0;
		var curtop = 0;
		if (obj.offsetParent) {
			do {
				curleft += obj.offsetLeft;
				curtop += obj.offsetTop;
			} while (obj = obj.offsetParent);
		}
		return [curleft,curtop];
	};

	this.getWindowSize = function() {
		var windowWidth = -1;
		var windowHeight = -1;

		if(typeof(window.innerWidth) == 'number') { //Non-IE
			windowWidth = window.innerWidth;
			windowHeight = window.innerHeight;
		} else if(document.documentElement) { // IE 6+ in 'standards compliant mode'
			windowWidth = document.documentElement.clientWidth || document.body.clientWidth;
			windowHeight = document.documentElement.clientHeight || document.body.clientHeight;
		}

		return [windowWidth, windowHeight];
	}

	this.getScrollPos = function() {
		var scrollWidth, scrollTop;

		if(document.documentElement && (document.documentElement.scrollTop || document.documentElement.scrollWidth)) {
			scrollWidth = document.documentElement.scrollWidth;
			// IE is weird here.  If no doctype is provided, document.body.scrollTop is 0,
			// otherwise document.documentElement.scrollTop is 0.
			scrollTop = document.documentElement.scrollTop || document.body.scrollTop;
		} else if(document.body.scrollTop && document.body.scrollWidth) {
			scrollWidth = document.body.scrollWidth;
			scrollTop = document.body.scrollTop;
		}

		return [scrollWidth, scrollTop];
	}

	this.addEventListener = function(instance, eventName, listener) {
		var listenerFn = listener;
		if (instance.addEventListener) {
			instance.addEventListener(eventName, listenerFn, false);
		} else if (instance.attachEvent) {
			listenerFn = function() {
				listener(window.event);
			};
			instance.attachEvent("on" + eventName, listenerFn);
		} else {
			throw new Error("Event registration not supported");
		}
		return {
			instance: instance,
			name: eventName,
			listener: listenerFn
		};
	};

	this.removeEventListener = function(event) {
		var instance = event.instance;
		if (instance.removeEventListener) {
			instance.removeEventListener(event.name, event.listener, false);
		} else if (instance.detachEvent) {
			instance.detachEvent("on" + event.name, event.listener);
		}
	};

	this.fixIframesIE = function(id) {
		var disqusThread = Dsq.$(disqus_container_id);
		var iframes = disqusThread.getElementsByTagName('iframe');

		if(id) {
			var container = Dsq.$(id);
		} else {
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-content');
		}

		for(i = 0; i < iframes.length; i++) {
			if (container) {
				iframes[i].style.width = container.offsetWidth;
			}
		}
	};

	this.getElementsByClassName = function(oElm, strTagName, strClassName) {
	/* Credit: Jonathan Snook [http://www.snook.ca/jonathan], Robert Nyman [http://www.robertnyman.com] */
		var arrElements = (strTagName == "*" && oElm.all)? oElm.all : oElm.getElementsByTagName(strTagName);
		var arrReturnElements = new Array();
		strClassName = strClassName.replace(/\-/g, "\\-");
		var oRegExp = new RegExp("(^|\\s)" + strClassName + "(\\s|$)");
		var oElement;
		for(var i = 0; i < arrElements.length; i++) {
			oElement = arrElements[i];
			if(oRegExp.test(oElement.className)) {
				arrReturnElements.push(oElement);
			}
		}
		return (arrReturnElements);
	};

	this.postToUrl = function(url, post_data, opt_redirect) {
		var form = document.createElement('form');
		var iframe_container = document.createElement('div');
		var id = 'dsq-temp-iframe-' + (new Date()).getTime();

		form.method = 'POST';
		form.action = url;
		if (!opt_redirect) {
			form.target = id;
		}
		iframe_container.innerHTML = '<iframe style="display:none" name="' + id + '" id="' + id + '"></iframe>';

		for(var key in post_data) {
			if(post_data.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
				var input = document.createElement('input');
				input.name = key;
				input.type = 'hidden';
				input.value = post_data[key];

				form.appendChild(input);
			}
		}

		Dsq.$b.appendChild(iframe_container);
		Dsq.$b.appendChild(form);
		form.submit();
	};

	// Strips integer id from id of element in the form ('some-id-###')
	this.extractId = function(e) {
		var chunks = e.id.split('-');
		if(chunks.length <= 1) {
			return 0;
		} else {
			return parseInt(chunks[chunks.length-1]);
		}
	};

	this.getStyle = function(el, styleProp) {
		if(el.currentStyle) {
			var y = el.currentStyle[styleProp];
		} else if(window.getComputedStyle) {
			var y = document.defaultView.getComputedStyle(el, null).getPropertyValue(styleProp);
		}

		if(y == 'transparent' || y == '') {
			this.getStyle(el.parentNode, styleProp);
		} else {
			return y;
		}
	};

	this.execScript = function(url, append_qs, container) {
		var script = document.createElement('script');
		append_qs = typeof append_qs == 'undefined' ? true : append_qs;
		container = container || Dsq.container;

		if(append_qs) {
			var j = (url.indexOf('?') >= 0) ? '&' : '?';
			url += j + (new Date()).getTime();
		}
		script.type = 'text/javascript';
		script.charset = 'UTF-8';
		script.src = url;
		container.appendChild(script);
		return script;
	};

	this.pluralize = function(num, singular, plural) {
		return (num != 1) ? plural || 's' : singular || '';
	};

	this.getRequestParams = function(queryString /* optional */) {
		var pairs, tuple;
		var params = {};

		queryString = queryString || window.location.search.substring(1);
		pairs = queryString.split('&');

		for (var i = 0, pair; pair = pairs[i]; i++) {
			tuple = pair.split('=');
			params[tuple[0]] = (tuple[1] || true);
		}

		return params;
	};

	this.addCssRule = function(selector, styleText, index) {
		var stylesheet;
		index = index || 0;

		if(!this._styleSheet) {
			var styleEl = document.createElement('style');
			document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(styleEl);
			this._styleSheet = styleEl.sheet;
			if(!this._styleSheet) {
				// IE does not like our newly created stylesheet.
				this._styleSheet = document.styleSheets[document.styleSheets.length-1];
			}
		}
		stylesheet = this._styleSheet;

		if(stylesheet.insertRule) {
			var ruleText = selector + ' { ' + styleText + ' }';
			if(index == -1) {
				index = stylesheet.cssRules.length;
			}
			stylesheet.insertRule(ruleText, index);
		} else if(stylesheet.addRule) {
			stylesheet.addRule(selector, styleText, index);
		}
	};

	this.forEachIn = function(obj, callback) {
		for(var key in obj) {
			if(obj.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
				callback(key, obj[key]);
			}
		}
	};

	this._interpolateGlobalContext = {
		// values that get used a lot and are global to the request
		'profile_url': Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE,

		'disqus_url': Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url,
		'media_url': Dsq.jsonData.settings.media_url,
		'request_username': Dsq.jsonData.request.username,
		'request_display_username': Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username,
		'forum_name': Dsq.jsonData.forum.name
	};

	this.renderFromContextStack = function(key, contexts) {
		// Returns the first instance of `key` in the array of objects `contexts` or else ''
		for (var i=0; i<contexts.length; i++) {
			if (contexts[i][key] !== undefined) {
				return String(contexts[i][key]);
			}
		}
		throw new Error('key ' + key + ' not found in context');
	};

	var that = this;
	this.interpolate = function(fmt, opt_localContext) {
		// Interpolate `fmt` named-format string with an assumed global context.
		// Based on `interpolate` in django.views.i18n
		var contextStack = [opt_localContext || {}, that._interpolateGlobalContext];
		return fmt.replace(/%\(\w+\)s/g, function(match){
			return that.renderFromContextStack(match.slice(2,-2), contextStack);
		});
	};

	this.stripTags = function(s) {
		// Removes HTML tags from `s`
		return s.replace(/(<([^>]+)>)/g,"");

	};

	this.assert = function(b) {
		if (!b) {
			throw new Error('Assertion error.');
		}
	};

};
// Dsq.Utils

/**
 * Dsq.Popup: Popup helper functions.
 */
Dsq.Popup = new function() {
	this.timeHide = new Array();
	this.timeShow = new Array();
	this.activePopup = {};
	this.profileCache = {};
	this.statusCache = {};

	this.showTimer = function(post_id) {
		// clear the hide timer
		clearTimeout(this.timeHide[post_id]);

		// start the timer
		if(!Dsq.Popup.profileIsOn && !Dsq.Thread.adminIsOn) {
			this.timeShow[post_id] = setTimeout("Dsq.Popup.popProfile(\"" + post_id + "\")", 400);
		}
	};

	this.hideTimer = function(post_id) {
		// clear the show timer
		clearTimeout(this.timeShow[post_id]);
	};

	this.updateProfile = function(username) {
		// Callback from /embed/profile.js
		if (this.statusCache[username]) {
			var statusEl = Dsq.$('dsq-profile-status-' + username);
			statusEl.innerHTML = this.statusCache[username];
			statusEl.style.display = 'block';
		}

		if (this.profileCache[username]) {
			var _cache = this.profileCache[username];

			var _genhtml = function(text) { return '<span><big>' + text + '</big></span>'; };
			var _no_comments = _genhtml(Dsq.FmtStrings.NUMBER_OF_COMMENTS(_cache.comments_count));
			var _no_likes = _genhtml(Dsq.FmtStrings.NUMBER_OF_LIKES(_cache.likes_count));
			var _no_points = _genhtml(Dsq.FmtStrings.NUMBER_OF_POINTS(_cache.points));

			var statsEl = Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-user-stats-' + username);
			statsEl.innerHTML = '';

			if (Dsq.jsonData.users[username].registered) {
				statsEl.innerHTML = _no_comments + _no_likes;
			}
			statsEl.innerHTML += _no_points;

			var activeSites = '';
			for (var i = 0; i < _cache.active_sites.length; i++) {
				var site = _cache.active_sites[i];
				activeSites += '<li><a href="' + site.url + '"> \
					<img src="' + site.favicon + '"/ width="16" height="16"/></a>\
					<a href="' + site.url + '">' + site.name + '</a></li>';
			}
			if (activeSites !== '') {
				Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-active-sites-' + username).innerHTML = activeSites;
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-active-sites-' + username).innerHTML = 'This site.';
			}

			var moderatedSites = '';
			for (var i = 0; i < _cache.moderated_sites.length; i++) {
				var site = _cache.moderated_sites[i];
				moderatedSites += '<li><a href="' + site.url + '"> \
					<img src="' + site.favicon + '"/ width="16" height="16"/></a>\
					<a href="' + site.url + '">' + site.name + '</a></li>';
			}
			if (moderatedSites !== '') {
				Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-moderated-' + username).innerHTML = moderatedSites;
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-moderated-wrapper-' + username).innerHTML = '';
			}
		}

		// Reposition popup after full HTML is rendered
		if(Dsq.Popup.activePopup && Dsq.Popup.activePopup.el) {
			Dsq.Popup.initPopup(Dsq.Popup.activePopup.el, Dsq.Popup.activePopup.id, Dsq.Popup.activePopup.type);
		}

	};

	this.showCookieMsgs = function() {
		var title = '';
		var message = '';
		var numAlerts = 0;

		Dsq.Utils.forEachIn(Dsq.jsonData.cookie_messages, function(k, v) {
			if (!v) return;

			switch(k) {
				// Cookie: Twitter
				case 'post_twitter':
					if (v === 'error') {
						title = 'Twitter Error!';
						message += '<li id="dsq-msg-twitter-error">Oops, we couldn\'t tweet this comment. Please check your <a href="http://disqus.com/account/services">account settings</a>.</li>';
					} else {
						var _msg = v.split(':');
						title = 'Tweeted!';
						message += '<li id="dsq-msg-twitter-success">Your comment was successfully tweeted. <a href="http://twitter.com/' + _msg[0] + '/status/' + _msg[1] + '">Click here to view the tweet</a>.</li>';
					}
					break;
				// Cookie: Unapproved Post
				case 'post_not_approved':
					title = 'Comment awaiting approval by a moderator';
					message += '<li id="dsq-msg-post-not-approved">Your comment must be approved by a moderator before appearing here.</li>';
					break;
				// Cookie: Profile Found
				case 'post_has_profile':
					title = 'Use your existing commenter profile';
					message += '<li id="dsq-msg-post-has-profile">You have just posted your commment as a <span class="dsq-badge-guest">Guest</span>, but you may already have a <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> Profile.<br /><br /><a href="http://disqus.com/claim">Log in and claim this comment!</a></li>';
					break;
				case 'user_created':
					var _data = v.split(':');
					title = 'Profile created!';
					message += '<li id="dsq-msg-user-created">You have just created a <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> Profile, the best way to claim, manage, and track your comments all over the web. \
					<br /><br />A confirmation is being sent to <strong>' + _data[1] + '</strong>. Please check for this email in order to verify your profile. \
					<ul class="dsq-list-tick"> \
						<li>Your username is <strong>' + _data[0] +'</strong>. <a href="http://disqus.com/people/' + _data[0] + '/" target="_blank">Click here to view your public profile</a>.</li> \
						<li>Be sure to set your profile picture, as well as connect your <span class="dsq-badge-facebook">Facebook</span> and <span class="dsq-badge-twitter">Twitter</span> accounts. <a href="http://disqus.com/account/" target="_blank">Click here for account settings</a>.</li> \
					</ul> \
					</li>'
					break;
				default:
					break;
			}
			numAlerts++;
		});

		if(numAlerts > 1) {
			message = '<ul class="dsq-list-bluebullet">' + message;
			message += '</ul>';
			title = 'Thanks for posting!';
		}
		if(numAlerts > 0) {
			if(typeof(disqus_cookie_msgs) == 'function') {
				disqus_cookie_msgs(message, title);
			} else {
				Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title);
			}
		}
	};

	this.helpBadges = function(post_id) {
		var html = ' \
			<ul class="dsq-popup-help"> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-verified">Verified</span> has a <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> Profile with a confirmed email address.</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-registered">Registered</span> has a <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> Profile, but has not yet confirmed his or her email address.</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-guest">Guest</span> is not logged in with any account and has not claimed his or her comments.</li> \
				<li class="dsq-help-otheraccts">Other accounts</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-facebook">Facebook</span> is using his or her Facebook profile via Facebook Connect.</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-twitter">Twitter</span> is using his or her Twitter profile via Twitter Sign-in.</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-openid">OpenID</span> is using his or her OpenID.</li> \
			</ul> \
		';

		this.popModal(html, 'Help: Types of Commenters', post_id);
		return;
	};

	this.permalink = function(post_id) {
		var header = 'Link to this comment';
		var body = '<strong>You are anchored to</strong>:<br />' + document.location.protocol + '//' + document.location.host + document.location.pathname + document.location.search + '#comment-' + post_id;

		this.popModal(body, header, post_id);
	};

	this.login = function(header, body) {
		var h = header || 'Login or Register';
		var b = body || '';
		b += Dsq.Templates.frameLogin({id: 'dsq-popup-login'});
		b += '</iframe>'; // HACK: Sometimes there is something funky with the IFRAME SRC that causes no end tag
		this.popModal(b, h, null, true, 'dsq-popup-login');
	};

	this.blacklist = function(id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];
		var title = 'Add to Blacklist';
		var message = ' \
		Adding this person to the blacklist will block him or her from commenting on this site. Check the following types that you would like to add to the blacklist:'
		+ (userData['registered'] ?
			'<div class="dsq-blacklist-option"> \
				<input id="dsq-blacklist-username" type="checkbox" checked> \
				<label for="dsq-blacklist-username"><strong>Username</strong>: ' + userData['username'] + '</label> \
			</div>'
			: '')
		+ (_meta.email ?
			'<div class="dsq-blacklist-option"> \
				<input id="dsq-blacklist-email" type="checkbox" checked> \
				<label for="dsq-blacklist-email"><strong>Email address</strong>: ' + _meta.email + '</label> \
			</div>'
			: '')
		+ '<div class="dsq-blacklist-option"> \
			<input id="dsq-blacklist-ip" type="checkbox" onclick="Dsq.$(\'dsq-blacklist-ip-warning\').style.display=\'block\'"> \
			<label for="dsq-blacklist-ip"><strong>IP address</strong>: ' + _meta.ip + '</label> \
		</div> \
		';

		message += ' \
			<p id="dsq-blacklist-ip-warning" style="display:none">	\
				Note: Blocking this person\'s IP address may also unintentionally prevent others, who share his/her IP address, from commenting on this site. \
				This may include people who are sharing the same computer, living in the same house, or using the same Internet provider. Only block an IP address as a last resort. \
			</p> \
		';

		message += ' \
			<p style="text-align:center"><button onclick="Dsq.Post.blockUser(' + id + '); this.disabled=true; this.innerHTML=\'Just one moment...\'">Add to Blacklist</button></p> \
		';

		Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title);
	};

	this.remoteAccountSettings = function() {
		var body = '';
		// Set up IFrame.
		var params = {};
		var base_url = 'http://disqus.com/forums/jackandjillpolitics/_auth/embed/remote_settings/';
		var attributes = {id: 'dsq-popup-account-settings'};
		if (typeof disqus_frame_theme != 'undefined') {
			params['theme'] = disqus_frame_theme;
		}

		body = Dsq.Templates._frameGeneric(base_url, params, attributes);
		this.popModal(body, 'Account Settings', null, true, 'dsq-popup-account-settings');
	};

	this.popModal = function(message, title, post_id, use_listener, extra_classes) {
		var container = document.createElement('div');
		var header, body;

		Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true);

		if(typeof(title) == 'undefined') { title = ''; }
		if(typeof(use_listener) == 'undefined') { use_listener = true; }

		if(post_id) {
			container.id = 'dsq-popup-message-' + post_id;
		} else {
			container.id = 'dsq-popup-message';
		}

		header = title;
		body = message;

		container.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.popupModal(header, body);
		Dsq.Popup.initPopup(container, post_id, 'message', extra_classes);
		if(use_listener) {
			Dsq.Popup.popupListener = Dsq.Utils.addEventListener(document, 'mouseup', Dsq.Popup._closePopup);
		}
	};

	this.popAlert = this.popModal;

	this.loading = function(post_id) {
		var title = Dsq.Strings.JUST_A_MOMENT;
		var body = '<div style="text-align:center; padding: 5px 0 10px 0"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading.gif" alt="" /></div>'
		Dsq.Popup.lightbox(body, title, post_id);
	};

	this.lightbox = function(message, title, post_id) {
		// Wraps Dsq.Popup.popModal

		var overlay = document.createElement('div');
		overlay.id = 'dsq-overlay';
		overlay.className = 'dsq-overlay';
		Dsq.$b.appendChild(overlay);
		
		Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title, post_id, false, 'dsq-lightbox');
	};

	this.popProfile = function(post_id, userKey) {
		var post = Dsq.jsonData['posts'][post_id];
		if (post && post.has_been_anonymized) {
			Dsq.Popup.popModal('This message was anonymized by its previous owner.', 'Anonymized', post_id);
			return;
		}

		if(post_id) {
			userKey = Dsq.jsonData['posts'][post_id].user_key;	
		}
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][userKey];
		var elId = 'dsq-popup-profile-' + userKey;
		var container = document.createElement('div');

		if(this.activePopup.el) {
			this._closePopup(null, true);
			if(this.activePopup.linkClicked) {
				this.activePopup.linkClicked = false;
				return;
			}
		}

		container.id = elId;
		container.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.popupProfile(userKey);

		this.initPopup(container, post_id, 'profile');
		this.popupListener = Dsq.Utils.addEventListener(document, 'mouseup', this._closePopup);

		if(!this.profileCache[userKey]) {
			Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/embed/profile.js'
				+ '?username=' + userKey
				+ '&anon=' + (userData['registered'] ? 0 : 1)
				+ '&f=' + Dsq.jsonData['request'].forum);
		} else {
			this.updateProfile(userKey);
		}
	};

	this._closePopup = function(e, force) {
		var activePopup = Dsq.Popup.activePopup.el;
		var id = Dsq.Popup.activePopup.id;
		var link = 'dsq-avatar-' + id; // HACK: Specific to profile toggle target

		// HACK: This event should be gone if there is no active popup.
		if(!activePopup) {
			return;
		}
		if(force || !Dsq.Popup.isClicked(e, activePopup.id)) {
			// TODO: This is breaking iE?
			if(Dsq.Popup.popupListener) {
				Dsq.Utils.removeEventListener(Dsq.Popup.popupListener);
			}
			
			// Kill overlay
			var overlay = Dsq.$('dsq-overlay');
			if(overlay) { Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(overlay); }
			
			try {
				Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(activePopup);
			} catch(e) {
				// HACK: IE6 throws an error when using deleteNode() with a node containing a <table> in the html.
				activePopup.parentNode.removeChild(activePopup);
			}
			Dsq.Popup.activePopup = {};
		}

		if(!force && Dsq.Popup.isClicked(e, link)) {
 			Dsq.Popup.activePopup.linkClicked = true;
		}

	};

	this.initPopup = function(popup, post_id, type, extra_classes) {
		popup.className = 'dsq-popup dsq-popup-' + type + ' ' + (extra_classes ? extra_classes : '');
		if(Dsq.Utils.ie6 || Dsq.Utils.ie7) {
			// HACK: We can't modify the body before it's ready, so we need
			//       to use an IE-safe "DOMReady" workaround before loading
			//       our popup.
			Dsq.Utils.execOnReady(function() {Dsq.$b.appendChild(popup); });
		} else {
			Dsq.$b.appendChild(popup);
		}

		popup.style.display = 'block';

		var xPos = (Dsq.Utils.getWindowSize()[0] - popup.offsetWidth) / 2;
		var yPos = (Dsq.Utils.getWindowSize()[1] - popup.offsetHeight) / 2;

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) {
			yPos += Dsq.Utils.getScrollPos()[1];
		}

		popup.style.left = xPos + 'px';
		popup.style.top = yPos + 'px';

		Dsq.Popup.activePopup = {
			'el' : popup,
			'id' : post_id,
			'type': type,
			'linkClicked' : false
		};
	};

	this.isClicked = function(e, id) {
		var t = e.target || e.srcElement;
		while(t && t.parentNode) {
			if(t.id == id) {
				return true;
			}

			t = t.parentNode;
		}
		return false;
	};
};
// Dsq.Popup

/**
 * Dsq.Templates
 */
Dsq.Templates = new function() {
	/*
	 * Counter keeping track of the number of posts iterated over.
	 */
	this.postLoopCounter = 0;
	this.filters = {};
	this.addPostContainer = 'dsq-post-add';
	this.textareaContainer = 'dsq-post-add';

	this.registerTemplate = function(name, func) {
		this['$$_' + name] = func;

		if(typeof DsqLocal.Filters != 'undefined'
		&& typeof DsqLocal.Filters[name] == 'function') {
			// Push filters to this.filters to unify code.
			this.filters[name] = this.filters[name] || [];
			this.filters[name].push(DsqLocal.Filters[name]);
		}

		this[name] = function() {
			var ret;

			if(typeof DsqLocal.Templates != 'undefined'
			&& typeof DsqLocal.Templates[name] == 'function') {
				ret = DsqLocal.Templates[name].apply(this, arguments);
			}

			if(ret === undefined) {
				ret = this['$$_' + name].apply(this, arguments);
			}

			if(this.filters[name]) {
				var args = [ret];

				args.push.apply(args, arguments);
				for(var i = 0; i < this.filters[name].length; i++) {
					ret = this.filters[name][i].apply(this, args);
				}
			}

			return ret;
		};
	};

	this.registerFilter = function(name, func) {
		this.filters[name] = this.filters[name] || [];
		this.filters[name].push(func);
	};

	/**
	 * Dsq.Templates.Filters
	 */
	this.Filters = new function() {
		this.commentContainer = function(post_id, s) {
			var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
			var classes = [];
			if(Dsq.jsonData.request.page > 1) {
				classes.push('dsq-append');
			}

			//
			// Extra classes used for custom themes
			//

			if(_meta.depth) {
				classes.push('dsq-comment-child', 'dsq-depth-' + _meta.depth, 'dsq-parent-is-' + _meta.parent_post_id);
			}


			//

			if(_meta.author_is_creator) {
				// TODO: We need to deprecate the "special" class since it is not properly prefixed.
				classes.push('special', 'dsq-special');
			}
			if(_meta.author_is_moderator) {
				classes.push('dsq-moderator');
			}
			classes.push(['dsq-odd', 'dsq-even'][Dsq.Templates.postLoopCounter % 2]);

			s = s.substring(0, s.lastIndexOf('>'));
			return s + ' class="dsq-comment ' + classes.join(' ') + '" style="margin-left:' + _meta.depth*30 + 'px">';
		};

		this.commentContent = function(post_id, s) {
			var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
			if (_meta.killed) {
				return '<em>Comment removed.</em>';
			} else if (!_meta.approved) {
				return '<em>This comment was flagged for review.</em>';
			}

			s = s.replace(Dsq.MEDIA_POST_RE, Dsq.MediaPostHandler);
			return s;
		};
	};

	//
	// Thread
	//
	// TODO: These need to be stripped of all Django template tags.

	this.authPost = function() {
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.context.show_reply) {
			return '';
		}
		var result = [];
		result = result.concat([
				'<div id="dsq-auth"',
						Dsq.jsonData.integration.reply_position ? 'class="dsq-auth-bottom"' : '',
						'>',
					'<div class="dsq-by">',
						'<a href="http://disqus.com" target="_blank">',
							(Dsq.jsonData.integration.disqus_logo ?
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<img src="%(media_url)s/images/embed/by-disqus.png" alt="discussion by DISQUS">') :
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<img src="%(media_url)s/images/embed/dsq-button-120x19.png" alt="discussion by DISQUS">')
							),
						'</a>',
					'</div>',
					'<div class="dsq-auth-header">',
						'<h3 id="dsq-add-new-comment" class="dsq-h3-addcomment">',
								Dsq.Strings.ADD_NEW_COMMENT,
						'</h3>',
						'<div id="dsq-login">',
						(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated && Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post
								? '<p class="dsq-login-message" id="dsq-login-message">You are commenting as a <a class="dsq-help" title="Click for more information" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges(); return false">Guest</a>. You may select one to log into:</p>'
								: '')
		]);
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) {
			result = result.concat([
							Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
								'<a id="dsq-login-toggle" href="%(disqus_url)s%(login_url)s?next=article:%(thread_id)s" onclick="Dsq.Popup.login(); return false"><img class="dsq-login-icon" src="%(media_url)s/images/dsq-profile-btn.png" title="%(log_into)s" alt="%(log_into)s"/></a>',
								{login_url: Dsq.Urls.LOGIN, thread_id: Dsq.jsonData.thread.id, log_into: Dsq.Strings.LOG_INTO_DISQUS}
								),
							'&nbsp; ',
							(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_fb_connect ?
								'<div id="dsq-fbc-login" onlogin="DisqusFbcParentController.onLogin()" size="medium" background="light" length="short" style="display:inline; margin-right:7px"></div>' :
								''
							),
							(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_twitter_signin ?
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
									'<div id="dsq-twitter-login" class="dsq-twitter-login" onclick="Dsq.Twitter.startTwitterConnect();" style="display:inline; cursor: pointer"><img src="%(media_url)s/images/twitter-signin-short.png" style="margin-right:7px" /></div>', {}) : ''),
							(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_openid ?
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
									'<div id="dsq-openid-login" class="dsq-openid-login" onclick="Dsq.OpenID.requestURL();" style="display:inline; cursor:pointer;"><img src="%(media_url)s/images/openid-login-button.png"/></div>', {}
								) : '')
			]);
		}
		result = result.concat([
						'</div>', // dsq-login
					'</div>', // dsq-auth-header
					'<div id="dsq-authenticated" class="dsq-authenticated" ',
						Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated ? 'style="display:block"' : '',
						'>',
						'<div class="dsq-authenticated-pic">',
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<a href="%(url)s" title="%(request_display_username)s">' +
																			'<img class="dsq-post-avatar" src="%(avatar_url)s" alt="" /></a>',
																			{avatar_url: Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_AVATAR,
																			url: (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
																					 ? Dsq.jsonData.request.url
																					 : Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE) }),
						'</div>',
						'<div class="dsq-authenticated-info">',
							'<ul>',
								'<li>',
									(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
										? Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGGED_IN_AS(
												Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<a href="%(url)s" title="%(request_display_username)s">%(request_display_username)s</a>', {url:Dsq.jsonData.request.url})
										  )
										: Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGGED_IN_AS(
												Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<a href="%(disqus_url)s%(profile_url)s" title="%(request_display_username)s">%(request_display_username)s</a>')
											)
									),
								'</li>',
								'<li class="logout">',
									(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
										? Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<img class="dsq-login-icon" src="%(media_url)s/images/dsqicon12.png" alt="%(logged_in_as)s"/>&nbsp',
											{logged_in_as: Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGGED_IN_AS(Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username)})
										: ''),

									(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
										? Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<a href="%(disqus_url)s%(logout_url)s?ctkn=%(csrf_token)s" title="%(logout_from_disqus)s">',
											{logout_url: Dsq.Urls.LOGOUT, csrf_token: Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN, logout_from_disqus: Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGOUT_FROM('DISQUS')})
										: ((Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain == 'twitter')
												? Dsq.Utils.interpolate('using Twitter (<a href="%(disqus_url)s%(logout_url)s?ctkn=%(csrf_token)s" title="Logout">Logout</a>)',
												 {logout_url: Dsq.Urls.LOGOUT, csrf_token: Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN})
												: ((Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain == 'openid')
													 ? Dsq.Utils.interpolate('using OpenID (<a href="%(disqus_url)s%(logout_url)s?ctkn=%(csrf_token)s" title="Logout">Logout</a>)',
													 {logout_url: Dsq.Urls.LOGOUT, csrf_token: Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN})
													 : ''
													)
											)
									),

									(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote ? Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGOUT_FROM('<span class="logo-disqus">DISQUS</span>') : ''),
									'</a>',
								'</li>',
							'</ul>',
						'</div>',
					'</div>'
		]);
		if (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_fb_connect) {
			result = result.concat([
					'<div id="dsq-fbc-authenticated" class="dsq-authenticated">',
						'<div id="dsq-fbc-profilepic" class="dsq-authenticated-pic" uid="loggedinuser" type="FB.XFBML.ProfilePic" size="square" facebook-logo="true"></div>',
						'<div class="dsq-authenticated-info">',
							'<ul>',
								'<li>',
									'Logged in as <span id="dsq-fbc-name" uid="loggedinuser" type="FB.XFBML.Name" linked="true" useyou="false"></span>',
								'</li>',
								'<li class="logout">using Facebook Connect <a href="#" onclick="javascript:DisqusFbcParentController.logout();return false;">(Logout)</a></li>',
							'</ul>',
						'</div>',
					'</div>'
			]);
		}
		result = result.concat([
				'</div>', // dsq-auth
				'<div id="dsq-toolbar-items">',
				'</div>'
		]);
		result = result.concat([
					//
					//
					//
				((!Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post && !Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) ?
					// Needs to be translated:
					('<p id="dsq-no-anon-msg">Required: Please log into <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> ' +
					(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_fb_connect ? 'or connect with Facebook ' : '') +
					(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_twitter_signin ? 'or sign in with Twitter ' : '') +
					(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_openid ? 'or sign in using OpenID ' : '') +
					Dsq.Utils.interpolate('to comment on <strong>%(forum_name)s</strong>.</p>')) :
					''
				),
				'<div id="dsq-post-add"></div>',
				'<div style="margin:10px 0">',
				((Dsq.jsonData.forum.use_media) ?
						'<a href="#" id="dsq-media-link" onclick="Dsq.Post.showMenu(this, false, \'media\'); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.USE_MEDIA + ' <small>&#9660;</small></a>' :
						''),
				'</div>'
		]);
		return result.join('');
	};


	this.header = function() {

		var html = '\<h3 id="dsq-comments-count" class="dsq-h3-commentcount">\
	 <span id="dsq-num-posts">128</span> Comments\
	 &nbsp;\
	 <span class="dsq-item-feed">\
	 <a href="http://jackandjillpolitics.disqus.com/afternoon_open_thread_40/latest.rss"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/bullet-feed.png"></a>\
	 </span>\
	 </h3>\
	 <div id="dsq-options" style="margin:15px 0">\
	 <span class="dsq-item-sort">\
	 Sort by\
	 <select id="dsq-sort-select" onchange="Dsq.Thread.sortBy(this.value);">\
	 <option value="hot" selected="selected">Popular now</option>\
	 <option value="best" >Best Rating</option>\
	 <option value="newest" >Newest first</option>\
	 <option value="oldest" >Oldest first</option>\
	 </select>\
	 &nbsp;\
	 </span>\
	 <span class="dsq-item-cp"><a href="http://jackandjillpolitics.disqus.com/afternoon_open_thread_40/">Community Page</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>\
	 <span class="dsq-item-subscribe">\
	 <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/email.png" style="width:12px;height:12px;vertical-align:middle">\
	 <span id="dsq-subscribe">\
	 <a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(1); return false">Subscribe by email</a>\
	 </span>\
	 </span>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-alerts">\
	 <p><a href="http://disqus.com/profile/login/?next=article:25445721" onclick="Dsq.Popup.login(); return false">You must log into your Disqus Profile in order to post comments.</a></p>\
	 </div>\
		';

		

		
		if (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator) { 
			html = ' \
			<div class="dsq-alert-message dsq-upgrade-message"> \
				<strong>Disqus upgrade available.</strong> Hi ' + Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username + ', this message is being displayed to you because you are a moderator of this site. <a href="#" onclick="Dsq.$(\'dsq-upgrade-message\').style.display=\'block\';this.style.display=\'none\';return false">Click here for details.</a> \
				<div style="display:none; margin-top:10px;" id="dsq-upgrade-message"> \
					A new theme is available with added features. <a href="http://disqus.com/comments/settings/' + Dsq.jsonData.forum.url + '/?p=customize">To change your theme, click here</a> and choose the theme Narcissus. \
					If you do not upgrade, you are missing out on features such as: real-time commenting, new sign-in integrations, and an upgrade interface. \
					<strong>This message will automatically go away in one week.</strong> \
				</div> \
			</div> \
			' + html; 
		}
		return html;
	};

	this.footer = function() {
		var html = Dsq.Templates.pagination();

		
			html += Dsq.Templates.authPost();
		

		html += Dsq.Templates.reactions();

		
			html += Dsq.Templates.trackbacks();
		

		return html;
	};

	this.pagination = function() {
		var html = '';
		
		if (Dsq.$('dsq-pagination')) { Dsq.$('dsq-pagination').innerHTML = ''; }
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.thread.paginate) { return ''; }

		//
		// TODO: num_paginator still uses the template tag for pagination, 
		// 		while append_paginator does it all in JavaScript.
		//		This should all be in JavaScript.
		//

		if (Dsq.jsonData.thread.num_pages > 1 && Dsq.jsonData.request.page < Dsq.jsonData.thread.num_pages) {
			html = ' \<a class="dsq-paginate-append-text" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.paginate(Dsq.jsonData.request.page + 1, this); return false">Show more comments...</a>\
	 <button class="dsq-button-small dsq-paginate-append-button" onclick="Dsq.Thread.paginate(Dsq.jsonData.request.page + 1, this);">Load more comments</button>\
			';
		}
		
		if (Dsq.$('dsq-pagination')) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-pagination').innerHTML = html;
			return '';
		} else {
			return '<div id="dsq-pagination" class="dsq-pagination">' + html + '</div>';
		}
	};

	this.trackbacks = function() {
		var html = '';

		if(typeof DsqLocal != 'undefined' && DsqLocal.trackback_url && DsqLocal.trackbacks) {
			var trackbacks = DsqLocal.trackbacks;
			var trackback_url = DsqLocal.trackback_url;
		} else {
			var trackbacks = [
			
			
			];
			var trackback_url = 'http://jackandjillpolitics.disqus.com/afternoon_open_thread_40/trackback/';
		}

		html += '<div class="dsq-item-trackback">Trackback URL&nbsp;&nbsp;<input class="dsq-trackback-url" onclick="this.select()" readonly="true" value="' + trackback_url + '"></div>';

		if(trackbacks.length) {
			html += '<ul id="dsq-references">'
			for(var i = 0; i < trackbacks.length; i++) {
				var trackback = trackbacks[i];
				html += '<li><cite><a href="' + trackback.author_url + '" rel="nofollow">' + trackback.author_name + '</a></cite> \
						<p class="dsq-meta">' + trackback.date + '</p> \
						<p class="dsq-content">' + trackback.excerpt + '</p></li>';
			}
			html += '</ul>';
			html = '<h3 class="dsq-h3-trackbacks">Trackbacks</h3>' + html;
		}

		return html;
	}

	this.showRetweets = function(id, limit, element_id /* Optional */) {
		var source, html = '';

		for (var i = 0, reaction; reaction = Dsq.jsonData.reactions[i]; i++) {
			if (reaction.id === id) {
				source = reaction.retweets;
			}
		}

		if (source) {
			if (limit === 0) {
				limit = source.length;
			}

			for (var j = 0; j < limit; j++) {
				var rt = source[j];
				html += '<a href="' + rt.url + '">' + rt.author_name + '</a>'	+ ((j === (limit - 1)) ? '.' : ', ');
			}
		}

		if (element_id === undefined) {
			return html;
		}

		var element = document.getElementById(element_id);
		element.innerHTML = html;
		return element;
	};

	this.showMoreReactions = function(reactions, has_more, start, limit) {
		var link = document.getElementById('dsq-show-more-reactions');
		var container = link.parentNode;
		container.removeChild(link);

		for (var i = 0, reaction; reaction = reactions[i]; i++) {
			var el = Dsq.Templates.generateReactionHTML(reaction);
			if (el) {
				container.innerHTML += el;
			}
		}

		if (has_more) {
			var d = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url;
			var f = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;
			var t = Dsq.jsonData.thread.id;
			var s = start;
			var l = limit;

			var handler = 'Dsq.Utils.execScript(\'' + d + '/forums/' + f + '/more_reactions.js?t=' + t + '&s=' + s + '&l=' + l + '\', true); return false;';
			container.innerHTML += '<li id="dsq-show-more-reactions"><a href="#" onclick="' + handler + '">Show more reactions</a></li>';
		}
	};

	this.generateReactionHTML = function(reaction) {
		if (reaction.body === null || reaction.body == '') {
			return;
		}

		if (reaction.author_name === '') {
			reaction.author_name = '&nbsp;';
		}

		if (reaction.url === '') {
			reaction.url = reaction.get_service_url;
		}

		/* Reaction HTML begins */
		var item = '<li class="dsq-reaction" id="dsq-reaction-' + reaction.id + '">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-reaction-header">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-header-avatar">';

		if (reaction.author_url && reaction.author_url !== '') {
			item += '<a target="_blank" href="' + reaction.author_url +'">';
		} else {
			item += '<a target="_blank" href="#" onclick="return false;">';
		}

		if (reaction.avatar_url && reaction.avatar_url !== '') {
			item += '<img src="' + reaction.avatar_url + '"/>';
		} else {
			item += '<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/noavatar32.png"/>';
		}

		var service_icon = (reaction.get_service_name == 'trackback' || reaction.get_service_name == 'pingback' ? 'rss' : reaction.get_service_name.replace(' ', ''));
		item += '<img class="dsq-service-icon" src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/reactions/services/' + service_icon + '.png"/>'
			+ '</a></div>'
			+ '<cite><span>' + reaction.author_name + '</span></cite>'
			+ '<span class="dsq-header-meta"><a class="dsq-header-time">' + reaction.date_created + '</a></span>'
			+ '</div><div class="dsq-reaction-body">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-reaction-message">' + reaction.body + '</div>'
			+ '<div class="dsq-reaction-footer">From <a class="dsq-service-name" target="_blank" href="' + reaction.url + '">' + reaction.get_service_name + '</a> '
			+ 'via ' + (reaction.source == 'backtype' ? '<a href="http://backtype.com/">BackType</a>' : '<a href="' + reaction.source_url + '">UberVU</a>')
			+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator ? '&nbsp;&bull;&nbsp;<a class="dsq-hide-reaction" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Reaction.hide(' + reaction.id + '); return false;">Hide</a>' : '') + '</div></div>';

		if(reaction.retweets) {
			var num_retweets = reaction.retweets.length;
			if (num_retweets > 0) {
				item += '<div class="dsq-reaction-retweets">';
				if (num_retweets == 1) {
					item += 'One more retweet from <a href="' + reaction.retweets[0].url + '">'  + reaction.retweets[0].author_name + '</a>';
				} else {
					item += (num_retweets + ' more retweets from ');

					item += '<span id="dsq-reaction-retweets-' + reaction.id + '">';
					var n_tweets = (num_retweets > 15) ? 15 : num_retweets;
					item += Dsq.Templates.showRetweets(reaction.id, n_tweets);

					if (n_tweets != num_retweets) {
						item += '</span> <a onclick="Dsq.Templates.showRetweets(' + reaction.id + ', 0, \'dsq-reaction-retweets-' + reaction.id + '\');'
							+ 'this.parentNode.removeChild(this); return false;" href="#">Show all</a>';
					}
				}
				item += '</div>';
			}
		}

		item += '</li>'; /* Reaction HTML ends */
		return item;
	};

	this.reactions = function() {
		var html, reaction;

		if (Dsq.jsonData.reactions === undefined || Dsq.jsonData.reactions.length === 0) {
			return '';
		}

		html = '';
		for (var i = 0; reaction = Dsq.jsonData.reactions[i]; i++) {
			var item = Dsq.Templates.generateReactionHTML(reaction);
			if (item) {
				html += item;
			}
		}

		if (Dsq.jsonData.has_more_reactions) {
			var d = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url;
			var f = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;
			var t = Dsq.jsonData.thread.id;
			var s = Dsq.jsonData.reactions_start;
			var l = Dsq.jsonData.reactions_limit;

			var handler = 'Dsq.Utils.execScript(\'' + d + '/forums/' + f + '/more_reactions.js?t=' + t + '&s=' + s + '&l=' + l + '\', true); return false;';
			html += '<li id="dsq-show-more-reactions"><a href="#" onclick="' + handler + '">Show more reactions</a></li>';
		}

		return '<h3 class="dsq-h3-reactions">Reactions</h3><ul id="dsq-reactions" class="dsq-reactions">' + html + '</ul>';
	};
	
	this.missingPermissions = function() {
		return '	<p><a href="http://disqus.com/profile/login/?next=article:25445721" onclick="Dsq.Popup.login(); return false">You must log into your Disqus Profile in order to post comments.</a></p> \n';
	};

	//
	// Post
	//

	this.prependPost = function(post_id) {
		var html = '<div id="comment-' + post_id + '"></div>';
		return html;
	};

	this.appendPost = function(post_id) {
		var html = '<div id="dsq-comment-reply-' + post_id + '"></div>';
		return html;
	};

	this.postPrependHeader = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];

		var _includeServices = function() {
			var userServices = Dsq.Post.getUserServices(null, post_id);
			var html = '';
			var hiddenThreshold = 3; // Define # of services to show before stuffing them in hidden div

			for(var i = 0; i < userServices.length; i++) {
				html +=
				(i == hiddenThreshold
					? '<li id="dsq-drop-hidden-' + post_id +'" class="dsq-drop-hidden"><ul>'
					: '')
				+ '<li class="dsq-drop-services"> \
					<a class="dsq-service-' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" href="' + userServices[i].url + '" target="_blank"> \
						<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/embed/services/' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '.png" alt="' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '">'
					+ userServices[i].name
					+ '</a> \
				</li>';
			}

			if(i >= hiddenThreshold) {
				html += '</ul></li> \
				<li id="dsq-drop-more-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-drop-more"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.dropProfileMore(this, '+ post_id + '); return false"><small>&#9660;</small></a></li> \
				';
			}
			return html;
		};

		return ' \
			<div class="dsq-header-avatar" id="dsq-header-avatar-' + post_id + '" onmouseover="Dsq.Post.dropProfile(' + post_id + ')"> \
				<a id="dsq-avatar-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-avatar" href="' + userData.url + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.popProfile(' + post_id + '); return false;">'
			+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.show_avatar
				? '<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.users[_meta.user_key].avatar + '" alt="" />'
				: '')
			+ '</a>'
			+ '</div> \
		';
	};

	this.postAppendHeader = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];

		return ''
			+ (_meta.author_is_moderator
				? '<img class="dsq-mod-star" src="http://media.disqus.com/images/bullet-star.png" title="Moderator" alt="" />'
				: '')
			+ '<span class="dsq-header-meta"> \
				<a id="dsq-time-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-header-time" href="#comment-' + post_id + '" title="Permalink">' + _meta.date + '</a> \
			</span>';
	};

	this.preBody = function(post_id) {
		return '';
	}

	this.postBody = function(post_id) {
		// TODO: Deprecate flagging conditional
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		return ''
			+ (_meta.edited
				? '<p class="dsq-editedtxt">(Edited by a moderator)</p>'
				: '')
			;
	};

	this.postFooter = function(post_id) {
		// TODO: Use media should be conditional
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		if(_meta.killed) { return ''; }

		return ' \
			<div class="dsq-comment-footer" id="dsq-comment-footer-' + post_id + '"> \
				<div id="dsq-points-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-likedtxt">'
				+ (_meta.points
					? _meta.points + Dsq.Utils.pluralize(_meta.points, ' person', ' people') + ' liked this comment.'
					: '')
				+ '</div>'
				+ '<ul class="dsq-comment-options dsq-list-style">'
				+ (_meta.votable
					? '<li class="dsq-list-first dsq-rate" id="dsq-rate-cont-' + post_id + '">'
					+ (!_meta.up_voted
						? '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.rate(this, ' + post_id + ', 1); return false;">Like</a>'
						: 'You liked this.') + '</li>'
					: '')
				+ '<li class="dsq-report' + (!_meta.votable ? ' dsq-list-first' : '') + '" id="dsq-post-report-' + post_id + '"><a href="#" class="dsq-post-report" onclick="Dsq.Post.report(' + post_id + ', false); return false;">Report</a></li> \
				</ul> \
				<ul class="dsq-list-style">'
				+ (_meta.can_reply
					? '<li class="dsq-list-first"><a href="#" id="dsq-reply-link-' + post_id +'" onclick="Dsq.Post.toggleReply(this, ' + post_id +'); return false;">Reply</a></li>'
					: '')
				+ (_meta.can_reply && !_meta.has_replies && _meta.from_request_user
					? '<li id="dsq-edit-el-' + post_id + '"><a id="dsq-edit-link-' + post_id + '" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.edit(this, ' + post_id + '); return false;">Edit</a></li>'
					: '')
				+ '<li class="' + (!_meta.can_reply ? 'dsq-list-first' : '') + '" id="dsq-more-el-' + post_id + '"><a id="dsq-more-link-' + post_id + '" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.showMenu(this, ' + post_id + ', \'more\'); return false">More <small>&#9660;</small></a></li>'
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.use_media
					? '<li id="dsq-media-el-' + post_id +'" style="display:none"><a id="dsq-media-link-' + post_id + '" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.showMenu(this, ' + post_id + ', \'media\'); return false">Use Media <small>&#9660;</small></a></li>'
					: '')
				+ '</ul>'
				+ '<div id="dsq-reply-bar-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-reply-bar" style="display:none"> \
						<div id="dsq-reply-bar-items-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-reply-bar-items"> \
						</div> \
						<div id="dsq-reply-bar-auth-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-reply-bar-auth"> \
							 \
								 \
									<a href="#" class="dsq-help dsq-reply-req-opt" title="You must log into an account in order to comment on Jack and Jill Politics" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges(); return false">Required:</a> \
								 \
								<img class="dsq-login-icon" src="http://media.disqus.com/images/dsq-favicon-16x16.png" alt="" /> \
								<a id="dsq-reply-login-' + post_id + '" href="http://disqus.com/profile/login/?next=article:25445721" onclick="Dsq.Popup.login(); return false">Login</a> \
								 \
									&nbsp;or&nbsp; \
									<img class="fb_login_image" src="http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/images/fbconnect/login-buttons/connect_light_small_short.gif" alt="Facebook Connect"/> \
									<a href="#" onclick="FB.Connect.requireSession(DisqusFbcParentController.onLogin); return false;">Connect</a> \
								 \
								&nbsp;or&nbsp; \
									<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/twitter-signin-icon.png" alt="" /> \
									<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Twitter.startTwitterConnect(); return false">Sign-in</a> \
								 \
								 \
							 \
						</div> \
					</div> \
					<div id="dsq-reply-' + post_id + '"></div> \
			</div> \
		';
	};

	//
	// Iframes
	//

	this._makeAttributes = function(attributes) {
		// Makes a tag attributes string out of an object.
		// Caller is responsible for making sure nothing needs to be escaped.
		var result = [];
		for (key in attributes) {
			result.push(' ' + key + '="' + attributes[key] + '"');
		}
		result = result.join('');
		return result;
	};

	this._frameGeneric = function(base_url, params, attributes) {
		if(typeof(disqus_callback_params) == 'undefined') {
			disqus_callback_params = '';
		}

		var default_params = {
			// TODO: These should be moved to Dsq.jsonData.
			'f'				: 'jackandjillpolitics',
			't'				: 'afternoon_open_thread_40',
			// Do we need encodeURIComponent here?
			'ifrs'			: encodeURIComponent(disqus_iframe_css),
			'to_redirect'	: encodeURIComponent(window.location),
			'cbp'			: disqus_callback_params,
			'ff'			: Dsq.Thread.ff,
			'fc'			: Dsq.Thread.fc,
			'ac'			: Dsq.Thread.ac,
			'default_text'	: disqus_default_text
		};

		base_url += '?' + (new Date()).getTime();
		// Add params to default_params.
		if(params) {
			for(var key in params) {
				if(params.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
					default_params[key] = encodeURIComponent(params[key]);
				}
			}
		}
		// Build querystring.
		for(var key in default_params) {
			if(default_params[key] && default_params.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
				base_url += '&' + key + '=' + default_params[key];
			}
		}

		return [
			'<iframe marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" hspace="0" vspace="0" frameborder="0"',
			(' allowtransparency="true" src="' + base_url + '"'),
			this._makeAttributes(attributes),
			'</iframe>'].join('');
	};

	this.frameLogin = function(opt_attributes) {
		var params = {};
		var base_url = 'http://disqus.com/embed/login.html';
		var attributes = opt_attributes || {};
		attributes['class'] = 'dsq-post-login';

		if(typeof disqus_frame_theme != 'undefined') {
			params['theme'] = disqus_frame_theme;
		}
		return this._frameGeneric(base_url, params, attributes);
	};

	this.frameReply = function(post_id, extra_params, attributes) {
		// Returns the HTML for a reply iframe. Called by Dsq.Iframes.setReplyIframeToContainer
		var _meta = (typeof post_id != 'undefined') ? Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id] : false;
		var base_url = Dsq.Urls.REPLY;
		var params = {
			'def_email'		: disqus_def_email,
			'def_name'		: disqus_def_name
		};
		if(extra_params) {
			for(var key in extra_params) {
				if(extra_params.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
					params[key] = extra_params[key];
				}
			}
		}
		if(_meta) {
			params['parent_post'] = post_id;
		}
		if(typeof disqus_per_page != 'undefined') {
			params['per_page'] = disqus_per_page;
		}
		if(typeof disqus_frame_theme != 'undefined') {
			params['theme'] = disqus_frame_theme;
		}
		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) {
			attributes['class'] += '-authenticated';
		}
		return this._frameGeneric(base_url, params, attributes);
	};

	this.frameEdit = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = (typeof post_id != 'undefined') ? Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id] : false;
		var base_url = 'http://disqus.com/embed/edit.html';
		var params = {
			'p' : post_id
		};
		return this._frameGeneric(base_url, params, {'class': 'dsq-post-edit', 'name': 'dsq-edit_' + post_id + '-frame'});
	};

	//
	// Menus
	//

	this.menuMore = function(post_id) {
		// TODO: "Remove post" button should hide menu.
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];
		return ' \
			<li><a href="#comment-' + post_id + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.permalink(' + post_id + ')">Link</a></li> \
			<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.popProfile(' + post_id + '); return false;">Profile</a></li>'
	+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator
		? '	<li class="dsq-menu-sep"></li>' + (_meta.email ? '<li class="dsq-admin-email">' + _meta.email + '</li>' : '')
		+ '	<li class="dsq-admin-ip">' + _meta.ip + '</li> \
			<li class="dsq-menu-sep"></li>'
		+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.moderator_can_edit
			? ' <li class="dsq-admin-edit"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.edit(this, ' + post_id + '); return false;">Edit Comment</a></li>'
			: '')
		+ ' <li class="dsq-remove"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.removePost(' + post_id + ', 1); return false;">Remove Comment</a></li> \
			<li class="dsq-report-spam"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.reportSpam(' + post_id + '); return false;">Mark Spam</a></li> \
			<li class="dsq-block-user"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.blacklist(' + post_id + '); return false">Block User</a></li>'
		: '');
	};

	this.menuMedia = function(post_id) {
		return ' \
			<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.toggleMediaReply(this, ' + post_id + ', \'seesmic\'); return false;">Record video</a></li> \
		';
	};

	this.dropProfile = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];

		var _includeServices = function() {
			var userServices = Dsq.Post.getUserServices(null, post_id);
			var html = '';
			var hiddenThreshold = 3; // Define # of services to show before stuffing them in hidden div

			for(var i = 0; i < userServices.length; i++) {
				html +=
				(i == hiddenThreshold
					? '<li id="dsq-drop-hidden-' + post_id +'" class="dsq-drop-hidden"><ul>'
					: '')
				+ '<li class="dsq-drop-services"> \
					<a class="dsq-service-' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" href="' + userServices[i].url + '" target="_blank"> \
						<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/embed/services/' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '.png" alt="' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '">'
					+ userServices[i].name
					+ '</a> \
				</li>';
			}

			if(i >= hiddenThreshold) {
				html += '</ul></li> \
				<li id="dsq-drop-more-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-drop-more"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.dropProfileMore(this, '+ post_id + '); return false"><small>&#9660;</small></a></li> \
				';
			}
			return html;
		};


		var menu = '<li class="dsq-drop-showlnk"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.popProfile(' + post_id + '); return false;">Expand &#8663;</a></li>';
		var pointsMessage = '';
		if (userData['registered']) {
			pointsMessage = 'with ' + userData['points'] + ' points (more points are better).';
		}

		if (userData['is_remote']) {
			var domain = userData['remote_domain_name'];
			menu += '<li class="dsq-drop-badge" title="' + userData['display_name'] + ' is a ' + domain + ' user ' + pointsMessage + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges()">';
			menu += '<span class="dsq-badge-' + domain.toLowerCase() + '">' + domain + '</span></li>';
		} else if (userData['registered']) {
			if (userData['verified']) {
				menu += '<li class="dsq-drop-badge" title="' + userData['display_name'] + ' has a verified commenter profile ' + pointsMessage + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges()">';
				menu += '<span class="dsq-badge-verified">Verified</span></li>';
			} else {
				menu += '<li class="dsq-drop-badge" title="' + userData['display_name'] + ' has a registered, but unverified, commenter profile ' + pointsMessage + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges()">';
				menu += '<span class="dsq-badge-registered">Registered</span></li>';
			}
		} else {
			menu += '<li class="dsq-drop-badge" title="' + userData['display_name'] + ' has not claimed this commenter profile." onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges()"><span class="dsq-badge-guest">Guest</span></li>';
		}

		menu += _includeServices();
		return menu;
	};

	//
	// Popups
	//

	this._popupGeneric = function(content) {
		return ' \
		<div class="dsq-popup-content"> \
			<div class="dsq-popup-top"></div> \
			<div class="dsq-popup-body" class="clearfix"> \
				<div class="dsq-popup-body-padding"> \
					<div class="dsq-popup-header"> \
						<a class="dsq-close-link" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true); return false"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/modal-close.png" alt="" /></a>'
						+ content['header']
					+ '</div>'
					+ content['body']
					+ '<div class="powered-by"><a href="http://disqus.com/comments/">Powered by <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/disqus-logo.png" alt="Disqus Comments" style="margin-bottom:-5px" /></a></div> \
				</div> <!-- padding --> \
			</div> <!-- body --> \
			<div class="dsq-popup-bottom"></div> \
		</div> \
		';
	};

	this.popupProfile = function(user_key) {
		var userServices = Dsq.Post.getUserServices(user_key, null);
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][user_key];
		var headerHtml = '';
		var bodyHtml = '';
		var content = {};

		var _includeServices = function() {
			var html = '';
			for(var i = 0; i < userServices.length; i++) {
				html +=
				(i == 0
					? '<h4>Connections</h4><ul>'
					: '')
				+ '<li> \
					<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/embed/services/' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '.png" alt="' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" title="' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" /> \
					<a class="dsq-service-' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" href="' + userServices[i].url + '" target="_blank">'
					+ userServices[i].name
					+ '</a> \
				</li>'
				+ (i+1 == userServices.length ? '</ul>' : '');
			}
			return html;
		};

		headerHtml = ' \
			<table> \
				<tr> \
					<td> \
						<a class="dsq-profile-userurl" href="' + userData.url + '"><img class="dsq-popup-profile-avatar" src="' + userData['avatar'] + '" alt="" /></a> \
					</td> \
					<td> \
						<div class="dsq-popup-profile-user"> \
							<h3>' + userData['display_name'] + '</h3> \
							<div class="dsq-popup-profile-user-stats" id="dsq-popup-profile-user-stats-' + user_key + '">Loading...</div> \
						</div> \
					</td> \
				</tr> \
			</table> \
		';

		bodyHtml = ' \
			<div class="dsq-popup-profile-state"> \
				This is a&nbsp;<span class="'
					+ (userData['registered']
						? (userData['verified']
							? ' dsq-badge-verified'
							: (userData['is_remote']
								? ' dsq-badge-' + userData['remote_domain_name'].toLowerCase()
								: ' dsq-badge-registered')
							)
							: ' dsq-badge-guest') + '">'
			+ (userData['registered']
				? (userData['verified']
					? 'Verified'
					: (userData['is_remote']
						 ? userData['remote_domain_name']
						 : 'Registered')
					)
				: 'Guest')
			+ '</span>&nbsp;commenter profile.'
			+ '&nbsp;<a class="dsq-profile-userurl" href="' + userData.url + '"><strong>View more comments </strong></a>'
			+ (!userData['points']
				? '<p class="dsq-popup-notice">If this is you, <a href="http://disqus.com/profile" target="_blank">claim it now</a> to manage your comments.</p>'
				: '')
			+ ((userData['registered'] && !userData['verified'] && (Dsq.jsonData.request.username && (Dsq.jsonData.request.username == userData['username'])) && !userData['is_remote'])
				? '<p class="dsq-popup-notice"><strong>Alert</strong>: You have not verified this account. <a href="http://disqus.com/verify">Verify it now.</a></p>'
				: '')
			+ '</div> \
			<div id="dsq-profile-status-' + user_key + '" class="dsq-popup-profile-status" style="display:none"></div> \
			<div class="dsq-popup-profile-snapshot"> \
				<table> \
					<tr> \
						<td> \
							<div id="dsq-popup-profile-active-sites-wrapper-' + user_key + '"> \
								<h4>Most active sites</h4> \
								<ul id="dsq-popup-profile-active-sites-' + user_key + '"> \
									<li>Loading...</li> \
								</ul> \
							</div> \
						</td> \
						<td>'
							+ _includeServices()
							+ '<div id="dsq-popup-profile-moderated-wrapper-' + user_key + '"> \
								<h4>Moderator of</h4> \
								<ul id="dsq-popup-profile-moderated-' + user_key + '"> \
									<li>Loading...</li> \
								</ul> \
							</div> \
						</td> \
					</tr> \
				</table> \
			</div> \
			';

		content = {
			'header': headerHtml,
			'body': bodyHtml
		};

		return this._popupGeneric(content);
	};

	this.popupReblog = function() {
		var headerHtml = '';
		var bodyHtml = '';
		var content = {};

		headerHtml = ' \
			<cite><span>Reblog this comment</span></cite> \
		';

		bodyHtml = ' \
			<div id="dsq-reblog-form" class="dsq-reblog-form"> \
			</div> \
		';

		content = {
			'header': headerHtml,
			'body': bodyHtml
		};

		return this._popupGeneric(content);
	};

	this.popupModal = function(title, message) {
		var headerHtml = '';
		var bodyHtml = '';
		var content = {};

		headerHtml = ' \
			<h3>' + title + '</h3> \
		';

		bodyHtml = message;

		content = {
			'header': headerHtml,
			'body': bodyHtml
		};

		return this._popupGeneric(content);
	};

	this.alertContent = function(name, post_id) {
		var alert = {
			'post_not_approved': {
				'title': 'Comment awaiting approval by a moderator',
				'message': 'Thanks for posting. Your comment must be approved by a moderator before appearing here.'
			},
			'post_has_profile': {
				'title': 'Use your existing commenter profile',
				'message': 'You have just posted your commment as a <span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-guest">Guest</span>, but you may already have a <span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-registered">Registered</span> commenter profile.<br /><br /><a href="http://disqus.com/claim">Log in and claim this comment!</a>'
			}
		};
		return alert[name] || false;
	};

	//
	// Actions
	//

	this.voted = function(post_id, points, vote) {
		// Update number of points
		Dsq.$('dsq-points-' + post_id).innerHTML = points + Dsq.Utils.pluralize(points, ' person', ' people') + ' liked this comment.';

		// Update link text
		if(vote) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-rate-cont-' + post_id).innerHTML = 'You liked this.';
		}
	};

	this.subscribed = function(status) {
		var title, message;

		if(status) {
			title = 'Subscribed!';
			message = 'You have subscribed to this comment thread. New comments will be sent directly to your email inbox, where you may read and respond by email.';
			Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe').innerHTML = ' \
				<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(0); return false">Unsubscribe</a> \
			';
		} else {
			title = 'Unsubscribed';
			message = 'You have unsubscribed to this comment thread. New comments will no longer be sent to your email inbox.';
			Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe').innerHTML = ' \
				<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(1); return false">Subscribe by email</a> \
			';
		}

		Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title);

	};
	
	this.highlighted = function() {
		Dsq.Popup.popModal('This comment has been highlighted.', 'Highlighted comment');
	};

	//
	// Media
	//

	this.mediaSeesmic = function(id, thumb) {
		return ' \
			<div id="dsq-seesmic-' + id + '_preview" class="dsq-seesmic-preview"><a href="http://www.seesmic.com/video/' + id + '" target="_blank" class="see_link">&nbsp;</a> \
				<div style="display:block;width:160px; height:120px; border:none; background-image:url(http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/' + thumb + ')"> \
					<div id="dsq-seesmic-' + id + '_hide" class="seePlayOverlay" style="display:none;"><img onclick="see_play_video(\'' + id + '\',false)" src="http://media.disqus.com/images/seesmic/stopOverlay.png" width="50" height="50" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; padding-top: 30px; padding-left: 50px" alt="" /></div> \
					<div id="dsq-seesmic-' + id + '_show" class="seePlayOverlay"><img onclick="see_play_video(\'' + id + '\',true)" src="http://media.disqus.com/images/seesmic/playOverlay.png" width="50" height="50" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; border:none; padding-top: 30px; padding-left: 50px" alt="" /></div> \
				</div> \
			</div> \
			<div id="' + id + '_content" style="display:block; width:100%; padding-top:5px"></div> \
		';
	};

	//
	// Callbacks
	//

	this.postComment_onSuccess = function(parent_post_id) {
		// Increment post count
		var num_posts = Dsq.$('dsq-num-posts');
		var total_posts = Dsq.$('dsq-total-posts');
		
		if (num_posts) { 
			num_posts.innerHTML = parseInt(num_posts.innerHTML) + 1;
		}
		if (total_posts) { 
			total_posts.innerHTML = parseInt(total_posts.innerHTML) + 1;
		}
	};
};
// Dsq.Templates


/**
 * Dsq.Post
 */
Dsq.Post = new function() {
	this.openedMenu = {};
	this.menuEventListener = null;
	this.stateReplyToggled = {};
	this.stateEditToggled = {};
	this.stateRecordLink = {};

	/**
	 * Inserts a new post into the document.
	 *
	 * @param after_id {Number}	Insert a post before specified id.  If after_id
	 *							evaluates to false, then post in the front.  If
	 *							after_id is -1, post at the end.
	 */
	this.insert = function(after_id, id, message, author) {
		// Skeleton template from thread_posts.html.
		var skeleton = ' \
			<li id="dsq-comment-%(id)s"> \
				<div id="dsq-comment-header-%(id)s" class="dsq-comment-header"> \
					<cite id="dsq-cite-%(id)s" class="dsq-comment-cite"> \
						<a id="dsq-author-user-%(id)s" href="%(author_url)s" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">%(author_name)s</a> \
					</cite> \
				</div> \
				<div id="dsq-comment-body-%(id)s" class="dsq-comment-body"> \
					<div id="dsq-comment-message-%(id)s" class="dsq-comment-message">%(message)s</div> \
				</div> \
			</li> \
		';
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[id];
		var _user_meta = Dsq.jsonData.users[_meta.user_key];
		var markup = Dsq.Utils.interpolate(skeleton, {
			id: id,
			message: message,
			author_url: _user_meta.blog,
			author_name: _user_meta.display_name
		});
		var div = document.createElement('div');
		markup = markup.replace(Dsq.COMMENTS_RE, Dsq.CommentsHandler);
		div.innerHTML = markup;

		if (after_id === -1) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-comments').appendChild(div);
		} else if (!after_id) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-comments').insertBefore(div, Dsq.$('dsq-comments').firstChild);
		} else if (Dsq.$('dsq-comment-' + after_id)) {
			// Get next node after "after_id", so we can insert before it.
			// If "after_id" is the last comment, the target node is the
			// last node.
			
			// var append_post_id = Dsq.Templates.appendPost(after_id).replace('<div id="','').replace('"></div>', '');
			var append_post_id = 'dsq-append-post-' + after_id;
			var node = Dsq.$(append_post_id);
			while (node = node.nextSibling) {
				if (!node || node.nodeType == 1) { // 1 == Node.ELEMENT_NODE
					break;
				}
			}
			if (!node) {
				node = Dsq.$(append_post_id);
			}
			node.parentNode.insertBefore(div, node);
		}
	};

	this.incrementPostCount = function() {
		
		var num_posts = Dsq.$('dsq-num-posts');
		var total_posts = Dsq.$('dsq-total-posts');

		if (num_posts) {
			num_posts.innerHTML = parseInt(num_posts.innerHTML, 10) + 1;
		}
		if (total_posts) {
			total_posts.innerHTML = parseInt(total_posts.innerHTML, 10) + 1;
		}
	}
	
	this.outlineComment = function(post_id) {
		Dsq.$('dsq-comment-' + post_id).className += ' dsq-comment-outline';
		setTimeout("(function () { Dsq.Post.clearOutlineComment(" + post_id + ") })()", 3000);
	};
	
	this.clearOutlineComment = function(post_id) {
		Dsq.$('dsq-comment-' + post_id).className = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-' + post_id).className.replace('dsq-comment-outline', '');
	};

	this.showMenu = function(el, id, name) {
		var anchorPos = Dsq.Utils.findPos(el);
		var menu = document.createElement('ul');

		if(this.openedMenu) {
			if(this.openedMenu.linkClicked) {
				this.openedMenu.linkClicked = false;
				return;
			}
		}

		switch(name) {
			case 'more':
				menu.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.menuMore(id);
				break;
			case 'media':
				menu.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.menuMedia(id);
				break;
			default:
				break;
		}

		// Add menu to document body
		menu.id = 'dsq-menu-' + id;
		menu.className = 'dsq-menu';
		Dsq.$b.appendChild(menu);

		// Position and show
		anchorPos[1] += 15;
		menu.style.left = anchorPos[0] + 'px';
		menu.style.top = anchorPos[1] + 'px';
		menu.style.display = 'block';

		// Set global reference
		this.openedMenu = {
			'el' : menu,
			'id' : id,
			'name' : name,
			'linkClicked' : false
		};

		// Set listener
		this.menuEventListener = Dsq.Utils.addEventListener(document, 'mouseup', this._hideMenu);
	};

	this._hideMenu = function(e) {
		var el = e.target || e.srcElement;
		var openedMenu = Dsq.Post.openedMenu.el;
		var id = Dsq.Post.openedMenu.id;

		if(!id) {
			var link = 'dsq-' + Dsq.Post.openedMenu.name + '-link';
		} else {
			var link = 'dsq-' + Dsq.Post.openedMenu.name + '-link-' + id;
		}

		if(!openedMenu) {
			return;
		}

		if(!Dsq.Popup.isClicked(e, openedMenu.id)) {
			openedMenu.style.display = 'none';
			Dsq.Utils.removeEventListener(Dsq.Post.menuEventListener);
			Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(openedMenu);

		} else {
			// Hide the menu if a link was clicked inside the menu.  We can't
			// completely remove the menu until the onclick event on the link
			// fires, but the menuEventListener will prevent multiple menus
			// from polluting the DOM.
			if(el && typeof el.href != 'undefined') {
				openedMenu.style.display = 'none';
				Dsq.Post.openedMenu.el = null;
			}
		}

		if(Dsq.Popup.isClicked(e, link)) {
 			Dsq.Post.openedMenu.linkClicked = true;
		}
	};


	this.getUserServices = function(user_key, id) {
		if(!user_key && id) {
			var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[id];
			user_key = _meta.user_key;
		}
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][user_key];
		var userServices = [];

		// Keep a full list of supported services. This is the order they will display in the drop-profile.
		// Each service must have a corresponding case in _buildServiceUrl()
		var supportedServices = ['blog', 'twitter', 'facebook', 'tumblr'];

		function _buildServiceUrl(serviceName) {
			var data = userData[serviceName];
			var services = {
				blog:		function(d) { return d; },
				twitter:	function(d) { return d; },
				facebook:	function(d) { return d; },
				tumblr:		function(d) { return 'http://' + d + '.tumblr.com'; }
			};
			return services[serviceName](data);
		}

		for(var i = 0; i < supportedServices.length; i++) {
			if(userData[supportedServices[i]]) {
				var serviceUrl = _buildServiceUrl(supportedServices[i]);
				userServices.push({'name' : supportedServices[i], 'url' : serviceUrl});
			}
		}
		return userServices;
	}

	this.dropProfile = function(id) {
		var dp = Dsq.$('dsq-drop-profile-' + id);

		// IE6 needs JS to display/hide. All other browsers use CSS.
		if(dp) {
			if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) dp.style.display = (dp.style.display == 'inline') ? 'none' : 'inline';
			return false;
		} else {
			dp = document.createElement('ul');
		}

		dp.id = 'dsq-drop-profile-' + id;
		dp.className = 'dsq-drop-profile';

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) { dp.style.display = 'inline'; }

		var container = Dsq.$('dsq-header-avatar-' + id);
		dp.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.dropProfile(id);
		container.appendChild(dp);
	};

	this.dropProfileMore = function(el, id) {
		var hiddenItems = Dsq.$('dsq-drop-hidden-' + id);

		hiddenItems.style.display = 'inline';
		el.parentNode.style.display = 'none';
	};

	this._updateReplyLinks = function(el, id) {
		// Update "reply / cancel" links based on state.
		var displayDict = {};

		if(id) {
			if(this.stateReplyToggled[id]) {
				el.innerHTML = 'Cancel';
				displayDict['media'] = 'inline';
				displayDict['edit'] = 'none';
			} else {
				el.innerHTML = 'Reply';
				displayDict['media'] = 'none';
				displayDict['edit'] = 'inline';
			}
		}

		for(var key in displayDict) {
			if(displayDict.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
				var	linkEl = Dsq.$('dsq-' + key + '-el-' + id),
					spacer = Dsq.$('dsq-' + key + '-spacer-' + id);

				if(linkEl) {
					linkEl.style.display = displayDict[key];
					if(spacer) spacer.style.display = displayDict[key];
				}
			}
		}
	};

	this._updateMediaLinks = function(el, id) {
		// Update "use media / cancel" links based on state.
		var appendId = (id) ? ('-' + id) : '';
		var link = Dsq.$('dsq-media-link' + appendId);

		if(this.stateRecordLink[id]) {
			link.innerHTML = 'Cancel Media';
			link.onclick = function() { Dsq.Post.toggleMediaReply(link, id); return false; };
		} else {
			link.innerHTML = 'Use Media <small>&#9660;</small>';
			link.onclick = function() { Dsq.Post.showMenu(link, id, 'media'); return false; };
		}
	};

	this.toggleReply = function(el, id) {
		// Create reply IFrame
		if (window.disqus_use_postmessage) {
			if (!this.stateReplyToggled[id]) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id).style.display = 'block';
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-bar-' + id).style.display = 'block';
				// Create IFrame if it doesn't exist.
				if (!Dsq.frames['reply_' + id]) {
					var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[id];
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + id] = new Dsq.ReplyFrame(Dsq.$('dsq-reply-frame-' + id), id);
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + id].init();
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + id].setState(id, _meta.depth);
				}
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id).style.display = 'none';
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-bar-' + id).style.display = 'none';
			}
		} else {
			// DEPRECATED
			if(!this.stateReplyToggled[id]) {
				// Reply toolbar
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-bar-' + id).style.display = 'block';
				Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainerIfAllowed(Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id), id);
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-bar-' + id).style.display = 'none';
				Dsq.Iframes.hideAllInContainer(Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id));
				if(this.stateRecordLink[id]) {
					// HACK: Cancel media before canceling self.
					this.toggleMediaReply(Dsq.$('dsq-media-link-' + id), id);
				}
			}
		}

		this.stateReplyToggled[id] = !this.stateReplyToggled[id];
		this._updateReplyLinks(el, id);

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE('dsq-reply-' + id); }

		Dsq.Events.fire(Dsq.Events.REPLY_IFRAME_TOGGLED, {
			postId: id,
			opened: this.stateReplyToggled[id]
		});
	};

	this.toggleMediaReply = function(el, id, xtype) {
		id = id || 0;
		if(id) {
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id);
		} else {
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-post-add');
		}

		if(!this.stateRecordLink[id]) {
			Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainer(container, id, {xtype:xtype}, 'dsq-post-video');
		} else {
			Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainer(container, id);
		}
		this.stateRecordLink[id] = !this.stateRecordLink[id];
		this._updateMediaLinks(el, id);

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(); }
	};

	this.edit = function(el, id) {
		Dsq.$('dsq-comment-message-' + id).innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.frameEdit(id);
		el.parentNode.style.display = 'none';
		if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE('dsq-comment-message-' + id); }
	};

    this.rate = function(el, id, vote) {
		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated || Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_votes) {
			if(vote == 1) {
                Dsq.$('dsq-rate-cont-' + id).innerHTML = '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-small.gif">';
            }

            Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/jackandjillpolitics/vote.js'
                + '?post_id='    + id
                + '&vote='        + vote);

		} else {
			Dsq.Popup.login(Dsq.Strings.TO_RATE_PLEASE_LOG_IN);
		}
    };

	this.report = function(id, confirmed) {
		if(confirmed) {
			Dsq.Utils.postToUrl('http://disqus.com/forums/jackandjillpolitics/afternoon_open_thread_40/post_report/', {'post_id': id});
			Dsq.Popup.popModal('Thank you. This comment has been flagged for moderator attention.', 'Successfully flagged');
			Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(Dsq.$('dsq-post-report-' + id));
		} else {
			var title = Dsq.Strings.FLAG_INAPPROPRIATE_COMMENT;
			var message = Dsq.Strings.ARE_YOU_SURE_YOU_WOULD_LIKE_TO_REPORT_THIS_COMMENT_TO_A_MODERATOR + '? \
			<br /><br /> \
			<button onclick="Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true)"><strong>' + Dsq.Strings.NO + '</strong>, ' + Dsq.Strings.NEVER_MIND + '</button>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<button onclick="Dsq.Post.report(' + id + ', true);"><strong>' + Dsq.Strings.YES + '</strong>, ' + Dsq.Strings.FLAG_INAPPROPRIATE_COMMENT + '</button><br /><br />'
			+ Dsq.Strings.THIS_WILL_FLAG_COMMENTS_FOR_MODERATORS_TO_TAKE_ACTION + '. \
			';

			Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title, id);
		}
	};



	this.showAlert = function(id, msg) {
		var msgEl = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-message-' + id);
		var alert = '<div class="dsq-comment-alert">' + msg + '</div>';

		msgEl.innerHTML = alert + msgEl.innerHTML;
	};

};
// Dsq.Post


/**
 * Dsq.Thread
 */
Dsq.Thread = new function() {
	this.fc = null;
	this.ff = null;
	this.ac = null;

	
	this.adminIsOn = false;

	
	
	

	this.hlComment = null;
	this.hlCommentClass = null;

	this.getNextComment = function(el) {
		var start_id = el.id;
		while(el = el.nextSibling) {
			if(el.id && el.id.indexOf('dsq-comment-') != -1 && el.id != start_id) {
				return el;
			}
		}
		return null;
	};

	this.getActiveCommentId = function() {
		if (document.URL.indexOf('#comment-') >= 0) {
			var anchor = document.URL.slice(document.URL.indexOf('#') + 1);
			return anchor.replace('comment-', '');
		}
		return null;
	};

	this.highlightAnchor = function() {
		var i = this.getActiveCommentId();
		if (i == null) return false;
		var id = 'dsq-comment-' + i;
		var hash = window.location.hash;

		// Toggle the hash incase the comment isn't available when the page loads
		// for WebKit-based browsers.
		if (Dsq.Utils.webkit) {
			window.location.hash = '';
			window.location.hash = hash;
		}

		this.hlComment = Dsq.$(id);
		// Adding this conditional guard pending #289
		if (!this.hlComment) {
			return;
		}
		this.hlCommentClass = this.hlComment.className;
		this.hlComment.className += ' dsq-hl-anchor';

		setTimeout("Dsq.Thread.highlightClear()", 3000);
	};

	this.highlightClear = function() {
		if (!this.hlComment) {
			return;
		}
		this.hlComment.className = this.hlCommentClass;
	};

	this.login = function(toggle) {
		// toggle id is #dsq-reply-login-[id]
		var postId;
		if(toggle.id.indexOf('dsq-reply-login') != -1) {
			postId = toggle.id.slice(16);
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + postId);
		} else {
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-post-add');
		}

		if(toggle) {
			if(toggle.className == 'dsq-login-active') {
				Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainerIfAllowed(container, postId);
				toggle.className = '';
			} else {
				Dsq.Iframes.showLoginIframeInContainer(container, postId);
				toggle.className = 'dsq-login-active';
			}
		} else {
			Dsq.Iframes.showLoginIframeInContainer(container, postId);
		}

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(); }
	};


	this.paginate = function(page, el_clicked, per_page) {
		// Use extra_params to pass any override parameters that we need to persist.
		var extra_params = '';

		// "Per page" can either be overriden by providing it as an argument
		// (per-call) or setting the disqus_per_page override variable (global).
		if(typeof per_page == 'undefined') {
			per_page = null;
		}
		if(typeof disqus_per_page != 'undefined' && per_page === null) {
			per_page = disqus_per_page;
		}

		if(typeof disqus_sort != 'undefined') {
			extra_params += '&sort=' + disqus_sort;
		}
		if(per_page !== null) {
			extra_params += '&per_page=' + per_page;
		}

		Dsq.$('dsq-pagination').innerHTML += '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-small.gif">';
		
		if(el_clicked) {
			el_clicked.style.display = 'none';
		}
		
		Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/jackandjillpolitics/thread.js'
			+ '?slug='	+ 'afternoon_open_thread_40'
			+ '&p='		+ page
			+ extra_params);
	};

	this.sortBy = function(sort) {
		var disqus_script = document.createElement('script');
		var disqus_date = new Date();

		if (location.hash != '') {
			location.hash = '#disqus_thread';
		}

		if(typeof(disqus_url) == 'undefined') {
			disqus_url = disqus_href;
		}
		disqus_script.type = 'text/javascript';
		disqus_script.src = 'http://disqus.com/forums/jackandjillpolitics/thread.js'
			+ '?slug='	+ 'afternoon_open_thread_40'
			+ '&sort='	+ sort
			+ '&title='
			+ '&'		+ disqus_date.getTime();

		Dsq.$('dsq-comments').innerHTML = '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading.gif">';
		Dsq.container.appendChild(disqus_script);
	};

	this.subscribe = function(status, email) {
		// `status` is an int -- 1 to subscribe, 0 to unsubscribe
		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated || email) {
			// If authenticated user OR anonymous email provided

			if(email) {
				Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true);
			}

			Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/jackandjillpolitics/subscribe.js'
				+'?status=' 	+ status
				+ '&slug='		+ 'afternoon_open_thread_40'
				+ '&email=' 	+ encodeURIComponent(email));

		} else if(!email) {
			// If anonymous user and no email has been provided yet, prompt for email

			var title = 'Subscribe to this comment thread';
			var message = ' \
				New comments will be sent directly to your email inbox! \
				<div class="dsq-subscribe-submit"> \
					<p><strong>Enter your email address below.</strong></p> \
					<input type="text" id="dsq-subscribe-email"> \
					<button onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(1, Dsq.$(\'dsq-subscribe-email\').value)">Subscribe</button> \
				</div> \
			';

			Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title);
		}
	};

	this.showSettings = function() {
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator) {
			return;
		}

		/* The form has to be re-designed when more options will come out. */
		var html = 'Automatically close comments after <input size="3" id="dsq-thread-days-alive" value="' + Dsq.jsonData.thread.days_alive + '" type="text" /> days. Existing comments will still be displayed.<br /><br />(Using 0 days will disable this feature)<br /><br />'
								 + '<button onclick="Dsq.Thread.updateDaysAlive();" class="dsq-button-small"><span>Save</span></button>'
								 + '<span id="dsq-thread-settings-status" class="dsq-options-status"></span>';
		Dsq.Popup.popModal(html, 'Settings');
	};

	this.updateDaysAlive = function() {
		var days = Dsq.$('dsq-thread-days-alive').value;
		var status = Dsq.$('dsq-thread-settings-status');
		Dsq.Utils.postToUrl('http://disqus.com/forums/jackandjillpolitics/update_days_alive.js', {days:days,thread:Dsq.jsonData.thread.id});
		status.innerHTML = 'Saved!';
		window.setTimeout(function() { status.innerHTML = ''; }, 1000);
	};
};
// Dsq.Thread

Dsq.Events = function() {
	var obj = {};

	// Private
	var handlers = {};
	var getHandlers = function(event) {
		if (handlers[event] === undefined) {
			handlers[event] = [];
		}
		return handlers[event];
	};

	// Public
	// Value keys : postId, node, xtype
	obj.REPLY_IFRAME_CREATED = 1;
	// Value keys : postId, opened
	obj.REPLY_IFRAME_TOGGLED = 2;
	obj.fire = function(event, opt_value) {
		if (!event) {
			throw new Error('Unknown event');
		}
		var value = opt_value || {};
		for (var i=0; i<getHandlers(event).length; i++) {
			getHandlers(event)[i](value);
		}
	};
	obj.addHandler = function(event, callback) {
		getHandlers(event).push(callback);
	};

	return obj;
}();

/**
 * Dsq.Realtime
 */
Dsq.Realtime = new function() {
	var initialized = false;
	var interval = null;
	var last_checked = Dsq.jsonData.request.timestamp;
	var new_posts = [];
	var ongoing_request = false;
	var prev_script = null;

	function updateNewPostCount() {
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-alert').style.display = new_posts.length ? 'block' : 'none';

		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-queued').innerHTML = new_posts.length
		+ ' new '
		+ Dsq.Utils.pluralize(new_posts.length, 'comment', 'comments')
		+ Dsq.Utils.pluralize(new_posts.length, ' was', ' were')
		+ ' just posted.';

		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-show').innerHTML = '(' + Dsq.Strings.SHOW + ')';
	}

	function insertNewPosts() {
		var post_id = null;
		var after_id = Dsq.$('dsq-sort-select').value === 'oldest' ? -1 : null;

		for (var i=0; i<new_posts.length; i++) {
			post_id = new_posts[i];
			Dsq.Post.insert(after_id, post_id, Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id].message);
			Dsq.Post.incrementPostCount();
			Dsq.Post.outlineComment(post_id);
		}
		new_posts = [];
	}

	this.enableInterval = function() {
		interval = setInterval(Dsq.Realtime.check, Dsq.jsonData.context.realtime_speed);
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-status').innerHTML = Dsq.Strings.ENABLED;
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-toggle').innerHTML = '(' + Dsq.Strings.PAUSE + ')';
	}

	this.disableInterval = function() {
		if (interval) {
			clearInterval(interval);
			interval = null;
		}
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-status').innerHTML = Dsq.Strings.PAUSED;
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-toggle').innerHTML = '(' + Dsq.Strings.RESUME + ')';
	}

	this.toggleInterval = function() {
		if (!interval) {
			Dsq.Realtime.enableInterval();
		} else {
			Dsq.Realtime.disableInterval();
		}
		return false;
	}

	this.initialize = function() {
		if (!initialized) {
			initialized = true;
			Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-toggle').onclick = this.toggleInterval;
			if (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.streaming_realtime) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-show').onclick = this.show;
				updateNewPostCount();
			}
			if (Dsq.jsonData.thread.realtime_paused) {
				Dsq.Realtime.disableInterval();
			} else {
				Dsq.Realtime.enableInterval();
			}
		}
	}

	this.show = function() {
		insertNewPosts();
		updateNewPostCount();
		return false;
	}

	this.check = function() {
		if (!ongoing_request && Dsq.jsonData.realtime_enabled) {
			if (prev_script) {
				prev_script.parentNode.removeChild(prev_script);
			}
			ongoing_request = true;
			prev_script = Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/25445721/realtime.js?timestamp=' + last_checked);
		}
	};

	this.update = function(timestamp, posts, users) {
		ongoing_request = false;
		last_checked = timestamp;

		if (users) {
			for (var user_id in users) {
				if (users.hasOwnProperty(user_id)) {
					if (!Dsq.jsonData.users[user_id]) {
						Dsq.jsonData.users[user_id] = users[user_id];
					}
				}
			}
		}

		if (posts) {
			for (var post_id in posts) {
				if (posts.hasOwnProperty(post_id)) {
					if (!Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id]) {
						Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id] = posts[post_id];
						new_posts.push(post_id);
					}
				}
			}

			if (Dsq.jsonData.forum.streaming_realtime) {
				insertNewPosts();
			} else {
				updateNewPostCount();
			}
		}
	};

}();

// DEPRECATED
Dsq.Iframes = function() {
	// Different style of object from the above. Hoping to switch to this for some reason.
	var obj = {};

	// Private
	var showIframeInContainer = function(container, id, markup) {
		// Look through container for iframes, hiding them, except show one that matches id
		// If none of them matched id, create a new iframe using markup and insert it.
		// Returns the iframe node if and only if it was newly created.
		var found = false;
		for (var i=0; i<container.childNodes.length; i++) {
			var child = container.childNodes[i];
			if (child.nodeName == 'IFRAME') {
				if (child.id == id) {
					child.style.display = 'block';
					found = true;
				} else {
					child.style.display = 'none';
				}
			}
		}
		if (found) {
			return;
		}
		// The iframe wasn't found, so construct it and add it to the container.
		// Don't use innerHTML because it might reload iframes
		var div = document.createElement('div');
		div.innerHTML = markup;
		var iframe = div.childNodes[0];
		div.removeChild(iframe);
		container.appendChild(iframe);
		return iframe;
	};

	// Public
	obj.makeReplyIframeId = function(opt_postId, opt_xtype) {
		var id = 'dsq-post-add-iframe';
		if (opt_xtype) {
			id += '-' + opt_xtype;
		}
		if (opt_postId) {
			id += '-' + opt_postId;
		}
		return id;
	};
	obj.makeLoginIframeId = function(opt_postId) {
		if (!opt_postId) {
			return 'dsq-login-iframe';
		}
		return 'dsq-login-iframe-' + opt_postId;
	};
	obj.makeReplyIframeName = function(opt_postId, opt_xtype) {
		var name = 'dsq-reply-frame';
		if (opt_xtype) {
			name += '-' + opt_xtype;
		}
		if (opt_postId) {
			name += '-' + opt_postId;
		}
		return name;
	};
	obj.showReplyIframeInContainer = function(container, opt_postId, opt_extraParams, opt_className) {
		// Construct the id so we can check if it's already present.
		// Hide any other iframes we find, and show this one if it's found.
		var params = opt_extraParams || {};
		// use xtype in the id and name so we can distinguish media replies from text replies:
		var id = Dsq.Iframes.makeReplyIframeId(opt_postId, params.xtype);
		var name = Dsq.Iframes.makeReplyIframeName(opt_postId, params.xtype);
		var attributes = {
			'id': id,
			'name': name,
			'class': opt_className || 'dsq-post-reply'
			};
		var markup = Dsq.Templates.frameReply(opt_postId, opt_extraParams, attributes);
		var iframe = showIframeInContainer(container, id, markup);
		// It was newly created
		if (iframe) {
			Dsq.Events.fire(Dsq.Events.REPLY_IFRAME_CREATED, {
				postId: opt_postId,
				node: iframe,
				xtype: params.xtype
			});
		}
	};
	obj.showLoginIframeInContainer = function(container, opt_postId) {
		var id = Dsq.Iframes.makeLoginIframeId(opt_postId);
		var markup = Dsq.Templates.frameLogin({id: id});
		showIframeInContainer(container, id, markup);
	};
	obj.showReplyIframeInContainerIfAllowed = function(container, opt_postId) {
		if (Dsq.jsonData.context.show_reply) {
			obj.showReplyIframeInContainer(container, opt_postId);
		} else {
			obj.hideAllInContainer(container);
		}
	};
	obj.hideAllInContainer = function(container) {
		for (var i=0; i<container.childNodes.length; i++) {
			var child = container.childNodes[i];
			if (child.nodeName == 'IFRAME') {
				child.style.display = 'none';
			}
		}
	};

	return obj;
}();

Dsq.Twitter = new function() {
	var that = this;

	this.startTwitterConnect = function() {
		var popupParams = 'location=0,status=0,width=800,height=400';
		that._twitterWindow = window.open(Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/_ax/twitter/begin/', 'twitterWindow', popupParams);
		that._twitterInterval = window.setInterval(that.completeTwitterConnect, 1000);
	};

	this.completeTwitterConnect = function() {
		if (that._twitterWindow.closed) {
			window.clearInterval(that._twitterInterval);
			window.location.reload();
		}
	};
};

Dsq.Yahoo = new function() {
	var that = this;

	this.startYahooConnect = function() {
		var popupParams = 'location=0,status=0,width=800,height=400';
		that._yahooWindow = window.open(Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/_ax/yahoo/begin/', 'yahooWindow', popupParams);
		that._yahooInterval = window.setInterval(that.completeYahooConnect, 1000);
	};

	this.completeYahooConnect = function() {
		if (that._yahooWindow.closed) {
			window.clearInterval(that._yahooInterval);
			window.location.reload();
		}
	};
};

Dsq.OpenID = new function() {
	var that = this;

	this.requestURL = function() {
		var message = '<table class="dsq-openid-form"><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;" rowspan="2"><img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.media_url + '/images/openid-icon-100x100.png" /></td>';
		message += '<td><label for="dsq-openid-url">OpenID URL:</label></td><td><input type="text" id="dsq-openid-url" /></td></tr>';
		message += '<tr><td><label for="dsq-openid-username">Display name:</label></td><td><input type="text" id="dsq-openid-username" /></td></tr>';
		message += '<tr><td class="dsq-openid-submit" colspan="3"><input type="button" value="Sign in" onclick="Dsq.OpenID.startConnect();" /></td></tr>';
		message += "</table>";

		Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, 'Sign in using OpenID');
	};

	this.startConnect = function() {
		var isblank = function(str) {
			return /^\s*$/.test(str);
		};

		var openid_url = Dsq.$('dsq-openid-url').value;
		var username = Dsq.$('dsq-openid-username').value;

		if (isblank(openid_url)) {
			return;
		}

		var popupParams = 'location=0,status=0,width=800,height=500';
		var url = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/_ax/openid/begin/' + '?url=' + encodeURIComponent(openid_url) + '&username=' + encodeURIComponent(username);
		that._openidWindow = window.open(url, 'openidWindow', popupParams);
		that._openidInterval = window.setInterval(that.completeConnect, 1000);
	};

	this.completeConnect = function() {
		if (that._openidWindow.closed) {
			window.clearInterval(that._openidInterval);
			window.location.reload();
		}
	};
};

Dsq.Reaction = new function() {
	var that = this;

	this.hide = function(id) {
		Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/jackandjillpolitics/hidereaction.js?' + 'reaction_id=' + id);
	};

	this.reportMissingReactions = function() {
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || !Dsq.jsonData.forum.reactions_enabled) {
			return;
		}

		if (Dsq.jsonData.thread.queued) {
			Dsq.Popup.popModal('Your report has been received. The system will automatically search for new reactions; if any are found, they will be displayed on this comment thread.<br/><br/>Thank&nbsp;you.',
												 'Reported missing reactions');
			return;
		}

		Dsq.Utils.execScript(Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/forums/jackandjillpolitics/queueurl.js');
	};
};

Dsq.CNN = function() {
	var obj = {};

	obj.authenticate = function() {
		var url = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + "/saml/cnn/try/";
		Dsq.Utils.postToUrl(url, {'target': document.location}, true);
	};

	return obj;
}();


if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) {
	(function() {
		DSQ_HEADER_AVATAR_RE = /<div class="dsq-header-avatar"(.*?)>/gim;
		Dsq.Templates.registerFilter('postPrependHeader', function(html, post_id) {
			// Add "onmouseout" for dsq-header-avatar for dropProfile
			// functionality since IE6 cannot use :hover.
			function _headerAvatarReplace(content, inner, _unused, html) {
				return '<div class="dsq-header-avatar" '
					+ inner
					+ ' onmouseout="Dsq.Post.dropProfile(' + post_id + ')">';
			}
			html = html.replace(DSQ_HEADER_AVATAR_RE, _headerAvatarReplace);
			return html;
		});
	})();
}





	// TODO: Move Seesmic code outside of the main script.  Don't let this script clobber the global namespace.
	if(typeof seesmic == 'undefined') { var seesmic = {}; }
	seesmic.widget = new function () {
		this.callback = function (data) {
			playerVersion = data.disqusplayer;
		};
	};

	
	var scriptEl = document.createElement('script');
	scriptEl.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript');
	scriptEl.setAttribute('src', 'http://seesmic.com/version.js?callback=seesmic.widget.callback');
	document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(scriptEl);

	
	var scriptEl = document.createElement('script');
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<ul id="dsq-comments">\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12650848">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12650848" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12650848" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12650848">djchefron</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12650848" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12650848" class="dsq-comment-message">In Sonia v. Sarah, GOP is doomed <br>The Bronx judge, the Alaska pin-up girl and the Republican Party<br><br>The Democrats have Sonia Sotomayor. The Republicans have Sarah Palin. That\'s all you really need to know. Between them, these two women explain why the Republicans are doomed. <br><br>Sonia Sotomayor, a Latina who grew up in a Bronx housing project, is a shoo-in for the Supreme Court. Barack Obama knew exactly what he was doing when he picked her. She is a symbol of Hispanic aspirations in a country where Hispanics are an increasingly powerful political force. She\'s known for her ferocious drive and work ethic and, despite what you may hear, she appears to be a moderate. She represents the American dream in action. The Republicans hate her. <br><br>Sarah Palin was the most scarily incompetent vice-presidential nominee in the history of the United States. She graduated from the University of Idaho, where she majored in communications (still not her strong suit). She represents the Peter Principle in action. The Republicans love her. <br><br>Guess which one has been attacked by Karl Rove for not having the intellect for the job? That\'s right. Sonia Sotomayor. <br><br>According to leading Republican pundits, Judge Sotomayor is a hot-tempered, dim-witted bigot whose judicial activism (read nutty identity politics) could play havoc with the Constitution. Newt Gingrich, the former Republican House speaker, even called her a “Latina racist.” Amazingly, these are the same people who continue to insist that Sarah Palin is qualified to run for president of the United States. They insist she is the victim of a vicious smear job by the eastern media elites. <br><br>Some Republicans admit that, if they\'d bothered to give the pin-up girl from Alaska 1 per cent of the grilling that Judge Sotomayor is going to get, they\'d be a lot better off today. But Alaska was so very far away. And Sarah was so fetching in her running shorts. They did less vetting than you\'d do to choose the family dog. And then, when she peed all over the carpet, they forgave her. After she bizarrely quit her job as governor of Alaska, two-thirds of registered Republicans said they\'d still vote for her for president. <br><br>In her fishing overalls and boots, Ms. Palin styles herself as a working-class hero. In fact, her father was a teacher, and her background is utterly middle class. Judge Sotomayor\'s father died when she was 9. He was a Puerto Rican factory worker with a third-grade education. <br><br>Ms. Palin despises people who were educated in elite Ivy League universities. Judge Sotomayor, on the other hand, was smart enough to get into them. She put herself through school on scholarships, and graduated from Princeton with top honours. Ms. Palin, who finds homework disagreeable, has never doubted her own abilities for a minute. But Judge Sotomayor worries constantly that she\'s not good enough. “I am always looking over my shoulder, wondering if I measure up,” she has said. <br><br>Ms. Palin plays identity politics to the hilt. But Republicans charge that Judge Sotomayor\'s identity will dangerously skew her judgments. They can\'t seem to grasp that everyone\'s perspective (even theirs) is to some extent informed by their background and life experience. No one should be shocked that a minority woman from the South Bronx might have a different lens on life than, say, Karl Rove. Sonia Sotomayor put it nicely when she said, “I simply do not know what the difference will be in my judging, but I accept there will be some based on my gender and my Latina heritage.” <br><br>I used to think that, after the debacle of the Bush years, the train wreck of Sarah Palin and the Obama rout, the Republican Party would recover its sanity and regroup. Clearly, I was wrong. People who argue that Sarah Palin is good for America while Sonia Sotomayor is a threat are obviously out of their minds. They are determined to drive their own party off a cliff into oblivion. And they\'re succeeding nicely. <br><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/in-sonia-v-sarah-gop-is-doomed/article1216888/" rel="nofollow">http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/in...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12654830">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12654830" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12654830" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12654830">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12654830" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12654830" class="dsq-comment-message">rikyrah:  Mr. President continues to SUPPORT EDUCATION!!<br><br><a href="http://blackpoliticsontheweb.com/2009/07/14/obama-to-unveil-12-billion-community-college-plan/" rel="nofollow">Obama to unveil $12 billion community college plan</a><br><br><i>President Barack Obama will unveil a $12 billion initiative on Tuesday to boost community colleges and propel the United States toward his goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020, administration officials said.<br><br>The 10-year program, which he will announce during a visit on Tuesday afternoon to Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan, includes a new goal of graduating an additional 5 million students from community colleges over the next decade, double the current number of expected graduates.<br><br>Education is the often-forgotten third pillar of Obama’s economic plan and has received far less attention than the other two — healthcare reform and renewable energy.<br><br>In a speech to a joint session of the U.S. Congress in February, Obama warned that the fastest growing fields of employment required more than a high school diploma, while only about half the U.S. population had graduated from high school.<br><br>He urged Americans to commit to at least one year of higher education or career training and set a goal of having the United States lead the world in proportion of college graduates by the year 2020.<br><br>Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers issued a report on the future of the U.S. job market on Monday that was aimed at bolstering the case for more higher education.<br><br>“Well-trained and highly-skilled workers will be best positioned to secure high-wage jobs, thereby fueling American prosperity,” the report said.<br><br>“Occupations requiring higher educational attainment are projected to grow much faster than those with lower education requirements, with the fastest growth among occupations that require an associate’s degree or a post-secondary vocational award,” it said.<br><br>Community colleges are two-year schools that generally grant associate degrees or training certificates. The annual cost of attendance is around half that of public four-year colleges and universities.<br><br>There are more than a thousand community colleges in the United States with more than 6 million students enrolled. Nearly half a million students graduate from community colleges annually.<br><br>Deputy Undersecretary of Education Bob Shireman said $9 billion of the funds Obama proposes to spend will go mainly for challenge grants awarded on a competitive basis to encourage community colleges to propose and launch innovative new programs.<br><br>Some of the $9 billion would fund programs to address the problem of students dropping out of college.<br><br>James Kvaal, special assistant to the president for education policy, said $2.5 billion would be used as seed money to generate $10 billion in renovation and construction at community colleges.<br><br>Another $500 million would be used to develop online courses and materials to improve student learning, including artificial intelligence tutoring and multimedia courses, Kvaal said.<br><br>David Alexander, Reuters</i><br><br>THANK U, Mr. President.  :&gt;)<br><br>P.S.  Here\'s a <b>VIDEO</b>   <br><br><a href="http://www.politico.com/largevideobox.html?bcpid=14146694001&bclid=1201016315&bctid=29465112001" rel="nofollow">"Obama:  I won\'t carp and gripe"</a><br><br>Here\'s an article:<br><br><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/14/obama-on-economy-i-want-t_n_232265.html" rel="nofollow">Obama On Responsibility For Economy: "Give It To Me"</a><br><br><i>WARREN, Mich. — Conceding unemployment will get worse before it shrinks, President Barack Obama on Tuesday unveiled a $12 billion plan to help community colleges prepare millions of people for a new generation of jobs. Challenging critics, he said he welcomed the task of turning around the economy.<br><br>"I love the folks who helped get us in this mess and then suddenly say, \'Well, this is Obama\'s economy,\'" the president told an outdoor crowd at Macomb Community College, veering off his scripted words. "That\'s fine. Give it to me. My job is to solve problems, not to stand on the sidelines and harp and gripe."<br><br>Obama did not identify his target for those comments, but he has been under increasing fire from Republicans over the pace of the economic recovery and the soaring deficit. He brought his message to a state reeling from the loss of auto jobs. Michigan\'s unemployment rate is 14.1 percent, the nation\'s worst.<br><br>"The hard truth is that some of the jobs that have been lost in the auto industry and elsewhere won\'t be coming back," Obama said. "They are the casualties of a changing economy."</i><br>THERE IS MORE.<br><br>I\'m believin\'  that he said - - -- <b>BRANG IT!!</b>  :&gt;)     :&gt;)<br><br>U Go - - -Mr. President!!!   :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12658025">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12658025" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12658025" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12658025">spirit_55z</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12658025" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12658025" class="dsq-comment-message">Hey, sweet Lady.  How you Be?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12665592">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12665592" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12665592" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12665592">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12665592" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12665592" class="dsq-comment-message">spirit:  HEEEEY!  Betta.  :&gt;)<br><br><a href="http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif" rel="nofollow">THANK U!  LUV YA!!</a>   :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12641160">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12641160" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12641160" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12641160" href="http://leftistmoon.wordpress.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">WordSmith</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12641160" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12641160" class="dsq-comment-message">I haven\'t everything I wanted yesterday, but this woman is SO obviously a wonderful choice for Surgeon General.  My congratulations to her on her nomination.  She appears to be an outstanding physician.  I am suitably impressed and excited for her.<br><br>Damn! This president sure KNOWS how to pick \'em!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12657837">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12657837" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12657837" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12657837">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12657837" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12657837" class="dsq-comment-message">Wordsmith:  HEEEY!   :&gt;)<br><br>MEGA- CO-SIGN!!   :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12657467">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12657467" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12657467" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12657467">lamh32</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12657467" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12657467" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.politico.com/politico44/wbarchive/whiteboard07142009.html" rel="nofollow">MAYS TO POTUS: \'FOLLOW THROUGH\' </a><br><br><blockquote>On board Air Force One with the traveling press, legendary baseball Hall-of-Famer Willie Mays said on the day Barack Obama was elected he cried for most of the night and stayed up until 7 or 8 in the morning.<br><br>“I reminded him that I dreamed about this day,” Mays said when asked what he and Obama had been talking about during the president’s flight from Detroit to St. Louis Tuesday. “Not being on Air Force One, but dreamed about someone in my race being president. Not knowing that anyone would be. But I reminded him that I cried for most of the night in Chicago.”<br><br>Mays got emotional as he continued, recalling election night. “Stayed up all night,” he said. “I went to sleep about 7, maybe 8 in the morning I was so proud. So that tells me all the things I went through, it was for good things. So I’m just proud of him, you know.”<br><br>Mays said that he gave POTUS just one tip for his first pitch as president: “Follow through.”<br><br>“I’m telling him follow through,” Mays said. “He’s gonna do fine, I guarantee you. He’ll be fine. I just want to make sure he follows through.”<br>More after the jump... Mays, who lives in San Francisco, joined Obama in Detroit after the president’s speech at Macomb County Community College. He was accompanying POTUS to Busch Stadium in St. Louis for the All-Star Game, where Obama will throw out his first pitch as president. <br><br>Obama, who changed into jeans and sneakers mid-flight, is set to watch the game from an exclusive box with guests that include Hank Aaron and his wife.<br><br>At 76 years of age, Mays appeared humble by the occasion. Asked what he thought of Air Force One, he replied: “I’m impressed. I don’t know about you.”<br><br>Bantering with reporters, Mays chided Dodgers and Cubs fans in the audience -- and took issue when one  predicted the American League would win tonight’s game.<br><br>“Wait a minute,” he said. “When I played, we didn’t lose a game – we didn’t lose a game from 1954 to 1973. And you say that American is gonna win? Who they got?”<br><br>Asked what was it like to go up against Sandy Koufax, Mays said: “Well, it’s like sleeping. You don’t know what you’re gonna do.”<br><br>Toughest pitcher to face today? “I’m 76 years old,” Mays said. “If I can bunt, than I’ll be fine." <br><br>Things got briefly serious – asked about his godson, Barry Bonds, Mays said he hasn’t talked to him in a bit and couldn’t say if he was still thinking about returning to the game.<br><br>It wasn\'t just reporters who enjoyed the moment. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs joked: “I’ve never seen this much excitement from the press on one of these trips.” (6:57 p.m.) </blockquote></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12657994">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12657994" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12657994" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12657994">spirit_55z</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12657994" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12657994" class="dsq-comment-message">"Mays said that he gave POTUS just one tip for his first pitch as president: “Follow through.”<br><br>I’m telling him follow through,” Mays said. “He’s gonna do fine, I guarantee you. He’ll be fine. I just want to make sure he follows through.”<br><br>I think President Obama will take the advise of "FOLLOWING THROUGH in his presidency too.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12658324">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12658324" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12658324" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12658324">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12658324" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12658324" class="dsq-comment-message">rikyrah:  <b>Sotomayor 2 Sessions - - - - CHECKMATE!!</b><br><br><a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/07/14/sotomayor-surprises-sessions/" rel="nofollow">Sotomayor Surprises Sessions</a><br><br><i><b>Ouch!</b><br><br>Sen. Jeff Sessions (R., Ala.), seeking to discredit Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s judicial philosophy, cited her 2001 “wise Latina” speech, and contrasted the view that ethnicity and sex influence judging with that of Judge Miriam Cedarbaum, who “believes that judges must transcend their personal sympathies and prejudices.”<br><br>“So I would just say to you, I believe in Judge Cedarbaum’s formulation,” Sessions told Sotomayor.<br><br>“My friend Judge Cedarbaum is here,” Sotomayor riposted, to Sessions’ apparent surprise. “We are good friends, and I believe that we both approach judging in the same way, which is looking at the facts of each individual case and applying the law to those facts.”<br><br>Cedarbaum agreed.<br><br>“I don’t believe for a minute that there are any differences in our approach to judging, and her personal predilections have no effect on her approach to judging,” she told Washington Wire. “We’d both like to see more women on the courts,” she added.<br><br>Cedarbaum, a pioneering woman lawyer who graduated from Columbia Law School in 1953, goes way back with both participants in the colloquy. Cedarbaum mentored Sotomayor after she joined the federal district court in Manhattan in 1992, and they have been close friends ever since.<br><br><b>In 1986, Cedarbaum and Sessions were both nominated to the federal bench by President Ronald Reagan, and were members of the same orientation class for future judges. Their paths then diverged, however. Cedarbaum was confirmed,<u> but Sessions nomination floundered over a controversy surrounding comments he made involving the Ku Klux Klan and the NAACP.</u></b></i><br><br>***NEOSPORIN, MERCUROCHROME, IODINE, BACTINE & BAND-AID!!!****   :&gt;)    :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12659153">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12659153" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12659153" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12659153" href="http://leftistmoon.wordpress.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">WordSmith</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12659153" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12659153" class="dsq-comment-message"><i>“My friend Judge Cedarbaum is here,” Sotomayor riposted, to Sessions’ apparent surprise. “We are good friends, and I believe that we both approach judging in the same way, which is looking at the facts of each individual case and applying the law to those facts.”</i><br><br>The only PART I got to see, this was part of it.  And I laughed out loud!!   <br><br>"My friend, Judge Cedarbaum..."   Ah, jus\' loverly.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12664995">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12664995" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12664995" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12664995">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12664995" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12664995" class="dsq-comment-message">Wordsmith:   Doncha JUST LOVE IT!!   :&gt;)     :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12665188">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12665188" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12665188" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12665188" href="http://leftistmoon.wordpress.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">WordSmith</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12665188" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12665188" class="dsq-comment-message">Oh GOOD LAWD!  IT\'S U!!  (look...practicing my GLH language)<br><br>Does the prison hospital know you\'re on the director\'s \'puter??!!!<br><br>Jus\' Kidding!!<br><br>You are SORELY missed around here.  Some folks hands are getting mighty worn out, slapping the shit out of the like of Jeff Sessions, Chuck Grassley, and Miss Lindsay Graham her own self.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12665446">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12665446" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12665446" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12665446">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12665446" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12665446" class="dsq-comment-message">WordSmith!   WordSmith!   WordSmith!!   LOL!!    :&gt;)<br><br>4 C-L-A-R-I-T-Y!! - - -- I\'m on medical - LOCKDOWN - - - -NOT <b>LOCK-UP!!!</b>  :&gt;)      :&gt;)<br><br>***shakin\' my head***<br><br><a href="http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif" rel="nofollow">THANKS 4 DA LAFF!!!  LUV YA!!</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12666206">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12666206" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12666206" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12666206">sagittarius</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12666206" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12666206" class="dsq-comment-message">I hope you\'re still online GLH (only if you\'re supposed to be), so I can tell you \'hi\' and that you are missed.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12667365">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12667365" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12667365" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12667365">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12667365" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12667365" class="dsq-comment-message">sagittarius:  HEEEEY!     :&gt;)    :&gt;)<br><br><a href="http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif" rel="nofollow">HOW ABSOLUTELY KIND OF U!  LUV YA!!  :&gt;)</a>   :&gt;)<br><br>YES!  I am followin\' DOCs ORDERS PRECISELY!!  :&gt;)  TA-RUST!!   :&gt;)<br><br>God Bless U!  :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12667730">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12667730" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12667730" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12667730">rorysmomma</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12667730" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12667730" class="dsq-comment-message">Hey Greenlady!!! I soo missed you!  It is good to see you online.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12671172">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12671172" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12671172" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12671172">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12671172" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12671172" class="dsq-comment-message">rorysmomma:  ***Runnin\' 2 give U a BIG HUG!!**<br><br>HEEEEY!!   MISSIN\' U   2!!   :&gt;)<br><br><a href="http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif" rel="nofollow">THANK U 4 YOUR KINDNESS!!   LUV YA!!  :&gt;)</a>   :&gt;)<br><br>L8R!!!    :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12671219">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12671219" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12671219" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12671219">rorysmomma</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12671219" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12671219" class="dsq-comment-message">Love you!!!!!! stay rested.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12675378">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12675378" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12675378" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12675378">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12675378" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12675378" class="dsq-comment-message">rorysmomma:  Love U  2!!  :&gt;)<br><br>Now get your "GREEN" Choir Robe on annnnnd,   LET\'S SANG!!  :&gt;)    :&gt;)<br><br>I am restin\'!   TA-RUST!!  :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12675455">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12675455" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12675455" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12675455">rorysmomma</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12675455" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12675455" class="dsq-comment-message">I am la la la-ing as I type.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12675541">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12675541" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12675541" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12675541">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12675541" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12675541" class="dsq-comment-message">LOL!!  I!  HEAR!  YA!  :&gt;)   :&gt;)<br><br>***HUGS***  :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12675630">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12675630" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12675630" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12675630">rorysmomma</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12675630" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12675630" class="dsq-comment-message">Hugs to you too greenlady!? I hope to be at least half as awesome as you when I grow up!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12675829">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12675829" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12675829" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12675829">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12675829" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12675829" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.odesk.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/blushing-icon.jpg" rel="nofollow">LUV U!</a>  :&gt;)  :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12671645">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12671645" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12671645" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12671645">whiterosebuddy</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12671645" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12671645" class="dsq-comment-message">Hey GLH!!<br><br>Glad you are posting. I miss your MUSIC and joyful praise!!<br><br>Hope you spirits are good and that your health matches it!!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12675351">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12675351" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12675351" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12675351">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12675351" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12675351" class="dsq-comment-message">WRB:  HEEEEEY!   :&gt;)  :&gt;)<br>4 U:<br>   <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqPKGODUnW4" rel="nofollow">Victory!</a><br><br>I\'ve!  GOT  IT!   :&gt;)<br><br>SPIRITS - - GOOD!!  :&gt;)  Improvin\'<br><br>Annnnnnnnd,<br><br><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ObMFJrQFwM&feature=related" rel="nofollow">THANK U!</a><br><br><a href="http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif" rel="nofollow">THANK U 4 YOUR GOOD WISHES!  LUV YA!</a>  :&gt;)<br><br>God BLess!  :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12671288">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12671288" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12671288" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12671288" href="http://leftistmoon.wordpress.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">WordSmith</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12671288" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12671288" class="dsq-comment-message">Oh - ooppsss... DOWN ==== UP,  wotever!<br><br>Ya know - as much as you flash that heart, it still has PIZZAZ.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12671753">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12671753" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12671753" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12671753">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12671753" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12671753" class="dsq-comment-message">WordSmith:    LOL!!   :&gt;)     :&gt;)<br><br><a href="http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif" rel="nofollow">I CARRY JJP IN MY HEART - - - 4-EVA!!</a>    TA-RUST!!   :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12658563">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12658563" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12658563" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12658563">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12658563" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12658563" class="dsq-comment-message">***NEOSPORIN, MERCUROCHROME, IODINE, BACTINE & BAND-AID!!!**** <br><br>lol</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12665029">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12665029" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12665029" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12665029">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12665029" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12665029" class="dsq-comment-message">Oh no....that kind of smackdown required this<br><br><a href="http://www.topnews.in/files/surgery-leg.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://www.topnews.in/files/surgery-leg.jpg</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12665170">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12665170" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12665170" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12665170">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12665170" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12665170" class="dsq-comment-message">Miranda:  LOL!!  :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12665061">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12665061" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12665061" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12665061">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12665061" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12665061" class="dsq-comment-message">Val:   LOL!!  :&gt;)  I jus\'  hadta!!   :&gt;)<br><br>Betcha he\'ll learn NOT ta GO THERE - - again!!   :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12651979">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12651979" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12651979" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12651979">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12651979" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12651979" class="dsq-comment-message">rikyrah:  <b>SHE\'S!  A! WINNER!!!</b>  <br><br><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regina_Benjamin" rel="nofollow"><b>Regina Marcia Benjamin</b></a><br><br><i>Regina Marcia Benjamin[1] (born on October 26, 1956 in Mobile, Alabama[2]) is an American physician, who runs a nonprofit medical clinic in Bayou La Batre, Alabama, in the United States.<br><br>Dr. Benjamin notably became the first African American woman on the American Medical Association\'s board of trustees when she was elected to the post in 1995.<br><br>On July 13, 2009 President Barack Obama announced the choice of Benjamin for the position of Surgeon General of the United States.[3][4] Benjamin will be the President\'s second choice for Surgeon General, after his first choice, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, declined the position.[5] If confirmed, Benjamin will become the third African American and the third non-acting woman[6] to hold the position.<br><br>Education<br><br>Born in 1956, Dr. Benjamin attended Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans and was a member of the second class of the Morehouse School of Medicine.[1] She received her M.D. degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and completed her residency in family practice at the Medical Center of Central Georgia.[1] After entering solo practice in Bayou La Batre, Dr. Benjamin spent several years moonlighting in emergency rooms and nursing homes to keep her practice open. After receiving an MBA from Tulane University in New Orleans, she converted her office to a rural health clinic.[7]<br><br>[edit] Professional Activities<br><br>Regina Benjamin is former associate dean for rural health at the University of South Alabama\'s College of Medicine in Mobile, where she administers the Alabama AHEC program and previously directed its Telemedicine Program. She serves as the current president of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama. In 1995 she was elected to the American Medical Association\'s board of trustees, making her the first physician under age 40 and the first African-American woman to be elected.[8]<br><br>Benjamin is a diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice and a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. She was a Kellogg National Fellow and also a Rockefeller Next Generation Leader. She has served on a variety of boards and committees, including the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, Catholic Health East, Medical Association of the State of Alabama, Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, Alabama State Committee of Public Health, Mobile County Medical Society, Alabama Rural Health Association, Leadership Alabama, Mobile Area Red Cross, Mercy Medical, Mobile Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Mobile, and Deep South Girl Scout Council.[9]<br><br>She was appointed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act Committee and to the Council of Graduate Medical Education, and she is also a member of the "Step 3 Committee."[9] In Alabama, she formerly served as vice president of the Governor\'s Commission on Aging, and also formerly as a member of the Governor\'s Health Care Reform Task Force and the Governor\'s Task Force on Children\'s Health.[9]<br><br>Benjamin\'s clinic was destroyed in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina and in 2006 by a fire on New Year\'s Day, one day before the scheduled reopening. She made headlines when she rebuilt the clinic a second time.[7]<br><br>[edit] Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic<br><br>Dr. Benjamin is founder and CEO of the Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. Bayou La Batre is a small shrimping village along the gulf coast. Dr. Benjamin was the subject of a Reader\'s Digest article that chronicled her efforts to rebuild the clinic after Hurricane Katrina.[10]<br><br>Surgeon General of the United States<br>Benjamin accepting President Obama\'s nomination.<br><br>On July 13, 2009, Benjamin was nominated by President Barack Obama to hold the position of Surgeon General of the United States.[11] Benjamin accepted the President\'s nomination, and made clear of her dissatisfaction with the current health care system, in terms of both accessibilty, as well as cost.[1]<br><br>Also in accepting her nomination, Benjamin described her own hardships faced by disease and illness in her own family. She noted her brother, who died of HIV, as well as her father, who died of high blood pressure and diabetes, and her mother who died of lung cancer. All of which, she implied, were "preventable diseases."[12]<br><br>[edit] Awards<br><br>In 1998 she was the United States recipient of the Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights.[7]<br><br>Dr. Benjamin was named by Time Magazine as one of the "Nation\'s 50 Future Leaders Age 40 and Under." She has been featured in a New York Times article, "Angel in a White Coat," and was chosen "Person of the Week" by ABC\'s World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, "Woman of the Year" by CBS This Morning, and "Woman of the Year" by People Magazine. She was also featured on the December 1999 cover of Clarity Magazine and received the 2000 National Caring Award, which was inspired by Mother Teresa.[9]<br><br>In 2006, she was awarded the papal cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice by Pope Benedict XVI.[13]<br><br>In 2008, Benjamin was named one of America\'s Best Leaders by U.S. News & World Report.[14]<br><br>In September, she was one of 25 recipients of the $500,000 “genius awards,” awarded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.[15]<br><br>[edit] References<br><br>   1. ^ a b c d e Woman in the News | Regina Marcia Benjamin A Doctor From the Bayou‎<br>   2. ^ Regina Benjamin Picked as Surgeon General‎<br>   3. ^ Alabama Doctor Tapped for Surgeon General<br>   4. ^ Obama picks Regina Benjamin as surgeon general<br>   5. ^ Obama chooses Alabama doctor as next surgeon general<br>   6. ^ Benjamin will be the third woman after former Surgeon Generals Antonia Coello Novello and Joycelyn Elders, or the fourth woman after Audrey F. Manley, who served as acting Surgeon General in 1993.<br>   7. ^ a b c "Obama Taps \'Genius\' Doctor, Katrina Victim for Surgeon General". article (FOX News Network). 2009-07-13. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/07/13/obama-taps-alabama-doctor-surgeon-general/" rel="nofollow">http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/07/13/obam...</a>. Retrieved on 2009-07-13. <br>   8. ^ Dr. Regina Benjamin\'s Background - <a href="http://FOX10tv.com" rel="nofollow">FOX10tv.com</a><br>   9. ^ a b c d Regina M. Benjamin, MD - Bayou Clinic Homepage<br>  10. ^ <a href="http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/dr-regina-benjamin----a-healing-force/article19591.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people...</a><br>  11. ^ The Doctor Is (Finally) In: Obama To Name Regina Benjamin<br>  12. ^ Regina Benjamin, Obama\'s Pick For Surgeon General<br>  13. ^ "Obama Taps Ala. Doctor For Surgeon General". <a href="http://cbs5.com/national/obama.surgeon.general.2.1083264.html" rel="nofollow">http://cbs5.com/national/obama.surgeon.general....</a>. Retrieved on 2009-07-13. <br>  14. ^ "America\'s Best Leaders - Regina Benjamin". <a href="http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/best-leaders/2008/11/19/americas-best-leaders-regina-benjamin-small-town-primary-care-physician.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/best-leader...</a>. Retrieved on 2009-07-13. <br>  15. ^ Obama Names Regina Benjamin as Surgeon General</i><br><br><br><b>HER CREDENTIALS - - - S-P-E-A-K!!</b>  :&gt;)<br><br><b>THANK YOU - - -PRESIDENT OBAMA!!</b>   :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12652283">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12652283" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12652283" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12652283">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12652283" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12652283" class="dsq-comment-message">Hey GLH!!<br><br>How are you doing? Are you following doctor\'s orders?<br><br>We really have missed you. I was hoping you\'d pop in during the First Family\'s trip to Africa. Scroll down and see the great pics from that trip.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12654069">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12654069" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12654069" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12654069">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12654069" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12654069" class="dsq-comment-message">rikyrah:  HEEEEY!   :&gt;)  Doin\' betta!  Just still have care-takin\' of another family member, etc.  Tight!  But God is blessing.  :&gt;)<br><br>I BEGGED 2 post on the FIRST FAMILY\'S trip 2 Ghana [I lived there at 1 time] BUT. . . . .   :&gt;)<br><br>Again, <b>C-O-N-G-R-A-T-U-L-A-T-O-N-S</b> on the JJP RECOGNITION!!<br><br>Followin\' doctor\'s ORDERS!  TA-RUST!!!   :&gt;)    :&gt;)<br><br><a href="http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif" rel="nofollow"><b>MISSIN\' U\'ALL TERRIBLY!  :&gt;)  THANKS!!  MUCH LUV!!</b></a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12652421">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12652421" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12652421" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12652421">Lisa M</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12652421" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12652421" class="dsq-comment-message">How you doing? It\'s so good to see you.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12654365">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12654365" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12654365" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12654365">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12654365" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12654365" class="dsq-comment-message">LisaM:  HEEEEEY!  :&gt;)  :&gt;)<br><br><a href="http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif" rel="nofollow">THANKS 4 YOUR GOOD WISHES!!  LUV YA MUCH!!</a>  :&gt;)<br><br>Good ta C  U  2!   :&gt;)    :&gt;)  Missin\' U!!  :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12652624">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12652624" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12652624" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12652624">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12652624" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12652624" class="dsq-comment-message">HEYYYYYY! how are you Greenladyhere?  I was just thinking about you today.<br><br>Hope you are doing well.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12654182">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12654182" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12654182" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12654182">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12654182" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12654182" class="dsq-comment-message">Val:  HEEEY!  Farin\' betta! :&gt;)   MISSIN\' U!!   :&gt;)<br><br> <a href="http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif" rel="nofollow">THANKS 4 YOUR WARM THOUGHTS!!  LUV YA!!</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12654915">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12654915" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12654915" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12654915">Sepia</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12654915" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12654915" class="dsq-comment-message">Hey Green Lady! Good to see you! :-)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12656485">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12656485" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12656485" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12656485">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12656485" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12656485" class="dsq-comment-message">Sepia   HEEEEEY!!      :&gt;)<br><br><a href="http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif" rel="nofollow">THANK U!!  LUV YA!!</a>   :&gt;)    <br><br>Miss U much!!!   :&gt;)</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12657512">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12657512" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12657512" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12657512">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12657512" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12657512" class="dsq-comment-message">This is a movie waiting to happen - real life is so much more intriguing than fiction.<br><br>How a Rich Suburban Girl Became a Drug Kingpin<br>Ever since the murder of Rian Thal two weeks ago in Philadelphia, everyone wants to know how this girl from a wealthy suburb ended up a high-stakes drug trafficker in the city’s hip-hop scene—but it’s not as unusual as you might think.<br><br><a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-07-10/how-a-rich-suburban-girl-became-a-drug-kingpin/" rel="nofollow">http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/...</a></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12665549">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12665549" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12665549" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12665549">sagittarius</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12665549" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12665549" class="dsq-comment-message">Miranda, you find the most interesting stories.  Now, I want to read more about Rian Thal.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12667471">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12667471" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12667471" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12667471">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12667471" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12667471" class="dsq-comment-message">LOL...I have been looking up more info on this story, it is fascinating yet terrifying....I just read this:<br><br><a href="http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/20090714_Suspect_linked_to_Thal-Gilmore_killings_turns_self_in.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/2009071...</a><br><br>I wanna find out more about Katoya Jones....is this another "Kemba Smith" or what? The whole thing is just a damn shame.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12650053">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12650053" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12650053" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12650053">spirit_55z</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12650053" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12650053" class="dsq-comment-message">The line for brains forms on the right <br>Creativity could rule the future <br>By Marco R. della Cava<br>USA TODAY <br><br>SAN FRANCISCO — On a recent foggy night, the newest wave in educational thinking crashed into this city\'s oldest high school. <br>And its waters weren\'t warm.<br>"It worries me that we\'re not thinking big enough, that we\'re not preparing our kids for a world that will be terribly different from the one we grew up in," says Patrick Bassett, scanning the rapt faces of a few dozen parents in the auditorium of 103-year-old Mission High School, whose alums include poet Maya Angelou and rocker Carlos Santana.<br><br>"We need kids to be more risk-taking, more entrepreneurial," he says. "More than ever, we need the right brain to mix with the left."<br>Although Bassett, president of the National Association of Independent Schools, has been quietly delivering this "Right-Brain Future" talk for a few years, recent economic events have lately sent him on the road non-stop. "My reception has shifted dramatically," he says. "More people seem to want to hear this message."<br>Here\'s the CliffsNotes version: As traditional jobs in the left-brain world of finance shrink, the USA\'s economy will increasingly be tethered to creative innovations rooted in right-brain thinking.<br><br>Sachin Desai, 45, attended Bassett\'s lecture with his wife, Sejal, 44. Both are software engineers; their sons are 12 and 8. <br>"Growing up in Britain, it was all about linear thinking," he says. "But my kids are American, a place known for coming up with unique solutions and ideas. I fear we\'re losing that. So it\'s critical these kids become creative thinkers."<br>An impediment has been a No Child Left Behind educational system that is too geared to test-taking, says Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, the book that inspired Bassett to hit the lecture trail. "What\'s troubling is that our system is obsessed with standardization at the very time when the future of our economy depends on the opposite."<br>Some schools have gotten that message. At High Tech High, a charter school in San Diego, students are encouraged to use those skills to practical ends such as dreaming up new sources of energy or calculating ways to stretch the West\'s limited water supply, says the school\'s CEO, Larry Rosenstock. <br><br>"You want kids who are math whizzes, yes. But you want them to also have the creative talent to apply those math skills to find answers to big questions." <br>Barrett praises other schools that are pushing students to think outside the box. He cites Fay School in Southborough, Mass., whose students last year teamed with peers at South Saigon International School in Vietnam. Using video chats and a specially created online wiki-space, they designed a "socially conscious business model" that involved both selling products and creating public service announcements to build awareness for disaster relief.<br>"That\'s the future," he says. "Kids being analytical and creative to come up with solutions for us all.<br><br><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/life/20090714/rightbrainedu14_st.art.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/life/20090...</a></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12650874">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12650874" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12650874" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12650874">Conserv1</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12650874" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12650874" class="dsq-comment-message">Great article. This sort of connects with my earlier comments about fostering \'engaged\' students to will work bilaterally with educators to create knowledge, not simply regurgitate it.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12657191">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12657191" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12657191" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12657191">djchefron</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12657191" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12657191" class="dsq-comment-message">There can be no discussion when one side believes in voodoo and disregard science for their religious beliefs.When you and the rethugs call out the ignorance that runs thru your party then we can talk about a diversity of ideas.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12641112">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12641112" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12641112" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12641112">Conserv1</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12641112" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12641112" class="dsq-comment-message">Mary Clare Jalonick of the Associated Press provides an eye-opening report on Indian Health Service, a single-payer system that rations care to Native Americans on reservations across the country — and kills them through neglect and a severe lack of resources:<br><br><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090615/ap_on_go_ot/us_health_care_s_forgotten" rel="nofollow">http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090615/ap_on_go_ot...</a><br><br><br>    "On some reservations, the oft-quoted refrain is “don’t get sick after June,” when the federal dollars run out. It’s a sick joke, and a sad one, because it’s sometimes true, especially on the poorest reservations where residents cannot afford health insurance. Officials say they have about half of what they need to operate, and patients know they must be dying or about to lose a limb to get serious care.<br><br>    Wealthier tribes can supplement the federal health service budget with their own money. But poorer tribes, often those on the most remote reservations, far away from city hospitals, are stuck with grossly substandard care. The agency itself describes a “rationed health care system.”<br><br>    The sad fact is an old fact, too.<br><br>    The U.S. has an obligation, based on a 1787 agreement between tribes and the government, to provide American Indians with free health care on reservations. But that promise has not been kept. About one-third more is spent per capita on health care for felons in federal prison, according to 2005 data from the health service."<br><br>Without a doubt, the people on the reservations represent some of the poorest of the poor in America.  Yet we already have a single-payer system in place to provide health care to Native Americans on these reservations.  Do we properly fund it?  Do we make sure that enough resources are applied to ensure good health care?  Not at all.  It is, as the agency itself describes, a system of rationing medical resources, and the end result is a poor population unable to seek out its own care locked into a system that only works when someone is on death’s door.<br><br>In fact, as Jalonick reports, it often doesn’t recognize when a patient faces death.  Jalonick profiles the heartrending case of Ta’Shon Rain Little Light, who began complaining of stomach pains at the age of 5, and stopped eating and playing.  The overwhelmed clinic diagnosed her as depressed, and ten subsequent visits to the clinic over the next several months while Ta’Shon’s symptoms worsened didn’t change the diagnosis.  Only when she suffered a collapsed lung did IHS airlift her to Denver, where Ta’Shon was diagnosed with terminal cancer.  Could it have been treated?  We’ll never know, thanks to a diagnostic service that appears to be just above the wild-guess level on the reservation.<br><br>When government owns the nation’s health-care system, we can all look forward to the same level of care.  After all, as Obama himself insists, a government-run system will “save costs,” but he never explains how those costs get saved.  We will all go into the rationing-system grinder, just as veterans do with the VA, seniors and disabled do with Medicare, and Native Americans do with IHS.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12641637">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12641637" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12641637" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12641637" href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CraigHickman</a>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12641637" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12641637" class="dsq-comment-message">We\'ve been neglecting, abusing, and killing First Americans for centuries.<br><br>Now the right wants to use that neglect, abuse, and genocide as an anecdote to not fund heathcare reform?<br><br>How fucking <i>American</i>.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12642572">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12642572" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12642572" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12642572">spirit_55z</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12642572" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12642572" class="dsq-comment-message">More fucking scare tactics, but not surprising that they would use POC to further their agenda.<br><br>I wonder what Angelar thinks about this article.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12651961">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12651961" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12651961" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12651961">Angelar</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12651961" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12651961" class="dsq-comment-message">It is true that the Indian Health Service is lacking and needs improvement.  I admit that I, personally, don’t have to rely on it, but, I have relatives who do and from what I can see our Tribe doesn’t seem to have the kind of problems some others do.  That may be due to our ability to bring in more revenue.  A key part of this article says a lot as to why many tribes are lacking in health care even though most qualify for medicare or Medicaid.  These barriers, including access to health coverage must be dealt with.  I personally believe the cultural aspect is a big one.   <br><br>“These issues include cultural barriers, geographic isolation, inadequate sewage disposal and low income."  <br><br>Just a few days ago Wendell Potter, an insurance whistleblower, (and we discussed this a little in a thread yesterday) admitted the below to Bill Moyers.   Notice Conserv won’t tell admit to this information though. <br><br>“Potter explains that one of their strategies is to try to convince the American people that they should fear government involvement in health care.<br>To demean and scare people about a government-run plan, try to make people not even remember that Medicare, their Medicare program, is a government-run plan that has operated a lot more efficiently. And also, the people who are enrolled in our Medicare plan like it better. The satisfaction ratings are higher in our Medicare program, a government-run program, than in private insurance. But they don\'t want you to remember that or to know that, and they want to scare you into thinking that through the anecdotes they tell you, that any government-run system, particularly those in Canada, and UK, and France that the people are very unhappy.”<br><br>These monsters like Conserv are using the predictable scare tactics and playbook of the anti health reform lobbyists even if it means using the most disadvantaged and poverty stricken group of Americans as a tool to serve their goal.   After all is said and done, without major health care reform, the very same people written about in this article will be the ones who will continue to suffer the most.   <br><br>Some commenters in that article are trying to over simplify using Native Indian medical issues as automatically transferable across the board.   It is another throw everything at the wall and see what sticks mentality.<br><br>To prey on such deplorable and sad situations in the Native American community to further the political and profitable gains of the private health care industry is despicable and without conscience.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12658509">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12658509" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12658509" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12658509">spirit_55z</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12658509" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12658509" class="dsq-comment-message">Appreciate your sharing, Angelar.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12709964">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12709964" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12709964" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12709964" href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CraigHickman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12709964" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12709964" class="dsq-comment-message">Bravo.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12650717">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12650717" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12650717" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12650717">Conserv1</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12650717" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12650717" class="dsq-comment-message">Who says the right does not want to fund healthcare reform? Typical \'straw man\' argument....that the right wants to do nothing. Simply not true. But before we embark on a single-payer government run system that is designed to elimate private sector competition and remake 1/6th of of economy isn\'t examining and exposing problems in Medicare, the Va and the IHS the responsible thing to do?</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12651457">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12651457" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12651457" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12651457">Plantsmantx</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12651457" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12651457" class="dsq-comment-message">What single-payer government run system?<br><br>What Medicare? The one that runs more efficiently than private insurance?<br><br>Why can\'t the private sector compete? Or, do you have a problem with them <i>having</i> to compete?</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12709889">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12709889" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12709889" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12709889" href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CraigHickman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12709889" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12709889" class="dsq-comment-message">You\'re the only straw man I see here.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12644414">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12644414" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12644414" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12644414">goldenstar</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12644414" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12644414" class="dsq-comment-message">PULLLEEEZE.<br><br>This abhorrent treatment has been going on for centuries. And, let us not forget that this treatment included incidents of handing out blankets w/ smallpox to some and they died. In fact, the health care system for indigenous people is really all about how to kill them off, ergo, genocide.<br><br>Now, rationed health care in the 21st century is about serving all Americans, rich and poor, rural, suburban, and urban. And, it\'s about prevention: care that enhances quality of life; care that heeds the conditions that people face in their jobs, housing, neighborhoods, relationships.<br><br>So, conserv1, try to conserve some of the ideals that this country was founded on so the rest of us can make this country live up to these ideals.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12642541">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12642541" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12642541" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12642541">morphus</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12642541" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12642541" class="dsq-comment-message">Rationed medicine it is, government-run or private. President Barack Obama has fulfilled his promise when appointing Kimberly Teehee to a high-level White House advisor on Indian affairs. He also appointed Jodi Archambault Gillette as Deputy Associate Director, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.  The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs provides the primary link between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and state, local, and tribal governments. Hopefully, it will get better.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12641331">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12641331" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12641331" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12641331">spirit_55z</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12641331" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12641331" class="dsq-comment-message">The more I read about Dr. Benjamin, the more I love her!<br><br>Surgeon general pick \'would do anything to heal\' <br>Benjamin ran clinic for underserved <br>By Janice Lloyd<br>USA TODAY <br><br>President Obama on Monday nominated for surgeon general an influential rural family physician who has spent the past two decades caring for a shrimping community along the Gulf Coast.<br>Obama said Regina Benjamin understands the needs of the poor and uninsured and is a tireless promoter of wellness programs, making her qualified to be America\'s advocate during health care reforms. <br><br>Benjamin founded her non-profit clinic in 1990 for a diverse community of 2,500 near her home in Bayou La Batre, Ala., and had to rebuild it three times. It was destroyed twice by hurricanes and once by fire. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Obama said, she mortgaged her own house for the reconstruction and told the pharmacy to send her patients\' bills to her when they couldn\'t afford their medicine. <br><br>"And for all that she\'s seen and overcome, she represents what\'s best about health care: doctors and nurses who give and care and sacrifice for the sake of their patients, those Americans who would do anything to heal a fellow citizen," Obama said. "When people couldn\'t pay, she didn\'t charge them. When the clinic wasn\'t making money, she didn\'t take a salary for herself."<br><br>Benjamin, 51, became the first African-American woman to be named to the American Medical Association\'s board of trustees in 1995 and last year received one of the MacArthur Foundation\'s $500,000 "genius grants." After graduating from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in 1984, she worked in Alabama as part of her obligation to the National Health Service Corps, a Department of Health and Human Services program that places physicians in underserved communities in exchange for tuition reimbursement.<br>Public health also has become "very personal" to her.<br><br>"My father died of diabetes and hypertension. My older brother and only sibling died at age 44 of HIV-related illness. My mother died of lung cancer because as a young girl, she wanted to smoke, just like her twin brother. My uncle Buddy, my mother\'s twin, is at home right now on oxygen struggling for each breath because of the years of smoking."<br><br>Those preventable diseases, she said, were why her family wasn\'t present with her at the nomination announcement: "While I cannot change my family\'s past, I can be a voice in the movement to improve our nation\'s health care and a nation\'s health for the future."<br>She thanked Obama for making health care reform a top priority, adding that "Millions of Americans can\'t afford insurance and don\'t have basic health services available where they live."<br>She also thanked former surgeon general David Satcher and former Department of Health and Human Services secretary Louis Sullivan for mentoring her and leading her to start her clinic, which she helped pay for by moonlighting in emergency rooms. <br><br>"I am really impressed with how she\'s dealt with the underserved and how she\'s dealt with tragedy," said Satcher, one of her Morehouse teachers. "Her outstanding contributions have been recognized at the highest level." <br>Her nomination requires Senate confirmation. Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming), the ranking member on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pension, said he\'s looking forward to "carefully" reviewing her nomination.<br>Enzi said: "I\'d like to know how Dr. Benjamin, if confirmed, would work with Congress to promote prevention and wellness initiatives that will bring down costs and help people lead healthier lives."<br><br><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/life/20090714/surgeongeneral14_st.art.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/life/20090...</a></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12641459">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12641459" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12641459" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12641459">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12641459" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12641459" class="dsq-comment-message">The "birthers" are so funny<br><br><a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/07/opponents-of-barack-obamas-presidency-claim-small-court-victory.html" rel="nofollow">http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/07/o...</a></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12645484">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12645484" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12645484" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12645484" href="http://ladyvenoms.wordpress.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ladyvenoms</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12645484" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12645484" class="dsq-comment-message">good god! i despise alan keyes and his fellow reynolds wrap wearers with the heat of a thousand hells.<br><br>how many times do they have to be shown the link to pbo\'s authentic birth certificate?<br><br>how many times do they have to be told that NO ONE in the state of hawaii can get a long form birth certificate and haven\'t been able to since 2003!?<br><br>*would pull her hair if she still had enough to pull*</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12642780">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12642780" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12642780" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12642780">spirit_55z</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12642780" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12642780" class="dsq-comment-message">GAWD, put these mofos out of their misery....soon.</div>\
	 </div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12644499">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12644499" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12644499" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12644499">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12644499" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12644499" class="dsq-comment-message">The orderlies really need to check and see what these idiots are doing when they get "computer time".</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12645091">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12645091" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12645091" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12645091" href="http://leftistmoon.wordpress.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">WordSmith</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12645091" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12645091" class="dsq-comment-message">Ya talkin\' ta me!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12642401">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12642401" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12642401" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12642401">moja31</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12642401" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12642401" class="dsq-comment-message"><strong>First Lady\'s father burried at Burr Oak Cemetery</strong><br><br><em>First Lady Michelle Obama\'s father, Fraser Robinson III, is buried at Burr Oak Cemetery, the Alsip facility involved in a grave desecration scandal, according to a White House spokeswoman.<br><br><strong>There was no indication whether Robinson\'s grave was among those disturbed. Camille Johnston, the first lady\'s communications director, disclosed that Robinson was buried there but declined to comment further.</strong><br><br>Fraser Robinson III was a pump operator for the water department in Chicago and a Democratic party precinct captain who battled multiple sclerosis. He died in 1991 from complications from multiple sclerosis.<br><br>Michelle Obama\'s mother, Marian Robinson, moved from the South Side to the White House when her son-in-law, Barack Obama, was inaugurated in January.</em><br><a href="http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/07/michelle-obamas-father-buried-at-burr-oak.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/07/mich...</a><br><br><br>this whole story is so disturbing, i feel terrible for anyone who is now left wondering what has happened to their loved one\'s remains.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12650202">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12650202" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12650202" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12650202">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12650202" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12650202" class="dsq-comment-message">they\'ve had to put those arrested in Isolation, because they\'ve gotten death threats inside of the jail.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12643772">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12643772" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12643772" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12643772">MsKitty</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12643772" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12643772" class="dsq-comment-message">Good Lord, this man is a Fool with a capital F:<br><br><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bil-browning/steele-gop-woos-blacks-wi_b_231534.html" rel="nofollow">Steele: GOP "woos Blacks" with Fried Chicken and Potato Salad</a><br><br>What? They were too cheap to spring for some watermelon too?  SMH</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12644340">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12644340" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12644340" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12644340">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12644340" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12644340" class="dsq-comment-message">No grape kool-aid?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12645934">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12645934" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12645934" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12645934">vulcan_girl</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12645934" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12645934" class="dsq-comment-message">Red, Miranda; we like RED Kool-aid! No flavor, just red.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12646883">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12646883" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12646883" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12646883">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12646883" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12646883" class="dsq-comment-message">Oh snap...you\'re right! The only thing we like grape is the now & laters candy! LOL</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12647974">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12647974" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12647974" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12647974" href="http://blackdiamond2008.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">ASmith</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12647974" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12647974" class="dsq-comment-message">That\'s nighlaters...<br><br>Meanwhile... SHUT UP DUDE. If you ain\'t got no baked beans already I\'m not coming, so get your mind right.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12649072">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12649072" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12649072" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12649072">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12649072" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12649072" class="dsq-comment-message">"nighlaters"...ROFLMAO</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12672894">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12672894" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12672894" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12672894">isonprize</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12672894" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12672894" class="dsq-comment-message">I SSAAAAAAID,  June is bringin\' the baked beans.  Listen, dammit.   WHATCHU bringin, huh?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12683503">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12683503" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12683503" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12683503" href="http://blackdiamond2008.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">ASmith</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12683503" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12683503" class="dsq-comment-message">I don\'t understand why we gotta brang anythang, antyway. He want us to come he needs to already have the baked beans.<br><br>I\'ma bring something, tho -- don\'t worry.<br><br>Some foil and some tupperware.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12645150">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12645150" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12645150" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12645150">RonnieB</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12645150" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12645150" class="dsq-comment-message">Fool he is.  But the nigro done made me hungry.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12644784">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12644784" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12644784" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12644784">isonprize</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12644784" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12644784" class="dsq-comment-message">Damn.  Who got da hot sauce?      Way min, June is bringin\' da baked beans.  And Annie got the pasta salad.   Who brought da white bread? <br><br><br>(11 minut temu  - Any idea what language this is?  Every now and then, the time tag on the "Recent Comments" column comes up in a different language.  It\'s been spanish, french, an asian language - I did not recognize the characters, but I don\'t have a clue on this one.  Anyone?)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12652836">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12652836" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12652836" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12652836">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12652836" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12652836" class="dsq-comment-message">lol MsKitty raotflmao<br><br>admit it. whoooo hoooo hahahahahahaaha it is funny.  hahahahahahaha<br><br>my favorite part of the article -- "Since he mentions Republicans should also be reaching out to the LGBT community, I wonder what stereotype he\'s going to offer us? Buttplugs and Birkenstocks?"</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12649298">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12649298" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12649298" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12649298" href="http://dillarddoctrine.wordpress.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">D.</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12649298" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12649298" class="dsq-comment-message">In light of the guy in the background saying "I\'ll bring the collard greens," it\'s not that bad.<br><br>Guess he could\'ve said, "I\'ll bring a cake." Good, race-neutral food.<br><br>Of course, HuffPo would try to blow it way out of proportion.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12657813">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12657813" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12657813" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12657813" href="http://muzikalthoughts.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Muzikal203</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12657813" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12657813" class="dsq-comment-message">Is Steele really a white man in Blackface?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12658430">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12658430" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12658430" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12658430">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12658430" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12658430" class="dsq-comment-message">nope just a moron.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12644442">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12644442" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12644442" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12644442">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12644442" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12644442" class="dsq-comment-message">Interesting - some news outlets were "volunteering" to help spin the story...guess which ones<br><br>Sanford’s office couldn\'t locate missing governor<br><br>Gov. Mark Sanford’s chief of staff, Scott English, called the governor’s cell phones 15 times during the governor’s secret trip to Argentina to visit his lover last month. But the governor never picked up.<br>Meanwhile Sanford’s communications director, Joel Sawyer, worked to minimize the fact the governor had been out of touch with his staff for about four days.<br>Records released Monday show Sawyer juggled e-mails and media calls from around the nation, giving a consistent message that was later proven to be untrue. <br><br>Further down you learn who was offering their help:<br><br>By June 22, four days after Sanford had left for his trip, dozens of media outlets were working to determine where he was. <br>Some outlets, hoping to outdo their competition, were volunteering to coordinate with the governor’s office to spin the story to Sanford’s advantage. <br>A staffer with The Washington Times wrote in an e-mail that “if you all want to speak on this publicly, you’re welcome to Washington Times Radio. You know that you will be on friendly ground here!”<br><br>On June 23, a Fox News Channel correspondent wrote to Sawyer, “Having known the Governor for years and even worked with him when he would host radio shows for me — I find this story and the media frenzy surrounding it to be absolutely ridiculous! Please give him my best.” <br><a href="http://www.thestate.com/154/story/862957.html?storylink=omni_popular" rel="nofollow">http://www.thestate.com/154/story/862957.html?s...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12646931">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12646931" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12646931" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12646931">Angelar</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12646931" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12646931" class="dsq-comment-message">Yep......"Fixed and Unbalanced" news!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12648072">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12648072" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12648072" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12648072" href="http://swamphermit.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Karmi</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12648072" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12648072" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124753066246235811.html" rel="nofollow">The Economy Is Even Worse Than You Think</a> - <i>The average length of unemployment is higher than it\'s been since government began tracking the data in 1948 ... More companies are asking employees to take unpaid leave. These people don\'t count on the unemployment roll ... No fewer than 1.4 million people wanted or were available for work in the last 12 months but were not counted ...The number of workers taking part-time jobs due to the slack economy, a kind of stealth underemployment, has doubled in this recession to about nine million ... Add those whose hours have been cut to those who cannot find a full-time job and the total unemployed rises to 16.5% ... The average work week for rank-and-file employees in the private sector, roughly 80% of the work force, slipped to 33 hours ... The average length of official unemployment increased to 24.5 weeks ...</i> etc etc etc.<br><br>This is just the beginning...</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12649400">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12649400" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12649400" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12649400">Sepia</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12649400" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12649400" class="dsq-comment-message"><i>Prediction: Murdoch buys NY Daily News<br>Jeff Bercovici<br>Jul 13th 2009 at 3:00PM<br><br>Everyone wants to know when Rupert Murdoch is going to make his long-dreamed-about play for The New York Times. Murdoch himself denies he\'s plotting anything of the kind -- but could he have a different target in mind? <br><br>That\'s the view of Baldwin, N.Y-based media appraiser Kevin Kamen, who predicts that the News Corp. (NWS) chairman will attempt to buy the New York Daily News by the end of 2009 -- and expects him to succeed. "I believe that\'s something that\'s being looked at very seriously, although very quietly" inside News Corp., Kamen tells DailyFinance. "Obviously, I can\'t say it\'s definitely happening, but I think it\'s being considered by Murdoch for sure. Nobody should be surprised, although everyone will be."<br><br>Kamen bases his prediction on information from confidential sources, but also on various public moves Murdoch has made in recent years -- namely, buying the Brooklyn Paper and the TimesLedger and Courier-Life newspaper groups. (The former publishers newspapers in Brooklyn, N.Y. the latter in Queens, N.Y.) Acquiring the Daily News would complete the puzzle, says Kamen. "There\'s a strategy there," he says. "He\'s building up the scenery, if you will -- the support system." <br><br>There may be a strategy there, but Mort Zuckerman, who owns the News, is under no obligation to go along with it if he doesn\'t want to. The real estate mogul calls Kamen\'s scenario "total fiction," adding, "The Daily News is not for sale, has never been for sale, and will not be for sale." A News Corp. spokeswoman said the company never comments on speculation. <br><br>If it\'s fiction, however, it\'s not terribly far-fetched. Just a year ago, Murdoch and Zuckerman were discussing a possible merger of the Daily News\'s business operations with those of Murdoch\'s New York Post. The idea for the money-saving collaboration grew out of both moguls\' failed bids for Newsday, which went to Cablevision for $650 million. The Post is believed to lose tens of millions of dollars a year; the News has historically been more profitable, but Zuckerman said two years ago that it was sliding into the red, although he claims a new color printing plant will change that. <br><br>Whatever Zuckerman says now, Kamen believes the outcome is all but preordained. "I think this is inevitable," he says. "Murdoch is never going to have an opportunity to buy the Times, but if he can put together a proposal that\'s reasonable for the Daily News, I believe Zuckerman will listen." <br><a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/07/13/prediction-murdoch-buys-ny-daily-news/" rel="nofollow">http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/07/13/predicti...</a><br></i></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12649961">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12649961" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12649961" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12649961">spirit_55z</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12649961" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12649961" class="dsq-comment-message">2 Somali men indicted in terror plot<br><br>The charges against the two men are part of a massive investigation into the disappearance of up to 20 local men of Somali descent. <br>By JAMES WALSH, RICHARD MERYHEW and ALLIE SHAH, Star Tribune staff writers <br>Last update: July 14, 2009 - 6:01 AM<br><br>The first indictments in a major counterterrorism investigation became public Monday when a Twin Cities Somali man appeared in federal court on charges of providing support to terrorists and conspiracy to "kill, kidnap, maim or injure" people in foreign countries.<br>A federal grand jury had indicted Salah Osman Ahmed, 26, of Brooklyn Park, and Abdifatah Yusuf Isse, of Seattle, in February, but the indictments were kept sealed until Ahmed appeared Monday afternoon before Magistrate Judge Susan Richard Nelson.<br>Special agent E.K. Wilson confirmed Monday that the indictments of Isse and Ahmed are connected to a major federal investigation into the disappearance of up to 20 local men of Somali descent. It is believed that the Minnesota men may have been recruited by terrorists to return to their families\' homeland to fight in the continuing civil war there. Since October, at least four have died there.<br>"It is related to the ongoing investigation," Wilson said of the charges unsealed Monday.<br>The alleged time frame of Isse and Ahmed\'s involvement overlaps the period when several of the Twin Cities men disappeared. The first wave of young men to leave Minneapolis for Somalia began in early 2007. A second wave is believed to have left in the late summer and late fall of 2008.<br>According to the indictment, federal investigators allege the men "provided material support and resources, namely personnel, including themselves, knowing and intending that the material support and resources were to be used in preparation for and to carry out a conspiracy to kill, kidnap, maim or injure persons in a foreign country" from September 2007 through December 2008.<br><br><a href="http://www.startribune.com/local/north/50654962.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.startribune.com/local/north/50654962...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12651141">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12651141" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12651141" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12651141">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12651141" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12651141" class="dsq-comment-message">Rikyrah:  IFF this is a duplicate, I APOLOGIZE for WASTIN\' the space:<br><br><a href="http://blackpoliticsontheweb.com/2009/07/14/remarks-of-rnc-chairman-michael-steele-at-the-naacp-centennial-convention/" rel="nofollow"></a><br><br><i>Thank you for that warm welcome. I would like to thank the NAACP board of directors and Chairman Julian Bond for having me here to speak with you today. Also, President Jealous, Vice Chairman Roslyn M. Brock, and Assistant Treasurer Jesse Turner. Jr.<br><br>President Jealous and Vice Chairman Brock, I thank you for your willingness to seek out advocates in all circles. We are all interested in the educational, economic, political and social wealth of our community. I thank the board for their passion and dedication to serving the disadvantaged among us, for breaking down barriers and standing as leaders.<br><br>As a proud member of the Prince George’s county chapter of the NAACP, I am honored to be here to celebrate 100 years.<br><br>The NAACP was born to fight for freedom, liberty, opportunity and fairness. Its founders were a group of brave visionaries from varying backgrounds, including black and white Republican men and women. Perhaps the most prominent African-American Republican of the group was James Weldon Johnson, the co-author of “Lift Ev’ry Voice And Sing.” Such a proud institution with an incredibly rich legacy.<br><br>I am proud to be here as the first African-American chairman of the Republican National Committee and on behalf of the RNC I bring you the warmest of greetings and congratulations!<br><br><u>I’ve been looking forward to this day for some time. It is for me, a particular honor to bring greetings in this 100th year. I spent some time looking at previous remarks by Republicans before this body and I was struck by the litany of phrases that republicans often cut and paste into a speech to this organization. “Party of Lincoln”  four or five times … Reminders that Teddy Roosevelt was a Republican, and he invited Booker T. Washington to the White House … and the civil rights act was passed by a Republican congress over democrat filibusters … oh, and one of my favorites, Bull Connor was a democrat.</u>  <b>[NOTE:  Guess he took his foot out of his mouth - long enough 2 say this (and soma his other lines).  ***shakin\' my head - - HARD!***]</b><br><br>I decided instead, that today I would depart from “the complete Republican’s guide to speaking to African-Americans.”<br><br>Let me begin with something I read the other day – a look at the statistical averages of black babies versus whites:“The black baby born in America today, regardless of the section of the nation in which he is born, has about one-half as much chance of completing high school as a white baby born in the same place on the same day . . . One-third as much chance of completing college, one-third as much chance of becoming a professional man . . . Twice as much chance of becoming unemployed, a life expectancy which is 7 years shorter, and the prospect of earning only half as much.”<br><br>That is not a pretty picture. But here’s the really heart wrenching point: those words were spoken by President John F. Kennedy in 1963.<br><br>Nearly all of what we think of as “the civil rights era” has taken place since JFK gave that speech. And in that time, a lot of progress has been made in both the political and the cultural arenas. Many of you in this room have been the authors of that progress and many others of you have witnessed it.<br><br>Indeed, not far from the steps on which I was inaugurated the first African-American Lt. Governor of Maryland in 2002, Kunta Kinte was sold into slavery over 150 years ago. Moreover, not far from the very steps on which Barack Obama was inaugurated the nation’s first African-American president, black men and women could not drink from the same water fountain as whites.<br><br>But our standing on those steps was not just a testament to progress, but also a challenge to the idea that we have completed the journey.<br><br>As far as we’ve come since 1963, the amount of progress that has been made, while impressive, leaves us empty in the face of incarceration rates, unemployment rates, drop-out rates, aids infection rates, and the general rate of poverty for African-Americans.<br><br>For 46 years of these 100 years, we have carried a lot of water for others. And yet, the long odds faced by our children have changed very little. So it is time we start to carry that water for ourselves; or we will continue to fail our community, our children, and our ability to build legacy.<br><br>At the dawning of this century, most of the problems facing black America are rooted in diminished access to quality education and fewer and fewer opportunities to either work a job or own a business. On these points, a one-party agenda often fails to get the job done.<br><br>My friends, educational and economic upward mobility are the root source of empowerment, ownership and opportunity. You undermine those and you guarantee preservation of the status quo. But you and I know our legacy has never been about status quo — remember Attucks, Tubman, Douglass, Booker t., Dubois, Malcolm, Parks, King and so many others including those who founded this venerable organization.<br><br>We are the post-civil rights generation of African-Americans and for us the battle for civil rights in the latter half of the twentieth century has become a struggle for economic and educational opportunity at the dawning of this century.<br><br>Thurgood Marshall once said, “None of us has gotten where we are solely by pulling ourselves up from our bootstraps. We got here because somebody bent down and helped us.”<br><br>My purpose for coming here today, is simply to tell you face to face, that you are not alone in that struggle. The Republican Party, which has shared an inextricable link to the African-American community, has a way forward.<br><br>The Republican Party is prepared to bend down every day to help; but, we will do so with a different perspective—a 21st century perspective that pursues policies and advances principles that turns the hope of economic liberty and empowerment into action. True freedom is ill-served by diminishing educational choices, choking off entrepreneurial spirit, and empowering government more than the people.<br><br>As Chairman of the Republican National Committee, I recognize the efforts it took to get a seat at the lunch counter, but I also know what it will take for this and future generations to own the diner. So, I have come here today not only to bring greetings, but also to renew our relationship with the NAACP and the African-American community.<br><br>And I do this with a sense of purpose and not cliché because the GOP and NAACP have very often missed real opportunities to communicate and engage each other. Indeed, for the GOP and the NAACP “outreach” should mean more than a speech here and a pat on the back there. Genuine outreach must establish a relationship on common ground and build a partnership that will benefit all concerned.<br><br>So to that end, I have already reoriented the RNC away from “doing outreach” and towards building coalitions instead — moving beyond its comfort zone to create a relationship with diverse communities and constituencies. My goal: to advance freedom in the African-American community.<br><br>As the African-American middle class emerges and grows, the Republican Party wants to be a partner who works with you to put in place the tools necessary to sustain that growth and to bring out of poverty those so often left behind. I thank you for the opportunity to explain how my party is committed to continuing in that cause. And I thank you for your kind attention here today.<br><br>Certainly my visit here today does not represent some miraculous breakthrough in GOP-NAACP relations. This is the first baby step in many more baby steps to come. After all, we all know that old loyalties and attitudes die hard. But the question is, if the GOP is willing to take those steps, will the NAACP be willing to do the same?<br><br>As you start your second century, now is an opportune time for both the NAACP and Republicans to take hold of their political destinies and step together into a new partnership.<br><br>Think about it this way: if a black man can become chairman of the Republican National Committee, then anything is possible.<br><br>Congratulations; and may God continue his blessings upon your work.</i><br><br><b>G-A-G!!</b><br><br>***shakin\' my head****</div>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12651700" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12651700" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12651700">TyrenM</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12651700" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12651700" class="dsq-comment-message">Welcome back,<br>you\'ve been missed.<br><br>Tyren</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12656779">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12656779" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12656779" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12656779">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12656779" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12656779" class="dsq-comment-message">TyrenM:   HEEEEY!!   :&gt;)  Misssin\' U  2!!!   :&gt;)<br><br><a href="http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif" rel="nofollow">THANKS 4 YOU KIND THOUGHTS!!  :&gt;)</a></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12651885">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12651885" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12651885" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12651885">MsKitty</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12651885" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12651885" class="dsq-comment-message">{{{{{hugs}}}}}<br><br>How are you feeling?</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12656719">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12656719" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12656719" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12656719">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12656719" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12656719" class="dsq-comment-message">MsKitty:   HEEEEY!!!   :&gt;)      :&gt;)     ****HUGS****    :&gt;)<br><br>Farin\' betta!!!   :&gt;)    :&gt;)<br><br><a href="http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif" rel="nofollow">THANKS 4 YOUR GOOD WISHES!!  LUV YA!!</a>   :&gt;)   :&gt;)</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12651167">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12651167" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12651167" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12651167">Conserv1</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12651167" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12651167" class="dsq-comment-message">THE CASE AGAINST COLLEGE ENTITLEMENTS<br><a href="http://reason.tv/video/show/the-case-against-college" rel="nofollow">http://reason.tv/video/show/the-case-against-co...</a></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12655101">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12655101" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12655101" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12655101">djchefron</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12655101" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12655101" class="dsq-comment-message">So you think all of your great leaders like Bush,liz Cheney and the rest of your ilk shouldn\'t  go to College because of family entitlements?Well I am not religious but praise Jesus, Conserv has seen the light.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12658414">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12658414" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12658414" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12658414">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12658414" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12658414" class="dsq-comment-message">lol</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12651356">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12651356" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12651356" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12651356">Conserv1</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12651356" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12651356" class="dsq-comment-message">POLLING: CBS: Obama dropped six points in a month. Why? “Growing skepticism about his handling of the economy and questions about the impact of the stimulus package.”<br><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/13/opinion/polls/main5156648.shtml" rel="nofollow">http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/13/opini...</a><br><br>Plenty of skepticism in Detroit. The Detroit News comments: “President Barack Obama’s plan to attack the recession through massive deficit spending is not producing the results the president promised in February when he convinced the American people to go deep into hock in the name of creating jobs and boosting economic growth. . . . Administration economists projected that the huge influx of borrowed federal dollars would keep the national unemployment rate from breaking through the 8 percent mark. It stands at 9.5 percent today and is still rising.”<br><a href="http://www.detnews.com/article/20090714/OPINION01/907140314/1008/Editorial--Obama-s-stimulus-plan-is-not-working" rel="nofollow">http://www.detnews.com/article/20090714/OPINION...</a><br><br>And the Detroit Free Press editorializes: “So President Barack Obama makes his first return to Michigan since the 2008 election and plans to put on a big push for community colleges and the kind of training they offer. Not a bad idea on its face. But Michigan has emphasized job retraining for months, if not years now — and yet people keep losing their jobs, even in supposedly hot fields such as health care.” <br><a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20090714/OPINION01/907140317/1069/OPINION/Michigan-needs-hope-of-jobs--Mr.-President" rel="nofollow">http://www.freep.com/article/20090714/OPINION01...</a><br><br>Maybe reducing taxes and regulation would help. Michigan hasn’t tried that — and neither has Obama . . . .</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12652443">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12652443" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12652443" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12652443">djchefron</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12652443" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12652443" class="dsq-comment-message">See this why you rethugs are stupid,you believe polls.Just like in Nov. Sarah will put us over the top.Hillary\'s voters wont vote for Obama.You and the rest of your party don\'t have any ideas so to give yourself a hard on you go by a CBS poll which always leans rethugs(and I based that on their track record from the last election)so take your polls and roll with it like a pig in shit because that is exactly what your bigoted party represent. A pile of shit.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12654235">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12654235" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12654235" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12654235">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12654235" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12654235" class="dsq-comment-message">dj:  HEEEEEY!  :&gt;)<br><br>TELL!   IT!!!   U  JUST SPEAK!!!  :&gt;)<br><br>Missin\' U.  :&gt;)  ****hugs****    :&gt;)</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12651940">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12651940" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12651940" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12651940">alison269</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12651940" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12651940" class="dsq-comment-message">Except we tried cutting taxes and deregulation. Thats what created this financial tsunami we are in. <br><br>Has it occurred to you that it will take more than 2 moths to fix this mess that republicans created fro a period of 8 years?</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12654302">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12654302" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12654302" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12654302">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12654302" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12654302" class="dsq-comment-message">alison269:   HEY!  :&gt;)  ***extending my hand***  Please ta meetcha!!  :&gt;)<br><br><i>Has it occurred to you that it will take more than 2 moths to fix this mess that republicans created fro a period of 8 years?</i><br><br>"WHYCOME"  U SPEAK TA-RUTH!??<br><br>Don\'t worry!  <b>THEY KNOW!!!</b>  :&gt;)</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12652697">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12652697" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12652697" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12652697">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12652697" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12652697" class="dsq-comment-message">who cares  He is still President.<br><br>Next</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12654402">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12654402" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12654402" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12654402">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12654402" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12654402" class="dsq-comment-message">Val:  ***MEGA DAP!!***   :&gt;)     :&gt;)</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12651722">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12651722" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12651722" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12651722">Lisa M</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12651722" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12651722" class="dsq-comment-message">deleted</div>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12651821" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12651821" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12651821">Miranda</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12651821" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12651821" class="dsq-comment-message">Obama nominates new Peace Corps director<br><br>WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he will nominate a career international development specialist to be director of the Peace Corps.<br><br>Aaron Williams is the vice president for international business development with RTI International. He has helped design and manage assistance programs in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia.<br><br>Williams was a senior manager at the U.S. Agency for International Development and reached the rank of career minister in the Senior Foreign Service.<br><br>If confirmed, Williams will fill a slot that has been occupied in an acting capacity by Jody K. Olsen, the Peace Corps\' deputy director since 2002. Williams is a former Peace Corps volunteer, serving in the Dominican Republic in 1967-1970.<br><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20090714/us-obama-peace-corps/" rel="nofollow">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/200907...</a><br><br>More on Mr. Williams<br><a href="http://peacecorpsconnect.org/bio/aaron-williams" rel="nofollow">http://peacecorpsconnect.org/bio/aaron-williams</a></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12652846">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12652846" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12652846" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12652846">morphus</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12652846" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12652846" class="dsq-comment-message"><P>While we were distracted with the pool story:<A HREF="http://www.detnews.com/article/20090711/SCHOOLS/907110354" rel="nofollow"><B>Detroit gives control of lagging schools to private sector</B></A></P><br><BLOCKQUOTE STYLE="font-weight: normal"><I>Detroit -- Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb announced Friday that <b>he has hired four educational management companies</b> to turn around 17 of the worst-performing high schools in the district, a move that marks what leaders say is the largest public school district overhaul of its kind in the nation.<BR><BR>&quot;We have not been making the grade,&quot; Bobb said at a press conference at Central High School.<BR><BR>School board members expressed shock and dismay Friday -- just one day after they rolled out their own academic plan that they\'ve asked Bobb to fund. <b>Some accused Bobb of overstepping his bounds</b> as a financial manager by launching an academic plan that will affect 20,000 students in three-quarters of the district\'s high schools without the board\'s knowledge. </I><br></BLOCKQUOTE><br><P>Earlier story: <A HREF="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&amp;sid=a8v0eSJuC4o4" rel="nofollow">Detroit Schools May Consider Bankruptcy to Resolve Deficit </A><br></P><br><BLOCKQUOTE>July 13 (Bloomberg) -- Detroit Public Schools may consider reorganizing under bankruptcy protection to cut costs after seven years of budget deficits, a district spokesman said. <br></BR><BR><br>Robert C. Bobb, who Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm  appointed in January as emergency financial manager for the 15th-largest U.S. school system, recommended bankruptcy as one option for addressing the deficit, said Steven Wasko, district spokesman. <br><BR><BR><br>Bobb proposed a $1.18 billion budget for fiscal 2010, which began July 1, that would result in the district generating $17.4 million more revenue than it spends. That doesn’t erase its $276.8 million deficit from fiscal 2009 and prior years, according to a <A HREF="http://www.detroit.k12.mi.us/admin/finance/manager/docs/2009.06.29_DPS_FY2010_Budget.pdf" rel="nofollow">budget report</A>. <br><BR><BR><br>“To cut spending to the levels needed to pay off this deficit would take 80 percent to 90 percent of our revenue,” Wasko said. “That’s not something parents would have any interest in accepting.” <br></BLOCKQUOTE><br><P>In majority minority school districts if the kids aren\'t being farmed out to the private sector they are being farmed out to the military.<BR><BR>  <A HREF="http://www.alternet.org/story/141034/the_military_invades_u.s._schools:_how_military_academies_are_being_used_to_destroy_public_education/?comments=view&amp;cID=1250409&amp;pID=1250396" rel="nofollow">The Military Invades U.S. Schools: How Military Academies Are Being Used to Destroy Public Education</A></P><br><BLOCKQUOTE>In Chicago, there\'s a push to replace public schools with military academies. This model may soon spread to the rest of the country.<BR><BR><br>For the past four years, I have observed the military occupation of the high school where I teach science. Currently, Chicago\'s Senn High School houses Rickover Naval Academy (RNA). I use the term &quot;occupation&quot; because part of our building was taken away despite student, parent, teacher and community opposition to RNA\'s opening.<BR><BR><br><I><B>Senn students are made to feel like second-class citizens inside their own school, due to inequalities.</B></I> The facilities and resources are better on the RNA side. RNA students are allowed to walk on the Senn side, while Senn students cannot walk on the RNA side. RNA &quot;disenrolls&quot; students and we accept those students who get kicked out if they live within our attendance boundaries. This practice is against Chicago policy, but goes unchecked. All of these things maintain a two-tiered system within the same school building.<BR><BR><br>This phenomenon is not restricted to Senn. Chicago has more military academies and more students in JROTC than any other city in the US. As the tentacles of school militarization reach beyond Chicago, the process used in this city seems to serve as a model of expansion. There was a Marine Academy planned for Georgia\'s Dekalb County, which includes 10 percent of Atlanta. Fortunately, due to protest, the school has been postponed until 2010. Despite it being postponed, it is still useful to analyze the rhetoric used to rationalize the Marine Academy. Many of the lies and excuses used to justify school militarization in Chicago and Georgia may well be used in other cities as militarism grows.</BLOCKQUOTE></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></BR></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12653766">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12653766" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12653766" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12653766" href="muttlikme.wordpress.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mutt Like Me</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12653766" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12653766" class="dsq-comment-message">Dr. Manning is at it again...calls Obama "Mack Daddy" and Michelle O "Ugly"<br><br><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TrXE7NbYpU" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TrXE7NbYpU</a></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12654105">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12654105" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12654105" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12654105" href="http://themidnightsolution.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">LTMidnight</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12654105" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12654105" class="dsq-comment-message">Someone has literally made a religion out of hating Obama.<br><br>Crabs in a bucket</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12656405">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12656405" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12656405" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12656405">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12656405" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12656405" class="dsq-comment-message">LTMidnight:  HEEEEY!   <br><br>Er. . . um. . .  Just providin\' the VISUAL -<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2181EgrxELg/SP3UyyUkKnI/AAAAAAAAAGs/tTE3LPwYzcE/s320/crabs+in+a+bucket" rel="nofollow">Crabs in a bucket!</a><br><br>THEY JUS\' AIN\'T RIGHT!!!   :&gt;)     <b>THEY KNOW!!!</b>  :&gt;)</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-12654130">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12654130" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12654130" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12654130">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12654130" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12654130" class="dsq-comment-message">He\'s such a maggot.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12654297">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12654297" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12654297" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12654297" href="muttlikme.wordpress.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mutt Like Me</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12654297" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12654297" class="dsq-comment-message">Seriously, I think Michelle turns Manning on. Why else would he go into such detail about her body parts and her clothes?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12654571">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12654571" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12654571" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12654571">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12654571" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12654571" class="dsq-comment-message">Oh I agree totally.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12655589">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12655589" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12655589" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12655589" href="http://leftistmoon.wordpress.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">WordSmith</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12655589" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12655589" class="dsq-comment-message">Talk \'bout "UUgly as sin"  - Jezzus!  for being so edumacated, the man doesn\'t know protocol when meeting the Pope or too much else.<br><br>Now granted I wasn\'t aware it was \'canon law\' to specifically wear a black veil.   Besides the fact that Catholic canon law doesn\'t apply to noncatholics. I ran across a woman describing as Christian who is NASTY! And an Obama hater.  She won\'t even post my comments or questions.  ...... Noooo, I didn\'t say fuck.<br><br>Go check this shit out:  <a href="http://mommylife.net/archives/2009/07/michelle_obama_5.html" rel="nofollow">http://mommylife.net/archives/2009/07/michelle_...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12661827">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12661827" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12661827" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12661827">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12661827" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12661827" class="dsq-comment-message">I had to post a reply.  Just had to. thanks for the link</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12665099">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12665099" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12665099" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12665099" href="http://leftistmoon.wordpress.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">WordSmith</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12665099" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12665099" class="dsq-comment-message">I read thru her blog a bit.  But in my response I only asked if the same questions were raised in relation to those in Bush administration. Would they have been raised if the McCain/Palin had managed to pull if off?  Were they asked of Cindy McCain? <br><br>Although I did comment about her view of \'being Christian\' in my estimation was warped or something akin. <br><br>I have degrees in Biology and Religious Studies, but I have no doubt that people like this blogger have no real clue about how to really be a Christian.<br><br>I mean, I don\'t even make the attempt; too hard for me.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12655935">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12655935" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12655935" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12655935">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12655935" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12655935" class="dsq-comment-message">HopeOverFear:   WHAT!  A!   MEGA-HATA!!<br><br>BUT. . . what else can we expect??  SAD!!!<br><br><b>Saaaaaaaa-LAP!!</b>   ***Whew!  That felt good!****    :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12667309">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12667309" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12667309" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12667309">danadevin74</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12667309" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12667309" class="dsq-comment-message">he really needs to sit his con-artist azz down<br>i can\'t believe people fall for his jive</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12654042">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12654042" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12654042" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12654042">MsKitty</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12654042" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12654042" class="dsq-comment-message">An interesting development in the NJ governor\'s race ...<br><br><a href="http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/report_says_gov_jon_corzine_is.html" rel="nofollow">Report: Gov. Corzine to pick \'Apprentice\' Winner Randal Pinkett for lieutenant governor run</a><br><br>I haven\'t really followed Pinkett since he was TV so I\'ll reserve judgment.  Having said that, some polls have Corzine is lagging behind Chris Christie by double digits so getting out the minority vote is going to be crucial.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12655856">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12655856" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12655856" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12655856">Angelar</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12655856" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12655856" class="dsq-comment-message">this is funny, excerpt from politicususa.com......hooo boy....and today was only the first of her "op eds."    Lord help us.<br><br><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WykvUyUuLo" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WykvUyUuLo</a><br><br>Palin was for cap and trade when she ran for v.p.<br><br>"Ifill: We do need to keep within our two minutes. But I just wanted to ask you, do you support capping carbon emissions?<br><br>Palin: I do. I do.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12657277">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12657277" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12657277" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12657277">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12657277" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12657277" class="dsq-comment-message">Angelar:  HEEEEY!   :&gt;)    :&gt;)<br><br>The "Soon-2-B- EX-GOV."  just KEEPS exposin\' her STOOPIDITY!!   :&gt;)   :&gt;)<br><br>LAWD HA\'MERCY!!  :&gt;)      :&gt;)  ***shakin\' my head***  ***doublin\' ova***  :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12657550">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12657550" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12657550" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12657550">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12657550" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12657550" class="dsq-comment-message">How are you GLH?!?!? We been missing you round these parts!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12657751">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12657751" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12657751" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12657751">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12657751" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12657751" class="dsq-comment-message">Miranda:  HEEEY!  :&gt;)  ME 2!!  :&gt;)  <br><br><a href="http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif" rel="nofollow">THANKS 4 YOUR KIND THOUGHTS! :&gt;)</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12658441">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12658441" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12658441" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12658441">Angelar</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12658441" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12658441" class="dsq-comment-message">Hi there, nice to see you posting!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12663375">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12663375" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12663375" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12663375">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12663375" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12663375" class="dsq-comment-message">Angelar:  <a href="http://www.commentnation.com/comments/thanks_red_glitter_heart.gif" rel="nofollow">THANK U VERY MUCH!!  LUV YA!!</a>  :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12657666">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12657666" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12657666" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-12657666" href="http://twitter.com/thefriendraiser" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">jenifer daniels</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12657666" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12657666" class="dsq-comment-message">NAACP to use latest technology to fight racism<br><br>By DEEPTI HAJELA<br>The Associated Press <br>Monday, July 13, 2009; 11:23 AM<br>NEW YORK -- The NAACP may be 100 years old, but it\'s using the latest technology to fight racism.<br><br>The NAACP will officially launch the program to monitor incidents of police misconduct at its annual convention in New York City. Members are gathering there to mark NAACP\'s centennial; The civil rights group was founded in New York City in 1909.<br><br>The "rapid response system" would allow people to send texts, e-mails or video reports of police abuse to the association via cell phone.<br><br>read the rest here<br><br><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/13/AR2009071301415.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12657699">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12657699" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12657699" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12657699">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12657699" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12657699" class="dsq-comment-message">rikyrah:  Apologies IFF this is a duplicate:<br><br><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/13/michelle-obamas-outfits-a_n_229716.html" rel="nofollow">Michelle Obama\'s Outfits Abroad - -SLIDESHOW</a><br><br><i>The Obamas\' trip abroad has ended and with it, a week-long glimpse of the First Lady\'s wardrobe. Michelle packed some patterned summer dresses, kitten heels and flats, a bunch of yellow garments and of course, brooches and belts. Which of the first lady\'s 14 ensembles is the most fabulous? And which are flops?</i><br><br>THERE ARE PLACES 2 VOTE.  ENJOY!!  :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12657949">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12657949" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12657949" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12657949">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12657949" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12657949" class="dsq-comment-message">rikyrah:  Here\'s another article on the FIRST LADY!!  :&gt;)<br><br><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/14/whats-michelles-signature_n_231473.html" rel="nofollow">What\'s Michelle\'s Signature Scent?</a><br><br><i><br><br>Fashion Week Daily:<br><br>We anticipate, dissect and debate everything she wears, from her white Jason Wu inagural gown to her Lanvin sneakers and that Alaia belt. But what of First Lady Michelle Obama\'s scent? According to July\'s Washingtonian, MObama\'s preferred fragrance is Creed\'s Love in White...which has its fair share of presidential history.<br><br>Read the whole story: Fashion Week Daily</i><br><br>Is this pic <b>GOR-GE-OUS!!?</b>  :&gt;)<br><br><b>YES!  IT!/SHE!  IS!  :&gt;)<br><br>U go FIRST LADY!!!   :&gt;)</b></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12665369">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12665369" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12665369" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12665369">spirit_55z</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12665369" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12665369" class="dsq-comment-message">Coming UP:  Presdient Obama throws the first pitch of the MLB All-Star game!<br>Fox channel</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12665681">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12665681" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12665681" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12665681">Lisa M</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12665681" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12665681" class="dsq-comment-message">He done good!! Whew!!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12666110">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12666110" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12666110" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12666110">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12666110" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12666110" class="dsq-comment-message">EVENING OPEN THREAD IS UP!!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-12720727">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-12720727" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-12720727" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-12720727">Angelar</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-12720727" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-12720727" class="dsq-comment-message">you called conserv on point too..</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-15006089">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-15006089" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-15006089" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-15006089">american</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-15006089" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-15006089" class="dsq-comment-message">There were two passages in Obama\'s speech in Ankara, which I suppose is his much-touted address to the Muslim world, that struck me...Barack Obama was just sworn in as President of the US and though he stumbled in repeating his oath, the speech that followed was delivered...<br><a href="http://www.universityframes.com" rel="follow" rel="nofollow">university diploma</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 </ul>\
';

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	try {
		disqus_callback(callback_params);
	} catch (x) {
		if (typeof(console) != 'undefined' && typeof(console.log) == 'function') {
			// But it would be nice to let developers know about them
			console.log(x);
		}
		// pass
	}

	// HACK: We don't know if the callback wraps our container, which may
	// possibly result in a new DOM element.
	Dsq.container = document.getElementById('dsq-content');
}

})();




