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null, "points": 366, "facebook": "", "avatar": "http://media.disqus.com/uploads/users/8/3435/avatar32.jpg", "delicious": "", "is_remote": false, "verified": true, "flickr": "", "twitter": "", "remote_domain_name": ""}}, "forum": {"use_media": true, "name": "Jack and Jill Politics", "streaming_realtime": false, "url": "jackandjillpolitics", "allow_anon_post": false, "reactions_enabled": true, "reply_position": 1, "show_avatar": true, "allow_anon_votes": false, "disqus_auth_disabled": false}, "realtime_enabled": false, "request": {"username": "", "is_global_moderator": false, "sharing": {}, "sort": 4, "forum": "jackandjillpolitics", "is_initial_load": true, "is_authenticated": false, "timestamp": "2009-12-09_17:53:40", "remote_domain": "", "page": 1, "is_moderator": false, "display_username": "", "points": null, "subscribe_on_post": 2, "moderator_can_edit": false, "is_remote": false, "is_verified": false, "missing_perm": "login"}, "realtime_paused": false, "posts": {"2843137": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Cribbing part of this for my signature in another forum.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_15:02:28", "killed": false, "user_key": "Nate_Wesley", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839775, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2838020": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "The dumbing down of the GOP<br>Why aren't more conservatives disgusted that their party nominated a person devoid of qualifications for the vice presidency (again)? <br><a href=\"http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2008/10/04/dumb/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2008/10/04...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_08:22:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "djchefron", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2839557": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Posted his interview with Brian Williams below.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_11:10:18", "killed": false, "user_key": "Texas_Girl_in_LA", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839365, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839990": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Thank you.<br>Thank you.<br>Thank you.<br><br>When I write that women all know  a woman like Sarah Palin, I mean that. They know them, and can't stand them. <br><br>Go back to the videos and accounts of her at The U.N. with those leaders. Look how absolutely, positively, inappropriate she was with them. She was whoring herself that day too. <br><br>The winks just stunned me. This unqualified piece of trash wants to be considered as a VP candidate, and she just fucking winked?<br><br>WINKED?<br><br>Like I've written before, this is about White Mediocrity and White Privilege. This woman is a joke. She's a fucking joke. She doesn't have the mental capacity to remotely even hang at this level, and the relentless pimping and propping up of this woman has done a disservice to professional women everywhere. <br><br>Hillary Clinton would never have embarrassed this country.<br><br>This woman is a walking joke.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_12:14:11", "killed": false, "user_key": "rikyrah", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": true, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 8, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839710, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839639": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Val:  Major co-sign!!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_11:22:59", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2837869, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839566": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Where are Barack's fundraising numbers for September?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_11:12:09", "killed": false, "user_key": "JJai", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2840081": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "The b-side is just as disgusting. If she's 'tutin then we have tricks for world leaders.  History shows that as nothing new, men who live tricky lives financed by us and men who fall when their desires go ill-mmanaged.  Tricks and his - and you thought they were tombowt us Willis?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_12:27:36", "killed": false, "user_key": "hustleandfloe", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839990, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2873362": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Frank Rich has written THE best columns on this election I've read.<br><br>He deserves the Pulitzer Prize.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_22:49:37", "killed": false, "user_key": "CraigHickman", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2872055, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2876066": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Here is another great post on the Biden choice as VP.<br><br><b>Biden vs Palin: You betcha! (or What I want in a Vice President)</b><br><a href=\"http://angryafrican.net/2008/10/03/biden-vs-palin-you-betcha-or-what-i-want-in-a-vice-president/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://angryafrican.net/2008/10/03/biden-vs-pal...</a>", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-05_00:05:03", "killed": false, "user_key": "Suprk", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2869084, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2836505": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "rikyrah:  YEP!!   :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_02:41:38", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836477, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2869084": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Very nice article, thanks for sharing.  One thing that has made me so comfortable with Obama's pick of Biden is the respect, deference and admiration Biden so obviously has for Obama.  I also like how comfortable and natural their families appear together.<br><br>I think the two of them will work well together in the White House.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_19:09:18", "killed": false, "user_key": "60266805bc0d9559a62514e1e769b750", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868733, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2836655": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "caligirl:  Permit me ta introduce you to \"Ms. Tech.-Challenged!\"   Please ta meetcha  [extending MY hand!]<br><br>What I did - 1 time:  Deleted the original comment using \"EDIT\"<br>Then:  Re-post in a \"new comment box!\"<br><br>Girlll!  I'm gettin \"jiggy\" wit' it!   :&gt;)<br><br>Otherwise- I don't know!  :&gt;)<br><br><br>OH!  But IFF someone REPLIES, the EDIT won't take!<br><br>Then  - I don't know  -  AGAIN!  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_03:18:28", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836605, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2841632": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "that image . . . the expression on that young girl's face. i have chills. what a beautiful, hopeful thing.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_13:38:47", "killed": false, "user_key": "bigassbelle", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2836513": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "rikyrah:  Fightin' The Smear!!  NO swift Boating THIS time around!!  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_02:44:44", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836441, "depth": 2, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2868258": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Joe and Jill Biden need your prayers.<br><br><br>From DailyKos:<br><br><i>Biden Schedule Cancelled: Family Illness (updated) <br>by dawnt [Subscribe] <br>Sat Oct 04, 2008 at 12:33:01 PM PDT<br>Biden's spokesperson, David Wade:<br><br>The campaign has cancelled Sen. Biden's schedule today and tomorrow because of a serious illness in Jill Biden's family. Hospice has advised the Bidens to remain close by, and we appreciate everyone's respect for the family's privacy. <br><br><br>CNN is reporting that his mother in law (Jill Biden's mother) is battling a serious illness and is in a hospice in Pennsylvania:<br><br>Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden is cancelling his campaign events for Saturday and Sunday as his mother-in-law battles a serious illness.<br></i>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_17:10:07", "killed": false, "user_key": "rikyrah", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": true, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2838564": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I really wonder what these folk who consider Palin qualified for the VP/President position think about the people who are MORE qualified than her?  What should THEY be doing with themselves if not helping to rise us out of the shambles we are in now.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:01:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "nickwah22", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2837741, "depth": 2, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2869289": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/4/191315/744/140/620248\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/4/191315/...</a><br><br>John McCain's brother: \"Arlington VA is Communist Country.\"<br><br><br>Way to go, jackass.  Just insult Northern Va. which is pretty much CRUCIAL if your brother expects to win.  And BTW, ya might wanna ask your brother McFail why he and Cindy own a condo in Arlington VA aka Communist Country.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_19:39:50", "killed": false, "user_key": "Town", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2836445": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "thank you, craig. I'll look at it some more later, and probably put it up as a main piece this weekend.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_02:23:31", "killed": false, "user_key": "rikyrah", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": true, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836293, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2840107": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Kitchen Sink 2.0<br><br>===<br>McCain Plans Fiercer Strategy Against Obama<br><a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/03/AR2008100303738.html?hpid%253Dtopnews&sub=AR\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...</a><br><br>Sen. John McCain and his Republican allies are readying a newly aggressive assault on Sen. Barack Obama's character, believing that to win in November they must shift the conversation back to questions about the Democrat's judgment, honesty and personal associations, several top Republicans said.<br><br>With just a month to go until Election Day, McCain's team has decided that its emphasis on the senator's biography as a war hero, experienced lawmaker and straight-talking maverick is insufficient to close a growing gap with Obama. <br><br>The Arizonan's campaign is also eager to move the conversation away from the economy, an issue that strongly favors Obama and has helped him to a lead in many recent polls.<br><br>\"We're going to get a little tougher,\" a senior Republican operative said, indicating that a fresh batch of television ads is coming. \"We've got to question this guy's associations. Very soon. There's no question that we have to change the subject here,\" said the operative, who was not authorized to discuss strategy and spoke on the condition of anonymity.<br>===<br><br>Comment: Think about this, folks. McCain has been running, by any objective viewpoint, the most negative campaign in American history.<br><br>BUT NOW IT WILL GET EVEN MORE \"FIERCE.\"<br><br>The McCain campaign is not going to run any positive ads going forward. IT WILL BE NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING, 24-7-365.<br><br>My response? I'm calling the Obama campaign to make another contribution. So maybe I don't go out to eat a couple of times his month. Four years of McCain would be a greater inconvenience.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_12:29:44", "killed": false, "user_key": "EarthTone", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2869292": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "McFail's campaign headquarters is also based in Arlington VA aka Communist Country.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_19:40:26", "killed": false, "user_key": "Town", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2869289, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2868269": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "BINGO Town.  <br><br>That is what I am saying.  That is what got my spider sense tingling.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_17:12:04", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2840198, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2836541": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Beautiful picture! Thank you!!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_02:50:54", "killed": false, "user_key": "665f6b6f44761391ac32394ef8c11f3d", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2836543": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "listen<br>be still and\u2026shhhhhhhhhhhhh<br>witness the joy of a child<br><br>whose future, past, present<br>all\u2026at this moment\u2026<br>colliding.<br><br>whose smile (having traversed centuries) <br>sings \u2026 in tongues vaguely familiar :<br>\u201cdestiny!\u201d", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_02:51:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "99bcec632769e483ead5faa515e84132", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 7, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836309, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839616": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "dj:  Maybe I have neva said this B4, 'because of their <b>WHITE GENE</b> <b>  = privilege</b>!<br><br>They have been so privileged so long that they cain't get/understand why ALL the world doesn't see the world as they do!  Think about it.  They/some people have been \"isolated and insulated\" from the \"real world\" because they have been in control of so much and for so long by wealth and/or by that <b>WHITE GENE</b>.  It's like they have been in a comfortable \"sleep-state!\"<br><br>This economic situation represents one example of the \"AWAKENING\".  Remember that feeling that occurs when someone throws \"cold water\" on your face in an attempt to \"wake you up?!\"  This situation is like that!! IMHO  It's like  - <br> <br>\"WHAT?  WHAT HAPPENED?  WHAT'S GOING ON?  \"WHYCOME\" YOU WAKIN\" ME UP FROM THAT 'GOOD DREAM' THAT I'M HAVING?  GO AWAY!  LET ME SLEEP!!\"<br><br>Well, ALL this is REAL!!<br>1.  A Black man WILL be your NEXT PRESIDENT!!<br><br>2.  While he is in office for the NEXT 8 years, you can go into THERAPY!  Maybe, then, you can the JOIN us in the REAL WORLD of <b>DIVERSITY!</b><br><br>3.  \"McAncient\" and \"The Gov.\" were NEVER QUALIFIED to even step!  Annnnd, this may entice you to \"CHECK YOURSELF\" relative to the positions that YOU RECEIVE due to LEGACY and your <b>WHITE GENE</b>.<br><br>4.  Annnnnd, during the NEXT 8 years - go to college or a trade school and LEARN some skills like all of us have had to do in order to even think that we had a \"chance\" in this world.<br>  Compare:  <b>HARVARD GRAD vs 894/899 and 5 colleges in 6 years</b><br><br>5.  Finally,  <b>WAKE UP!!</b>  It's a BRAND NEW DAY!!<br><br><br>No videos!  :&gt;)<br><br>Whew!  I'm happy Deep Breaths!!!  :&gt;)<br><br><br><b>OBAMA-BIDEN  '08!!!</b>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_11:19:57", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2838020, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2869826": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Tim Wise also wrote a good article on it entitled, \"Race as Reflex In A Time of Crisis\"", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_21:09:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "Rhondacoca", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2867808, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2867779": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Yep.    And the GOP is trying to turn every woman into a whore by suggesting she's representative of women.<br><br>If they were interested in elevating the cause of women, they'd have picked the ABSOLUTE best woman!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_16:08:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sombody_took_my_username", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839710, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2841669": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "thanks for posting this observation. I've recently relocated to another state and wonder how receptive the women in Southern California would be with Palin using that <br>folksy attitud she gave in the debate .", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_13:43:20", "killed": false, "user_key": "c610b5484ddd4b2f207f06f55ac3bae4", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836395, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2871878": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "LOL, sorry for the double-post greenlady.  i don't function well past midnight!   thanks for the info.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_21:28:45", "killed": false, "user_key": "99bcec632769e483ead5faa515e84132", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836655, "depth": 5, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2872903": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "me too.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_21:38:34", "killed": false, "user_key": "99bcec632769e483ead5faa515e84132", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2869378, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2876528": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "But, what is even more startling and sad is that critics of Martin Luther King, Jr. smeared him by claiming he had Communist ties, it's deja vu.......It just goes to show you that many people are terrified of the inspiration and movement Obama has stirred in this country, much like King did in the 1960's....  Sometimes the more things change the more they stay the same.<br><br>McCain's brother is a dumbass ...and if I am not mistaken, McCain spent his teen years in NoVA and graduated from high school there.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-05_01:18:13", "killed": false, "user_key": "Monie", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2869289, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2836555": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "oops, greenlady...  i meant to make this a separate comment.  don't know how to delete and start over!!   <br><br>this picture hit me hard too!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_02:54:28", "killed": false, "user_key": "99bcec632769e483ead5faa515e84132", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836309, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2842700": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "This is from July but I just discovered it and it lit my heart. It is the AFL -CIO speech on why not voting for Obama because he is black just doesn't cut it. <br><br><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QIGJTHdH50\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QIGJTHdH50</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_14:44:22", "killed": false, "user_key": "Lilytiger", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2867789": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "For those who haven't seen this. The  UK ambassadors brief to his PM on Barack Obama:<br><br><a href=\"http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/toby_harnden/blog/2008/10/02/revealed_uk_ambassadors_verdict_on_barack_obama_\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/toby_harnden/blog/...</a><br><br>An intersting peek inside what international players really think of him. My favorite:<br><br>\"Obama is cool. He looks cool, tall, slim. He is temperamentally cool (by any standards, not just in comparison with the more impetuous McCain). And maybe aloof, insensitive \u2013 see above. Friends like Tom Daschle told me that he demands calm and \u201cno dramas\u201d from those around him.\"", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_16:09:26", "killed": false, "user_key": "94dec464ba2020919c31e0f36a8cc034", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2868305": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "yeah,  i saw that. in my prayers.<br><br>T.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_17:16:56", "killed": false, "user_key": "d6755b31010b50fc47eac9ee8b3bb319", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868258, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2836563": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "caligirl:  I almost had myself together.  \"Whycome\" you had to do THIS?  <br><br>Tissue please!!    ;&gt;)<br><br>This is very nice!!  Thanks for sharing!  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_02:56:09", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 4, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836543, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2868311": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "rikyrah, when and where was this pic taken? it's lovely.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_17:17:40", "killed": false, "user_key": "a1a6fe07d6a55171eab9c48ea6c85fe5", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2868827": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "\"I'm sorry, ManofSteel, but OJ knew white folks were gunning for him since he got acquitted back in 1995.\"<br><br>Exactly. He fell right into the trap. From his insensitive jokes about the 1994 murders, his book \"If I Did It\" and then this...he just did not get it. He brought this on himself. I have no forgiveness and I find it hard to have sympathy for him. I do feel slightly bad for him I guess. He is 61, the minimum sentence for him will be life regardless. He will probably die in jail and to top it off, their will be no blondes (unless they are guys) there for his choosing. Thats tough but as I said, he brought this on himself. <br><br>They gave him an all white jury (which I would argue is indeed a jury of his peers) They made sure he was not going anywhere this time. He is a stupid man.<br><br>I bet he no longer thinks he is a white man. <br><br>As my grandmother used to say, \"a hard head makes a soft behind\"", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_18:30:20", "killed": false, "user_key": "Rhondacoca", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2838291, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2838108": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Daily Show skit on candidate's blackness<br><br><a href=\"http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=186777\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_08:42:55", "killed": false, "user_key": "nickwah22", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2842719": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvXDrOQBsrA\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvXDrOQBsrA</a><br><br>Check out this video animation Sarah Palin singing \"Popular\" from \"Wicked.\" Excellent use/rewrite of a song and show which to begin with was a critique of right wing government.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_14:45:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "313c8f108b43104806fa6f1472af3f83", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2867808": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "11 Racist Lies Conservatives Tell to Avoid Blaming Wall Street for the Financial Crisis<br>By Sara Robinson, Campaign for America's Future<br>Posted on October 2, 2008, Printed on October 4, 2008<br><a href=\"http://www.alternet.org/story/101127/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.alternet.org/story/101127/</a><br>Conservative pundits and politicians have piled onto the excuse like shipwreck victims clinging to a passing log: The real blame for the current economic crisis, conservatives would have you believe, lies not with anything they did, but rather with the 1977 Community Reinvestment Act -- a successful Carter-era program designed to get banks to stop covert discrimination, and encourage them to invest their money in low-income neighborhoods.<br><br>It's always easy to tell when the cons are completely lost at sea. The lies get more absurdly preposterous -- and also more transparently self-serving. But when they go so far as to openly and unapologetically latch onto race and class as an excuse for their woes (which this is, at its heart), you know they're taking on water fast -- and scared of going under entirely.<br><br>You can hear the conservative commentators burbling this CRA fable from the Wall Street Journal to the National Review; from Rush to YouTube. Neil Cavuto put the essence of the argument right out there on Fox News: \"Loaning to minorities and risky folks is a disaster.\" See! It's all the liberals' fault for insisting on social justice!<br><br>Conservatives are twisting the facts beyond the breaking point to support their revisionist history. But don't be fooled: the financial crisis was caused by conservative financial follies and bankers run amok and nothing more. Here are the basic myths they're trying to push about the CRA -- and the facts that will enable you to fire back.<br><br>1. The CRA was a liberal boondoggle designed to con banks into funding housing for undeserving, unqualified minorities.<br><br>False. The Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 was the result of decades of disinvestment in poor and working-class neighborhoods. It was designed to put an end to \"red-lining\" -- a widespread practice in which banks refused to write mortgages for houses in certain neighborhoods, no matter who was applying or how creditworthy they were.<br><br><br>The Fair Housing Act of 1968 had made it illegal for real estate agents and banks to discriminate against homeowners on the basis of race. Red-lining soon emerged as a not-so-subtle way to continue this discrimination, by declaring, ahem, certain neighborhoods as unfit to invest in. By 1977, the results of this practice were becoming all too obvious, so Congress stepped and gave lenders a choice: if you want the FDIC to insure your deposits, you need to knock off the redlining.<br><br>The CRA didn't force lenders to make riskier loans than they would have otherwise. It simply required that they take each applicant on his or her own merits, and give people in poorer neighborhoods the same fair chance at a mortgage that everybody else in town was getting. It wasn't about preferential treatment. It was just about basic equality.<br><br>2. The CRA forced banks to lower their standards and make loans to all low-income families and people with poor credit -- and find banks that refused to comply.<br><br>No. The CRA has encouraged banks to lend fairly and responsibly for over 30 years. It does not impose fines. It does periodically examine FDIC-backed banks, and issues them a CRA compliance rating. A highly-rated bank must meet the financing needs of as many community members as possible, and must not discriminate against racial and ethnic groups or certain neighborhoods. However, a bank will not receive a high rating unless it is also maintains \"safe and sound banking practices.\"<br><br>In other words, the CRA requires banks to lend to working-class families and people of color -- but only when those people have been deemed as creditworthy as anyone else.<br><br>3. The housing bubble burst when too many people with home loans mandated by the Community Reinvestment Act failed to make their mortgage payments. <br><br>False. The CRA only applies to FDIC member banks and thrifts. Back in the 1970s, these institutions were responsible for most of the country's mortgage lending. But starting in the 80s and on up to the present, we saw a huge boom in lending businesses-- such as finance companies like Countrywide -- that weren't banks, and didn't take deposits that required FDIC insurance. Thus, they didn't have any obligation to the CRA. And they were free to set their own lending standards, which were often far less cautious than those required of FDIC-insured banks.<br><br><br>4. The bulk of the \"junk\" loans that have been packaged into mortgage-based securities are CRA loans.<br><br>False. An analysis of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data in the country's 15 biggest metropolitan areas found that 84.3% of the high-cost loans made in 2006 were originated by non-CRA lenders -- including 83% of high-cost loans to low- and moderate-income individuals. The Federal Reserve notes that, across the country, non-CRA lenders were twice as likely as CRA lenders to issue subprime loans to vulnerable borrowers. Furthermore, the Fed also reports that responsible mortgages made by CRA lenders have about the same low rate of foreclosure as other traditional mortgages.<br><br>5. If the government had just set the lenders free to do their thing, the market would have prevented this. It's just another example of how government oversight always leads to market failure.<br><br>Wrong again, buckaroo. As explained just above, up to four-fifths of these loans were issued by financial institutions that operated with little or no federal regulatory oversight. In fact, in 2006, only one of the top 25 subprime lenders was a CRA institution. A few others were mortgage/finance company affiliates of CRA-covered lenders; but even these were separate businesses that didn't operate under CRA rules (including Countrywide, CitiMortgage, and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage). Likewise: the vast majority of the top 20 issuers of risky interest-only and option ARM loans were not CRA-affiliated lenders.<br><br>If anything, the CRA example proves -- once again -- that government oversight not only works; it's essential to maintain safe and sane capital markets.<br><br>6. The CRA is just another failed liberal handout program.<br><br><br>No. The benefits of CRA have been substantial. Robert Rubin recently estimated that the law has channeled upwards of $1 trillion into distressed neighborhoods across the country -- including both inner cities and rural areas without much access to investment funds -- without putting up any taxpayer money beyond what it takes to operate the CRA itself. In these areas, home ownership is up -- and with it, the local tax base, which means more parks, more cops, more street repairs, and so on. There's more decent rental housing, too, because landlords can get loans for upgrades and improvements.<br><br>Small business ownership is also up. Low-income communities have become more attractive to outside investors, and more able to support community redevelopment efforts. And in places where people once cashed their paychecks at the convenience store and depended on payday loans, there are now full-service bank branches offering the same affordable financial services people in better neighborhoods take for granted.<br><br>The cons like to talk about the \"ownership society.\" There is no ownership without access to capital. For 30 years, the CRA has been making private capital available to qualified people who want to bootstrap themselves into home and business ownership, and a secure place in the middle class.<br><br>7. OK -- if it works so well, why do we still need it? Haven't the banks finally figured by now out that redlining was a stupid idea?<br><br>If only. The very fact that the conservatives are trying to blame the mess on the CRA is, in itself, ample proof that we still need anti-redlining laws on the books. Fifty years into the civil rights era, and they're still arguing that it should be acceptable to permanently exclude people from the capital markets on the basis of race and class. Different millennium, same ugly story: \"See? This is what happens when you give money to minorities and poor people. You end up wrecking the country!\"<br><br>In other words: no, they haven't learned their lesson; and yes, they still believe in red-lining as much as they ever did. Racism is alive and well, and there are still plenty of Americans who would bring back housing discrimination in a heartbeat if the law allowed them to. Which is precisely why we can't allow them to.<br><br><br>8. If we can't blame the CRA, then who can we blame? How about the federal banking agencies, which outright told banks to go ahead and adopt risky lending practices? In particular, a 1992 Boston Federal Reserve Bank publication, Closing the Credit Gap: A Guide to Equal Opportunity Lending, told the banks that it was OK to adopt unsound lending practices.<br><br>Nice try, but still wrong. According to the National Community Reinvestment Association, the document cited above offered three new guidelines to lenders -- none of which are applicable to the current subprime crisis.<br><br>The first guideline was that the lack of proper credit history shouldn't be counted as a negative factor for potential homebuyers. Banks could use other evidence to assess the borrower's payment habits, including the timely payment of rent, utility bills, and other scheduled loans. Borrows still need to prove that they're reliable; they're just allowed to use documentation besides a credit report.<br><br>The second was to remind bankers that some households with debt ratios above the standard 28/36 criteria might still qualify for home loans. This guideline is very conservative by today's standards. Many problematic subprime loans were granted to borrowers with debt-to-income ratios above 50 percent, which was in no way sanctioned by the 1992 guidance document.<br><br>The third was that lenders could count Social Security, second jobs, and other verifiable income streams as valid sources of income when evaluating loan applications. But most subprime loans failures aren't related to alternative income sources. The real problem has been with \"liars' loans,\" in which the reported income streams are never verified at all.<br><br>9. Well, then...it must be Bill Clinton's fault, right? In 1995, Clinton changed the Community Reinvestment Act to allow the securitization of CRA and subprime mortgages. That's what started all this.<br><br><br>Talking point regurgitation at its worst. The 1995 revisions to the CRA only changed the way in which a bank's CRA compliance is evaluated. They made no mention of mortgage securitization at all. Under the 1995 rules, banks are rewarded only for making mortgages in their communities, not for re-selling mortgages as securities.<br><br>10. OK, then -- it's the Democratic Congress's fault! President Bush and Senator McCain tried to stop the subprime mortgage crisis, but Democrats blocked their efforts.<br><br>It's not lying. It's a gift for fiction. This one's actually made it into a TV ad. The claim is that Bush and McCain supported the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005, which would have created a new government agency to oversee Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and other federal housing programs.<br><br>However, there's no pony in this manure pile. This bill would have done nothing to stop the rash of subprime lending that preceded the housing bubble. It only provided oversight for Fannie and Freddie -- but it said nothing at all about the companies that issued subprime mortgages.<br><br>11. No serious conservative economist would have ever approved of the CRA.<br><br>False. In March 2007, Federal Board Chairman Bernanke -- no liberal he -- noted that CRA has helped institutions discover and enter new markets that may have been previously under-served and ignored by insured depositories.<br><br><br>These myths are floating around everywhere this week -- a Big Lie that's being repeated so often that Americans may well start to believe it. The real objective of the \"blame the CRA\" campaign is to pre-emptively discredit any future progressive proposals that involve using government regulation to make the capital markets behave -- and to get the free-market fundamentalist faithful back in the fold.<br><br>Time to fire back, and replace the Big Lie with some real truth. <br><br>Sara Robinson is a twenty-year veteran of Silicon Valley, and is launching a second career as a strategic foresight analyst. When she's not studying change theories and reactionary movements, you can find her singing the alto part over at Orcinus. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and two teenagers. <br><br>\u00a9 2008 Campaign for America's Future All rights reserved.<br>View this story online at: <a href=\"http://www.alternet.org/story/101127/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.alternet.org/story/101127/</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_16:10:40", "killed": false, "user_key": "4d9312cd58c7caeb087835daea9d59b6", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2869346": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Good. Now do it again on the stage in Nashville or wherever on Tuesday. In front of McBush.<br><br>T.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_19:47:55", "killed": false, "user_key": "d6755b31010b50fc47eac9ee8b3bb319", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868940, "depth": 2, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2840165": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "This is why she is a whore and the only value she has to the rethugs is to bat those pretty little eyes towards the ignorant populace<br>Revealing Admission: Palin Not Consulted On Michigan Pull Out Decision <br>by kloris <br>Sat Oct 04, 2008 at 09:07:44 AM PDT<br>Not surprisingly, the unthinking press is focusing on the offer she made during the below interview with Fox News to go back into Michigan to campaign.  I think the more important news in the clip, however, is that Palin says she learned of the decision in the newspapers the morning after it was announced.  <br><br>This pull out decision was not a low-level tactical decision (like Biden not knowing about a particular ad his campaign was running): Michigan was the key state they had to win according to McCain himself and I'm sure it was topic A within the campaign for days. Yet they never felt the need to get Palin's opinion nor did they seek her guidance.  She was not even informed on the day of the announcement: neither as a simple courtesy nor to prepare in case it came up in that night's debate.  <br><br>This raises two questions that the press needs to pursue further:<br><br>How much of a role does she actually play in her campaign?  Is she a full participant or just a pretty face? Americans need to know before they vote.<br>What newspaper did she read the news in?  Katie Couric wants to know.<br><a href=\"http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/4/115049/869/454/619918\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/4/115...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_12:36:11", "killed": false, "user_key": "djchefron", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839710, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2872936": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "it means the uk better start getting ready for its first black pm in the near future...", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_21:42:40", "killed": false, "user_key": "99bcec632769e483ead5faa515e84132", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2869605, "depth": 2, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2836586": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "caligirl:  Neither do I!  He!   He!  He!  LAWD HE'P!!  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_03:03:50", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836555, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2867782": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "<a href=\"http://obama.senate.gov/letter/060206-sen_obama_and_sen_mccain_exchange_letters_on_ethics_reform/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://obama.senate.gov/letter/060206-sen_obama...</a><br><br>Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain Exchange Letters on Ethics Reform<br>Monday, February 6, 2006<br> Printable FormatFebruary 2, 2006<br><br>The Honorable John McCain<br>United States Senate<br>241 Russell Senate Office Building<br>Washington, DC 20510<br><br>Dear John:<br><br>    Thank you for inviting me to participate in the meeting yesterday to discuss lobbying and ethics reform proposals currently before the Senate. I appreciate your willingness to reach out to me and several other Senate Democrats to discuss what should be done to restore public confidence in the way that Congress conducts its business. The discussion clearly underscored the difficult challenge facing Congress.<br><br>    You and many in the Democratic Caucus have played a major role in reform efforts in the Senate. In fact, the Indian Affairs Committee hearings you led were instrumental in promoting public awareness of the culture of corruption that has permeated the nation's capital.<br><br>    As you know, Senator Harry Reid and others in the Democratic Caucus have taken an important step by introducing S. 2180, the Honest Leadership Act, which imposes many of the same disclosure requirements for lobbyists that you have proposed, while also strengthening enforcement, eliminating \"pay to play\" schemes, and imposing more restrictive rules on meals, gifts, and travel that Members and their staff can receive from special interests that advocate before Congress. This bill, which now has the support of 40 members of the Democratic Caucus, represents a significant step in addressing many of the worst aspects of corruption that have come to light as a result of the Justice Department investigation of Jack Abramoff.<br><br>    I know you have expressed an interest in creating a task force to further study and discuss these matters, but I and others in the Democratic Caucus believe the more effective and timely course is to allow the committees of jurisdiction to roll up their sleeves and get to work on writing ethics and lobbying reform legislation that a majority of the Senate can support. Committee consideration of these matters through the normal course will ensure that these issues are discussed in a public forum and that those within Congress, as well as those on the outside, can express their views, ensuring a thorough review of this matter.<br><br>    Given the state of affairs in Washington, we have a historic opportunity to make fundamental changes in the way our government operates so that the actions we take as public officials are responsive and transparent to the American people. Thank you again for your interest in this important matter.<br><br>Sincerely,<br><br>Barack Obama<br>United States Senator<br><br><br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br><br>February 6, 2006<br><br>The Honorable Barack Obama<br>United States Senate<br>SH-713<br>Washington, DC 20510<br><br>Dear Senator Obama:<br><br>    I would like to apologize to you for assuming that your private assurances to me regarding your desire to cooperate in our efforts to negotiate bipartisan lobbying reform legislation were sincere. When you approached me and insisted that despite your leadership's preference to use the issue to gain a political advantage in the 2006 elections, you were personally committed to achieving a result that would reflect credit on the entire Senate and offer the country a better example of political leadership, I concluded your professed concern for the institution and the public interest was genuine and admirable. Thank you for disabusing me of such notions with your letter to me dated February 2, 2006, which explained your decision to withdraw from our bipartisan discussions. I'm embarrassed to admit that after all these years in politics I failed to interpret your previous assurances as typical rhetorical gloss routinely used in politics to make self-interested partisan posturing appear more noble. Again, sorry for the confusion, but please be assured I won't make the same mistake again.<br><br>    As you know, the Majority Leader has asked Chairman Collins to hold hearings and mark up a bill for floor consideration in early March. I fully support such timely action and I am confident that, together with Senator Lieberman, the Committee on Governmental Affairs will report out a meaningful, bipartisan bill. <br><br>    You commented in your letter about my \"interest in creating a task force to further study\" this issue, as if to suggest I support delaying the consideration of much-needed reforms rather than allowing the committees of jurisdiction to hold hearings on the matter. Nothing could be further from the truth. The timely findings of a bipartisan working group could be very helpful to the committee in formulating legislation that will be reported to the full Senate. Since you are new to the Senate, you may not be aware of the fact that I have always supported fully the regular committee and legislative process in the Senate, and routinely urge Committee Chairmen to hold hearings on important issues. In fact, I urged Senator Collins to schedule a hearing upon the Senate's return in January.<br><br>    Furthermore, I have consistently maintained that any lobbying reform proposal be bipartisan. The bill Senators Joe Lieberman and Bill Nelson and I have introduced is evidence of that commitment as is my insistence that members of both parties be included in meetings to develop the legislation that will ultimately be considered on the Senate floor. As I explained in a recent letter to Senator Reid, and have publicly said many times, the American people do not see this as just a Republican problem or just a Democratic problem. They see it as yet another run-of-the-mill Washington scandal, and they expect it will generate just another round of partisan gamesmanship and posturing. Senator Lieberman and I, and many other members of this body, hope to exceed the public's low expectations. We view this as an opportunity to bring transparency and accountability to the Congress, and, most importantly, to show the public that both parties will work together to address our failings. <br><br>    As I noted, I initially believed you shared that goal. But I understand how important the opportunity to lead your party's effort to exploit this issue must seem to a freshman Senator, and I hold no hard feelings over your earlier disingenuousness. Again, I have been around long enough to appreciate that in politics the public interest isn't always a priority for every one of us. Good luck to you, Senator.<br><br>Sincerely,<br><br>John McCain<br>United States Senate<br><br><br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br><br><br>February 6, 2006<br><br>The Honorable John McCain<br>United States Senate<br>241 Russell Senate Office Building<br>Washington, DC 20510<br><br>Dear John:<br><br>    During my short time in the U.S. Senate, one of the aspects about this institution that I have come to value most is the collegiality and the willingness to put aside partisan differences to work on issues that help the American people. It was in this spirit that I approached you to work on ethics reform, and it was in this spirit that I agreed to attend your bipartisan meeting last week. I appreciated then - and still do appreciate - your willingness to reach out to me and several other Democrats.<br><br>    For this reason, I am puzzled by your response to my recent letter. Last Wednesday morning, you called to invite me to your meeting that afternoon. I changed my schedule so I could attend the meeting. Afterwards, you thanked me several times for attending the meeting, and we left pledging to work together.<br><br>    As you will recall, I told everyone present at the meeting that my caucus insisted that the consideration of any ethics reform proposal go through the regular committee process. You didn't indicate any opposition to this position at the time, and I wrote the letter to reiterate this point, as well as the fact that I thought S. 2180 should be the basis for a bipartisan solution.<br><br>    I confess that I have no idea what has prompted your response. But let me assure you that I am not interested in typical partisan rhetoric or posturing. The fact that you have now questioned my sincerity and my desire to put aside politics for the public interest is regrettable but does not in any way diminish my deep respect for you nor my willingness to find a bipartisan solution to this problem. <br><br><br>Sincerely,<br><br>Barack Obama<br>United States Senator", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_16:08:53", "killed": false, "user_key": "4d9312cd58c7caeb087835daea9d59b6", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2869360": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "LOL!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_19:50:59", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sombody_took_my_username", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2869292, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2876017": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Teacher:  Teach Teacha!!  Good find!!  :&gt;)<br><br>Obama-Biden '08!!!", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-05_00:02:28", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2867808, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2867836": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Well, that would be Todd, of course. The word id he was running things anyway.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_16:14:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "ef6b300676d1702a1666b17cc6a7403f", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2838526, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2836605": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "i meant to make it as a separate comment  (not a reply) but couldn't figure out how to delete the poem and start over.   hit the 'post comment' button too soon!   do you know how to delete comments?<br><br>it's late.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_03:08:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "99bcec632769e483ead5faa515e84132", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836563, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2869378": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "This has been a long weekend for him--just finished the debate; son headed for Iraq; now his Mom-in-law. I'm just so sorry his family is going through so much right now.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_19:54:09", "killed": false, "user_key": "APeach", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868258, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839171": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "For my Cali people:<br> <br>Sarah Palin<br><br>Carson, California <br>Home Depot Center <br>5:00 pm (PDT)<br><br>Carpool anyone?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:10:48", "killed": false, "user_key": "Texas_Girl_in_LA", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2868869": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Couple thoughts:<br><br>1) I see that another Kitchen Sink assault is imminent. Governor Stupid led off the charge today. Well, I trust that the Obama camp is ready. Here's a thought: On Tuesday night, I assume that they will be allowed time for a closing statement. So, right there across from McBush - yep, on the same stage - Obama should remind the American people that his opponent does not \"get it\"; that his opponent has no idea how to solve the crippling problems that affect us; and, therefore will resort to irrelevant and offensive tactics in order to scare or fool them. Senator Obama should then implore us to not let his opponent drag us into the mud with them this time. He should tell us to reject that sort of politics and to stay focused on the issues that matter. <br><br>He should tell us, \"My opponents think you guys are stupid. I trust you guys and I know you're not. So, it's time for us to say to them - Enough is enough; we don't need another four years that looks like the dismal failure of the last eight. So stay vigilant because they are going to try everything they can to make this election about silly things, and you cannot make that happen.\" <br><br>So basically, he would be reminding us that we have the power to reject the negative tactics that McBush's people have signaled that they will employ. You see, I am of the opinion that the smear tactic only work when they are named and when the fence-sitters, who are already on shaky ground, lose resolve. But, Senator Obama can generalize, but warn us that they are coming and that we will know it when we see it; and, then tell us to take charge, stay strong, don't waver, we have the power.<br><br>Then, watch John's head explode with fury. Like, he cannot believe that Obama took every opportunity to call him John(treating him as an equal, fuck seniority); look him in the eye(totally unafraid and forcing him to look into the eye of the man who he is cleaning his clock in the polls and who he knows he is about to lose to); and, finally, telling the American people that this ingrate is about to treat y'all like you're stoopid when y'all have bigger fish to fry that sh*theads like Bill Ayers. <br><br>Sweet.<br><br>So, Senator, please call him out on the stage, on national TV about the stink he's about to unload on us. Pretty please. Oh yeah, and then unleash an ad with the same message, with you narrating this ad.<br><br>2) I was listening to Senator Obama at his Virginia rally today. And, even though I, basically, understand the contrasts between his healthcare policy with that of John McBush's, I was, nevertheless, just horrified as he listed them. I felt a huge mass of fright develop in my stomach. \"Say what?\" \"McCain's gonna do what?\" \"No f-g way!\" I wondered if the people behind him were as affected as I was. I certainly hope so.<br><br>T.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_18:36:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "d6755b31010b50fc47eac9ee8b3bb319", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2840198": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Does the white mainstream even know who Tyler Perry is?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_12:39:24", "killed": false, "user_key": "Town", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2837746, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2868872": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "That's a good question because I don't think McCain has ever gotten 50% of the vote even with Sarah Palin's addition.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_18:37:11", "killed": false, "user_key": "Town", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2838439, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2872978": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "LOL,    i don't get the attraction either.   i think it's one of those cases where if enough people repeat how \"pretty\" she's supposed to be, then eventually the public will believe it.<br><br>the curious thing to me is that obama's good looks are rarely, if ever, mentioned...", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_21:48:53", "killed": false, "user_key": "99bcec632769e483ead5faa515e84132", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868220, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839699": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "CPL:  Soo co-signing!  He knew!!  He's lived in \"his world\" so long that he thought that he had \"inherited\" the <b>WHITE GENE</b> by OSMOSIS!<br>As I \"stated\" to Brotha Charles Rangel:  \"Whycome\" you think that you could act/do like the WHITE BOYS?<br><br>P.S.:<br><br>Gotta Go for the WHOLE DAY!!  Sorry.  Will miss some JJP!  :&gt;)<br><br><b>Obama-Biden '08!!</b>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_11:31:21", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2838291, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2840213": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "People often ask, what does the Obama campaign mean for Black America?<br><br>Black America is but one of many American constituencies who will compete for the government's attention. We'll see how that works its way out.<br><br>But there's NO doubt about this: Obama is a role model AND a beacon of hope for  black youth. Obama shows: if you are willing to work hard, commit to being studious and hard-working, not be afraid of \"sounding white,\" and have courage, you have a chance of being president.<br><br>Instead of looking to black athletes, comedians, actors, and yes, street pharmacists, for inspiration, now there is Barack Obama. If he can move just 1 out 1000 of our black youth to just think differently about their future, that is a great achievement of this election campaign.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_12:40:20", "killed": false, "user_key": "EarthTone", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836543, "depth": 2, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839702": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "The look on that girl's face is why I want him to be president.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_11:31:41", "killed": false, "user_key": "e826991913ab169a4aa23cb699592a2b", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2867864": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "<a href=\"http://vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1973\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1973</a><br><br>Senator John McCain's Record on Troop and Veterans' Issues<br><br><br><br><br>Voting Against Veterans <br><br>Veterans Groups Give McCain Failing Grades.  In its most recent legislative ratings, the non-partisan Disabled American Veterans gave Sen. McCain a 20 percent rating for his voting record on veterans' issues.  Similarly, the non-partisan Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America gave McCain a \"D\" grade for his poor voting record on veterans' issues, including McCain's votes against additional body armor for troops in combat and additional funding for PTSD and TBI screening and treatment. <br><br>McCain Voted Against Increased Funding for Veterans' Health Care.  Although McCain told voters at a campaign rally that improving veterans' health care was his top domestic priority, he voted against increasing funding for veterans' health care in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. (Greenville News, 12/12/2007; S.Amdt. 2745 to S.C.R. 95, Vote 40, 3/10/04; Senate S.C.R. 18, Vote 55, 3/16/05; S.Amdt. 3007 to S.C.R. 83, Vote 41, 3/14/06; H.R. 1591, Vote 126, 3/29/07) <br><br>McCain Voted At Least 28 Times Against Veterans' Benefits, Including Healthcare.   Since arriving in the U.S. Senate in 1987, McCain has voted at least 28 times against ensuring important benefits for America's veterans, including providing adequate healthcare. (2006 Senate Vote #7, 41, 63, 67, 98, 222; 2005 Senate Votes #55, 89, 90, 251, 343; 2004 Senate Votes #40, 48, 145; 2003 Senate Votes #74, 81, 83; 1999 Senate Vote #328; 1998 Senate Vote #175; 1997 Senate Vote #168; 1996 Senate Votes #115, 275; 1995 Senate Votes #76, 226, 466; 1994 Senate Vote #306; 1992 Senate Vote #194; 1991 Senate Vote #259) <br><br>McCain Voted Against Providing Automatic Cost-of-Living Adjustments to Veterans.  McCain voted against providing automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments for certain veterans' benefits. (S. 869, Vote 259, 11/20/91) <br><br>McCain Voted to Underfund Department of Veterans Affairs.  McCain voted for an appropriations bill that underfunded the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development by $8.9 billion. (H.R. 2099, Vote 470, 9/27/95)<br><br>McCain Voted Against a $13 Billion Increase in Funding for Veterans Programs.  McCain voted against an amendment to increase spending on veterans programs by $13 billion. (S.C.R. 57, Vote 115, 5/16/96) <br><br>McCain Voted Against $44.3 Billion for Veterans Programs.  McCain was one of five senators to vote against a bill providing $44.3 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, plus funding for other federal agencies. (H.R. 2684, Vote 328, 10/15/99) <br><br>McCain Voted Against $47 Billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs.  McCain was one of eight senators to vote against a bill that provided $47 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs. (H.R. 4635, Vote 272, 10/12/00) <br><br>McCain Voted Against $51 Billion in Veterans Funding.  McCain was one of five senators to vote against the bill and seven to vote against the conference report that provided $51.1 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as funding for the federal housing, environmental and emergency management agencies and NASA. (H.R. 2620, Vote 334, 11/8/01; Vote 269, 8/2/01) <br><br>McCain Voted Against $122.7 Billion for Department of Veterans Affairs.  McCain voted against an appropriations bill that included $122.7 billion in fiscal 2004 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and other related agencies. (H.R. 2861, Vote 449, 11/12/03) <br><br>McCain Opposed $500 Million for Counseling Services for Veterans with Mental Disorders.  McCain voted against an amendment to appropriate $500 million annually from 2006-2010 for counseling, mental health and rehabilitation services for veterans diagnosed with mental illness, posttraumatic stress disorder or substance abuse. (S. 2020, S.Amdt. 2634, Vote 343, 11/17/05) <br><br>McCain opposed an Assured Funding Stream for Veterans' Health Care.  McCain opposed providing an assured funding stream for veterans' health care, taking into account annual changes in veterans' population and inflation. (S.Amdt. 3141 to S.C.R. 83, Vote 63, 3/16/06) <br><br>McCain Voted Against Adding More Than $400 Million for Veterans' Care.  McCain was one of 13 Republicans to vote against providing an additional $430 million to the Department of Veterans Affairs for outpatient care and treatment for veterans. (S.Amdt. 3642 to H.R. 4939, Vote 98, 4/26/06) <br><br>McCain Supported Outsourcing VA Jobs.  McCain opposed an amendment that would have prevented the Department of Veterans Affairs from outsourcing jobs, many held by blue-collar veterans, without first giving the workers a chance to compete. (S.Amdt. 2673 to H.R. 2642, Vote 315, 9/6/07) <br><br>McCain Opposed the 21st Century GI Bill Because It Was Too Generous.  McCain did not vote on the GI Bill that will provide better educational opportunities to veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, paying full tuition at in-state schools and living expenses for those who have served at least three years since the 9/11 attacks. McCain said he opposes the bill because he thinks the generous benefits would \"encourage more people to leave the military.\" (S.Amdt. 4803 to H.R. 2642, Vote 137, 5/22/08; Chattanooga Times Free Press, 6/2/08; Boston Globe, 5/23/08; <a href=\"http://ABCNews.com\" rel=\"nofollow\">ABCNews.com</a>, 5/26/08) <br><br>Disabled American Veterans Legislative Director Said That McCain's Proposal Would Increase Costs For Veterans Because His Plan Relies On Private Hospitals Which Are More Expensive and Which Could Also Lead To Further Rationing Of Care.  \"To help veterans who live far from VA hospitals or need specialized care the VA can't provide, McCain proposed giving low-income veterans and those who incurred injury during their service a card they could use at private hospitals. The proposal is not an attempt to privatize the VA, as critics have alleged, but rather, an effort to improve care and access to it, he said. Joe Violanti, legislative director of the Disabled American Veterans, a nonpartisan organization, said the proposal would increase costs because private hospitals are more expensive. The increased cost could lead to further rationing of care, he said.\" (Las Vegas Sun, 8/10/08)<br><br>Lack of Support for the Troops <br><br>McCain co-sponsored the Use of Force Authorization.  McCain supported the bill that gave President George W. Bush the green light--and a blank check--for going to war with Iraq. (SJ Res 46, 10/3/02) <br><br>McCain Opposed Increasing Spending on TRICARE and Giving Greater Access to National Guard and Reservists.  Although his campaign website devotes a large section to veterans issues, including expanding benefits for reservists and members of the National Guard, McCain voted against increasing spending on the TRICARE program by $20.3 billion over 10 years to give members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families greater access to the health care program. The increase would be offset by a reduction in tax cuts for the wealthy. (S.Amdt. 324 to S.C.R. 23, Vote 81, 3/25/03) <br><br>McCain voted against holding Bush accountable for his actions in the war.  McCain opposed the creation of an independent commission to investigate the development and use of intelligence leading up to the war in Iraq. (S.Amdt. 1275 to H.R. 2658, Vote 284, 7/16/03) <br><br>McCain voted Against Establishing a $1 Billion Trust Fund for Military Health Facilities.  McCain voted against establishing a $1 billion trust fund to improve military health facilities by refusing to repeal tax cuts for those making more than $1 million a year. (S.Amdt. 2735 to S.Amdt. 2707 to H.R. 4297, Vote 7, 2/2/06) <br><br>Senator McCain opposed efforts to end the overextension of the military--a policy that is having a devastating impact on our troops.  McCain voted against requiring mandatory minimum downtime between tours of duty for troops serving in Iraq. (S.Amdt.. 2909 to S.Amdt. 2011 to HR 1585, Vote 341, 9/19/07; S.Amdt. 2012 to S.Amdt. 2011 to HR 1585, Vote 241, 7/11/07) <br><br>McCain announced his willingness to keep U.S. troops in Iraq for decades--a statement sure to inflame Iraqis and endanger American troops.  McCain: \"Make it a hundred\" years in Iraq and \"that would be fine with me.\" (Derry, New Hampshire Town Hall meeting, 1/3/08) <br><br>THERE IS MUCH&lt; MUCH MORE!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_16:18:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "4d9312cd58c7caeb087835daea9d59b6", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2868889": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I'm just saying, if McCain came out and said \"TYLER PERRY SUPPORTS BARACK OBAMA BUT HE FIRED ALL THE BLACK WRITERS, TYLER PERRY = BAD THEREFORE BARACK OBAMA = BAD...\"<br><br>1st off, you could go up to 85% of white people and say \"Tyler Perry\" and they will say \"Who?\"<br><br>2nd, McCain's audience would probably think Tyler Perry firing the black writers but keeping the white ones is good.<br><br>3rd, Obama supporters and / or people who think would say \"What the hell does Tyler Perry have to do with Barack Obama?\"<br><br>McCain = FAIL", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_18:40:47", "killed": false, "user_key": "Town", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868269, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839708": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "jed:  Thanks!!  OOOO-eeee!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_11:32:14", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836775, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839710": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I'll apologize in advance if this offends, but I can't hold my tongue any longer.<br><br>Sarah Palin is a stripper. A prostitute, if you will. A harlot. A whore, even.<br><br>So her \"handlers\" are pimping her out to wink at male interviewers, wink at the nation, elicit erections from oversexed male viewers, and have hordes of western and southern oil men throw money at her during their \"fundraisers.\"<br><br>I wonder if any of the events includes a pole dance.<br><br>How can it be that after women have worked so hard to be taken seriously in the work place, in their own homes, to not be demeaned and abused mentally, emotionally and physically as sex objects and doormats, this strumpet ends up on a major party ticket as a vice presidential nominee?<br><br>It makes me wanna holler.<br><br>We must destroy the pimps. Completely destroy them.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_11:32:29", "killed": false, "user_key": "CraigHickman", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 28, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2867872": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Er, I think Hillary DID embarrass women and the country.  It's just that Hillary was more fundamentally more intelligent while doing so.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_16:19:53", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sombody_took_my_username", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 4, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839990, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839152": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I have noticed that most supporters of McCain support him because they don't support Obama.  That's not a good enough reason for me.  If Obama really had ties to ACORN we would've heard about them by now and his ass would've been out.<br><br>Voting for McCain because Obama is inexperienced isn't good enough; they might as well not vote.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:08:32", "killed": false, "user_key": "nickwah22", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836366, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839714": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "nickwah22:  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_11:33:01", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839165, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2838555": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "That picture is just beautiful.  I love your Open Thread pictures!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:00:50", "killed": false, "user_key": "nbmars", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2869420": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Isn't she just SOOOOO cute?? Where do y'all find these pics, anyway? She reminds me of that so-cute-I-could-cry pic of the little boy who hugged Obama who just seemed like he couldn't believe he was meeting him!<br><br>Both of those precious children made my heart leap. Wasn't expecting that.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_19:59:14", "killed": false, "user_key": "APeach", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2866085, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839215": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "This explains why I heard 3 different reporters (one surprisingly on Foxnews) mentioning Palin's mix up between McClellan and McKiernan.<br><br>That alone discredits her whole foreign policy cred, but yet, it still seems okay.  Its not a blunder, she just confused some of the info they made her memorize.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:18:58", "killed": false, "user_key": "nickwah22", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2837702, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2873009": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "tyler perry is a serious COON.  your comparison of him to bob johnson is a good one.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_21:55:12", "killed": false, "user_key": "99bcec632769e483ead5faa515e84132", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868632, "depth": 5, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2869436": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "It's the only way he'll get any.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_20:04:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "APeach", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839835, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2872522": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "true.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_21:35:14", "killed": false, "user_key": "99bcec632769e483ead5faa515e84132", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868206, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2869438": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I can't help but like the guy even though he pisses me the fuck off sometimes - talking, talking, talking. Still, I know that Senator Obama chose the right person to ride with. Thirty some days to go. Keep it straight now, Joey. Stay on message bro.<br><br>T.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_20:04:08", "killed": false, "user_key": "d6755b31010b50fc47eac9ee8b3bb319", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868733, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839232": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "this is wrong of him. it is so hard for Black folks to find the jobs that will get them a WGA card. he's on the wrong side of right on this issue.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:20:45", "killed": false, "user_key": "rikyrah", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": true, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2837746, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2837702": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.redroom.com/blog/tim-wise/this-your-nation-white-privilege-updated\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.redroom.com/blog/tim-wise/this-your-...</a><br><br><br>THIS IS YOUR NATION ON WHITE PRIVILEGE (UPDATED)<br><br><br>September 13, 2008, 2:01 pm<br><br>By Tim Wise <br><br>For those who still can\u2019t grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.<br><br>White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents, because \u201cevery family has challenges,\u201d even as black and Latino families with similar \u201cchallenges\u201d are regularly typified as irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay. <br><br>White privilege is when you can call yourself a \u201cfuckin\u2019 redneck,\u201d like Bristol Palin\u2019s boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you'll \u201ckick their fuckin' ass,\u201d and talk about how you like to \u201cshoot shit\u201d for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug. <br><br>White privilege is when you can attend four different colleges in six years like Sarah Palin did (one of which you basically failed out of, then returned to after making up some coursework at a community college), and no one questions your intelligence or commitment to achievement, whereas a person of color who did this would be viewed as unfit for college, and probably someone who only got in in the first place because of affirmative action. <br><br>White privilege is when you can claim that being mayor of a town smaller than most medium-sized colleges, and then Governor of a state with about the same number of people as the lower fifth of the island of Manhattan, makes you ready to potentially be president, and people don\u2019t all piss on themselves with laughter, while being a black U.S. Senator, two-term state Senator, and constitutional law scholar, means you\u2019re \u201cuntested.\u201d\u2028 <br><br>White privilege is being able to say that you support the words \u201cunder God\u201d in the pledge of allegiance because \u201cif it was good enough for the founding fathers, it\u2019s good enough for me,\u201d and not be immediately disqualified from holding office--since, after all, the pledge was written in the late 1800s and the \u201cunder God\u201d part wasn\u2019t added until the 1950s--while if you're black and believe in reading accused criminals and terrorists their rights (because the Constitution, which you used to teach at a prestigious law school requires it), you're a dangerous and mushy liberal who isn't fit to safeguard American institutions.\u2028 <br><br>White privilege is being able to be a gun enthusiast and not make people immediately scared of you.\u2028 <br><br>White privilege is being able to have a husband who was a member of an extremist political party that wants your state to secede from the Union, and whose motto is \u201cAlaska first,\u201d and no one questions your patriotism or that of your family, while if you're black and your spouse merely fails to come to a 9/11 memorial so she can be home with her kids on the first day of school, people immediately think she\u2019s being disrespectful.\u2028 <br><br>White privilege is being able to make fun of community organizers and the work they do--like, among other things, fight for the right of women to vote, or for civil rights, or the 8-hour workday, or an end to child labor--and people think you\u2019re being pithy and tough, but if you merely question the experience of a small town mayor and 18-month governor with no foreign policy expertise beyond a class she took in college and the fact that she lives near Russia, you\u2019re somehow being mean, or even sexist.\u2028 <br><br>White privilege is being able to convince white women who don\u2019t even agree with you on any substantive issue to vote for you and your running mate anyway, because all of a sudden your presence on the ticket has inspired confidence in these same white women, and made them give your party a \u201csecond look.\u201d\u2028 <br><br>White privilege is being able to fire people who didn\u2019t support your political campaigns and not be accused of abusing your power or being a typical politician who engages in favoritism, while being black and merely knowing some folks from the old-line political machines in Chicago means you must be corrupt.\u2028<br><br>White privilege is when you can take nearly twenty-four hours to get to a hospital after beginning to leak amniotic fluid, and still be viewed as a great mom whose commitment to her children is unquestionable, and whose \"next door neighbor\" qualities make her ready to be VP, while if you're a black candidate for president and you let your children be interviewed for a few seconds on TV, you're irresponsibly exploiting them.<br><br>White privilege is being able to give a 36-minute speech in which you talk about lipstick and make fun of your opponent, while laying out no substantive policy positions on any issue at all, and still manage to be considered a legitimate candidate, while a black person who gives an hour speech the week before, in which he lays out specific policy proposals on several issues, is still criticized for being too vague about what he would do if elected. <br><br>White privilege is being able to attend churches over the years whose pastors say that people who voted for John Kerry or merely criticize George W. Bush are going to hell, and that the U.S. is an explicitly Christian nation and the job of Christians is to bring Christian theological principles into government, and who bring in speakers who say the conflict in the Middle East is God\u2019s punishment on Jews for rejecting Jesus, and everyone can still think you\u2019re just a good church-going Christian, but if you\u2019re black and friends with a black pastor who has noted (as have Colin Powell and the U.S. Department of Defense) that terrorist attacks are often the result of U.S. foreign policy and who talks about the history of racism and its effect on black people, you\u2019re an extremist who probably hates America.\u2028 <br><br>White privilege is not knowing what the Bush Doctrine is when asked by a reporter, and then people get angry at the reporter for asking you such a \u201ctrick question,\u201d while being black and merely refusing to give one-word answers to the queries of Bill O\u2019Reilly means you\u2019re dodging the question, or trying to seem overly intellectual and nuanced.\u2028<br><br>White privilege is being able to go to a prestigious prep school, then to Yale and Harvard Business School (George W. Bush), and still be seen as an \"average guy,\" while being black, going to a prestigious prep school, then Occidental College, then Columbia, and then Harvard Law, makes you \"uppity\" and a snob who probably looks down on regular folks. <br><br>White privilege is being able to graduate near the bottom of your college class (McCain), or graduate with a C average from Yale (W.), and that's OK, and you're still cut out to be president, but if you're black and you graduate near the top of your class from Harvard Law, you can't be trusted to make good decisions in office. <br><br>White privilege is being able to dump your first wife after she's disfigured in a car crash so you can take up with a multi-millionaire beauty queen (who you then go on to call the c-word in public) and still be thought of as a man of strong family values, while if you're black and married for nearly 20 years to the same woman, your family is viewed as un-American and your gestures of affection for each other are called \"terrorist fist bumps.\"<br><br>White privilege is when you can develop a pain-killer addiction, having obtained your drug of choice illegally like Cindy McCain, go on to beat that addiction, and everyone praises you for being so strong, while being a black guy who smoked pot a few times in college and never became an addict means people will wonder if perhaps you still get high, and even ask whether or not you may have sold drugs at some point. <br><br>White privilege is being able to sing a song about bombing Iran and still be viewed as a sober and rational statesman, with the maturity to be president, while being black and suggesting that the U.S. should speak with other nations, even when we have disagreements with them, makes you dangerously naive and immature.<br><br>White privilege is being able to say that you hate \"gooks\" and \"will always hate them,\" and yet, you aren't a racist because, ya know, you were a POW, so you're entitled to your hatred, while being black and noting that black anger about racism is understandable, given the history of your country, makes you a dangerous bigot. <br><br>White privilege is being able to claim your experience as a POW has anything at all to do with your fitness for president, while being black and experiencing racism and an absent father is apparently among the \"lesser adversities\" faced by other politicians, as Sarah Palin explained in her convention speech.<br><br>And finally, white privilege is the only thing that could possibly allow someone to become president when he has voted with George W. Bush 90 percent of the time, even as unemployment is skyrocketing, people are losing their homes, inflation is rising, and the U.S. is increasingly isolated from world opinion, just because white voters aren\u2019t sure about that whole \u201cchange\u201d thing. Ya know, it\u2019s just too vague and ill-defined, unlike, say, four more years of the same, which is very concrete and certain\u2026\u2028<br><br>White privilege is, in short, the problem.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_06:40:42", "killed": false, "user_key": "4d9312cd58c7caeb087835daea9d59b6", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 4, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 2, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839500": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Thanks for posting this. It is a fabulous endorsement.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_11:01:19", "killed": false, "user_key": "claudia_m", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839242, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839242": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I will never forget that offensive cover they ran, they did just run this:<br><br><b>The New Yorker Endorses: At A Moment Of Crisis, That Leader's Name Is Barack Obama</b><br><br><b>THE CHOICE</b><br><i>OCTOBER 13, 2008</i><br><br>Never in living memory has an election been more critical than the one fast approaching\u2014that\u2019s the quadrennial clich\u00e9, as expected as the balloons and the bombast. And yet when has it ever felt so urgently true? When have so many Americans had so clear a sense that a Presidency has\u2014at the levels of competence, vision, and integrity\u2014undermined the country and its ideals?<br><br>The incumbent Administration has distinguished itself for the ages. The Presidency of George W. Bush is the worst since Reconstruction, so there is no mystery about why the Republican Party\u2014which has held dominion over the executive branch of the federal government for the past eight years and the legislative branch for most of that time\u2014has little desire to defend its record, domestic or foreign. The only speaker at the Convention in St. Paul who uttered more than a sentence or two in support of the President was his wife, Laura. Meanwhile, the nominee, John McCain, played the part of a vaudeville illusionist, asking to be regarded as an apostle of change after years of embracing the essentials of the Bush agenda with ever-increasing ardor.<br><br>- snip -<br><br>The exhaustingly, sometimes infuriatingly long campaign of 2008 (and 2007) has had at least one virtue: it has demonstrated that Obama\u2019s intelligence and steady temperament are not just figments of the writer\u2019s craft. He has made mistakes, to be sure. (His failure to accept McCain\u2019s imaginative proposal for a series of unmediated joint appearances was among them.) But, on the whole, his campaign has been marked by patience, planning, discipline, organization, technological proficiency, and strategic astuteness. Obama has often looked two or three moves ahead, relatively impervious to the permanent hysteria of the hourly news cycle and the cable-news shouters. And when crisis has struck, as it did when the divisive antics of his ex-pastor threatened to bring down his campaign, he has proved equal to the moment, rescuing himself with a speech that not only drew the poison but also demonstrated a profound respect for the electorate. Although his opponents have tried to attack him as a man of \u201cmere\u201d words, Obama has returned eloquence to its essential place in American politics. The choice between experience and eloquence is a false one\u2013\u2013something that Lincoln, out of office after a single term in Congress, proved in his own campaign of political and national renewal. Obama\u2019s \u201cmere\u201d speeches on everything from the economy and foreign affairs to race have been at the center of his campaign and its success; if he wins, his eloquence will be central to his ability to govern.<br><br>We cannot expect one man to heal every wound, to solve every major crisis of policy. So much of the Presidency, as they say, is a matter of waking up in the morning and trying to drink from a fire hydrant. In the quiet of the Oval Office, the noise of immediate demands can be deafening. And yet Obama has precisely the temperament to shut out the noise when necessary and concentrate on the essential. The election of Obama\u2014a man of mixed ethnicity, at once comfortable in the world and utterly representative of twenty-first-century America\u2014would, at a stroke, reverse our country\u2019s image abroad and refresh its spirit at home. His ascendance to the Presidency would be a symbolic culmination of the civil- and voting-rights acts of the nineteen-sixties and the century-long struggles for equality that preceded them. It could not help but say something encouraging, even exhilarating, about the country, about its dedication to tolerance and inclusiveness, about its fidelity, after all, to the values it proclaims in its textbooks.<b> At a moment of economic calamity, international perplexity, political failure, and battered morale, America needs both uplift and realism, both change and steadiness. It needs a leader temperamentally, intellectually, and emotionally attuned to the complexities of our troubled globe. That leader\u2019s name is Barack Obama.</b><br><br>\u2014The Editors<br><b>Obama-Biden '08!!</b>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:22:26", "killed": false, "user_key": "Suprk", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2868940": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Here is the Obama campaign's response:<br><br>Governor Palin\u2019s comments, while offensive, are not surprising, given the McCain campaign\u2019s statement this morning that they would be launching Swiftboat-like attacks in hopes of deflecting attention from the nation\u2019s economic ills. In fact, the very newspaper story Governor Palin cited in hurling her shameless attack made clear that Senator Obama is not close to Bill Ayers, much less \u2018pals,\u2019 and that he has strongly condemned the despicable acts Ayers committed 40 years ago, when Obama was eight. What\u2019s clear is that John McCain and Sarah Palin would rather spend their time tearing down Barack Obama than laying out a plan to build up our economy.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_18:49:19", "killed": false, "user_key": "514ece7311946709a77d340a35a81d09", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868869, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2868941": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Thanks", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_18:49:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sombody_took_my_username", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2867782, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2838477": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "never.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_09:49:44", "killed": false, "user_key": "Texas_Girl_in_LA", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2838439, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2867925": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Whenever I see that \"did she just wink at me?\"  I'm just ROFL...<br><br>That's what that write Heather Mallick sort of said the night of the RNC..<br><blockquote><i>Salt-of-the-earthers don't lie! But Palins do. I watched Palin last night, my mouth open, my eyeballs drying out, my hand making shaky notes. I read them aghast.<br><br>Did she really joke, \"You know the difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull? Lipstick.\"?<br><br>Did she just blow kisses to the audience? </i></blockquote><br><a href=\"http://www.heathermallick.ca/guardian.co.uk-columns/the-alaskan-who-went-outside.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.heathermallick.ca/guardian.co.uk-col...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_16:25:24", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sombody_took_my_username", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839772, "depth": 2, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2872023": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "amen.  i totally agree.<br><br>i think he'll move more than 1 though...    :-)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_21:30:46", "killed": false, "user_key": "99bcec632769e483ead5faa515e84132", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2840213, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2841304": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "so what on the pink nails, I say. It's just a silly adornment by a young person.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_13:06:33", "killed": false, "user_key": "JJai", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2840368, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2841306": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Shouldn't they be voting for him if he is the Anti-Christ so they can get their Rapture on?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_13:06:38", "killed": false, "user_key": "Town", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2840331, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839772": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "She need not  wink at me. I am a woman and I don't roll that way. I said to my friends \"did she just wink at me?\" ridiculous.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_11:42:48", "killed": false, "user_key": "JJai", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839710, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839261": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "because they are frauds. the 'honest; ones are being burned at the stake for speaking the truth", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:25:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "rikyrah", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": true, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2838020, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839775": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "This is why America will elect Barack Obama<br>Feeding Your Inner Wolf<br><br>One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.<br><br>He said, \"My son, the battle is between two \"wolves\" inside everyone of us.<br><br>One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, conceit, sorrow, hatred, greed, arrogance, self-pity, resentment, inferiority, lies, pride, lust, superiority, and ego.<br><br>The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.\"<br><br>The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: \"Which wolf wins?<br><br>The old Cherokee simply replied, \"The one you feed.\"<br>The campaign will get extra nasty now but Americans are tired of the politics of fear and doom.The wolf that gets fed this time will be one of hope.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_11:42:55", "killed": false, "user_key": "djchefron", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2876131": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "dj:  Thanks!  I heard this involving a dog.  Same message!   :&gt;)", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-05_00:10:04", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839775, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2836709": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "manofsteel:  And the verdict was???   I mean  - how guilty??  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_03:32:52", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 4, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836642, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2838247": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Sarah Palin & Bush - best presentation ever by Keith Olbermann<br>This should be a commercial<br><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXPMn99a7nQ\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXPMn99a7nQ</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_09:13:29", "killed": false, "user_key": "djchefron", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2873065": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "true.  he started getting in trouble really early in his life. the murders (and yes--he did it) were just the last straw.<br><br>if it hadn't been for football, he probably would've been in and out of some prison or the other for much of his life.  he's come full circle.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_22:03:57", "killed": false, "user_key": "99bcec632769e483ead5faa515e84132", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868827, "depth": 4, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2842858": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "what a beautiful and hopeful picture!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_14:48:58", "killed": false, "user_key": "SjP08", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2837741": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "White priviledge means being able to devalue the highest office in the land because it is about to be won by a non-white person, and declaring that \"anyone,\" even inarticulate small town mayors with minimal education and experience can be seen as credible candidates to the office.  Because if this unqualified n------r can be president, then any Joe Six Pack with a GED flipping burgers can be president, too.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_06:55:55", "killed": false, "user_key": "Town", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2837702, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839165": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "lol @ how guilty", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:10:18", "killed": false, "user_key": "nickwah22", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836709, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2837746": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "New stuff in the papers, on TV on blogs out about Tyler Perry. There's a story how this might hurt Obama--with Tyler firing black writers who tried to join the Writers Guild while keeping a white head writer. He's donated a lot to Barack and says he wants to make an epic---no doubt goofy--with Denzel as Obama?! He says the writers were fired because the quality of their work diminished. Tyler Perry complaining about quality is like Orson Welles worrying about cholesterol. This guy didn't even offer these health insurance, kept all the $$$ for himself. The other unions may come down on him too. If barack doesn't first?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_06:57:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "dcf2c9ce3819616f8ba0ca48c54519c4", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 14, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839286": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I hated the cover ans their attempt at \"sattire,\" but this endorsement is awesome.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:29:25", "killed": false, "user_key": "evita", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839242, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2843177": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "From our campaign:<br><br>On a day after we learned that America lost three-quarters of a million jobs this year and a week after our financial system teetered on the brink of collapse, John McCain and his campaign have announced that they want to \u2018turn the page\u2019 on the economic crisis facing working families and spend the last month of this election launching dishonest, dishonorable character attacks against Barack Obama. We understand that it\u2019s not easy for John McCain to defend the worst economic record of our lifetime, but he will have to explain to the people struggling to pay their bills and stay in their homes why he would rather spend his time tearing down Barack Obama than laying out a plan to build up our economy. <br><br>::<br><br>We GOT this. But we still have to go out and GET it.<br><br>Keep up the good work, y'all.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_15:04:06", "killed": false, "user_key": "CraigHickman", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2871039": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "This came out a few days ago, so I'm not sure if anyone already posted it, but it tickles my funny bon so much, that I have to post it anyway:<br><br><a href=\"http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=f7d_1222962429&p=1\" rel=\"nofollow\">Homer Simpson Tries To Vote For Obama</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_21:21:48", "killed": false, "user_key": "lamh", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2876161": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Craig:  <i>. . pole dancing. . </i><br><br>Did you miss \"virtual lap dancing?\"<br><br>I'm just askin'. . . . .", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-05_00:13:11", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839710, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2841347": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "LOL.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_13:11:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "CraigHickman", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2841319, "depth": 5, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2867972": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Man....DO NOT PISS OFF DAVE!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_16:31:19", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sombody_took_my_username", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839424, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2838279": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Brian Williams bringing the funny on <a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puHITWjTc_Q rel=\"nofollow\">David Letterman</a href> last night. <br><br>\"I'm a Maverick, and I may not answer the questions tonight.\" - Brian Williams", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_09:18:45", "killed": false, "user_key": "Texas_Girl_in_LA", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2841352": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Even better news guys:<br><br>Rasmussen poll: Obama 51% McCain 45%<br><br><a href=\"http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/daily_presidential_tracking_poll\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/...</a><br><br>This is what caught my eye in the write-up:<br><br>\"For each of the past nine days, Obama has been at 50% or 51% and McCain has been at 44% or 45% (see trends). The stability of these results suggests that the McCain campaign faces a very steep challenge in the remaining few weeks of Election 2008. \"", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_13:12:15", "killed": false, "user_key": "fd35c4322b63b2dab06baea3e23047cf", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2837769": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Besides Tyler Perry's true colors apparently showing, OJ is FINALLY going to prison.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_07:03:40", "killed": false, "user_key": "dcf2c9ce3819616f8ba0ca48c54519c4", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2840331": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "But even if he is \"the one\", \"the antichrist\" or whatever they are trying to say, isn't the whole point if you believe in that particular scripture(s) that he/she is inevitable?  So why bother harping on that what he could be (cuz if he he is the \"one\" is no way to stop him) and vote for him if he can do the best for you now.<br><br>BTW, he is not the antichrist.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_12:54:14", "killed": false, "user_key": "pjamma", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2840060, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2870544": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/opinion/05rich.html?_r=1&oref=slogin\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/opinion/05ric...</a><br><br>Frank Rich: The GOP is a party of whiners, Sarah Palin is so popular among Republicans because she has more testosterone than the rest of them and you can totally see Sarah fantasizing about becoming President when McCain dies.<br><br>A stupid, but ambitious trick is dangerous for the country.  Just say NO to McCain / Palin.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_21:19:34", "killed": false, "user_key": "Town", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2868440": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "John McCain is seeking the highest office in the land, while he and his running mate actively flout the law of the land in Alaska:<br><br>Alaska Supreme Court takes up 'Troopergate' case<br><a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/04/alaska-supreme-court-take_n_131869.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/04/alaska...</a><br><br>Rachel Maddow: Powers of the Vice President Oct. 3, 2008<br><a href=\"http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=qIupYTI0ceI\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=qIupYTI0ceI</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_17:34:46", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sombody_took_my_username", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2838291": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I'm sorry, ManofSteel, but OJ knew white folks were gunning for him since he got acquitted back in 1995.<br><br>Eff him.  I'm fresh out of forgiveness for his dumb ass, and why he would choose to jeopardize his freedom by engaging in this shyt demonstrates how stupid he is.<br><br>And don't try to connect OJ to Obama - that's mixing apples and oranges (pun intended) - even though we will have to step up our vigilance because stupid bigots will do their best to tie OJ to Obama.<br><br>But, overall, Eff OJ.  Bubba, LeRoy, Biscuit and Skillet will be his welcoming committee when he gets to State Prison.  At this point, OJ better pray they don't send his ass to Pelican Bay State Prison because that's the prison they feature on the MSNBC documentary show \"Lock-UP\" and that's the prison where the guards pay the gangs to fight one another so they can video tape that shyt and sell it to MSNBC.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_09:21:52", "killed": false, "user_key": "CPL", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": true, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 5, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836642, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839319": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Texas:  How 'bout TANKpool!  Then, I'll go.  :&gt;)   O.K.  2 morbid  - huh?<br><br>Obama-Biden  '08!!", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:34:16", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839171, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2838299": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Interesting comparison.  Too bad it will only be recognized on his and Maddow's show is sad.  MSM isn't interested in reporting the truth.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_09:23:07", "killed": false, "user_key": "nickwah22", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2838247, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839326": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "This photo is amazing!!!<br>It made my heart melt.<br>The look on that childs face is priceless!<br>Soooo hopeful...Please let this happen.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:34:51", "killed": false, "user_key": "fb1c5ee0701e80db1de8b49e294110b5", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2839329": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "nickwah22:   \"virtual 'HUG'\"!  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:35:15", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839187, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2866980": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "A little humor<br><a href=\"http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/10/04/mid-day-open-thread-little-oreilly-goes-ballistic/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/10/04/mid-da...</a><br><br>Barack the Vote", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_16:02:30", "killed": false, "user_key": "karlewis", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2836775": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Guilty on all 12 counts by a jury of 12 white people. That includes 2 counts of kidnapping with a min of 15 years each.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_03:50:54", "killed": false, "user_key": "1de2d33433ebdb3f7247ca125431a441", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836709, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2870108": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Hey Nquest,<br><br>I completely agree, this was a bad year for female politicans.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_21:13:33", "killed": false, "user_key": "Rhondacoca", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2869167, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2841389": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Here is a link to an article by Joe Conason of Salon on the intelligence of GOP VP candidate, Sarah Palin.  Why is the GOP not embarrassed?<br><br><a href=\"http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2008/10/04/dumb/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2008/10/04...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_13:16:36", "killed": false, "user_key": "b1e8e18ba31ae1e4c8fe371561db8970", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2836701": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "From Time<br><br><i>October 3, 2008 10:55 <br>Did Women Like Sarah?<br>Posted by Time Edit | Comments (162) | Permalink | Trackbacks (0) | Email This <br>From TIME's Amy Sullivan:<br><br>Last night in Colorado (one of the key swing states we have our eyes on), the Democratic polling group Greenberg Quinlan Rosner brought together 40 undecided women voters to watch the vice-presidential debate. In pre-interviews before the festivities started, most of the women admitted that they didn't know much about either of the running mates. They'd heard plenty about Sarah Palin in particular, but they didn't know who she was, didn't know what she thought.<br><br>By the time the debate was over, the voters had a better sense of who the candidates were. But they still didn't know what Palin thought on any major issue other than energy. Even women who found her personally likeable and confident complained that she seemed \"coached\" and stuck so closely to \"talking points and sound bytes\" that they weren't sure what kind of vice-president (or, for that matter, president) she would be. <br>As with the St. Louis focus group that watched the first presidential debate, however, generally favorable reactions to the Democratic team didn't translate into a significant shift of support from undecided voters. All forty women came into the undecided and after listening to the two running mates debate for 90 minutes, 8 had moved to the Obama camp, another 8 to McCain, and the remaining 24 were still uncommitted. <br><br>In a discussion that took place after the debate, some of the women who became Obama supporters said that they had been concerned about Obama's relatively brief political career but found themselves reassured by Biden. \"If I vote for Barack Obama, it will be because of Joe Biden,\" said one unmarried women. A handful of women thought that Biden sounded too much like a Washington insider or an old-fashioned pol, a conclusion that probably wasn't helped by his use of Senate-speak and references to legislative procedures. But several had teared up when the Delaware senator talked about losing his first wife and daughter, and felt more favorably about him as a result. \"He got emotional there in the end,\" said another unmarried women. \"I didn't know his wife and child died. That touched me.\"<br><br>Overall, the women warmed up to both candidates throughout the evening\u2014both Biden and Palin's favorability ratings rose 9 points from pre- to post-debate. They liked Palin's strength and confidence, and the married women particularly responded to her \"folksiness\" and \"down-to-earth\" personality. That personal regard, however, didn't necessarily mean they wanted to see her in the White House. \"I'd like to have lunch with Sarah,\" said one married woman, \"but have Joe running my country.\" Another agreed: \"I think Sarah Palin is cute as a button and is good in sound bytes, but she just is not ready.\" Before the debate, only 10 of the women believed Palin was not ready to be vice-president or president; by the end of the evening more than half of them (21) shared that concern.<br><br>The economy has been the number-one issue for women voters\u2014particularly unmarried women\u2014throughout the campaign season, and that held true for this focus group as well. And on that point, they were much more impressed by Biden's ability to talk about the economy and relate to the concerns of middle-class voters. Before the debate, 14 women preferred Biden over Palin on the economy, but that number climbed to 23 afterward. A similar shift took place on the question of which candidate they trusted to handle health care\u20149 women initially preferred Biden, but that number more than doubled to 20 over the course of the evening. Several noted that they would have liked to hear Palin offer any details about what a McCain/Palin health care plan would look like.<br><br>Biden may not have closed the deal for the majority of these undecided women, but he impressed and reassured them on the issues that they say will determine their votes in November. And while Palin presented herself as someone voters can relate to, her performance seems to have raised even more questions\u2014at least for this small group of undecided women\u2014about whether she is qualified to be on the Republican ticket. <br><br></i><br><br><a href=\"http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/10/did_women_like_sarah.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/10/did_...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_03:30:11", "killed": false, "user_key": "rikyrah", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": true, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2840368": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I'm sorry but those pink tipped nails are killing me.  Otherwise great picture.  The little girl is beautiful.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_12:57:11", "killed": false, "user_key": "pjamma", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2852148": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "They are....they hide shame with anger, attacks and more lies.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_15:52:33", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sombody_took_my_username", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2841389, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2873149": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "OJ is a dumb ass.<br><br>Look at Robert Blake.  We all know he killed his wife, but Robert Blake is laying low.  You haven't heard or seen nothing about Robert Blake since he got acquitted.<br><br>OJ should have moved his black ass down to Costa Rica so he could without harassment.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_22:19:09", "killed": false, "user_key": "Town", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836642, "depth": 2, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839359": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "It just occurred to me that this whole McCain/ Obama thing reflects the state of Affirmative Action. The Black man is clearly more qualified, so they really can't hire the white guy so instead- they take the white woman candidate \"So no one can say they are prejudiced.\" I've been on dozens of searches. Hers is teh kind of \"diversity\" they can manage and it is reflected in the historical success of Affirmative Action and its benefits for only white women.<br><br>Though this time they will get their assess handed to them on the stick.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:39:22", "killed": false, "user_key": "evita", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2837702, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2836293": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain/page/1\" rel=\"nofollow\">Rolling Stone: Make-Believe Maverick</a><br><br>It's long. But it's jaw dropping. Most of it, we've discussed here. But this story puts it all in one place.<br><br>Simply stunning.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_01:44:30", "killed": false, "user_key": "CraigHickman", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839883": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "he doesnt have to release them until the 20th. they usually release them when they need positive in the news cycle, but the news cycles have been going well.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_12:00:48", "killed": false, "user_key": "rikyrah", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": true, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839566, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2876238": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "caligirl:  <i>Sorry</i><br><br>Not necessary!  U just post all over the place, IFFF U want! :&gt;)<br><br>It's ALL Good!!  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-05_00:19:35", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2871878, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2868251": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I never said that Tyler Perry is operating a \"simple\" business just like anone else would.  I never said that.  I was addressing the comment -- \"He's donated a lot to Barack and says he wants to make an epic---no doubt goofy--with Denzel as Obama?! \" That is what I was addressing.<br><br> I said it was Tyler Perry's business to run as he sees fit.  I also said - Obama is not responsible for Tyler Perry. <br><br>My point was this is two separate issues and an attempt to link Tyler Perry''s actions and decision making as it pertains to how he chooses to handle his business matter is not Obama's problem.  Why should it be?  <br><br>Again, I don't assume I know everything about everybody.  I don't assume I know why Tyler made the decisions that he did but I am hardpressed to believe he tossed these people out on the street, without health insurance for no good reason.  The man LIVED ON THE STREETS.  He knows how hard it is.   Something happened.  <br><br>That said - what are you going to do about it?  You can try to get to the bottom of the issue by trying to ask the man himself, you can wait until this thing plays out to see what really happened, or you can stop watching his programs and his movies which will directly hit his pockets.  Personally I don't watch his stuff simply because I don't find it funny. But I am saying -- look beyond the surface, try to figure out what happened and then make the decision on what you intend to do about it.  Finally, why should this impact Obama?  It should not.  Look at our comments on some of these posts -- we also donate to Obama -- should he be held responsible for us too?  To tie Obama to the actions of every donor is hogwash and nonsense.  Especially with 31 days left to go in the election and we all know that is the gameplan of the McCain campaign. <br><br>I can't afford to even entertain this type of nonsense.  Kick it back.  One has NOTHING to do with the other.  Now if this was an article about Tyler Perry -- well I would have had a softer response.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_17:09:42", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 5, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2844135, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2873170": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "INTRODUCING 1800 RENT A COON.Find the perfect sellout for your particular venue.<br>Yes folks it is true right now if you are a racist who needs a parrot,puppet fool of a Black man to say what you want them to say,well look no further that your yellow pages.It is called 1-800 RENT A COON.An agency dedicated to serving the interest of white domination and Black subjugation.We have many fool,clown shuffling niggers who will say anything at anytime the master White race tells them to say.And they work cheap.They will sell their souls for a few dollars,an invite to a party or a chance to date a White girl.These Black men care not about the damage they do to the image of their own people just as long as you pay them.Look at the rap industry,recently Lil Wayne made a song called misunderstood,his AnR and label works with 1-800 RENT A COON so we had some interested racist clients hire him to spew hate about the Reverend Al Sharpton.Now Lil Wayne has more fans in Klan infested suburbs buys his cd than ever!You see have these negroes have no soul.If he had an issue with Al Sharpton why didn't he come to him Black Man to Black Man instead of playing the we all one color role and racism is only something Black people without money complain about.Because Lil Wayne knows what the racist masses want to hear young Black disrespecting older Blacks in front of the world and for money.The same racist contacted us and used another of our boys the Game.The former G UNIT member was told to dis Jesse Jackson on a song and say race is not an issue any more.You see we have many Black men selling us their souls for a few buck.Hey the reason you may get a rapper cheap these days the industry is on life support.Look at the VMA'S.We supplied MTV with most of its Black and hip hop acts.We had T pain come as a clown and Lil Wayne run around on stage,with his pants down he charged 75,000 for that one but we made 20 million.Anything you want your coon to say and do we can make it happen.We had both 50 cent and Snoop Dog out making ignorant comment about Senator Barack Obama during the primaries.Bill Clinton wanted his monies worth on that one and he got it.<br>But our prized buck,coon,sambo,traitor to his race is Republican Micheal Steele.The former Lt Gov of Maryland who lost his bid to become the first Black governor,now heads GOPAC.The fundraising arm of the Republican party.We are making a killing with him.He is good for showing up at racist all White political events saying right wing non sense about drilling now for oil even though oil prices are falling and we might have a burst soon like the housing market.You see he guest host on Sean Hannity,and other conservative shows.If you want him to say stupid things like drill baby drill or speak on topics that he has no knowledge about just call us now a 1800 RENT A COON.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_22:22:44", "killed": false, "user_key": "kalagenesis", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2873009, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2838356": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "The Sept 11, 2001 bit should be a good eye opener for those undecideds", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_09:31:08", "killed": false, "user_key": "nickwah22", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2838279, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2836309": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "rikyrah:  O.K.  I'm crying!!  This is  <b>PRICELESS!!</b>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_01:47:21", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2839386": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "After the debate my mother called and told me she liked Palin as a person but not as a VP. She said, if that old man dies we won't need someone nice, we'll need someone smart.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:43:04", "killed": false, "user_key": "evita", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836701, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2873180": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I can see the new McCain ad now...<br><br>Ms. Voiceover...OJ Simpson was just convicted of various crimes against our community.  (Mug shot of OJ flashes up; pictures of Ron & Nicole, the Bronco chase in the background).  Like OJ, Barack Obama also has questionable judgement...friendships with terrorists (pic of William Ayers), con men (pic of Rezko), theives (pic of Frank Raines) and people who hate America (Rev. Wright)...Barack Obama and OJ Simpson...BAD judgement...BAD behavior...BAD for this country (pic of little white girl holding a doll).<br><br>\"I'm John McCain and I approve this message.\"", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_22:24:34", "killed": false, "user_key": "Town", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2838291, "depth": 3, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2869087": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "lol...<br><br>OMG! OMG! OMG!<br><a href=\"http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/4/85932/4406/573/619815\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/4/859...</a><br><br>First Michigan, now Pennsylvania!? Why Can't McCain Close the Deal on \"Hard Working Americans...\"?<br><a href=\"http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/4/8263/27761/817/619547\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/4/8263/27...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_19:09:51", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sombody_took_my_username", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2873184": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Val sounds a bit loopy. The Field Negro calls it Obamaholism. Yeah, one DOES have a lot to do with the other, Tyler, and Obama. In the entertainment industry, in society. This is America. <br><br>But you know, maybe it's not greed, stupidity or ego. Maybe Tyler's going nuts because it's tough trying to hide sexual identity from his very religious fans. LOL", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_22:25:33", "killed": false, "user_key": "dcf2c9ce3819616f8ba0ca48c54519c4", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868632, "depth": 5, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2869605": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "What is you telling about this letter is not the analysis itself, which I think everybody but Karmi and s would agree on, but why the information is being presented. The Ambassaador is thinking about what does this mean for England.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_20:34:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "RobM", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2867789, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2868583": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Send it to D. maybe if he get out of his Captain America costume long enough he can see the light.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_17:53:02", "killed": false, "user_key": "djchefron", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2867864, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2841319": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I'm not trying to be funny but if they really think Obama is the AntiChrist do they really think if he's not elected he'll be 'Aw shucks, better luck next time\" and disappear in a flash of vapor?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_13:07:41", "killed": false, "user_key": "Town", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2841306, "depth": 4, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2837869": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "oh please.  contrary to popular belief Obama does not control the minds of all black people and is not responsible for everyone's action.  <br><br>I think this is complete nonsense.  Who cares what Tyler Perry is doing?  I sure as heck don't.  So what if he fired some black writers?  We don't know why he made that decision and he has the right to do that  because guess what -- it is his company.  So what if he kept his white head writer?  Again, we don't know the reason why he made that decision and guess what -- it is his company and he can do that.  How do you know Tyler did not offer health insurance?  Were the writers independent contractors or employees?  That makes a difference . . . Agree with it or not . . . it is not relevant and I could care less.<br><br>Now that you say you know all this -- what are you going to do about it?  You can make a decision to not see another Tyler Perry movie or you can send him a note asking why he chose to do this but again - I could care less about Tyler Perry because as it pertains to the race for the next President of the United States -- he has the same amount of influence on Obama as you/me/or any other supporter.<br><br>Holding Obama responsible for Tyler Perry's business decision is like holding Obama responsible for what we write/post on this blog.  Utter nonsense and hogwash.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_07:35:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 8, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2837746, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839918": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "oh, okay. I just wondered how it was going...", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_12:05:06", "killed": false, "user_key": "JJai", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839883, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2836338": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Oh My God!  So precious! I love this picture!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_01:53:34", "killed": false, "user_key": "8b4edfeff97a04858d7247b03c0d0fd8", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2839187": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Nobody comes and campaigns in my state ;-( definitely not feeling the love!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:14:16", "killed": false, "user_key": "nickwah22", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839171, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2838249": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<b>A Mother's Promise: Barack's Biography</b><br><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjF51ALu0sc\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjF51ALu0sc</a><br><br>The  biography of Barack Obama that played at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, before Barack's acceptance speech. <br><br>Obama-Biden '08!!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_09:13:45", "killed": false, "user_key": "Suprk", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839932": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Just found this in one of the rec diaries over at dkos: <a href=\"http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/4/85848/1098/574/619814\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/4/85848/1...</a>. <br><br>This definitely needs to be out there.<br><br>Saturday, October 4, 2008<br>TO: Interested Parties<br>FR: Obama-Biden Campaign<br>RE: Five Pitfalls of the McCain Health Plan<br><br>FIVE PITFALLS OF THE MCCAIN HEALTH PLAN<br><br>John McCain\u2019s \u201cradical\u201d health care plan will undermine the health care that millions of Americans have come to rely on, and while shifting costs onto individuals and hurting the budgets of working families. In five crucial areas the McCain plan will make America\u2019s already fragile health care system worse, making it more difficult to solve our nation\u2019s health crisis.<br><br>Pays for a New Tax Credit by Taxing Employees\u2019 Health Benefits for the First Time in History. John McCain and Sarah Palin argue that their health care plan is budget neutral, and that it includes a new $5,000 health care tax credit to help families purchase insurance. What they don\u2019t tell you is that to pay for their plan, they will tax the health benefits that workers receive from their employers for the first time in history. Moreover, McCain\u2019s health care tax credits would go directly to insurance companies, while his new tax on employee health premiums would come directly out of workers\u2019 pockets. This tax punishes those who currently have generous health insurance, and over time will result in higher taxes for tens of millions of middle-class families.<br>\u2022OBAMA PLAN: Offering tax credits to make health care affordable for all Americans, without imposing a new tax on employer health benefits. Barack Obama\u2019s health care plan is fully paid for by reducing health care costs, eliminating overpayments to HMOs and rolling back a portion of the Bush tax cuts for families making over $250,000 per year.<br><br>Forces at least 20 million people to lose employer-based coverage. By taxing employee health benefits, the McCain plan will make it more expensive for employers to provide coverage. As a result, independent analyses show that employers will drop at least 20 million people from coverage and force them to seek insurance in the individual market, where costs are higher, quality is lower, and coverage more uncertain. By moving more risk upon the shoulders of individuals, it raises insurance costs for everyone nationally. And by forcing millions into the individual market, people with pre-existing conditions from asthma to cancer will be at risk of not being able to get health insurance at all.<br>\u2022OBAMA PLAN: Building upon the employer based health-insurance system by letting workers keep the health insurance they have or to purchase a different plan in a new pool that ensures quality and affordable coverage.<br><br>Undermines the ability of people who do have coverage to get services from cancer screenings to vaccines. The McCain plan undermines state laws that require insurance companies to cover bedrock health care services such as cancer screenings and vaccines. The plan empowers insurance companies over doctors and nurses, while making America less healthy. In fact, John McCain recently explained his intention to deregulate health insurance along the lines that the banking industry has been deregulated over the past decade.<br>\u2022OBAMA PLAN: Protecting existing state regulations and increasing protections for American families by requiring health insurance companies to cover all Americans regardless of health status and outlawing unreasonable rate and fee increases.<br><br>Fails to take on rising health care costs. The McCain plan has no strategy to contain spiraling national health care costs. Without the aggressive investments needed to modernize our health care system, a recent analysis concluded that McCain\u2019s plan could actually increase health care costs by $37 billion by 2010.<br>\u2022OBAMA PLAN: Bringing down health care costs by $2,500 per year, per family, through aggressive investments in health information technology, chronic care management, comparative effectiveness research, and an emphasis on prevention.<br><br>Fails to address the crisis of the uninsured. The McCain health plan does not even attempt to solve the problem of the uninsured \u2013 it barely reduces the number of uninsured individuals, and it leaves those with preexisting conditions at the greatest risk of being unable to find affordable coverage. This lack of commitment to ensuring affordable coverage for all Americans is consistent with McCain\u2019s record, including his vote last fall against funding the State Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) that would have extended coverage to 3.8 million children.<br>\u2022 OBAMA PLAN: Ensure that every single American can purchase quality, affordable healthcare, so that no American is uninsured.<br>In all these respects the McCain health plan represents a continuation of the policies we have seen over the last eight years, policies that have contributed to health premiums more than doubling, 7 million more Americans uninsured, and nearly 2 million more Americans without employer sponsored insurance.<br><br>For a more detailed discussion check out this link: <br><br><a href=\"http://obama.3cdn.net/0aa72299f5f5375dc6_kt6mvyupj.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://obama.3cdn.net/0aa72299f5f5375dc6_kt6mvy...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_12:07:01", "killed": false, "user_key": "fd35c4322b63b2dab06baea3e23047cf", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2868606": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "It was probably taken yesterday when he was in Abington , PA. I like the photo very much too.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_17:56:34", "killed": false, "user_key": "Rhondacoca", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868311, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2873215": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "When Barack was in Lansing, Michigan last week.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_22:30:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "CraigHickman", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868311, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839424": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/4/45343/1816/614/619758\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/4/45343/1...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:47:21", "killed": false, "user_key": "CraigHickman", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839365, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839427": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "The entire endorsement is fabulous. And it's long.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:48:01", "killed": false, "user_key": "CraigHickman", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839242, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2873228": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I know I'm treading on dangerous ground with this comment, which is why I apologized in advance. <br><br>If I've caused any pain, please forgive me.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_22:34:13", "killed": false, "user_key": "CraigHickman", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868193, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2836366": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "rikyrah:  Can errybody NOW smell the RACISM??<br><br><a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/03/obama-camp-debunks-voter_n_131686.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/03/obama-...</a><br><b>FOX News, GOP Tag Team Obama With Voter Fraud Smear</b><br><br><i>Weeks out from election day, Fox News has begun devoting extensive coverage to a scandal alleging \"deep ties\" between Barack Obama and a \"radical\" group of election thieves. The segments have aired repeatedly on the network's morning show as well as on prime time programs like Hannity & Colmes.<br><br>On Friday morning, capping of a full week of coverage on the topic, the hosts of Fox & Friends introduced a segment on Obama and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) by saying:<br><br>    \"The community group ACORN under scrutiny for potential voter fraud issues and Barack Obama's long-term relationship with the radical group also coming more to light. But is the mainstream media keeping both under wraps?\" [...]<br><br><br>SKIP<br><br>The ball was then passed to Seton Motley from the conservative Media Research Center, who charged \"three stages of connection\" between Obama and ACORN. \"He was a lawyer for the organization. He then served his years as a trainer of activists for the organization. And when he was named Chairman of the Board by terrorist William Ayers to the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, they funneled money to, amongst many other places, ACORN. <b>So there is three stages</b> of relationship with them.\"</i><br><br>{I bolded the lack of SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT!}<br><br>SKIP <br><br><i>As for the other two charges of ACORN ties, an Obama aide calls them complete fictions. \"The Republican National Committee is using smoke and mirrors in an attempt to distract from John McCain's more of the same plans in a change election,\" said spokesman Ben LaBolt. \"The fact is, Barack Obama was never an employee of ACORN, he never served as an ACORN organizer or an ACORN trainer. As an attorney, he successfully challenged Governor Edgar to enforce the federal Motor Voter law, making sure voting was as accessible for Illinois residents as the law required. With contorted logic, you can create a tenuous chain of links to connect anybody to anything. Just ask Kevin Bacon.\"<br><br>Seton Motley, reached at his Media Research Center office Friday afternoon, abruptly refused to engage in depth with the Obama camp's response to his Fox & Friends segment (after first saying \"I'm all ears\").</i><br><br>RACISM!!  ALIVE and VERY WELL!!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_02:00:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 16, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2872055": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Love the adjectives used to describe McCain in this story:<br><br>Crazed<br>Shaky<br>Seething<br>a White House place holder for Palin<br>Out of juice and out of ideas<br>fading into incoherence and irrelevalance", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_21:31:18", "killed": false, "user_key": "Town", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2870544, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2868632": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Val, you wrote alot without apparently reading my words. I actually agreed with you about this not having anything to do with BHO.  Even to think that John McCain's campaign would latch onto this connection as a 'gotcha' is utterly laughable, so I'm not sure why you're worried about it so. Also, this is the  \"Saturday <b>Open Thread</b>\", not the \"Saturday Barack Thread\".  Somebody apparently thought enough of the item to bring it up, although with a flimsy introduction.  Let's not make this a 'big picture' argument because it isn't. <br><br>My response to you was mostly aimed at your dismissal of the stories' importance.  The thread wasn't directly about BHO, it turned toward the direction of  Tyler Perry, of whom I'm not a fan. That is what I was responding to you about.  I thought it noteworthy because Perry obviously wants to make his mark in Hollywood, but his actions behind the scenes imply that he doesn't want to go about it the right way (treating the writers who helped him get there fairly).  <br><br>You noted your distaste for Perry's work. Well, his business actions in this episode apparently mirror the attitudes of Bob Johnson and BET executives in the 1990s, who were notorious for skirting equitable pay and benefits for talent, producers, and support staff involved from every show--from Video Soul to Comic View, the latter of which was at one time the target of a protest that Jay Leno, Tim Allen, and the late Richard Pryor lent their names toward in 1999. <br><br>You asked about my examination of the situation; do YOU know what the agreement was between Perry and these writers? Do YOU know if these fired writers will be compensated for their work on the 100+ episodes now in daily syndication to TV stations across the country (and not just TBS)? And what about the actors who work for him--are they covered, or will they simply be 'arsed out' for seeking fairer compensation down the road? <br><br>I don't think it's too much to consider another subject for about five minutes at time, especially since I'm not asking you to stage a boycott or a march.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_17:59:50", "killed": false, "user_key": "Nate_Wesley", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 4, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868251, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2858386": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Wonderful.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_15:57:24", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sombody_took_my_username", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839775, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839959": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "she is so beautiful! We are beautiful! That's apart of why I want him to win so that even more frequently we are seeing postive images of our beauty, our love, and ourselves.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_12:10:11", "killed": false, "user_key": "JJai", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839326, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839448": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Texas_Girl:   Thanks for bringin' this!!  It was GREAT!!  Bofa dem were soo on point!!<br><br>LOL!!   :&gt;)", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:51:01", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2838279, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2843035": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Agreed, this picture says it all.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_14:57:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "Nate_Wesley", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2842858, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2873244": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Kay Bailey Hutchinson has vanished from the airwaves.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_22:37:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "CraigHickman", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2867779, "depth": 2, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839365": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "if anyone comes across Letterman clips from last night, please post links", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:40:23", "killed": false, "user_key": "rikyrah", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": true, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2843556": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/27015683#27015683\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/2701568...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_15:12:29", "killed": false, "user_key": "Nate_Wesley", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839835, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2866085": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I can't get enough of these pics of people, especially children, encountering Obama. I don't what it is. <br><br>Its like people are just gobsmacked, but more than just starstruck. There's so much wonder, so much hope. Maybe even too much for a politician; that amount of power can be a dangerous thing and expectations for him could easily get out of control. <br><br>But that aside, its like they can't believe this is happening. This meaning not just him appearing, but what he represents, and what his rise says about us.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_16:01:57", "killed": false, "user_key": "94dec464ba2020919c31e0f36a8cc034", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2839462": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "dj:  I watched this K.O. show 3 times yesterday  - just so I could see this segment!! :&gt;)<br><br>Thanks!<br><br>Obama-Biden '08!!", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_10:53:57", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2838247, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2838439": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Just a thought. When will we start seeing stories in the media on why cant McCain close the deal with white voters?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_09:42:27", "killed": false, "user_key": "djchefron", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2838440": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I know. It needs to be said over and over.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_09:42:27", "killed": false, "user_key": "Texas_Girl_in_LA", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2838356, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2836395": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "rikyrah:  Arianna weighs in!  \"SNAKE EYES\"!<br><br><a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/vp-debate-mccains-big-gam_b_131489.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffingto...</a><br><b>VP DEBATE:  McCain's Big Gamble Comes Up Snake Eyes</b><br><br><i>I watched the vice presidential debate in a ballroom at the Four Seasons hotel in Aviara, just north of San Diego, along with a couple of hundred women attending Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit -- a receptive audience, you would think, for a debate featuring a woman who might become the most powerful in the land. It was an ideologically mixed crowd, including representatives of ExxonMobil, a major sponsor of the conference.<br><br>If the reaction of the Republican women in the room is any indication, it was not a very good night for Sarah Palin. The only noises heard during the debate were groans when Palin turned her folksiness meter up to 11 (which was often), and applause when Joe Biden delivered his best moments of the night: making personal his understanding of the plight of single parents sitting around their kitchen tables, looking for help; and his impassioned pushback on Palin's endless description of John McCain as \"a maverick.\"<br><br>The loudest ovation of the night -- at least in that ballroom (granted, not the most representative-of-America crowd) -- came when Biden said that Dick Cheney was the most dangerous VP in history.<br><br>SKIP<br><br>Joe Biden's only insincere moment was when he told her: \"Governor, it was a pleasure to meet you.\"<br><br>A better exit line would have been: \"Governor, it's a pleasure to think that, God willing, in 33 days, you'll be back where you belong -- shootin' moose and takin' on those big oil companies in Alaska.\"<br><br>My patience with Palin is waving the white flag of surrender.</i><br><br>And I thought Alaska was COLD!!  :&gt;)<br><br><br>Obama-Biden '08!!<br><br>THERE IS MORE.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_02:07:38", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2868652": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I am not offended...what the GOP is doing to her is called prostitution.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_18:03:13", "killed": false, "user_key": "Rhondacoca", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839710, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2873261": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "RAOTFLMAO", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_22:39:17", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2838439, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2869167": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Not only did Clinton embarrass women but she tried to pimp women right along with those hard-working Americans = White lower class Americans.  Any group (Hispanics, anyone?) that she may or may not gave a fuck about that could get her over the top.<br><br>Now there is, of course, the distinction to be made that Clinton herself, because of her intelligence and knowledge of the issues, was not an embarrassment.  Her race-baiting and games were disappointing, if you liked her, and definitely embarrassing when she appeared before the SOBU and when she and Russert played the Farrakhan card against Obama which she promptly followed up with her rank hypocrisy on the denounce and reject front.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_19:22:41", "killed": false, "user_key": "Nquest", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2867872, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2837430": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I saw that picture earlier and was hoping you'd post it just exactly as you did.<br><br>Beautiful.<br><br>Thank you.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_05:02:03", "killed": false, "user_key": "4ec3c0272b87ba5c8ce3a9168cf4e78a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2876346": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Rhondacoca:   <i>. . gorgeous. . </i><br><br>Yes!  He thought of her as a \"piece\" RATHER than a \"brain!\"  He was telling it  - how he thought!  Annnnd, IMHO, this is how she has \"coasted\" through life - \"PAGEANT runner-up!!\"<br><br>Annnnnnd, I \"betcha\" that \"PIMP DADDY\" Todd was NOT OFFENDED! <br>Any <b>decent husband</b> would have taken offense  - in the media!  He would have said, like Mr. Obama did  -  \"Lay off my wife!\"<br><br>NOT \"PIMP DADDY!\"  Give me a break on this pair!!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-05_00:39:29", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868681, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2850465": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Oh no, she di'int! That donkey, Gov. P-lyin',  is braying that Senator Obama is <a href=\"http://thepage.time.com/key-comments-by-sarah-palin-at-colorado-gop-fundraiser/\" rel=\"nofollow\"> ummm, palling around with terrorists</a>. Gosh, I can't wait until 11/4 when she and that half-dead running mate o' hers is slaughtered, figuratively speaking, and left with their innards strewn across the streets of America. Scumbags.<br><br>T.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_15:51:19", "killed": false, "user_key": "d6755b31010b50fc47eac9ee8b3bb319", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2868681": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Thank You Rikyrah.<br><br>Did you here the Pakistani leader call her \"gorgeous\". I thought it was so inappropriate. <br><br>\"this is about White Mediocrity and White Privilege\"....yes, at it best in all its glory.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_18:07:26", "killed": false, "user_key": "Rhondacoca", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839990, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2841547": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Well, at least they cant use an OJ acquittal as a rally cry...<br><br>We gave u OJ, can we now elect Barack? LOL", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_13:35:46", "killed": false, "user_key": "4213d85cb2ee8d8fe1512e743832fce8", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2838291, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2837964": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "And these two items are related... how?", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_08:06:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "deeb389533ae977691c3093fc98f59d0", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2837769, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2836642": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "All dressed up for the 21st century.  Like, why are they interupting good ol' election coverage on cnn to broadcast the reading of the oj verdict? They read the entire stinking verdict.   It's like they've been waiting all these years to get him.  He should have known better than to start acting crazy.  They've been looking for a reason.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_03:15:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "manofsteel", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 12, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836366, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2873297": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "About Ayers- Obama was EIGHT YEARS OLD.<br><br>The man paid his debt to society. <br><br>Now, either we believe in rehabilitation or we don't.<br><br>Ayers knows The Mayor and Governor. That's how it rolls. Of course, if his name had been Leroy Jenkins, he'd STILL be in jail, but I digress. <br><br>Palin's married to a mofo who belonged to a SECESSIONIST GROUP FOR 7 YEARS...<br><br>and OBAMA'S PATRIOTISM IS QUESTIONED?<br><br>WTF?", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_22:43:14", "killed": false, "user_key": "rikyrah", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": true, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868869, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2871250": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Love the picture; I've noticed when the kids are looking at Barack they truly see them selves in him.  My friends kids were the exact same way when they met him.  Love it :-)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_21:23:07", "killed": false, "user_key": "2dcb7ab86ca109aed35adaccb673c5dd", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2876375": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Town:  SPEAK!!  :&gt;)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-05_00:45:28", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868889, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839835": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Was reading Rich Lowery and I swear I thought he was mastubating at the thought that Sarah was winking at him.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_11:51:58", "killed": false, "user_key": "djchefron", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839710, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2836441": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "that's because folks are fighting back this time. fighting back as they try to voter suppress. oh, yes, we will not go lighlty into the night.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_02:22:59", "killed": false, "user_key": "rikyrah", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": true, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836366, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2868733": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Biden\u2019s Unified Theory of Biden<br><a href=\"http://www.newsweek.com/id/162295/page/1\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.newsweek.com/id/162295/page/1</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_18:15:54", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sombody_took_my_username", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839517": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Well, I know she has/will be addicted to the attention and win or loose will be competing for President in 2012 and that is just entirely ridiculous and downright scary!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_11:04:05", "killed": false, "user_key": "JJai", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2838526, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2873234": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "\"You asked about my examination of the situation; do YOU know what the agreement was between Perry and these writers? Do YOU know if these fired writers will be compensated for their work on the 100+ episodes now in daily syndication to TV stations across the country (and not just TBS)? \"<br><br>I did not ask about your examination of anything.  I said \"I don't assume I know everything about everybody. I don't assume I know why Tyler made the decisions that he did but I am hardpressed to believe he tossed these people out on the street, without health insurance for no good reason.  I also said we could ask the question or wait until things play themselves out and based on the answers there are decisions that a consumer could make that would impact his pocketbook \".<br><br>Again, my point to the original note was that an attempt to link Tyler Perry''s actions and decision making as it pertains to how he chooses to handle his business matter is not Obama's problem and that if the post was about Tyler Perry (and not Tyler/'Obama issue) well I would have had a softer response.<br><br>I pushed back against the concept that this could lead to an Obama problem.  It was not.  This was a Tyler Perry problem and no -- it is not farfetched that the McCain campaign would use anything against Obama -- see the original post and the concern that was expressed by the writer.  Specifically -- \"There's a story how this might hurt Obama--with Tyler firing black writers who tried to join the Writers Guild while keeping a white head writer.\"<br><br>That is it for me on this topic.  Town covered it.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_22:35:17", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868632, "depth": 5, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2871717": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Not exactly. McCain wasn't planning to win either of those states to get to 270. <br><br>If he loses Ohio or Florida, though, it's Obama 44. Which, numerologically, is Obama 08. (Be the same for the other one, though, but this is his second attempt.)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_21:27:01", "killed": false, "user_key": "CraigHickman", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2869218, "depth": 2, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2875996": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "rikyrah:  Thank you for this information.  God Bless Mrs. Biden/Mr. Biden and family!", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-05_00:00:05", "killed": false, "user_key": "GreenLadyHere", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2868258, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2868193": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "You know, vilifying strippers and prostitutes may not be the most respectful thing. It's my understanding that there's a lot of controversy about this among feminists. I don't pay enough attention to really have an political opinion on it ... it's just that it tweaks my heart a little when I see sex workers villified, name-called etc. And this (equating them with Sarah Palin) certainly qualifies in provoking that response in me.<br><br>FWIW (or not)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_17:00:58", "killed": false, "user_key": "4ec3c0272b87ba5c8ce3a9168cf4e78a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839710, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2869218": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "If McAncient concedes PA this race is O V E R...", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_19:29:13", "killed": false, "user_key": "60266805bc0d9559a62514e1e769b750", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2869087, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2868197": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "\"Ethnic Print Media Vulnerable During Bad Economy\"<br><br><a href=\"http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=d9cd25e6adfaf3608103b5f842a616f3\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_artic...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_17:01:24", "killed": false, "user_key": "Nate_Wesley", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2844135": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.narbosa.com/2008/10/tyler-perry-fires-writers-for-union.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.narbosa.com/2008/10/tyler-perry-fire...</a><br><br><i>\"Los Angeles \u2013 The Writers Guild of America, West is taking on the fight for justice of writers who were fired when they tried to get a union contract with Tyler Perry\u2019s production company, House of Payne, LLC. The Guild today filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging that House of Payne unlawfully fired four writers in retaliation for their union activity.<br><br>The charge also alleges that the company bargained in bad faith with the Guild, which is seeking to negotiate a contract covering the writers on Perry\u2019s cable television series House of Payne and Meet the Browns.<br><br>The four writers, Kellie Griffin, Christopher Moore, Teri Brown-Jackson, and Lamont Ferrell, as well as supporters from the Writers Guild and the community, will be picketing during Saturday\u2019s opening of Perry\u2019s new studio and they\u2019re asking invited guests to respect their picket line.<br><br>Together, these writers have written over one hundred episodes of House of Payne. Since April of this year they have been involved in a union organizing campaign with the Writers Guild of America, West so that their work on that show and the upcoming Meet the Browns would be covered by a Guild contract. Despite the enormous success of House of Payne, Perry has refused to agree to a contract that would give the writers health care, pensions, and residuals. On Tuesday of this week he fired the writers, after warning them some weeks ago that they should \u201cbe careful about pushing the WGA deal or you could be replaced.\u201d</i><br><br>Val, you're right that this has nothing to do with Sen. Obama.  But  before you say that Tyler Perry is operating a simple business just like anyone else would...Tyler Perry IS NOT operating a simple business just anyone else.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_15:30:25", "killed": false, "user_key": "Nate_Wesley", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 6, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2837869, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2838504": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I love your Open Thread pictures.  This one is sensational!  Thanks for posting them.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_09:54:33", "killed": false, "user_key": "3b9d8c624a2b88a2b56debbc84ba6308", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2840060": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I have been reading Christian bloggers stating that Obama is the anti Christ because is being touted as \"The One\" (by whom I have not a clue) I read this from both black and white bloggers.  I dropped my head in sadness and shame reading Black folks using scriptures to support the idea that Obama is the anti christ).    Now we know that this this is part a subtle racist attack implying that some other worldly forces must be in play for a Black man can command so much power.  <br><br>The fact you stated that Palin is a harlot.  I've been wondering to myself can some one can make the argument using scriptures that Palin is the ultimate harlot --Whore of Babylon.   Just a wild idea coming from a place of anger.<br><br>BTW, I don't believe that Palin is some force from Satanic as prescribed in the Bible any more than I believe that Obama is \"The One\" in any shape, form or fashion.  They are politicians", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_12:24:38", "killed": false, "user_key": "ecb8e53ad4dc175b15ab69340dd091f1", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 4, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839710, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2868206": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "<i>Er, I think Hillary DID embarrass women and the country. It's just that Hillary was more fundamentally more intelligent while doing so.</i><br><br>Truthseeker: co-sign!!<br><br>She was truly an embarassment IMO. But yes, more intelligent about it. Same thing, different style IMO.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_17:02:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "4ec3c0272b87ba5c8ce3a9168cf4e78a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2867872, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2843119": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "This took my breath away.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_15:01:45", "killed": false, "user_key": "641755076da4a05882ac217aefca2ce9", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2873371": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "It must really suck to be a republican with a brain right about now.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_22:51:48", "killed": false, "user_key": "CraigHickman", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year 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}, "2869749": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Wow... the \"Maverick\" is waving the white flag of surrender.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_21:03:24", "killed": false, "user_key": "Rhondacoca", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2869087, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2839785": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Bush refused to even visit my state. Yay Vermont!<br>Obama or Else!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_11:44:17", "killed": false, "user_key": "313c8f108b43104806fa6f1472af3f83", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839329, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2868220": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Hmm, I am a woman and I <b>do</b> roll that way (I am attracted to other women). But Sarah Palin is just physically disgusting. To me there is absolutely NOTHING sexy about that person, nothing. She's just disgusting.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_17:04:50", "killed": false, "user_key": "4ec3c0272b87ba5c8ce3a9168cf4e78a", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2839772, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2836477": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "this was funny<br><br>love this quote:<br><br>\"The home-spun homilies have to go,\" Martha Stewart told me. \"And, oh my god, words do have ending consonants.\"", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_02:33:29", "killed": false, "user_key": "rikyrah", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": true, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836395, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2838526": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I can comfortably say I don't think she will ever be ready for the White House - in ANY capacity.  When the election is over, and the coaching has stopped, who will make her decisions for her?  God forbid a tie were to occur on the Senate floor.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-04_09:57:08", "killed": false, "user_key": "nickwah22", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2836701, "depth": 1, "points": 1, "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": "5332370", "user_id": "anonymous", "forum_id": "21630", "hash": -348143442355316438}, "thread": {"days_alive": 0, "slug": "saturday_open_thread_00", "paginate": false, "num_pages": 1, "num_posts": 194, "per_page": 0, "total_posts": 0, "realtime_paused": true, "id": 5332370, "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"};
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	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=saturday_open_thread_00' +
		'&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/saturday_open_thread_00/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='	+ 'saturday_open_thread_00'
			+ '&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/saturday_open_thread_00/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">194</span> Comments\
	 &nbsp;\
	 <span class="dsq-item-feed">\
	 <a href="http://jackandjillpolitics.disqus.com/saturday_open_thread_00/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/saturday_open_thread_00/">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:5332370" 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/saturday_open_thread_00/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:5332370" 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:5332370" 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'				: 'saturday_open_thread_00',
			// 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/saturday_open_thread_00/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='	+ 'saturday_open_thread_00'
			+ '&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='	+ 'saturday_open_thread_00'
			+ '&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='		+ 'saturday_open_thread_00'
				+ '&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/5332370/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;
	};
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		// 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:
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		var name = Dsq.Iframes.makeReplyIframeName(opt_postId, params.xtype);
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			'id': id,
			'name': name,
			'class': opt_className || 'dsq-post-reply'
			};
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				xtype: params.xtype
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	obj.showLoginIframeInContainer = function(container, opt_postId) {
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Dsq.Yahoo = new function() {
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	this.startYahooConnect = function() {
		var popupParams = 'location=0,status=0,width=800,height=400';
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			window.clearInterval(that._yahooInterval);
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};

Dsq.OpenID = new function() {
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		message += '<td><label for="dsq-openid-url">OpenID URL:</label></td><td><input type="text" id="dsq-openid-url" /></td></tr>';
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			window.clearInterval(that._openidInterval);
			window.location.reload();
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};

Dsq.Reaction = new function() {
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		Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/jackandjillpolitics/hidereaction.js?' + 'reaction_id=' + id);
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Dsq.CNN = function() {
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	obj.authenticate = function() {
		var url = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + "/saml/cnn/try/";
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if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) {
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		DSQ_HEADER_AVATAR_RE = /<div class="dsq-header-avatar"(.*?)>/gim;
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			// Add "onmouseout" for dsq-header-avatar for dropProfile
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			html = html.replace(DSQ_HEADER_AVATAR_RE, _headerAvatarReplace);
			return html;
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}





	// 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 () {
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	var scriptEl = document.createElement('script');
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	scriptEl.setAttribute('src', 'http://seesmic.com/version.js?callback=seesmic.widget.callback');
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	var scriptEl = document.createElement('script');
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	function see_play_video(_videoUri, _add) {
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		flashcontentDiv = Dsq.$(_videoUri + '_content');
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		hideDiv = Dsq.$('dsq-seesmic-' + _videoUri + '_hide');
		showDiv = Dsq.$('dsq-seesmic-' + _videoUri + '_show');
		if(_add) {
			// push flash widget
			var so = new SWFObject(swf, 'sotester', '300', '270', '9', '#000000');
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			so.addParam('allowScriptAccess','always');
			so.useExpressInstall('swfobject/expressinstall.swf');
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			showDiv.style.display = 'block';
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(function() {
	//
	// Load theme.  This overrides the base templates with template functions
	// from the respective themes.
	//
	if (Dsq.jsonData.integration.theme == 4) {
		var theme = 'narcissus';
		// HACK: Set variable on window to use post message.
		window.disqus_use_postmessage = true;

		
		for(var prop in Dsq.Themes[theme]) {
			if(Dsq.Themes[theme] && Dsq.Themes[theme].hasOwnProperty(prop)) {
				Dsq.Templates[prop] = Dsq.Themes[theme][prop];
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			if(Dsq.Themes[theme] && Dsq.Themes[theme].hasOwnProperty(prop)) {
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	//
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	//
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('authPost', Dsq.Templates.authPost);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('header', Dsq.Templates.header);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('footer', Dsq.Templates.footer);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('trackbacks', Dsq.Templates.trackbacks);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('reactions', Dsq.Templates.reactions);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('prependPost', Dsq.Templates.prependPost);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('appendPost', Dsq.Templates.appendPost);
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	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postFooter', Dsq.Templates.postFooter);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('_popupGeneric', Dsq.Templates._popupGeneric);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('voted', Dsq.Templates.voted);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('popupProfile', Dsq.Templates.popupProfile);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postBox', Dsq.Templates.postBox);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('pagination', Dsq.Templates.pagination);
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Dsq.container.className = "clearfix";
Dsq.container.innerHTML = ' \
<ul id="dsq-comments">\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2837702">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2837702" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2837702" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2837702">Teacher</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2837702" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2837702" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.redroom.com/blog/tim-wise/this-your-nation-white-privilege-updated" rel="nofollow">http://www.redroom.com/blog/tim-wise/this-your-...</a><br><br><br>THIS IS YOUR NATION ON WHITE PRIVILEGE (UPDATED)<br><br><br>September 13, 2008, 2:01 pm<br><br>By Tim Wise <br><br>For those who still can’t grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.<br><br>White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents, because “every family has challenges,” even as black and Latino families with similar “challenges” are regularly typified as irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay. <br><br>White privilege is when you can call yourself a “fuckin’ redneck,” like Bristol Palin’s boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you\'ll “kick their fuckin\' ass,” and talk about how you like to “shoot shit” for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug. <br><br>White privilege is when you can attend four different colleges in six years like Sarah Palin did (one of which you basically failed out of, then returned to after making up some coursework at a community college), and no one questions your intelligence or commitment to achievement, whereas a person of color who did this would be viewed as unfit for college, and probably someone who only got in in the first place because of affirmative action. <br><br>White privilege is when you can claim that being mayor of a town smaller than most medium-sized colleges, and then Governor of a state with about the same number of people as the lower fifth of the island of Manhattan, makes you ready to potentially be president, and people don’t all piss on themselves with laughter, while being a black U.S. Senator, two-term state Senator, and constitutional law scholar, means you’re “untested.”\
	 <br><br>White privilege is being able to say that you support the words “under God” in the pledge of allegiance because “if it was good enough for the founding fathers, it’s good enough for me,” and not be immediately disqualified from holding office--since, after all, the pledge was written in the late 1800s and the “under God” part wasn’t added until the 1950s--while if you\'re black and believe in reading accused criminals and terrorists their rights (because the Constitution, which you used to teach at a prestigious law school requires it), you\'re a dangerous and mushy liberal who isn\'t fit to safeguard American institutions.\
	 <br><br>White privilege is being able to be a gun enthusiast and not make people immediately scared of you.\
	 <br><br>White privilege is being able to have a husband who was a member of an extremist political party that wants your state to secede from the Union, and whose motto is “Alaska first,” and no one questions your patriotism or that of your family, while if you\'re black and your spouse merely fails to come to a 9/11 memorial so she can be home with her kids on the first day of school, people immediately think she’s being disrespectful.\
	 <br><br>White privilege is being able to make fun of community organizers and the work they do--like, among other things, fight for the right of women to vote, or for civil rights, or the 8-hour workday, or an end to child labor--and people think you’re being pithy and tough, but if you merely question the experience of a small town mayor and 18-month governor with no foreign policy expertise beyond a class she took in college and the fact that she lives near Russia, you’re somehow being mean, or even sexist.\
	 <br><br>White privilege is being able to convince white women who don’t even agree with you on any substantive issue to vote for you and your running mate anyway, because all of a sudden your presence on the ticket has inspired confidence in these same white women, and made them give your party a “second look.”\
	 <br><br>White privilege is being able to fire people who didn’t support your political campaigns and not be accused of abusing your power or being a typical politician who engages in favoritism, while being black and merely knowing some folks from the old-line political machines in Chicago means you must be corrupt.\
	 <br><br>White privilege is when you can take nearly twenty-four hours to get to a hospital after beginning to leak amniotic fluid, and still be viewed as a great mom whose commitment to her children is unquestionable, and whose "next door neighbor" qualities make her ready to be VP, while if you\'re a black candidate for president and you let your children be interviewed for a few seconds on TV, you\'re irresponsibly exploiting them.<br><br>White privilege is being able to give a 36-minute speech in which you talk about lipstick and make fun of your opponent, while laying out no substantive policy positions on any issue at all, and still manage to be considered a legitimate candidate, while a black person who gives an hour speech the week before, in which he lays out specific policy proposals on several issues, is still criticized for being too vague about what he would do if elected. <br><br>White privilege is being able to attend churches over the years whose pastors say that people who voted for John Kerry or merely criticize George W. Bush are going to hell, and that the U.S. is an explicitly Christian nation and the job of Christians is to bring Christian theological principles into government, and who bring in speakers who say the conflict in the Middle East is God’s punishment on Jews for rejecting Jesus, and everyone can still think you’re just a good church-going Christian, but if you’re black and friends with a black pastor who has noted (as have Colin Powell and the U.S. Department of Defense) that terrorist attacks are often the result of U.S. foreign policy and who talks about the history of racism and its effect on black people, you’re an extremist who probably hates America.\
	 <br><br>White privilege is not knowing what the Bush Doctrine is when asked by a reporter, and then people get angry at the reporter for asking you such a “trick question,” while being black and merely refusing to give one-word answers to the queries of Bill O’Reilly means you’re dodging the question, or trying to seem overly intellectual and nuanced.\
	 <br><br>White privilege is being able to go to a prestigious prep school, then to Yale and Harvard Business School (George W. Bush), and still be seen as an "average guy," while being black, going to a prestigious prep school, then Occidental College, then Columbia, and then Harvard Law, makes you "uppity" and a snob who probably looks down on regular folks. <br><br>White privilege is being able to graduate near the bottom of your college class (McCain), or graduate with a C average from Yale (W.), and that\'s OK, and you\'re still cut out to be president, but if you\'re black and you graduate near the top of your class from Harvard Law, you can\'t be trusted to make good decisions in office. <br><br>White privilege is being able to dump your first wife after she\'s disfigured in a car crash so you can take up with a multi-millionaire beauty queen (who you then go on to call the c-word in public) and still be thought of as a man of strong family values, while if you\'re black and married for nearly 20 years to the same woman, your family is viewed as un-American and your gestures of affection for each other are called "terrorist fist bumps."<br><br>White privilege is when you can develop a pain-killer addiction, having obtained your drug of choice illegally like Cindy McCain, go on to beat that addiction, and everyone praises you for being so strong, while being a black guy who smoked pot a few times in college and never became an addict means people will wonder if perhaps you still get high, and even ask whether or not you may have sold drugs at some point. <br><br>White privilege is being able to sing a song about bombing Iran and still be viewed as a sober and rational statesman, with the maturity to be president, while being black and suggesting that the U.S. should speak with other nations, even when we have disagreements with them, makes you dangerously naive and immature.<br><br>White privilege is being able to say that you hate "gooks" and "will always hate them," and yet, you aren\'t a racist because, ya know, you were a POW, so you\'re entitled to your hatred, while being black and noting that black anger about racism is understandable, given the history of your country, makes you a dangerous bigot. <br><br>White privilege is being able to claim your experience as a POW has anything at all to do with your fitness for president, while being black and experiencing racism and an absent father is apparently among the "lesser adversities" faced by other politicians, as Sarah Palin explained in her convention speech.<br><br>And finally, white privilege is the only thing that could possibly allow someone to become president when he has voted with George W. Bush 90 percent of the time, even as unemployment is skyrocketing, people are losing their homes, inflation is rising, and the U.S. is increasingly isolated from world opinion, just because white voters aren’t sure about that whole “change” thing. Ya know, it’s just too vague and ill-defined, unlike, say, four more years of the same, which is very concrete and certain…\
	 <br><br>White privilege is, in short, the problem.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839359">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839359" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839359" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2839359" href="http://blog.evavegadiversity.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">evita</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839359" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839359" class="dsq-comment-message">It just occurred to me that this whole McCain/ Obama thing reflects the state of Affirmative Action. The Black man is clearly more qualified, so they really can\'t hire the white guy so instead- they take the white woman candidate "So no one can say they are prejudiced." I\'ve been on dozens of searches. Hers is teh kind of "diversity" they can manage and it is reflected in the historical success of Affirmative Action and its benefits for only white women.<br><br>Though this time they will get their assess handed to them on the stick.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2837741">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2837741" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2837741" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2837741">Town</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2837741" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2837741" class="dsq-comment-message">White priviledge means being able to devalue the highest office in the land because it is about to be won by a non-white person, and declaring that "anyone," even inarticulate small town mayors with minimal education and experience can be seen as credible candidates to the office.  Because if this unqualified n------r can be president, then any Joe Six Pack with a GED flipping burgers can be president, too.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2838564">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2838564" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2838564" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2838564">nickwah22</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2838564" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2838564" class="dsq-comment-message">I really wonder what these folk who consider Palin qualified for the VP/President position think about the people who are MORE qualified than her?  What should THEY be doing with themselves if not helping to rise us out of the shambles we are in now.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839215">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839215" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839215" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839215">nickwah22</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839215" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839215" class="dsq-comment-message">This explains why I heard 3 different reporters (one surprisingly on Foxnews) mentioning Palin\'s mix up between McClellan and McKiernan.<br><br>That alone discredits her whole foreign policy cred, but yet, it still seems okay.  Its not a blunder, she just confused some of the info they made her memorize.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2869289">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2869289" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2869289" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2869289">Town</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2869289" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2869289" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/4/191315/744/140/620248" rel="nofollow">http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/4/191315/...</a><br><br>John McCain\'s brother: "Arlington VA is Communist Country."<br><br><br>Way to go, jackass.  Just insult Northern Va. which is pretty much CRUCIAL if your brother expects to win.  And BTW, ya might wanna ask your brother McFail why he and Cindy own a condo in Arlington VA aka Communist Country.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2869292">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2869292" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2869292" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2869292">Town</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2869292" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2869292" class="dsq-comment-message">McFail\'s campaign headquarters is also based in Arlington VA aka Communist Country.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2869360">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2869360" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2869360" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2869360">TruthSeeker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2869360" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2869360" class="dsq-comment-message">LOL!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2876528">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2876528" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2876528" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2876528">Monie</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2876528" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2876528" class="dsq-comment-message">But, what is even more startling and sad is that critics of Martin Luther King, Jr. smeared him by claiming he had Communist ties, it\'s deja vu.......It just goes to show you that many people are terrified of the inspiration and movement Obama has stirred in this country, much like King did in the 1960\'s....  Sometimes the more things change the more they stay the same.<br><br>McCain\'s brother is a dumbass ...and if I am not mistaken, McCain spent his teen years in NoVA and graduated from high school there.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2868869">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868869" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868869" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2868869">T.</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868869" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868869" class="dsq-comment-message">Couple thoughts:<br><br>1) I see that another Kitchen Sink assault is imminent. Governor Stupid led off the charge today. Well, I trust that the Obama camp is ready. Here\'s a thought: On Tuesday night, I assume that they will be allowed time for a closing statement. So, right there across from McBush - yep, on the same stage - Obama should remind the American people that his opponent does not "get it"; that his opponent has no idea how to solve the crippling problems that affect us; and, therefore will resort to irrelevant and offensive tactics in order to scare or fool them. Senator Obama should then implore us to not let his opponent drag us into the mud with them this time. He should tell us to reject that sort of politics and to stay focused on the issues that matter. <br><br>He should tell us, "My opponents think you guys are stupid. I trust you guys and I know you\'re not. So, it\'s time for us to say to them - Enough is enough; we don\'t need another four years that looks like the dismal failure of the last eight. So stay vigilant because they are going to try everything they can to make this election about silly things, and you cannot make that happen." <br><br>So basically, he would be reminding us that we have the power to reject the negative tactics that McBush\'s people have signaled that they will employ. You see, I am of the opinion that the smear tactic only work when they are named and when the fence-sitters, who are already on shaky ground, lose resolve. But, Senator Obama can generalize, but warn us that they are coming and that we will know it when we see it; and, then tell us to take charge, stay strong, don\'t waver, we have the power.<br><br>Then, watch John\'s head explode with fury. Like, he cannot believe that Obama took every opportunity to call him John(treating him as an equal, fuck seniority); look him in the eye(totally unafraid and forcing him to look into the eye of the man who he is cleaning his clock in the polls and who he knows he is about to lose to); and, finally, telling the American people that this ingrate is about to treat y\'all like you\'re stoopid when y\'all have bigger fish to fry that sh*theads like Bill Ayers. <br><br>Sweet.<br><br>So, Senator, please call him out on the stage, on national TV about the stink he\'s about to unload on us. Pretty please. Oh yeah, and then unleash an ad with the same message, with you narrating this ad.<br><br>2) I was listening to Senator Obama at his Virginia rally today. And, even though I, basically, understand the contrasts between his healthcare policy with that of John McBush\'s, I was, nevertheless, just horrified as he listed them. I felt a huge mass of fright develop in my stomach. "Say what?" "McCain\'s gonna do what?" "No f-g way!" I wondered if the people behind him were as affected as I was. I certainly hope so.<br><br>T.</div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2868940">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868940" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868940" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2868940">Micheline</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868940" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868940" class="dsq-comment-message">Here is the Obama campaign\'s response:<br><br>Governor Palin’s comments, while offensive, are not surprising, given the McCain campaign’s statement this morning that they would be launching Swiftboat-like attacks in hopes of deflecting attention from the nation’s economic ills. In fact, the very newspaper story Governor Palin cited in hurling her shameless attack made clear that Senator Obama is not close to Bill Ayers, much less ‘pals,’ and that he has strongly condemned the despicable acts Ayers committed 40 years ago, when Obama was eight. What’s clear is that John McCain and Sarah Palin would rather spend their time tearing down Barack Obama than laying out a plan to build up our economy.</div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2869346">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2869346" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2869346" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2869346">T.</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2869346" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2869346" class="dsq-comment-message">Good. Now do it again on the stage in Nashville or wherever on Tuesday. In front of McBush.<br><br>T.</div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2873297">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2873297" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2873297" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2873297">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2873297" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2873297" class="dsq-comment-message">About Ayers- Obama was EIGHT YEARS OLD.<br><br>The man paid his debt to society. <br><br>Now, either we believe in rehabilitation or we don\'t.<br><br>Ayers knows The Mayor and Governor. That\'s how it rolls. Of course, if his name had been Leroy Jenkins, he\'d STILL be in jail, but I digress. <br><br>Palin\'s married to a mofo who belonged to a SECESSIONIST GROUP FOR 7 YEARS...<br><br>and OBAMA\'S PATRIOTISM IS QUESTIONED?<br><br>WTF?</div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2867789">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2867789" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2867789" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2867789">Manju</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2867789" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2867789" class="dsq-comment-message">For those who haven\'t seen this. The  UK ambassadors brief to his PM on Barack Obama:<br><br><a href="http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/toby_harnden/blog/2008/10/02/revealed_uk_ambassadors_verdict_on_barack_obama_" rel="nofollow">http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/toby_harnden/blog/...</a><br><br>An intersting peek inside what international players really think of him. My favorite:<br><br>"Obama is cool. He looks cool, tall, slim. He is temperamentally cool (by any standards, not just in comparison with the more impetuous McCain). And maybe aloof, insensitive – see above. Friends like Tom Daschle told me that he demands calm and “no dramas” from those around him."</div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2869605">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2869605" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2869605" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2869605">RobM</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2869605" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2869605" class="dsq-comment-message">What is you telling about this letter is not the analysis itself, which I think everybody but Karmi and s would agree on, but why the information is being presented. The Ambassaador is thinking about what does this mean for England.</div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2872936">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2872936" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2872936" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2872936">caligirl</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2872936" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2872936" class="dsq-comment-message">it means the uk better start getting ready for its first black pm in the near future...</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2867864">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2867864" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2867864" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2867864">Teacher</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2867864" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2867864" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1973" rel="nofollow">http://vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1973</a><br><br>Senator John McCain\'s Record on Troop and Veterans\' Issues<br><br><br><br><br>Voting Against Veterans <br><br>Veterans Groups Give McCain Failing Grades.  In its most recent legislative ratings, the non-partisan Disabled American Veterans gave Sen. McCain a 20 percent rating for his voting record on veterans\' issues.  Similarly, the non-partisan Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America gave McCain a "D" grade for his poor voting record on veterans\' issues, including McCain\'s votes against additional body armor for troops in combat and additional funding for PTSD and TBI screening and treatment. <br><br>McCain Voted Against Increased Funding for Veterans\' Health Care.  Although McCain told voters at a campaign rally that improving veterans\' health care was his top domestic priority, he voted against increasing funding for veterans\' health care in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. (Greenville News, 12/12/2007; S.Amdt. 2745 to S.C.R. 95, Vote 40, 3/10/04; Senate S.C.R. 18, Vote 55, 3/16/05; S.Amdt. 3007 to S.C.R. 83, Vote 41, 3/14/06; H.R. 1591, Vote 126, 3/29/07) <br><br>McCain Voted At Least 28 Times Against Veterans\' Benefits, Including Healthcare.   Since arriving in the U.S. Senate in 1987, McCain has voted at least 28 times against ensuring important benefits for America\'s veterans, including providing adequate healthcare. (2006 Senate Vote #7, 41, 63, 67, 98, 222; 2005 Senate Votes #55, 89, 90, 251, 343; 2004 Senate Votes #40, 48, 145; 2003 Senate Votes #74, 81, 83; 1999 Senate Vote #328; 1998 Senate Vote #175; 1997 Senate Vote #168; 1996 Senate Votes #115, 275; 1995 Senate Votes #76, 226, 466; 1994 Senate Vote #306; 1992 Senate Vote #194; 1991 Senate Vote #259) <br><br>McCain Voted Against Providing Automatic Cost-of-Living Adjustments to Veterans.  McCain voted against providing automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments for certain veterans\' benefits. (S. 869, Vote 259, 11/20/91) <br><br>McCain Voted to Underfund Department of Veterans Affairs.  McCain voted for an appropriations bill that underfunded the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development by $8.9 billion. (H.R. 2099, Vote 470, 9/27/95)<br><br>McCain Voted Against a $13 Billion Increase in Funding for Veterans Programs.  McCain voted against an amendment to increase spending on veterans programs by $13 billion. (S.C.R. 57, Vote 115, 5/16/96) <br><br>McCain Voted Against $44.3 Billion for Veterans Programs.  McCain was one of five senators to vote against a bill providing $44.3 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, plus funding for other federal agencies. (H.R. 2684, Vote 328, 10/15/99) <br><br>McCain Voted Against $47 Billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs.  McCain was one of eight senators to vote against a bill that provided $47 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs. (H.R. 4635, Vote 272, 10/12/00) <br><br>McCain Voted Against $51 Billion in Veterans Funding.  McCain was one of five senators to vote against the bill and seven to vote against the conference report that provided $51.1 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as funding for the federal housing, environmental and emergency management agencies and NASA. (H.R. 2620, Vote 334, 11/8/01; Vote 269, 8/2/01) <br><br>McCain Voted Against $122.7 Billion for Department of Veterans Affairs.  McCain voted against an appropriations bill that included $122.7 billion in fiscal 2004 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and other related agencies. (H.R. 2861, Vote 449, 11/12/03) <br><br>McCain Opposed $500 Million for Counseling Services for Veterans with Mental Disorders.  McCain voted against an amendment to appropriate $500 million annually from 2006-2010 for counseling, mental health and rehabilitation services for veterans diagnosed with mental illness, posttraumatic stress disorder or substance abuse. (S. 2020, S.Amdt. 2634, Vote 343, 11/17/05) <br><br>McCain opposed an Assured Funding Stream for Veterans\' Health Care.  McCain opposed providing an assured funding stream for veterans\' health care, taking into account annual changes in veterans\' population and inflation. (S.Amdt. 3141 to S.C.R. 83, Vote 63, 3/16/06) <br><br>McCain Voted Against Adding More Than $400 Million for Veterans\' Care.  McCain was one of 13 Republicans to vote against providing an additional $430 million to the Department of Veterans Affairs for outpatient care and treatment for veterans. (S.Amdt. 3642 to H.R. 4939, Vote 98, 4/26/06) <br><br>McCain Supported Outsourcing VA Jobs.  McCain opposed an amendment that would have prevented the Department of Veterans Affairs from outsourcing jobs, many held by blue-collar veterans, without first giving the workers a chance to compete. (S.Amdt. 2673 to H.R. 2642, Vote 315, 9/6/07) <br><br>McCain Opposed the 21st Century GI Bill Because It Was Too Generous.  McCain did not vote on the GI Bill that will provide better educational opportunities to veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, paying full tuition at in-state schools and living expenses for those who have served at least three years since the 9/11 attacks. McCain said he opposes the bill because he thinks the generous benefits would "encourage more people to leave the military." (S.Amdt. 4803 to H.R. 2642, Vote 137, 5/22/08; Chattanooga Times Free Press, 6/2/08; Boston Globe, 5/23/08; <a href="http://ABCNews.com" rel="nofollow">ABCNews.com</a>, 5/26/08) <br><br>Disabled American Veterans Legislative Director Said That McCain\'s Proposal Would Increase Costs For Veterans Because His Plan Relies On Private Hospitals Which Are More Expensive and Which Could Also Lead To Further Rationing Of Care.  "To help veterans who live far from VA hospitals or need specialized care the VA can\'t provide, McCain proposed giving low-income veterans and those who incurred injury during their service a card they could use at private hospitals. The proposal is not an attempt to privatize the VA, as critics have alleged, but rather, an effort to improve care and access to it, he said. Joe Violanti, legislative director of the Disabled American Veterans, a nonpartisan organization, said the proposal would increase costs because private hospitals are more expensive. The increased cost could lead to further rationing of care, he said." (Las Vegas Sun, 8/10/08)<br><br>Lack of Support for the Troops <br><br>McCain co-sponsored the Use of Force Authorization.  McCain supported the bill that gave President George W. Bush the green light--and a blank check--for going to war with Iraq. (SJ Res 46, 10/3/02) <br><br>McCain Opposed Increasing Spending on TRICARE and Giving Greater Access to National Guard and Reservists.  Although his campaign website devotes a large section to veterans issues, including expanding benefits for reservists and members of the National Guard, McCain voted against increasing spending on the TRICARE program by $20.3 billion over 10 years to give members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families greater access to the health care program. The increase would be offset by a reduction in tax cuts for the wealthy. (S.Amdt. 324 to S.C.R. 23, Vote 81, 3/25/03) <br><br>McCain voted against holding Bush accountable for his actions in the war.  McCain opposed the creation of an independent commission to investigate the development and use of intelligence leading up to the war in Iraq. (S.Amdt. 1275 to H.R. 2658, Vote 284, 7/16/03) <br><br>McCain voted Against Establishing a $1 Billion Trust Fund for Military Health Facilities.  McCain voted against establishing a $1 billion trust fund to improve military health facilities by refusing to repeal tax cuts for those making more than $1 million a year. (S.Amdt. 2735 to S.Amdt. 2707 to H.R. 4297, Vote 7, 2/2/06) <br><br>Senator McCain opposed efforts to end the overextension of the military--a policy that is having a devastating impact on our troops.  McCain voted against requiring mandatory minimum downtime between tours of duty for troops serving in Iraq. (S.Amdt.. 2909 to S.Amdt. 2011 to HR 1585, Vote 341, 9/19/07; S.Amdt. 2012 to S.Amdt. 2011 to HR 1585, Vote 241, 7/11/07) <br><br>McCain announced his willingness to keep U.S. troops in Iraq for decades--a statement sure to inflame Iraqis and endanger American troops.  McCain: "Make it a hundred" years in Iraq and "that would be fine with me." (Derry, New Hampshire Town Hall meeting, 1/3/08) <br><br>THERE IS MUCH&lt; MUCH MORE!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2868583">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868583" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868583" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2868583">djchefron</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868583" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868583" class="dsq-comment-message">Send it to D. maybe if he get out of his Captain America costume long enough he can see the light.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2843177">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2843177" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2843177" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2843177" href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CraigHickman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2843177" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2843177" class="dsq-comment-message">From our campaign:<br><br>On a day after we learned that America lost three-quarters of a million jobs this year and a week after our financial system teetered on the brink of collapse, John McCain and his campaign have announced that they want to ‘turn the page’ on the economic crisis facing working families and spend the last month of this election launching dishonest, dishonorable character attacks against Barack Obama. We understand that it’s not easy for John McCain to defend the worst economic record of our lifetime, but he will have to explain to the people struggling to pay their bills and stay in their homes why he would rather spend his time tearing down Barack Obama than laying out a plan to build up our economy. <br><br>::<br><br>We GOT this. But we still have to go out and GET it.<br><br>Keep up the good work, y\'all.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2850465">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2850465" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2850465" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2850465">T.</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2850465" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2850465" class="dsq-comment-message">Oh no, she di\'int! That donkey, Gov. P-lyin\',  is braying that Senator Obama is <a href="http://thepage.time.com/key-comments-by-sarah-palin-at-colorado-gop-fundraiser/" rel="nofollow"> ummm, palling around with terrorists</a>. Gosh, I can\'t wait until 11/4 when she and that half-dead running mate o\' hers is slaughtered, figuratively speaking, and left with their innards strewn across the streets of America. Scumbags.<br><br>T.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2841352">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2841352" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2841352" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2841352">lamh31</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2841352" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2841352" class="dsq-comment-message">Even better news guys:<br><br>Rasmussen poll: Obama 51% McCain 45%<br><br><a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/daily_presidential_tracking_poll" rel="nofollow">http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/...</a><br><br>This is what caught my eye in the write-up:<br><br>"For each of the past nine days, Obama has been at 50% or 51% and McCain has been at 44% or 45% (see trends). The stability of these results suggests that the McCain campaign faces a very steep challenge in the remaining few weeks of Election 2008. "</div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2841389">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2841389" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2841389" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2841389">Nardwilly</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2841389" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2841389" class="dsq-comment-message">Here is a link to an article by Joe Conason of Salon on the intelligence of GOP VP candidate, Sarah Palin.  Why is the GOP not embarrassed?<br><br><a href="http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2008/10/04/dumb/" rel="nofollow">http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2008/10/04...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2852148">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2852148" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2852148" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2852148">TruthSeeker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2852148" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2852148" class="dsq-comment-message">They are....they hide shame with anger, attacks and more lies.</div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2841632">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2841632" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2841632" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2841632" href="http://www.bigassbelle.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">bigassbelle</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2841632" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2841632" class="dsq-comment-message">that image . . . the expression on that young girl\'s face. i have chills. what a beautiful, hopeful thing.</div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839932">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839932" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839932" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839932">lamh31</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839932" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839932" class="dsq-comment-message">Just found this in one of the rec diaries over at dkos: <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/4/85848/1098/574/619814" rel="nofollow">http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/4/85848/1...</a>. <br><br>This definitely needs to be out there.<br><br>Saturday, October 4, 2008<br>TO: Interested Parties<br>FR: Obama-Biden Campaign<br>RE: Five Pitfalls of the McCain Health Plan<br><br>FIVE PITFALLS OF THE MCCAIN HEALTH PLAN<br><br>John McCain’s “radical” health care plan will undermine the health care that millions of Americans have come to rely on, and while shifting costs onto individuals and hurting the budgets of working families. In five crucial areas the McCain plan will make America’s already fragile health care system worse, making it more difficult to solve our nation’s health crisis.<br><br>Pays for a New Tax Credit by Taxing Employees’ Health Benefits for the First Time in History. John McCain and Sarah Palin argue that their health care plan is budget neutral, and that it includes a new $5,000 health care tax credit to help families purchase insurance. What they don’t tell you is that to pay for their plan, they will tax the health benefits that workers receive from their employers for the first time in history. Moreover, McCain’s health care tax credits would go directly to insurance companies, while his new tax on employee health premiums would come directly out of workers’ pockets. This tax punishes those who currently have generous health insurance, and over time will result in higher taxes for tens of millions of middle-class families.<br>•OBAMA PLAN: Offering tax credits to make health care affordable for all Americans, without imposing a new tax on employer health benefits. Barack Obama’s health care plan is fully paid for by reducing health care costs, eliminating overpayments to HMOs and rolling back a portion of the Bush tax cuts for families making over $250,000 per year.<br><br>Forces at least 20 million people to lose employer-based coverage. By taxing employee health benefits, the McCain plan will make it more expensive for employers to provide coverage. As a result, independent analyses show that employers will drop at least 20 million people from coverage and force them to seek insurance in the individual market, where costs are higher, quality is lower, and coverage more uncertain. By moving more risk upon the shoulders of individuals, it raises insurance costs for everyone nationally. And by forcing millions into the individual market, people with pre-existing conditions from asthma to cancer will be at risk of not being able to get health insurance at all.<br>•OBAMA PLAN: Building upon the employer based health-insurance system by letting workers keep the health insurance they have or to purchase a different plan in a new pool that ensures quality and affordable coverage.<br><br>Undermines the ability of people who do have coverage to get services from cancer screenings to vaccines. The McCain plan undermines state laws that require insurance companies to cover bedrock health care services such as cancer screenings and vaccines. The plan empowers insurance companies over doctors and nurses, while making America less healthy. In fact, John McCain recently explained his intention to deregulate health insurance along the lines that the banking industry has been deregulated over the past decade.<br>•OBAMA PLAN: Protecting existing state regulations and increasing protections for American families by requiring health insurance companies to cover all Americans regardless of health status and outlawing unreasonable rate and fee increases.<br><br>Fails to take on rising health care costs. The McCain plan has no strategy to contain spiraling national health care costs. Without the aggressive investments needed to modernize our health care system, a recent analysis concluded that McCain’s plan could actually increase health care costs by $37 billion by 2010.<br>•OBAMA PLAN: Bringing down health care costs by $2,500 per year, per family, through aggressive investments in health information technology, chronic care management, comparative effectiveness research, and an emphasis on prevention.<br><br>Fails to address the crisis of the uninsured. The McCain health plan does not even attempt to solve the problem of the uninsured – it barely reduces the number of uninsured individuals, and it leaves those with preexisting conditions at the greatest risk of being unable to find affordable coverage. This lack of commitment to ensuring affordable coverage for all Americans is consistent with McCain’s record, including his vote last fall against funding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) that would have extended coverage to 3.8 million children.<br>• OBAMA PLAN: Ensure that every single American can purchase quality, affordable healthcare, so that no American is uninsured.<br>In all these respects the McCain health plan represents a continuation of the policies we have seen over the last eight years, policies that have contributed to health premiums more than doubling, 7 million more Americans uninsured, and nearly 2 million more Americans without employer sponsored insurance.<br><br>For a more detailed discussion check out this link: <br><br><a href="http://obama.3cdn.net/0aa72299f5f5375dc6_kt6mvyupj.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://obama.3cdn.net/0aa72299f5f5375dc6_kt6mvy...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839775">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839775" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839775" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839775">djchefron</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839775" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839775" class="dsq-comment-message">This is why America will elect Barack Obama<br>Feeding Your Inner Wolf<br><br>One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.<br><br>He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside everyone of us.<br><br>One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, conceit, sorrow, hatred, greed, arrogance, self-pity, resentment, inferiority, lies, pride, lust, superiority, and ego.<br><br>The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."<br><br>The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?<br><br>The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."<br>The campaign will get extra nasty now but Americans are tired of the politics of fear and doom.The wolf that gets fed this time will be one of hope.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2843137">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2843137" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2843137" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2843137">Nate_Wesley</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2843137" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2843137" class="dsq-comment-message">Cribbing part of this for my signature in another forum.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2858386">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2858386" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2858386" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2858386">TruthSeeker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2858386" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2858386" class="dsq-comment-message">Wonderful.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2876131">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2876131" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2876131" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2876131">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2876131" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2876131" class="dsq-comment-message">dj:  Thanks!  I heard this involving a dog.  Same message!   :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2838247">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2838247" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2838247" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2838247">djchefron</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2838247" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2838247" class="dsq-comment-message">Sarah Palin & Bush - best presentation ever by Keith Olbermann<br>This should be a commercial<br><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXPMn99a7nQ" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXPMn99a7nQ</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2838299">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2838299" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2838299" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2838299">nickwah22</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2838299" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2838299" class="dsq-comment-message">Interesting comparison.  Too bad it will only be recognized on his and Maddow\'s show is sad.  MSM isn\'t interested in reporting the truth.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839462">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839462" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839462" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839462">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839462" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839462" class="dsq-comment-message">dj:  I watched this K.O. show 3 times yesterday  - just so I could see this segment!! :&gt;)<br><br>Thanks!<br><br>Obama-Biden \'08!!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2838249">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2838249" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2838249" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2838249">Suprk</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2838249" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2838249" class="dsq-comment-message"><b>A Mother\'s Promise: Barack\'s Biography</b><br><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjF51ALu0sc" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjF51ALu0sc</a><br><br>The  biography of Barack Obama that played at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, before Barack\'s acceptance speech. <br><br>Obama-Biden \'08!!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2838439">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2838439" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2838439" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2838439">djchefron</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2838439" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2838439" class="dsq-comment-message">Just a thought. When will we start seeing stories in the media on why cant McCain close the deal with white voters?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2868872">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868872" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868872" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2868872">Town</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868872" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868872" class="dsq-comment-message">That\'s a good question because I don\'t think McCain has ever gotten 50% of the vote even with Sarah Palin\'s addition.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2838477">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2838477" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2838477" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2838477">Texas_Girl_in_LA</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2838477" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2838477" class="dsq-comment-message">never.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2873261">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2873261" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2873261" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2873261">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2873261" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2873261" class="dsq-comment-message">RAOTFLMAO</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836366">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836366" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836366" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2836366">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836366" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836366" class="dsq-comment-message">rikyrah:  Can errybody NOW smell the RACISM??<br><br><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/03/obama-camp-debunks-voter_n_131686.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/03/obama-...</a><br><b>FOX News, GOP Tag Team Obama With Voter Fraud Smear</b><br><br><i>Weeks out from election day, Fox News has begun devoting extensive coverage to a scandal alleging "deep ties" between Barack Obama and a "radical" group of election thieves. The segments have aired repeatedly on the network\'s morning show as well as on prime time programs like Hannity & Colmes.<br><br>On Friday morning, capping of a full week of coverage on the topic, the hosts of Fox & Friends introduced a segment on Obama and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) by saying:<br><br>    "The community group ACORN under scrutiny for potential voter fraud issues and Barack Obama\'s long-term relationship with the radical group also coming more to light. But is the mainstream media keeping both under wraps?" [...]<br><br><br>SKIP<br><br>The ball was then passed to Seton Motley from the conservative Media Research Center, who charged "three stages of connection" between Obama and ACORN. "He was a lawyer for the organization. He then served his years as a trainer of activists for the organization. And when he was named Chairman of the Board by terrorist William Ayers to the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, they funneled money to, amongst many other places, ACORN. <b>So there is three stages</b> of relationship with them."</i><br><br>{I bolded the lack of SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT!}<br><br>SKIP <br><br><i>As for the other two charges of ACORN ties, an Obama aide calls them complete fictions. "The Republican National Committee is using smoke and mirrors in an attempt to distract from John McCain\'s more of the same plans in a change election," said spokesman Ben LaBolt. "The fact is, Barack Obama was never an employee of ACORN, he never served as an ACORN organizer or an ACORN trainer. As an attorney, he successfully challenged Governor Edgar to enforce the federal Motor Voter law, making sure voting was as accessible for Illinois residents as the law required. With contorted logic, you can create a tenuous chain of links to connect anybody to anything. Just ask Kevin Bacon."<br><br>Seton Motley, reached at his Media Research Center office Friday afternoon, abruptly refused to engage in depth with the Obama camp\'s response to his Fox & Friends segment (after first saying "I\'m all ears").</i><br><br>RACISM!!  ALIVE and VERY WELL!!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839152">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839152" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839152" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839152">nickwah22</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839152" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839152" class="dsq-comment-message">I have noticed that most supporters of McCain support him because they don\'t support Obama.  That\'s not a good enough reason for me.  If Obama really had ties to ACORN we would\'ve heard about them by now and his ass would\'ve been out.<br><br>Voting for McCain because Obama is inexperienced isn\'t good enough; they might as well not vote.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836642">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836642" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836642" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2836642">manofsteel</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836642" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836642" class="dsq-comment-message">All dressed up for the 21st century.  Like, why are they interupting good ol\' election coverage on cnn to broadcast the reading of the oj verdict? They read the entire stinking verdict.   It\'s like they\'ve been waiting all these years to get him.  He should have known better than to start acting crazy.  They\'ve been looking for a reason.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2873149">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2873149" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2873149" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2873149">Town</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2873149" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2873149" class="dsq-comment-message">OJ is a dumb ass.<br><br>Look at Robert Blake.  We all know he killed his wife, but Robert Blake is laying low.  You haven\'t heard or seen nothing about Robert Blake since he got acquitted.<br><br>OJ should have moved his black ass down to Costa Rica so he could without harassment.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836709">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836709" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836709" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2836709">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836709" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836709" class="dsq-comment-message">manofsteel:  And the verdict was???   I mean  - how guilty??  :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836775">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836775" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836775" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2836775">jed</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836775" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836775" class="dsq-comment-message">Guilty on all 12 counts by a jury of 12 white people. That includes 2 counts of kidnapping with a min of 15 years each.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839708">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839708" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839708" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839708">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839708" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839708" class="dsq-comment-message">jed:  Thanks!!  OOOO-eeee!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839165">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839165" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839165" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839165">nickwah22</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839165" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839165" class="dsq-comment-message">lol @ how guilty</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839714">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839714" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839714" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839714">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839714" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839714" class="dsq-comment-message">nickwah22:  :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2838291">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2838291" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2838291" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2838291" href="http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CPL</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2838291" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2838291" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'m sorry, ManofSteel, but OJ knew white folks were gunning for him since he got acquitted back in 1995.<br><br>Eff him.  I\'m fresh out of forgiveness for his dumb ass, and why he would choose to jeopardize his freedom by engaging in this shyt demonstrates how stupid he is.<br><br>And don\'t try to connect OJ to Obama - that\'s mixing apples and oranges (pun intended) - even though we will have to step up our vigilance because stupid bigots will do their best to tie OJ to Obama.<br><br>But, overall, Eff OJ.  Bubba, LeRoy, Biscuit and Skillet will be his welcoming committee when he gets to State Prison.  At this point, OJ better pray they don\'t send his ass to Pelican Bay State Prison because that\'s the prison they feature on the MSNBC documentary show "Lock-UP" and that\'s the prison where the guards pay the gangs to fight one another so they can video tape that shyt and sell it to MSNBC.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2873180">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2873180" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2873180" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2873180">Town</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2873180" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2873180" class="dsq-comment-message">I can see the new McCain ad now...<br><br>Ms. Voiceover...OJ Simpson was just convicted of various crimes against our community.  (Mug shot of OJ flashes up; pictures of Ron & Nicole, the Bronco chase in the background).  Like OJ, Barack Obama also has questionable judgement...friendships with terrorists (pic of William Ayers), con men (pic of Rezko), theives (pic of Frank Raines) and people who hate America (Rev. Wright)...Barack Obama and OJ Simpson...BAD judgement...BAD behavior...BAD for this country (pic of little white girl holding a doll).<br><br>"I\'m John McCain and I approve this message."</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839699">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839699" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839699" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839699">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839699" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839699" class="dsq-comment-message">CPL:  Soo co-signing!  He knew!!  He\'s lived in "his world" so long that he thought that he had "inherited" the <b>WHITE GENE</b> by OSMOSIS!<br>As I "stated" to Brotha Charles Rangel:  "Whycome" you think that you could act/do like the WHITE BOYS?<br><br>P.S.:<br><br>Gotta Go for the WHOLE DAY!!  Sorry.  Will miss some JJP!  :&gt;)<br><br><b>Obama-Biden \'08!!</b></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2841547">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2841547" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2841547" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2841547" href="http://www.thevaneljournal.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">tvanel</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2841547" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2841547" class="dsq-comment-message">Well, at least they cant use an OJ acquittal as a rally cry...<br><br>We gave u OJ, can we now elect Barack? LOL</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2868827">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868827" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868827" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2868827" href="http://theurbanista2.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rhondacoca</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868827" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868827" class="dsq-comment-message">"I\'m sorry, ManofSteel, but OJ knew white folks were gunning for him since he got acquitted back in 1995."<br><br>Exactly. He fell right into the trap. From his insensitive jokes about the 1994 murders, his book "If I Did It" and then this...he just did not get it. He brought this on himself. I have no forgiveness and I find it hard to have sympathy for him. I do feel slightly bad for him I guess. He is 61, the minimum sentence for him will be life regardless. He will probably die in jail and to top it off, their will be no blondes (unless they are guys) there for his choosing. Thats tough but as I said, he brought this on himself. <br><br>They gave him an all white jury (which I would argue is indeed a jury of his peers) They made sure he was not going anywhere this time. He is a stupid man.<br><br>I bet he no longer thinks he is a white man. <br><br>As my grandmother used to say, "a hard head makes a soft behind"</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2873065">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2873065" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2873065" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2873065">caligirl</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2873065" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2873065" class="dsq-comment-message">true.  he started getting in trouble really early in his life. the murders (and yes--he did it) were just the last straw.<br><br>if it hadn\'t been for football, he probably would\'ve been in and out of some prison or the other for much of his life.  he\'s come full circle.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836441">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836441" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836441" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2836441">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836441" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836441" class="dsq-comment-message">that\'s because folks are fighting back this time. fighting back as they try to voter suppress. oh, yes, we will not go lighlty into the night.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836513">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836513" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836513" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2836513">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836513" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836513" class="dsq-comment-message">rikyrah:  Fightin\' The Smear!!  NO swift Boating THIS time around!!  :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836293">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836293" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836293" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2836293" href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CraigHickman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836293" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836293" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain/page/1" rel="nofollow">Rolling Stone: Make-Believe Maverick</a><br><br>It\'s long. But it\'s jaw dropping. Most of it, we\'ve discussed here. But this story puts it all in one place.<br><br>Simply stunning.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836445">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836445" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836445" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2836445">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836445" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836445" class="dsq-comment-message">thank you, craig. I\'ll look at it some more later, and probably put it up as a main piece this weekend.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836309">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836309" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836309" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2836309">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836309" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836309" class="dsq-comment-message">rikyrah:  O.K.  I\'m crying!!  This is  <b>PRICELESS!!</b></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836543">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836543" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836543" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2836543">caligirl</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836543" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836543" class="dsq-comment-message">listen<br>be still and…shhhhhhhhhhhhh<br>witness the joy of a child<br><br>whose future, past, present<br>all…at this moment…<br>colliding.<br><br>whose smile (having traversed centuries) <br>sings … in tongues vaguely familiar :<br>“destiny!”</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2840213">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2840213" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2840213" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2840213" href="http://allotherpersons.wordpress.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">EarthTone</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2840213" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2840213" class="dsq-comment-message">People often ask, what does the Obama campaign mean for Black America?<br><br>Black America is but one of many American constituencies who will compete for the government\'s attention. We\'ll see how that works its way out.<br><br>But there\'s NO doubt about this: Obama is a role model AND a beacon of hope for  black youth. Obama shows: if you are willing to work hard, commit to being studious and hard-working, not be afraid of "sounding white," and have courage, you have a chance of being president.<br><br>Instead of looking to black athletes, comedians, actors, and yes, street pharmacists, for inspiration, now there is Barack Obama. If he can move just 1 out 1000 of our black youth to just think differently about their future, that is a great achievement of this election campaign.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2872023">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2872023" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2872023" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2872023">caligirl</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2872023" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2872023" class="dsq-comment-message">amen.  i totally agree.<br><br>i think he\'ll move more than 1 though...    :-)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836563">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836563" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836563" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2836563">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836563" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836563" class="dsq-comment-message">caligirl:  I almost had myself together.  "Whycome" you had to do THIS?  <br><br>Tissue please!!    ;&gt;)<br><br>This is very nice!!  Thanks for sharing!  :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836605">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836605" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836605" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2836605">caligirl</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836605" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836605" class="dsq-comment-message">i meant to make it as a separate comment  (not a reply) but couldn\'t figure out how to delete the poem and start over.   hit the \'post comment\' button too soon!   do you know how to delete comments?<br><br>it\'s late.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836655">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836655" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836655" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2836655">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836655" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836655" class="dsq-comment-message">caligirl:  Permit me ta introduce you to "Ms. Tech.-Challenged!"   Please ta meetcha  [extending MY hand!]<br><br>What I did - 1 time:  Deleted the original comment using "EDIT"<br>Then:  Re-post in a "new comment box!"<br><br>Girlll!  I\'m gettin "jiggy" wit\' it!   :&gt;)<br><br>Otherwise- I don\'t know!  :&gt;)<br><br><br>OH!  But IFF someone REPLIES, the EDIT won\'t take!<br><br>Then  - I don\'t know  -  AGAIN!  :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2871878">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2871878" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2871878" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2871878">caligirl</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2871878" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2871878" class="dsq-comment-message">LOL, sorry for the double-post greenlady.  i don\'t function well past midnight!   thanks for the info.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2876238">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2876238" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2876238" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2876238">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2876238" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2876238" class="dsq-comment-message">caligirl:  <i>Sorry</i><br><br>Not necessary!  U just post all over the place, IFFF U want! :&gt;)<br><br>It\'s ALL Good!!  :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836555">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836555" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836555" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2836555">caligirl</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836555" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836555" class="dsq-comment-message">oops, greenlady...  i meant to make this a separate comment.  don\'t know how to delete and start over!!   <br><br>this picture hit me hard too!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836586">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836586" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836586" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2836586">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836586" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836586" class="dsq-comment-message">caligirl:  Neither do I!  He!   He!  He!  LAWD HE\'P!!  :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836338">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836338" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836338" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2836338">Justice58</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836338" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836338" class="dsq-comment-message">Oh My God!  So precious! I love this picture!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836395">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836395" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836395" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2836395">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836395" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836395" class="dsq-comment-message">rikyrah:  Arianna weighs in!  "SNAKE EYES"!<br><br><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/vp-debate-mccains-big-gam_b_131489.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffingto...</a><br><b>VP DEBATE:  McCain\'s Big Gamble Comes Up Snake Eyes</b><br><br><i>I watched the vice presidential debate in a ballroom at the Four Seasons hotel in Aviara, just north of San Diego, along with a couple of hundred women attending Fortune\'s Most Powerful Women Summit -- a receptive audience, you would think, for a debate featuring a woman who might become the most powerful in the land. It was an ideologically mixed crowd, including representatives of ExxonMobil, a major sponsor of the conference.<br><br>If the reaction of the Republican women in the room is any indication, it was not a very good night for Sarah Palin. The only noises heard during the debate were groans when Palin turned her folksiness meter up to 11 (which was often), and applause when Joe Biden delivered his best moments of the night: making personal his understanding of the plight of single parents sitting around their kitchen tables, looking for help; and his impassioned pushback on Palin\'s endless description of John McCain as "a maverick."<br><br>The loudest ovation of the night -- at least in that ballroom (granted, not the most representative-of-America crowd) -- came when Biden said that Dick Cheney was the most dangerous VP in history.<br><br>SKIP<br><br>Joe Biden\'s only insincere moment was when he told her: "Governor, it was a pleasure to meet you."<br><br>A better exit line would have been: "Governor, it\'s a pleasure to think that, God willing, in 33 days, you\'ll be back where you belong -- shootin\' moose and takin\' on those big oil companies in Alaska."<br><br>My patience with Palin is waving the white flag of surrender.</i><br><br>And I thought Alaska was COLD!!  :&gt;)<br><br><br>Obama-Biden \'08!!<br><br>THERE IS MORE.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836477">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836477" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836477" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2836477">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836477" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836477" class="dsq-comment-message">this was funny<br><br>love this quote:<br><br>"The home-spun homilies have to go," Martha Stewart told me. "And, oh my god, words do have ending consonants."</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836505">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836505" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836505" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2836505">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836505" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836505" class="dsq-comment-message">rikyrah:  YEP!!   :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2841669">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2841669" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2841669" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2841669">denise </span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2841669" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2841669" class="dsq-comment-message">thanks for posting this observation. I\'ve recently relocated to another state and wonder how receptive the women in Southern California would be with Palin using that <br>folksy attitud she gave in the debate .</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836541">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836541" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836541" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2836541">plainbrown1</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836541" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836541" class="dsq-comment-message">Beautiful picture! Thank you!!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2836701">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2836701" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2836701" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2836701">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2836701" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2836701" class="dsq-comment-message">From Time<br><br><i>October 3, 2008 10:55 <br>Did Women Like Sarah?<br>Posted by Time Edit | Comments (162) | Permalink | Trackbacks (0) | Email This <br>From TIME\'s Amy Sullivan:<br><br>Last night in Colorado (one of the key swing states we have our eyes on), the Democratic polling group Greenberg Quinlan Rosner brought together 40 undecided women voters to watch the vice-presidential debate. In pre-interviews before the festivities started, most of the women admitted that they didn\'t know much about either of the running mates. They\'d heard plenty about Sarah Palin in particular, but they didn\'t know who she was, didn\'t know what she thought.<br><br>By the time the debate was over, the voters had a better sense of who the candidates were. But they still didn\'t know what Palin thought on any major issue other than energy. Even women who found her personally likeable and confident complained that she seemed "coached" and stuck so closely to "talking points and sound bytes" that they weren\'t sure what kind of vice-president (or, for that matter, president) she would be. <br>As with the St. Louis focus group that watched the first presidential debate, however, generally favorable reactions to the Democratic team didn\'t translate into a significant shift of support from undecided voters. All forty women came into the undecided and after listening to the two running mates debate for 90 minutes, 8 had moved to the Obama camp, another 8 to McCain, and the remaining 24 were still uncommitted. <br><br>In a discussion that took place after the debate, some of the women who became Obama supporters said that they had been concerned about Obama\'s relatively brief political career but found themselves reassured by Biden. "If I vote for Barack Obama, it will be because of Joe Biden," said one unmarried women. A handful of women thought that Biden sounded too much like a Washington insider or an old-fashioned pol, a conclusion that probably wasn\'t helped by his use of Senate-speak and references to legislative procedures. But several had teared up when the Delaware senator talked about losing his first wife and daughter, and felt more favorably about him as a result. "He got emotional there in the end," said another unmarried women. "I didn\'t know his wife and child died. That touched me."<br><br>Overall, the women warmed up to both candidates throughout the evening—both Biden and Palin\'s favorability ratings rose 9 points from pre- to post-debate. They liked Palin\'s strength and confidence, and the married women particularly responded to her "folksiness" and "down-to-earth" personality. That personal regard, however, didn\'t necessarily mean they wanted to see her in the White House. "I\'d like to have lunch with Sarah," said one married woman, "but have Joe running my country." Another agreed: "I think Sarah Palin is cute as a button and is good in sound bytes, but she just is not ready." Before the debate, only 10 of the women believed Palin was not ready to be vice-president or president; by the end of the evening more than half of them (21) shared that concern.<br><br>The economy has been the number-one issue for women voters—particularly unmarried women—throughout the campaign season, and that held true for this focus group as well. And on that point, they were much more impressed by Biden\'s ability to talk about the economy and relate to the concerns of middle-class voters. Before the debate, 14 women preferred Biden over Palin on the economy, but that number climbed to 23 afterward. A similar shift took place on the question of which candidate they trusted to handle health care—9 women initially preferred Biden, but that number more than doubled to 20 over the course of the evening. Several noted that they would have liked to hear Palin offer any details about what a McCain/Palin health care plan would look like.<br><br>Biden may not have closed the deal for the majority of these undecided women, but he impressed and reassured them on the issues that they say will determine their votes in November. And while Palin presented herself as someone voters can relate to, her performance seems to have raised even more questions—at least for this small group of undecided women—about whether she is qualified to be on the Republican ticket. <br><br></i><br><br><a href="http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/10/did_women_like_sarah.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/10/did_...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2838526">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2838526" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2838526" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2838526">nickwah22</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2838526" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2838526" class="dsq-comment-message">I can comfortably say I don\'t think she will ever be ready for the White House - in ANY capacity.  When the election is over, and the coaching has stopped, who will make her decisions for her?  God forbid a tie were to occur on the Senate floor.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839517">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839517" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839517" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839517">JJai</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839517" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839517" class="dsq-comment-message">Well, I know she has/will be addicted to the attention and win or loose will be competing for President in 2012 and that is just entirely ridiculous and downright scary!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2867836">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2867836" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2867836" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2867836">Shazza</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2867836" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2867836" class="dsq-comment-message">Well, that would be Todd, of course. The word id he was running things anyway.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839386">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839386" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839386" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2839386" href="http://blog.evavegadiversity.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">evita</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839386" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839386" class="dsq-comment-message">After the debate my mother called and told me she liked Palin as a person but not as a VP. She said, if that old man dies we won\'t need someone nice, we\'ll need someone smart.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2837430">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2837430" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2837430" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2837430">Michelle</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2837430" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2837430" class="dsq-comment-message">I saw that picture earlier and was hoping you\'d post it just exactly as you did.<br><br>Beautiful.<br><br>Thank you.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2837769">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2837769" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2837769" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2837769" href="http://www.natturnersrevenge.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chris Chambers</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2837769" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2837769" class="dsq-comment-message">Besides Tyler Perry\'s true colors apparently showing, OJ is FINALLY going to prison.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2837964">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2837964" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2837964" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2837964">Nick</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2837964" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2837964" class="dsq-comment-message">And these two items are related... how?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2838020">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2838020" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2838020" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2838020">djchefron</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2838020" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2838020" class="dsq-comment-message">The dumbing down of the GOP<br>Why aren\'t more conservatives disgusted that their party nominated a person devoid of qualifications for the vice presidency (again)? <br><a href="http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2008/10/04/dumb/" rel="nofollow">http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2008/10/04...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839616">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839616" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839616" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839616">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839616" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839616" class="dsq-comment-message">dj:  Maybe I have neva said this B4, \'because of their <b>WHITE GENE</b> <b>  = privilege</b>!<br><br>They have been so privileged so long that they cain\'t get/understand why ALL the world doesn\'t see the world as they do!  Think about it.  They/some people have been "isolated and insulated" from the "real world" because they have been in control of so much and for so long by wealth and/or by that <b>WHITE GENE</b>.  It\'s like they have been in a comfortable "sleep-state!"<br><br>This economic situation represents one example of the "AWAKENING".  Remember that feeling that occurs when someone throws "cold water" on your face in an attempt to "wake you up?!"  This situation is like that!! IMHO  It\'s like  - <br> <br>"WHAT?  WHAT HAPPENED?  WHAT\'S GOING ON?  "WHYCOME" YOU WAKIN" ME UP FROM THAT \'GOOD DREAM\' THAT I\'M HAVING?  GO AWAY!  LET ME SLEEP!!"<br><br>Well, ALL this is REAL!!<br>1.  A Black man WILL be your NEXT PRESIDENT!!<br><br>2.  While he is in office for the NEXT 8 years, you can go into THERAPY!  Maybe, then, you can the JOIN us in the REAL WORLD of <b>DIVERSITY!</b><br><br>3.  "McAncient" and "The Gov." were NEVER QUALIFIED to even step!  Annnnd, this may entice you to "CHECK YOURSELF" relative to the positions that YOU RECEIVE due to LEGACY and your <b>WHITE GENE</b>.<br><br>4.  Annnnnd, during the NEXT 8 years - go to college or a trade school and LEARN some skills like all of us have had to do in order to even think that we had a "chance" in this world.<br>  Compare:  <b>HARVARD GRAD vs 894/899 and 5 colleges in 6 years</b><br><br>5.  Finally,  <b>WAKE UP!!</b>  It\'s a BRAND NEW DAY!!<br><br><br>No videos!  :&gt;)<br><br>Whew!  I\'m happy Deep Breaths!!!  :&gt;)<br><br><br><b>OBAMA-BIDEN  \'08!!!</b></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839261">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839261" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839261" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839261">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839261" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839261" class="dsq-comment-message">because they are frauds. the \'honest; ones are being burned at the stake for speaking the truth</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2838108">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2838108" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2838108" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2838108">nickwah22</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2838108" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2838108" class="dsq-comment-message">Daily Show skit on candidate\'s blackness<br><br><a href="http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=186777" rel="nofollow">http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2838279">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2838279" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2838279" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2838279">Texas_Girl_in_LA</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2838279" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2838279" class="dsq-comment-message">Brian Williams bringing the funny on <a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puHITWjTc_Q rel="nofollow">David Letterman</a href> last night. <br><br>"I\'m a Maverick, and I may not answer the questions tonight." - Brian Williams</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2838356">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2838356" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2838356" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2838356">nickwah22</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2838356" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2838356" class="dsq-comment-message">The Sept 11, 2001 bit should be a good eye opener for those undecideds</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2838440">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2838440" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2838440" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2838440">Texas_Girl_in_LA</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2838440" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2838440" class="dsq-comment-message">I know. It needs to be said over and over.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839448">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839448" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839448" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839448">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839448" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839448" class="dsq-comment-message">Texas_Girl:   Thanks for bringin\' this!!  It was GREAT!!  Bofa dem were soo on point!!<br><br>LOL!!   :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2838504">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2838504" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2838504" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2838504" href="http://rhapsodyinbooks.wordpress.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Anne</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2838504" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2838504" class="dsq-comment-message">I love your Open Thread pictures.  This one is sensational!  Thanks for posting them.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2838555">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2838555" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2838555" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2838555" href="http://rhapsodyinbooks.wordpress.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">rhapsodyinbooks</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2838555" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2838555" class="dsq-comment-message">That picture is just beautiful.  I love your Open Thread pictures!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839171">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839171" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839171" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839171">Texas_Girl_in_LA</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839171" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839171" class="dsq-comment-message">For my Cali people:<br> <br>Sarah Palin<br><br>Carson, California <br>Home Depot Center <br>5:00 pm (PDT)<br><br>Carpool anyone?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839187">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839187" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839187" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839187">nickwah22</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839187" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839187" class="dsq-comment-message">Nobody comes and campaigns in my state ;-( definitely not feeling the love!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839329">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839329" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839329" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839329">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839329" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839329" class="dsq-comment-message">nickwah22:   "virtual \'HUG\'"!  :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839785">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839785" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839785" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2839785" href="http://www.seesaw.typepad.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Liza</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839785" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839785" class="dsq-comment-message">Bush refused to even visit my state. Yay Vermont!<br>Obama or Else!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839319">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839319" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839319" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839319">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839319" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839319" class="dsq-comment-message">Texas:  How \'bout TANKpool!  Then, I\'ll go.  :&gt;)   O.K.  2 morbid  - huh?<br><br>Obama-Biden  \'08!!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839242">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839242" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839242" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839242">Suprk</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839242" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839242" class="dsq-comment-message">I will never forget that offensive cover they ran, they did just run this:<br><br><b>The New Yorker Endorses: At A Moment Of Crisis, That Leader\'s Name Is Barack Obama</b><br><br><b>THE CHOICE</b><br><i>OCTOBER 13, 2008</i><br><br>Never in living memory has an election been more critical than the one fast approaching—that’s the quadrennial cliché, as expected as the balloons and the bombast. And yet when has it ever felt so urgently true? When have so many Americans had so clear a sense that a Presidency has—at the levels of competence, vision, and integrity—undermined the country and its ideals?<br><br>The incumbent Administration has distinguished itself for the ages. The Presidency of George W. Bush is the worst since Reconstruction, so there is no mystery about why the Republican Party—which has held dominion over the executive branch of the federal government for the past eight years and the legislative branch for most of that time—has little desire to defend its record, domestic or foreign. The only speaker at the Convention in St. Paul who uttered more than a sentence or two in support of the President was his wife, Laura. Meanwhile, the nominee, John McCain, played the part of a vaudeville illusionist, asking to be regarded as an apostle of change after years of embracing the essentials of the Bush agenda with ever-increasing ardor.<br><br>- snip -<br><br>The exhaustingly, sometimes infuriatingly long campaign of 2008 (and 2007) has had at least one virtue: it has demonstrated that Obama’s intelligence and steady temperament are not just figments of the writer’s craft. He has made mistakes, to be sure. (His failure to accept McCain’s imaginative proposal for a series of unmediated joint appearances was among them.) But, on the whole, his campaign has been marked by patience, planning, discipline, organization, technological proficiency, and strategic astuteness. Obama has often looked two or three moves ahead, relatively impervious to the permanent hysteria of the hourly news cycle and the cable-news shouters. And when crisis has struck, as it did when the divisive antics of his ex-pastor threatened to bring down his campaign, he has proved equal to the moment, rescuing himself with a speech that not only drew the poison but also demonstrated a profound respect for the electorate. Although his opponents have tried to attack him as a man of “mere” words, Obama has returned eloquence to its essential place in American politics. The choice between experience and eloquence is a false one––something that Lincoln, out of office after a single term in Congress, proved in his own campaign of political and national renewal. Obama’s “mere” speeches on everything from the economy and foreign affairs to race have been at the center of his campaign and its success; if he wins, his eloquence will be central to his ability to govern.<br><br>We cannot expect one man to heal every wound, to solve every major crisis of policy. So much of the Presidency, as they say, is a matter of waking up in the morning and trying to drink from a fire hydrant. In the quiet of the Oval Office, the noise of immediate demands can be deafening. And yet Obama has precisely the temperament to shut out the noise when necessary and concentrate on the essential. The election of Obama—a man of mixed ethnicity, at once comfortable in the world and utterly representative of twenty-first-century America—would, at a stroke, reverse our country’s image abroad and refresh its spirit at home. His ascendance to the Presidency would be a symbolic culmination of the civil- and voting-rights acts of the nineteen-sixties and the century-long struggles for equality that preceded them. It could not help but say something encouraging, even exhilarating, about the country, about its dedication to tolerance and inclusiveness, about its fidelity, after all, to the values it proclaims in its textbooks.<b> At a moment of economic calamity, international perplexity, political failure, and battered morale, America needs both uplift and realism, both change and steadiness. It needs a leader temperamentally, intellectually, and emotionally attuned to the complexities of our troubled globe. That leader’s name is Barack Obama.</b><br><br>—The Editors<br><b>Obama-Biden \'08!!</b></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839427">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839427" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839427" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2839427" href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CraigHickman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839427" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839427" class="dsq-comment-message">The entire endorsement is fabulous. And it\'s long.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839286">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839286" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839286" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2839286" href="http://blog.evavegadiversity.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">evita</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839286" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839286" class="dsq-comment-message">I hated the cover ans their attempt at "sattire," but this endorsement is awesome.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839500">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839500" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839500" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2839500" href="http://www.thebottomofheaven.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">claudia_m</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839500" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839500" class="dsq-comment-message">Thanks for posting this. It is a fabulous endorsement.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839326">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839326" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839326" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839326">zcsgirl59</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839326" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839326" class="dsq-comment-message">This photo is amazing!!!<br>It made my heart melt.<br>The look on that childs face is priceless!<br>Soooo hopeful...Please let this happen.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839959">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839959" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839959" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839959">JJai</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839959" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839959" class="dsq-comment-message">she is so beautiful! We are beautiful! That\'s apart of why I want him to win so that even more frequently we are seeing postive images of our beauty, our love, and ourselves.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839365">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839365" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839365" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839365">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839365" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839365" class="dsq-comment-message">if anyone comes across Letterman clips from last night, please post links</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839424">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839424" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839424" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2839424" href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CraigHickman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839424" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839424" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/4/45343/1816/614/619758" rel="nofollow">http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/4/45343/1...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2867972">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2867972" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2867972" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2867972">TruthSeeker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2867972" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2867972" class="dsq-comment-message">Man....DO NOT PISS OFF DAVE!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839557">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839557" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839557" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839557">Texas_Girl_in_LA</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839557" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839557" class="dsq-comment-message">Posted his interview with Brian Williams below.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839566">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839566" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839566" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839566">JJai</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839566" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839566" class="dsq-comment-message">Where are Barack\'s fundraising numbers for September?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839883">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839883" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839883" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839883">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839883" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839883" class="dsq-comment-message">he doesnt have to release them until the 20th. they usually release them when they need positive in the news cycle, but the news cycles have been going well.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839918">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839918" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839918" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839918">JJai</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839918" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839918" class="dsq-comment-message">oh, okay. I just wondered how it was going...</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839702">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839702" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839702" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839702">Vicky</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839702" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839702" class="dsq-comment-message">The look on that girl\'s face is why I want him to be president.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839710">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839710" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839710" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2839710" href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CraigHickman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839710" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839710" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'ll apologize in advance if this offends, but I can\'t hold my tongue any longer.<br><br>Sarah Palin is a stripper. A prostitute, if you will. A harlot. A whore, even.<br><br>So her "handlers" are pimping her out to wink at male interviewers, wink at the nation, elicit erections from oversexed male viewers, and have hordes of western and southern oil men throw money at her during their "fundraisers."<br><br>I wonder if any of the events includes a pole dance.<br><br>How can it be that after women have worked so hard to be taken seriously in the work place, in their own homes, to not be demeaned and abused mentally, emotionally and physically as sex objects and doormats, this strumpet ends up on a major party ticket as a vice presidential nominee?<br><br>It makes me wanna holler.<br><br>We must destroy the pimps. Completely destroy them.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839990">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839990" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839990" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839990">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839990" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839990" class="dsq-comment-message">Thank you.<br>Thank you.<br>Thank you.<br><br>When I write that women all know  a woman like Sarah Palin, I mean that. They know them, and can\'t stand them. <br><br>Go back to the videos and accounts of her at The U.N. with those leaders. Look how absolutely, positively, inappropriate she was with them. She was whoring herself that day too. <br><br>The winks just stunned me. This unqualified piece of trash wants to be considered as a VP candidate, and she just fucking winked?<br><br>WINKED?<br><br>Like I\'ve written before, this is about White Mediocrity and White Privilege. This woman is a joke. She\'s a fucking joke. She doesn\'t have the mental capacity to remotely even hang at this level, and the relentless pimping and propping up of this woman has done a disservice to professional women everywhere. <br><br>Hillary Clinton would never have embarrassed this country.<br><br>This woman is a walking joke.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2840081">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2840081" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2840081" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2840081" href="http://www.hustleandfloe.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">hustleandfloe</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2840081" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2840081" class="dsq-comment-message">The b-side is just as disgusting. If she\'s \'tutin then we have tricks for world leaders.  History shows that as nothing new, men who live tricky lives financed by us and men who fall when their desires go ill-mmanaged.  Tricks and his - and you thought they were tombowt us Willis?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2867872">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2867872" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2867872" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2867872">TruthSeeker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2867872" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2867872" class="dsq-comment-message">Er, I think Hillary DID embarrass women and the country.  It\'s just that Hillary was more fundamentally more intelligent while doing so.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2868206">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868206" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868206" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2868206">Michelle</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868206" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868206" class="dsq-comment-message"><i>Er, I think Hillary DID embarrass women and the country. It\'s just that Hillary was more fundamentally more intelligent while doing so.</i><br><br>Truthseeker: co-sign!!<br><br>She was truly an embarassment IMO. But yes, more intelligent about it. Same thing, different style IMO.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2872522">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2872522" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2872522" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2872522">caligirl</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2872522" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2872522" class="dsq-comment-message">true.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2869167">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2869167" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2869167" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2869167" href="http://nquest2xl.wordpress.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Nquest</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2869167" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2869167" class="dsq-comment-message">Not only did Clinton embarrass women but she tried to pimp women right along with those hard-working Americans = White lower class Americans.  Any group (Hispanics, anyone?) that she may or may not gave a fuck about that could get her over the top.<br><br>Now there is, of course, the distinction to be made that Clinton herself, because of her intelligence and knowledge of the issues, was not an embarrassment.  Her race-baiting and games were disappointing, if you liked her, and definitely embarrassing when she appeared before the SOBU and when she and Russert played the Farrakhan card against Obama which she promptly followed up with her rank hypocrisy on the denounce and reject front.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2870108">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2870108" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2870108" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2870108" href="http://theurbanista2.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rhondacoca</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2870108" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2870108" class="dsq-comment-message">Hey Nquest,<br><br>I completely agree, this was a bad year for female politicans.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2868681">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868681" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868681" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2868681" href="http://theurbanista2.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rhondacoca</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868681" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868681" class="dsq-comment-message">Thank You Rikyrah.<br><br>Did you here the Pakistani leader call her "gorgeous". I thought it was so inappropriate. <br><br>"this is about White Mediocrity and White Privilege"....yes, at it best in all its glory.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2876346">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2876346" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2876346" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2876346">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2876346" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2876346" class="dsq-comment-message">Rhondacoca:   <i>. . gorgeous. . </i><br><br>Yes!  He thought of her as a "piece" RATHER than a "brain!"  He was telling it  - how he thought!  Annnnd, IMHO, this is how she has "coasted" through life - "PAGEANT runner-up!!"<br><br>Annnnnnd, I "betcha" that "PIMP DADDY" Todd was NOT OFFENDED! <br>Any <b>decent husband</b> would have taken offense  - in the media!  He would have said, like Mr. Obama did  -  "Lay off my wife!"<br><br>NOT "PIMP DADDY!"  Give me a break on this pair!!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839772">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839772" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839772" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839772">JJai</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839772" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839772" class="dsq-comment-message">She need not  wink at me. I am a woman and I don\'t roll that way. I said to my friends "did she just wink at me?" ridiculous.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2867925">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2867925" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2867925" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2867925">TruthSeeker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2867925" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2867925" class="dsq-comment-message">Whenever I see that "did she just wink at me?"  I\'m just ROFL...<br><br>That\'s what that write Heather Mallick sort of said the night of the RNC..<br><blockquote><i>Salt-of-the-earthers don\'t lie! But Palins do. I watched Palin last night, my mouth open, my eyeballs drying out, my hand making shaky notes. I read them aghast.<br><br>Did she really joke, "You know the difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull? Lipstick."?<br><br>Did she just blow kisses to the audience? </i></blockquote><br><a href="http://www.heathermallick.ca/guardian.co.uk-columns/the-alaskan-who-went-outside.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.heathermallick.ca/guardian.co.uk-col...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2868220">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868220" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868220" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2868220">Michelle</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868220" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868220" class="dsq-comment-message">Hmm, I am a woman and I <b>do</b> roll that way (I am attracted to other women). But Sarah Palin is just physically disgusting. To me there is absolutely NOTHING sexy about that person, nothing. She\'s just disgusting.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2872978">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2872978" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2872978" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2872978">caligirl</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2872978" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2872978" class="dsq-comment-message">LOL,    i don\'t get the attraction either.   i think it\'s one of those cases where if enough people repeat how "pretty" she\'s supposed to be, then eventually the public will believe it.<br><br>the curious thing to me is that obama\'s good looks are rarely, if ever, mentioned...</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839835">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839835" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839835" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839835">djchefron</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839835" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839835" class="dsq-comment-message">Was reading Rich Lowery and I swear I thought he was mastubating at the thought that Sarah was winking at him.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2843556">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2843556" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2843556" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2843556">Nate_Wesley</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2843556" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2843556" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/27015683#27015683" rel="nofollow">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/2701568...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2869436">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2869436" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2869436" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2869436">APeach</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2869436" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2869436" class="dsq-comment-message">It\'s the only way he\'ll get any.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2840060">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2840060" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2840060" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2840060">ljf</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2840060" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2840060" class="dsq-comment-message">I have been reading Christian bloggers stating that Obama is the anti Christ because is being touted as "The One" (by whom I have not a clue) I read this from both black and white bloggers.  I dropped my head in sadness and shame reading Black folks using scriptures to support the idea that Obama is the anti christ).    Now we know that this this is part a subtle racist attack implying that some other worldly forces must be in play for a Black man can command so much power.  <br><br>The fact you stated that Palin is a harlot.  I\'ve been wondering to myself can some one can make the argument using scriptures that Palin is the ultimate harlot --Whore of Babylon.   Just a wild idea coming from a place of anger.<br><br>BTW, I don\'t believe that Palin is some force from Satanic as prescribed in the Bible any more than I believe that Obama is "The One" in any shape, form or fashion.  They are politicians</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2840331">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2840331" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2840331" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2840331">pjamma</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2840331" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2840331" class="dsq-comment-message">But even if he is "the one", "the antichrist" or whatever they are trying to say, isn\'t the whole point if you believe in that particular scripture(s) that he/she is inevitable?  So why bother harping on that what he could be (cuz if he he is the "one" is no way to stop him) and vote for him if he can do the best for you now.<br><br>BTW, he is not the antichrist.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2841306">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2841306" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2841306" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2841306">Town</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2841306" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2841306" class="dsq-comment-message">Shouldn\'t they be voting for him if he is the Anti-Christ so they can get their Rapture on?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2841319">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2841319" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2841319" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2841319">Town</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2841319" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2841319" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'m not trying to be funny but if they really think Obama is the AntiChrist do they really think if he\'s not elected he\'ll be \'Aw shucks, better luck next time" and disappear in a flash of vapor?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2841347">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2841347" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2841347" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2841347" href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CraigHickman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2841347" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2841347" class="dsq-comment-message">LOL.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2840165">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2840165" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2840165" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2840165">djchefron</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2840165" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2840165" class="dsq-comment-message">This is why she is a whore and the only value she has to the rethugs is to bat those pretty little eyes towards the ignorant populace<br>Revealing Admission: Palin Not Consulted On Michigan Pull Out Decision <br>by kloris <br>Sat Oct 04, 2008 at 09:07:44 AM PDT<br>Not surprisingly, the unthinking press is focusing on the offer she made during the below interview with Fox News to go back into Michigan to campaign.  I think the more important news in the clip, however, is that Palin says she learned of the decision in the newspapers the morning after it was announced.  <br><br>This pull out decision was not a low-level tactical decision (like Biden not knowing about a particular ad his campaign was running): Michigan was the key state they had to win according to McCain himself and I\'m sure it was topic A within the campaign for days. Yet they never felt the need to get Palin\'s opinion nor did they seek her guidance.  She was not even informed on the day of the announcement: neither as a simple courtesy nor to prepare in case it came up in that night\'s debate.  <br><br>This raises two questions that the press needs to pursue further:<br><br>How much of a role does she actually play in her campaign?  Is she a full participant or just a pretty face? Americans need to know before they vote.<br>What newspaper did she read the news in?  Katie Couric wants to know.<br><a href="http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/4/115049/869/454/619918" rel="nofollow">http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/4/115...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2867779">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2867779" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2867779" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2867779">TruthSeeker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2867779" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2867779" class="dsq-comment-message">Yep.    And the GOP is trying to turn every woman into a whore by suggesting she\'s representative of women.<br><br>If they were interested in elevating the cause of women, they\'d have picked the ABSOLUTE best woman!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2873244">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2873244" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2873244" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2873244" href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CraigHickman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2873244" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2873244" class="dsq-comment-message">Kay Bailey Hutchinson has vanished from the airwaves.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2868193">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868193" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868193" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2868193">Michelle</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868193" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868193" class="dsq-comment-message">You know, vilifying strippers and prostitutes may not be the most respectful thing. It\'s my understanding that there\'s a lot of controversy about this among feminists. I don\'t pay enough attention to really have an political opinion on it ... it\'s just that it tweaks my heart a little when I see sex workers villified, name-called etc. And this (equating them with Sarah Palin) certainly qualifies in provoking that response in me.<br><br>FWIW (or not)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2873228">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2873228" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2873228" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2873228" href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CraigHickman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2873228" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2873228" class="dsq-comment-message">I know I\'m treading on dangerous ground with this comment, which is why I apologized in advance. <br><br>If I\'ve caused any pain, please forgive me.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2868652">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868652" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868652" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2868652" href="http://theurbanista2.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rhondacoca</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868652" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868652" class="dsq-comment-message">I am not offended...what the GOP is doing to her is called prostitution.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2876161">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2876161" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2876161" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2876161">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2876161" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2876161" class="dsq-comment-message">Craig:  <i>. . pole dancing. . </i><br><br>Did you miss "virtual lap dancing?"<br><br>I\'m just askin\'. . . . .</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2840107">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2840107" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2840107" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2840107" href="http://allotherpersons.wordpress.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">EarthTone</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2840107" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2840107" class="dsq-comment-message">Kitchen Sink 2.0<br><br>===<br>McCain Plans Fiercer Strategy Against Obama<br><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/03/AR2008100303738.html?hpid%253Dtopnews&sub=AR" rel="nofollow">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...</a><br><br>Sen. John McCain and his Republican allies are readying a newly aggressive assault on Sen. Barack Obama\'s character, believing that to win in November they must shift the conversation back to questions about the Democrat\'s judgment, honesty and personal associations, several top Republicans said.<br><br>With just a month to go until Election Day, McCain\'s team has decided that its emphasis on the senator\'s biography as a war hero, experienced lawmaker and straight-talking maverick is insufficient to close a growing gap with Obama. <br><br>The Arizonan\'s campaign is also eager to move the conversation away from the economy, an issue that strongly favors Obama and has helped him to a lead in many recent polls.<br><br>"We\'re going to get a little tougher," a senior Republican operative said, indicating that a fresh batch of television ads is coming. "We\'ve got to question this guy\'s associations. Very soon. There\'s no question that we have to change the subject here," said the operative, who was not authorized to discuss strategy and spoke on the condition of anonymity.<br>===<br><br>Comment: Think about this, folks. McCain has been running, by any objective viewpoint, the most negative campaign in American history.<br><br>BUT NOW IT WILL GET EVEN MORE "FIERCE."<br><br>The McCain campaign is not going to run any positive ads going forward. IT WILL BE NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING, 24-7-365.<br><br>My response? I\'m calling the Obama campaign to make another contribution. So maybe I don\'t go out to eat a couple of times his month. Four years of McCain would be a greater inconvenience.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2840368">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2840368" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2840368" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2840368">pjamma</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2840368" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2840368" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'m sorry but those pink tipped nails are killing me.  Otherwise great picture.  The little girl is beautiful.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2841304">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2841304" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2841304" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2841304">JJai</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2841304" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2841304" class="dsq-comment-message">so what on the pink nails, I say. It\'s just a silly adornment by a young person.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2842700">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2842700" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2842700" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2842700">Lilytiger</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2842700" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2842700" class="dsq-comment-message">This is from July but I just discovered it and it lit my heart. It is the AFL -CIO speech on why not voting for Obama because he is black just doesn\'t cut it. <br><br><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QIGJTHdH50" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QIGJTHdH50</a></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2842719">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2842719" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2842719" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2842719" href="http://www.seesaw.typepad.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Liza</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2842719" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2842719" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvXDrOQBsrA" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvXDrOQBsrA</a><br><br>Check out this video animation Sarah Palin singing "Popular" from "Wicked." Excellent use/rewrite of a song and show which to begin with was a critique of right wing government.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2842858">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2842858" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2842858" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2842858" href="http://sojournersplace.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">SjP</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2842858" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2842858" class="dsq-comment-message">what a beautiful and hopeful picture!</div>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2843035" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2843035" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2843035">Nate_Wesley</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2843035" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2843035" class="dsq-comment-message">Agreed, this picture says it all.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2843119">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2843119" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2843119" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2843119">Michael</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2843119" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2843119" class="dsq-comment-message">This took my breath away.</div>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2866085" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2866085" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2866085">Manju</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2866085" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2866085" class="dsq-comment-message">I can\'t get enough of these pics of people, especially children, encountering Obama. I don\'t what it is. <br><br>Its like people are just gobsmacked, but more than just starstruck. There\'s so much wonder, so much hope. Maybe even too much for a politician; that amount of power can be a dangerous thing and expectations for him could easily get out of control. <br><br>But that aside, its like they can\'t believe this is happening. This meaning not just him appearing, but what he represents, and what his rise says about us.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2869420">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2869420" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2869420" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2869420">APeach</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2869420" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2869420" class="dsq-comment-message">Isn\'t she just SOOOOO cute?? Where do y\'all find these pics, anyway? She reminds me of that so-cute-I-could-cry pic of the little boy who hugged Obama who just seemed like he couldn\'t believe he was meeting him!<br><br>Both of those precious children made my heart leap. Wasn\'t expecting that.</div>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2866980" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2866980" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2866980">karlewis</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2866980" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2866980" class="dsq-comment-message">A little humor<br><a href="http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/10/04/mid-day-open-thread-little-oreilly-goes-ballistic/" rel="nofollow">http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/10/04/mid-da...</a><br><br>Barack the Vote</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2867782">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2867782" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2867782" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2867782">Teacher</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2867782" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2867782" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://obama.senate.gov/letter/060206-sen_obama_and_sen_mccain_exchange_letters_on_ethics_reform/" rel="nofollow">http://obama.senate.gov/letter/060206-sen_obama...</a><br><br>Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain Exchange Letters on Ethics Reform<br>Monday, February 6, 2006<br> Printable FormatFebruary 2, 2006<br><br>The Honorable John McCain<br>United States Senate<br>241 Russell Senate Office Building<br>Washington, DC 20510<br><br>Dear John:<br><br>    Thank you for inviting me to participate in the meeting yesterday to discuss lobbying and ethics reform proposals currently before the Senate. I appreciate your willingness to reach out to me and several other Senate Democrats to discuss what should be done to restore public confidence in the way that Congress conducts its business. The discussion clearly underscored the difficult challenge facing Congress.<br><br>    You and many in the Democratic Caucus have played a major role in reform efforts in the Senate. In fact, the Indian Affairs Committee hearings you led were instrumental in promoting public awareness of the culture of corruption that has permeated the nation\'s capital.<br><br>    As you know, Senator Harry Reid and others in the Democratic Caucus have taken an important step by introducing S. 2180, the Honest Leadership Act, which imposes many of the same disclosure requirements for lobbyists that you have proposed, while also strengthening enforcement, eliminating "pay to play" schemes, and imposing more restrictive rules on meals, gifts, and travel that Members and their staff can receive from special interests that advocate before Congress. This bill, which now has the support of 40 members of the Democratic Caucus, represents a significant step in addressing many of the worst aspects of corruption that have come to light as a result of the Justice Department investigation of Jack Abramoff.<br><br>    I know you have expressed an interest in creating a task force to further study and discuss these matters, but I and others in the Democratic Caucus believe the more effective and timely course is to allow the committees of jurisdiction to roll up their sleeves and get to work on writing ethics and lobbying reform legislation that a majority of the Senate can support. Committee consideration of these matters through the normal course will ensure that these issues are discussed in a public forum and that those within Congress, as well as those on the outside, can express their views, ensuring a thorough review of this matter.<br><br>    Given the state of affairs in Washington, we have a historic opportunity to make fundamental changes in the way our government operates so that the actions we take as public officials are responsive and transparent to the American people. Thank you again for your interest in this important matter.<br><br>Sincerely,<br><br>Barack Obama<br>United States Senator<br><br><br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br><br>February 6, 2006<br><br>The Honorable Barack Obama<br>United States Senate<br>SH-713<br>Washington, DC 20510<br><br>Dear Senator Obama:<br><br>    I would like to apologize to you for assuming that your private assurances to me regarding your desire to cooperate in our efforts to negotiate bipartisan lobbying reform legislation were sincere. When you approached me and insisted that despite your leadership\'s preference to use the issue to gain a political advantage in the 2006 elections, you were personally committed to achieving a result that would reflect credit on the entire Senate and offer the country a better example of political leadership, I concluded your professed concern for the institution and the public interest was genuine and admirable. Thank you for disabusing me of such notions with your letter to me dated February 2, 2006, which explained your decision to withdraw from our bipartisan discussions. I\'m embarrassed to admit that after all these years in politics I failed to interpret your previous assurances as typical rhetorical gloss routinely used in politics to make self-interested partisan posturing appear more noble. Again, sorry for the confusion, but please be assured I won\'t make the same mistake again.<br><br>    As you know, the Majority Leader has asked Chairman Collins to hold hearings and mark up a bill for floor consideration in early March. I fully support such timely action and I am confident that, together with Senator Lieberman, the Committee on Governmental Affairs will report out a meaningful, bipartisan bill. <br><br>    You commented in your letter about my "interest in creating a task force to further study" this issue, as if to suggest I support delaying the consideration of much-needed reforms rather than allowing the committees of jurisdiction to hold hearings on the matter. Nothing could be further from the truth. The timely findings of a bipartisan working group could be very helpful to the committee in formulating legislation that will be reported to the full Senate. Since you are new to the Senate, you may not be aware of the fact that I have always supported fully the regular committee and legislative process in the Senate, and routinely urge Committee Chairmen to hold hearings on important issues. In fact, I urged Senator Collins to schedule a hearing upon the Senate\'s return in January.<br><br>    Furthermore, I have consistently maintained that any lobbying reform proposal be bipartisan. The bill Senators Joe Lieberman and Bill Nelson and I have introduced is evidence of that commitment as is my insistence that members of both parties be included in meetings to develop the legislation that will ultimately be considered on the Senate floor. As I explained in a recent letter to Senator Reid, and have publicly said many times, the American people do not see this as just a Republican problem or just a Democratic problem. They see it as yet another run-of-the-mill Washington scandal, and they expect it will generate just another round of partisan gamesmanship and posturing. Senator Lieberman and I, and many other members of this body, hope to exceed the public\'s low expectations. We view this as an opportunity to bring transparency and accountability to the Congress, and, most importantly, to show the public that both parties will work together to address our failings. <br><br>    As I noted, I initially believed you shared that goal. But I understand how important the opportunity to lead your party\'s effort to exploit this issue must seem to a freshman Senator, and I hold no hard feelings over your earlier disingenuousness. Again, I have been around long enough to appreciate that in politics the public interest isn\'t always a priority for every one of us. Good luck to you, Senator.<br><br>Sincerely,<br><br>John McCain<br>United States Senate<br><br><br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br><br><br>February 6, 2006<br><br>The Honorable John McCain<br>United States Senate<br>241 Russell Senate Office Building<br>Washington, DC 20510<br><br>Dear John:<br><br>    During my short time in the U.S. Senate, one of the aspects about this institution that I have come to value most is the collegiality and the willingness to put aside partisan differences to work on issues that help the American people. It was in this spirit that I approached you to work on ethics reform, and it was in this spirit that I agreed to attend your bipartisan meeting last week. I appreciated then - and still do appreciate - your willingness to reach out to me and several other Democrats.<br><br>    For this reason, I am puzzled by your response to my recent letter. Last Wednesday morning, you called to invite me to your meeting that afternoon. I changed my schedule so I could attend the meeting. Afterwards, you thanked me several times for attending the meeting, and we left pledging to work together.<br><br>    As you will recall, I told everyone present at the meeting that my caucus insisted that the consideration of any ethics reform proposal go through the regular committee process. You didn\'t indicate any opposition to this position at the time, and I wrote the letter to reiterate this point, as well as the fact that I thought S. 2180 should be the basis for a bipartisan solution.<br><br>    I confess that I have no idea what has prompted your response. But let me assure you that I am not interested in typical partisan rhetoric or posturing. The fact that you have now questioned my sincerity and my desire to put aside politics for the public interest is regrettable but does not in any way diminish my deep respect for you nor my willingness to find a bipartisan solution to this problem. <br><br><br>Sincerely,<br><br>Barack Obama<br>United States Senator</div>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868941" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868941" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2868941">TruthSeeker</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868941" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868941" class="dsq-comment-message">Thanks</div>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2867808" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2867808" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2867808">Teacher</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2867808" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2867808" class="dsq-comment-message">11 Racist Lies Conservatives Tell to Avoid Blaming Wall Street for the Financial Crisis<br>By Sara Robinson, Campaign for America\'s Future<br>Posted on October 2, 2008, Printed on October 4, 2008<br><a href="http://www.alternet.org/story/101127/" rel="nofollow">http://www.alternet.org/story/101127/</a><br>Conservative pundits and politicians have piled onto the excuse like shipwreck victims clinging to a passing log: The real blame for the current economic crisis, conservatives would have you believe, lies not with anything they did, but rather with the 1977 Community Reinvestment Act -- a successful Carter-era program designed to get banks to stop covert discrimination, and encourage them to invest their money in low-income neighborhoods.<br><br>It\'s always easy to tell when the cons are completely lost at sea. The lies get more absurdly preposterous -- and also more transparently self-serving. But when they go so far as to openly and unapologetically latch onto race and class as an excuse for their woes (which this is, at its heart), you know they\'re taking on water fast -- and scared of going under entirely.<br><br>You can hear the conservative commentators burbling this CRA fable from the Wall Street Journal to the National Review; from Rush to YouTube. Neil Cavuto put the essence of the argument right out there on Fox News: "Loaning to minorities and risky folks is a disaster." See! It\'s all the liberals\' fault for insisting on social justice!<br><br>Conservatives are twisting the facts beyond the breaking point to support their revisionist history. But don\'t be fooled: the financial crisis was caused by conservative financial follies and bankers run amok and nothing more. Here are the basic myths they\'re trying to push about the CRA -- and the facts that will enable you to fire back.<br><br>1. The CRA was a liberal boondoggle designed to con banks into funding housing for undeserving, unqualified minorities.<br><br>False. The Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 was the result of decades of disinvestment in poor and working-class neighborhoods. It was designed to put an end to "red-lining" -- a widespread practice in which banks refused to write mortgages for houses in certain neighborhoods, no matter who was applying or how creditworthy they were.<br><br><br>The Fair Housing Act of 1968 had made it illegal for real estate agents and banks to discriminate against homeowners on the basis of race. Red-lining soon emerged as a not-so-subtle way to continue this discrimination, by declaring, ahem, certain neighborhoods as unfit to invest in. By 1977, the results of this practice were becoming all too obvious, so Congress stepped and gave lenders a choice: if you want the FDIC to insure your deposits, you need to knock off the redlining.<br><br>The CRA didn\'t force lenders to make riskier loans than they would have otherwise. It simply required that they take each applicant on his or her own merits, and give people in poorer neighborhoods the same fair chance at a mortgage that everybody else in town was getting. It wasn\'t about preferential treatment. It was just about basic equality.<br><br>2. The CRA forced banks to lower their standards and make loans to all low-income families and people with poor credit -- and find banks that refused to comply.<br><br>No. The CRA has encouraged banks to lend fairly and responsibly for over 30 years. It does not impose fines. It does periodically examine FDIC-backed banks, and issues them a CRA compliance rating. A highly-rated bank must meet the financing needs of as many community members as possible, and must not discriminate against racial and ethnic groups or certain neighborhoods. However, a bank will not receive a high rating unless it is also maintains "safe and sound banking practices."<br><br>In other words, the CRA requires banks to lend to working-class families and people of color -- but only when those people have been deemed as creditworthy as anyone else.<br><br>3. The housing bubble burst when too many people with home loans mandated by the Community Reinvestment Act failed to make their mortgage payments. <br><br>False. The CRA only applies to FDIC member banks and thrifts. Back in the 1970s, these institutions were responsible for most of the country\'s mortgage lending. But starting in the 80s and on up to the present, we saw a huge boom in lending businesses-- such as finance companies like Countrywide -- that weren\'t banks, and didn\'t take deposits that required FDIC insurance. Thus, they didn\'t have any obligation to the CRA. And they were free to set their own lending standards, which were often far less cautious than those required of FDIC-insured banks.<br><br><br>4. The bulk of the "junk" loans that have been packaged into mortgage-based securities are CRA loans.<br><br>False. An analysis of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data in the country\'s 15 biggest metropolitan areas found that 84.3% of the high-cost loans made in 2006 were originated by non-CRA lenders -- including 83% of high-cost loans to low- and moderate-income individuals. The Federal Reserve notes that, across the country, non-CRA lenders were twice as likely as CRA lenders to issue subprime loans to vulnerable borrowers. Furthermore, the Fed also reports that responsible mortgages made by CRA lenders have about the same low rate of foreclosure as other traditional mortgages.<br><br>5. If the government had just set the lenders free to do their thing, the market would have prevented this. It\'s just another example of how government oversight always leads to market failure.<br><br>Wrong again, buckaroo. As explained just above, up to four-fifths of these loans were issued by financial institutions that operated with little or no federal regulatory oversight. In fact, in 2006, only one of the top 25 subprime lenders was a CRA institution. A few others were mortgage/finance company affiliates of CRA-covered lenders; but even these were separate businesses that didn\'t operate under CRA rules (including Countrywide, CitiMortgage, and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage). Likewise: the vast majority of the top 20 issuers of risky interest-only and option ARM loans were not CRA-affiliated lenders.<br><br>If anything, the CRA example proves -- once again -- that government oversight not only works; it\'s essential to maintain safe and sane capital markets.<br><br>6. The CRA is just another failed liberal handout program.<br><br><br>No. The benefits of CRA have been substantial. Robert Rubin recently estimated that the law has channeled upwards of $1 trillion into distressed neighborhoods across the country -- including both inner cities and rural areas without much access to investment funds -- without putting up any taxpayer money beyond what it takes to operate the CRA itself. In these areas, home ownership is up -- and with it, the local tax base, which means more parks, more cops, more street repairs, and so on. There\'s more decent rental housing, too, because landlords can get loans for upgrades and improvements.<br><br>Small business ownership is also up. Low-income communities have become more attractive to outside investors, and more able to support community redevelopment efforts. And in places where people once cashed their paychecks at the convenience store and depended on payday loans, there are now full-service bank branches offering the same affordable financial services people in better neighborhoods take for granted.<br><br>The cons like to talk about the "ownership society." There is no ownership without access to capital. For 30 years, the CRA has been making private capital available to qualified people who want to bootstrap themselves into home and business ownership, and a secure place in the middle class.<br><br>7. OK -- if it works so well, why do we still need it? Haven\'t the banks finally figured by now out that redlining was a stupid idea?<br><br>If only. The very fact that the conservatives are trying to blame the mess on the CRA is, in itself, ample proof that we still need anti-redlining laws on the books. Fifty years into the civil rights era, and they\'re still arguing that it should be acceptable to permanently exclude people from the capital markets on the basis of race and class. Different millennium, same ugly story: "See? This is what happens when you give money to minorities and poor people. You end up wrecking the country!"<br><br>In other words: no, they haven\'t learned their lesson; and yes, they still believe in red-lining as much as they ever did. Racism is alive and well, and there are still plenty of Americans who would bring back housing discrimination in a heartbeat if the law allowed them to. Which is precisely why we can\'t allow them to.<br><br><br>8. If we can\'t blame the CRA, then who can we blame? How about the federal banking agencies, which outright told banks to go ahead and adopt risky lending practices? In particular, a 1992 Boston Federal Reserve Bank publication, Closing the Credit Gap: A Guide to Equal Opportunity Lending, told the banks that it was OK to adopt unsound lending practices.<br><br>Nice try, but still wrong. According to the National Community Reinvestment Association, the document cited above offered three new guidelines to lenders -- none of which are applicable to the current subprime crisis.<br><br>The first guideline was that the lack of proper credit history shouldn\'t be counted as a negative factor for potential homebuyers. Banks could use other evidence to assess the borrower\'s payment habits, including the timely payment of rent, utility bills, and other scheduled loans. Borrows still need to prove that they\'re reliable; they\'re just allowed to use documentation besides a credit report.<br><br>The second was to remind bankers that some households with debt ratios above the standard 28/36 criteria might still qualify for home loans. This guideline is very conservative by today\'s standards. Many problematic subprime loans were granted to borrowers with debt-to-income ratios above 50 percent, which was in no way sanctioned by the 1992 guidance document.<br><br>The third was that lenders could count Social Security, second jobs, and other verifiable income streams as valid sources of income when evaluating loan applications. But most subprime loans failures aren\'t related to alternative income sources. The real problem has been with "liars\' loans," in which the reported income streams are never verified at all.<br><br>9. Well, then...it must be Bill Clinton\'s fault, right? In 1995, Clinton changed the Community Reinvestment Act to allow the securitization of CRA and subprime mortgages. That\'s what started all this.<br><br><br>Talking point regurgitation at its worst. The 1995 revisions to the CRA only changed the way in which a bank\'s CRA compliance is evaluated. They made no mention of mortgage securitization at all. Under the 1995 rules, banks are rewarded only for making mortgages in their communities, not for re-selling mortgages as securities.<br><br>10. OK, then -- it\'s the Democratic Congress\'s fault! President Bush and Senator McCain tried to stop the subprime mortgage crisis, but Democrats blocked their efforts.<br><br>It\'s not lying. It\'s a gift for fiction. This one\'s actually made it into a TV ad. The claim is that Bush and McCain supported the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005, which would have created a new government agency to oversee Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and other federal housing programs.<br><br>However, there\'s no pony in this manure pile. This bill would have done nothing to stop the rash of subprime lending that preceded the housing bubble. It only provided oversight for Fannie and Freddie -- but it said nothing at all about the companies that issued subprime mortgages.<br><br>11. No serious conservative economist would have ever approved of the CRA.<br><br>False. In March 2007, Federal Board Chairman Bernanke -- no liberal he -- noted that CRA has helped institutions discover and enter new markets that may have been previously under-served and ignored by insured depositories.<br><br><br>These myths are floating around everywhere this week -- a Big Lie that\'s being repeated so often that Americans may well start to believe it. The real objective of the "blame the CRA" campaign is to pre-emptively discredit any future progressive proposals that involve using government regulation to make the capital markets behave -- and to get the free-market fundamentalist faithful back in the fold.<br><br>Time to fire back, and replace the Big Lie with some real truth. <br><br>Sara Robinson is a twenty-year veteran of Silicon Valley, and is launching a second career as a strategic foresight analyst. When she\'s not studying change theories and reactionary movements, you can find her singing the alto part over at Orcinus. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and two teenagers. <br><br>© 2008 Campaign for America\'s Future All rights reserved.<br>View this story online at: <a href="http://www.alternet.org/story/101127/" rel="nofollow">http://www.alternet.org/story/101127/</a></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2869826">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2869826" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2869826" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2869826" href="http://theurbanista2.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rhondacoca</a>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2869826" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2869826" class="dsq-comment-message">Tim Wise also wrote a good article on it entitled, "Race as Reflex In A Time of Crisis"</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2876017">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2876017" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2876017" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2876017">GreenLadyHere</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2876017" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2876017" class="dsq-comment-message">Teacher:  Teach Teacha!!  Good find!!  :&gt;)<br><br>Obama-Biden \'08!!!</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2868197">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868197" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868197" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2868197">Nate_Wesley</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868197" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868197" class="dsq-comment-message">"Ethnic Print Media Vulnerable During Bad Economy"<br><br><a href="http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=d9cd25e6adfaf3608103b5f842a616f3" rel="nofollow">http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_artic...</a></div>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868258" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868258" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2868258">rikyrah</span>\
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	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868258" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868258" class="dsq-comment-message">Joe and Jill Biden need your prayers.<br><br><br>From DailyKos:<br><br><i>Biden Schedule Cancelled: Family Illness (updated) <br>by dawnt [Subscribe] <br>Sat Oct 04, 2008 at 12:33:01 PM PDT<br>Biden\'s spokesperson, David Wade:<br><br>The campaign has cancelled Sen. Biden\'s schedule today and tomorrow because of a serious illness in Jill Biden\'s family. Hospice has advised the Bidens to remain close by, and we appreciate everyone\'s respect for the family\'s privacy. <br><br><br>CNN is reporting that his mother in law (Jill Biden\'s mother) is battling a serious illness and is in a hospice in Pennsylvania:<br><br>Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden is cancelling his campaign events for Saturday and Sunday as his mother-in-law battles a serious illness.<br></i></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2869378">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2869378" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2869378" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2869378">APeach</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2869378" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2869378" class="dsq-comment-message">This has been a long weekend for him--just finished the debate; son headed for Iraq; now his Mom-in-law. I\'m just so sorry his family is going through so much right now.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2872903">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2872903" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2872903" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2872903">caligirl</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2872903" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2872903" class="dsq-comment-message">me too.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2868305">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868305" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868305" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2868305">T.</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868305" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868305" class="dsq-comment-message">yeah,  i saw that. in my prayers.<br><br>T.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2875996">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2875996" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2875996" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2875996">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2875996" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2875996" class="dsq-comment-message">rikyrah:  Thank you for this information.  God Bless Mrs. Biden/Mr. Biden and family!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2868311">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868311" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868311" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2868311">dcgatn</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868311" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868311" class="dsq-comment-message">rikyrah, when and where was this pic taken? it\'s lovely.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2868606">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868606" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868606" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2868606" href="http://theurbanista2.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rhondacoca</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868606" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868606" class="dsq-comment-message">It was probably taken yesterday when he was in Abington , PA. I like the photo very much too.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2873215">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2873215" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2873215" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2873215" href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CraigHickman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2873215" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2873215" class="dsq-comment-message">When Barack was in Lansing, Michigan last week.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2868440">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868440" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868440" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2868440">TruthSeeker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868440" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868440" class="dsq-comment-message">John McCain is seeking the highest office in the land, while he and his running mate actively flout the law of the land in Alaska:<br><br>Alaska Supreme Court takes up \'Troopergate\' case<br><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/04/alaska-supreme-court-take_n_131869.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/04/alaska...</a><br><br>Rachel Maddow: Powers of the Vice President Oct. 3, 2008<br><a href="http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=qIupYTI0ceI" rel="nofollow">http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=qIupYTI0ceI</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2868733">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868733" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868733" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2868733">TruthSeeker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868733" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868733" class="dsq-comment-message">Biden’s Unified Theory of Biden<br><a href="http://www.newsweek.com/id/162295/page/1" rel="nofollow">http://www.newsweek.com/id/162295/page/1</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2869438">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2869438" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2869438" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2869438">T.</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2869438" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2869438" class="dsq-comment-message">I can\'t help but like the guy even though he pisses me the fuck off sometimes - talking, talking, talking. Still, I know that Senator Obama chose the right person to ride with. Thirty some days to go. Keep it straight now, Joey. Stay on message bro.<br><br>T.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2869084">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2869084" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2869084" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2869084">parker404ga</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2869084" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2869084" class="dsq-comment-message">Very nice article, thanks for sharing.  One thing that has made me so comfortable with Obama\'s pick of Biden is the respect, deference and admiration Biden so obviously has for Obama.  I also like how comfortable and natural their families appear together.<br><br>I think the two of them will work well together in the White House.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2876066">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2876066" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2876066" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2876066">Suprk</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2876066" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2876066" class="dsq-comment-message">Here is another great post on the Biden choice as VP.<br><br><b>Biden vs Palin: You betcha! (or What I want in a Vice President)</b><br><a href="http://angryafrican.net/2008/10/03/biden-vs-palin-you-betcha-or-what-i-want-in-a-vice-president/" rel="nofollow">http://angryafrican.net/2008/10/03/biden-vs-pal...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2869087">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2869087" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2869087" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2869087">TruthSeeker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2869087" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2869087" class="dsq-comment-message">lol...<br><br>OMG! OMG! OMG!<br><a href="http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/4/85932/4406/573/619815" rel="nofollow">http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/4/859...</a><br><br>First Michigan, now Pennsylvania!? Why Can\'t McCain Close the Deal on "Hard Working Americans..."?<br><a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/4/8263/27761/817/619547" rel="nofollow">http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/4/8263/27...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2869218">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2869218" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2869218" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2869218">parker404ga</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2869218" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2869218" class="dsq-comment-message">If McAncient concedes PA this race is O V E R...</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2871717">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2871717" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2871717" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2871717" href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CraigHickman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2871717" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2871717" class="dsq-comment-message">Not exactly. McCain wasn\'t planning to win either of those states to get to 270. <br><br>If he loses Ohio or Florida, though, it\'s Obama 44. Which, numerologically, is Obama 08. (Be the same for the other one, though, but this is his second attempt.)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2869749">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2869749" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2869749" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2869749" href="http://theurbanista2.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rhondacoca</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2869749" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2869749" class="dsq-comment-message">Wow... the "Maverick" is waving the white flag of surrender.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2870544">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2870544" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2870544" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2870544">Town</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2870544" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2870544" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/opinion/05rich.html?_r=1&oref=slogin" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/opinion/05ric...</a><br><br>Frank Rich: The GOP is a party of whiners, Sarah Palin is so popular among Republicans because she has more testosterone than the rest of them and you can totally see Sarah fantasizing about becoming President when McCain dies.<br><br>A stupid, but ambitious trick is dangerous for the country.  Just say NO to McCain / Palin.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2872055">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2872055" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2872055" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2872055">Town</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2872055" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2872055" class="dsq-comment-message">Love the adjectives used to describe McCain in this story:<br><br>Crazed<br>Shaky<br>Seething<br>a White House place holder for Palin<br>Out of juice and out of ideas<br>fading into incoherence and irrelevalance</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2873362">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2873362" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2873362" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2873362" href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CraigHickman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2873362" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2873362" class="dsq-comment-message">Frank Rich has written THE best columns on this election I\'ve read.<br><br>He deserves the Pulitzer Prize.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2871039">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2871039" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2871039" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2871039">lamh32</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2871039" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2871039" class="dsq-comment-message">This came out a few days ago, so I\'m not sure if anyone already posted it, but it tickles my funny bon so much, that I have to post it anyway:<br><br><a href="http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=f7d_1222962429&p=1" rel="nofollow">Homer Simpson Tries To Vote For Obama</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2871250">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2871250" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2871250" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2871250">tracey</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2871250" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2871250" class="dsq-comment-message">Love the picture; I\'ve noticed when the kids are looking at Barack they truly see them selves in him.  My friends kids were the exact same way when they met him.  Love it :-)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2873371">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2873371" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2873371" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2873371" href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CraigHickman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2873371" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2873371" class="dsq-comment-message">It must really suck to be a republican with a brain right about now.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2837746">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2837746" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2837746" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2837746" href="http://www.natturnersrevenge.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chris Chambers</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2837746" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2837746" class="dsq-comment-message">New stuff in the papers, on TV on blogs out about Tyler Perry. There\'s a story how this might hurt Obama--with Tyler firing black writers who tried to join the Writers Guild while keeping a white head writer. He\'s donated a lot to Barack and says he wants to make an epic---no doubt goofy--with Denzel as Obama?! He says the writers were fired because the quality of their work diminished. Tyler Perry complaining about quality is like Orson Welles worrying about cholesterol. This guy didn\'t even offer these health insurance, kept all the $$$ for himself. The other unions may come down on him too. If barack doesn\'t first?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2840198">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2840198" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2840198" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2840198">Town</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2840198" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2840198" class="dsq-comment-message">Does the white mainstream even know who Tyler Perry is?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2868269">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868269" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868269" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2868269">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868269" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868269" class="dsq-comment-message">BINGO Town.  <br><br>That is what I am saying.  That is what got my spider sense tingling.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2868889">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868889" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868889" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2868889">Town</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868889" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868889" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'m just saying, if McCain came out and said "TYLER PERRY SUPPORTS BARACK OBAMA BUT HE FIRED ALL THE BLACK WRITERS, TYLER PERRY = BAD THEREFORE BARACK OBAMA = BAD..."<br><br>1st off, you could go up to 85% of white people and say "Tyler Perry" and they will say "Who?"<br><br>2nd, McCain\'s audience would probably think Tyler Perry firing the black writers but keeping the white ones is good.<br><br>3rd, Obama supporters and / or people who think would say "What the hell does Tyler Perry have to do with Barack Obama?"<br><br>McCain = FAIL</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2876375">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2876375" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2876375" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2876375">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2876375" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2876375" class="dsq-comment-message">Town:  SPEAK!!  :&gt;)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839232">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839232" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839232" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839232">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839232" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839232" class="dsq-comment-message">this is wrong of him. it is so hard for Black folks to find the jobs that will get them a WGA card. he\'s on the wrong side of right on this issue.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2837869">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2837869" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2837869" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2837869">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2837869" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2837869" class="dsq-comment-message">oh please.  contrary to popular belief Obama does not control the minds of all black people and is not responsible for everyone\'s action.  <br><br>I think this is complete nonsense.  Who cares what Tyler Perry is doing?  I sure as heck don\'t.  So what if he fired some black writers?  We don\'t know why he made that decision and he has the right to do that  because guess what -- it is his company.  So what if he kept his white head writer?  Again, we don\'t know the reason why he made that decision and guess what -- it is his company and he can do that.  How do you know Tyler did not offer health insurance?  Were the writers independent contractors or employees?  That makes a difference . . . Agree with it or not . . . it is not relevant and I could care less.<br><br>Now that you say you know all this -- what are you going to do about it?  You can make a decision to not see another Tyler Perry movie or you can send him a note asking why he chose to do this but again - I could care less about Tyler Perry because as it pertains to the race for the next President of the United States -- he has the same amount of influence on Obama as you/me/or any other supporter.<br><br>Holding Obama responsible for Tyler Perry\'s business decision is like holding Obama responsible for what we write/post on this blog.  Utter nonsense and hogwash.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2839639">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2839639" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2839639" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2839639">GreenLadyHere</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2839639" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2839639" class="dsq-comment-message">Val:  Major co-sign!!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2844135">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2844135" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2844135" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2844135">Nate_Wesley</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2844135" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2844135" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.narbosa.com/2008/10/tyler-perry-fires-writers-for-union.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.narbosa.com/2008/10/tyler-perry-fire...</a><br><br><i>"Los Angeles – The Writers Guild of America, West is taking on the fight for justice of writers who were fired when they tried to get a union contract with Tyler Perry’s production company, House of Payne, LLC. The Guild today filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging that House of Payne unlawfully fired four writers in retaliation for their union activity.<br><br>The charge also alleges that the company bargained in bad faith with the Guild, which is seeking to negotiate a contract covering the writers on Perry’s cable television series House of Payne and Meet the Browns.<br><br>The four writers, Kellie Griffin, Christopher Moore, Teri Brown-Jackson, and Lamont Ferrell, as well as supporters from the Writers Guild and the community, will be picketing during Saturday’s opening of Perry’s new studio and they’re asking invited guests to respect their picket line.<br><br>Together, these writers have written over one hundred episodes of House of Payne. Since April of this year they have been involved in a union organizing campaign with the Writers Guild of America, West so that their work on that show and the upcoming Meet the Browns would be covered by a Guild contract. Despite the enormous success of House of Payne, Perry has refused to agree to a contract that would give the writers health care, pensions, and residuals. On Tuesday of this week he fired the writers, after warning them some weeks ago that they should “be careful about pushing the WGA deal or you could be replaced.”</i><br><br>Val, you\'re right that this has nothing to do with Sen. Obama.  But  before you say that Tyler Perry is operating a simple business just like anyone else would...Tyler Perry IS NOT operating a simple business just anyone else.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2868251">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868251" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868251" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2868251">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868251" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868251" class="dsq-comment-message">I never said that Tyler Perry is operating a "simple" business just like anone else would.  I never said that.  I was addressing the comment -- "He\'s donated a lot to Barack and says he wants to make an epic---no doubt goofy--with Denzel as Obama?! " That is what I was addressing.<br><br> I said it was Tyler Perry\'s business to run as he sees fit.  I also said - Obama is not responsible for Tyler Perry. <br><br>My point was this is two separate issues and an attempt to link Tyler Perry\'\'s actions and decision making as it pertains to how he chooses to handle his business matter is not Obama\'s problem.  Why should it be?  <br><br>Again, I don\'t assume I know everything about everybody.  I don\'t assume I know why Tyler made the decisions that he did but I am hardpressed to believe he tossed these people out on the street, without health insurance for no good reason.  The man LIVED ON THE STREETS.  He knows how hard it is.   Something happened.  <br><br>That said - what are you going to do about it?  You can try to get to the bottom of the issue by trying to ask the man himself, you can wait until this thing plays out to see what really happened, or you can stop watching his programs and his movies which will directly hit his pockets.  Personally I don\'t watch his stuff simply because I don\'t find it funny. But I am saying -- look beyond the surface, try to figure out what happened and then make the decision on what you intend to do about it.  Finally, why should this impact Obama?  It should not.  Look at our comments on some of these posts -- we also donate to Obama -- should he be held responsible for us too?  To tie Obama to the actions of every donor is hogwash and nonsense.  Especially with 31 days left to go in the election and we all know that is the gameplan of the McCain campaign. <br><br>I can\'t afford to even entertain this type of nonsense.  Kick it back.  One has NOTHING to do with the other.  Now if this was an article about Tyler Perry -- well I would have had a softer response.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2868632">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2868632" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2868632" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2868632">Nate_Wesley</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2868632" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2868632" class="dsq-comment-message">Val, you wrote alot without apparently reading my words. I actually agreed with you about this not having anything to do with BHO.  Even to think that John McCain\'s campaign would latch onto this connection as a \'gotcha\' is utterly laughable, so I\'m not sure why you\'re worried about it so. Also, this is the  "Saturday <b>Open Thread</b>", not the "Saturday Barack Thread".  Somebody apparently thought enough of the item to bring it up, although with a flimsy introduction.  Let\'s not make this a \'big picture\' argument because it isn\'t. <br><br>My response to you was mostly aimed at your dismissal of the stories\' importance.  The thread wasn\'t directly about BHO, it turned toward the direction of  Tyler Perry, of whom I\'m not a fan. That is what I was responding to you about.  I thought it noteworthy because Perry obviously wants to make his mark in Hollywood, but his actions behind the scenes imply that he doesn\'t want to go about it the right way (treating the writers who helped him get there fairly).  <br><br>You noted your distaste for Perry\'s work. Well, his business actions in this episode apparently mirror the attitudes of Bob Johnson and BET executives in the 1990s, who were notorious for skirting equitable pay and benefits for talent, producers, and support staff involved from every show--from Video Soul to Comic View, the latter of which was at one time the target of a protest that Jay Leno, Tim Allen, and the late Richard Pryor lent their names toward in 1999. <br><br>You asked about my examination of the situation; do YOU know what the agreement was between Perry and these writers? Do YOU know if these fired writers will be compensated for their work on the 100+ episodes now in daily syndication to TV stations across the country (and not just TBS)? And what about the actors who work for him--are they covered, or will they simply be \'arsed out\' for seeking fairer compensation down the road? <br><br>I don\'t think it\'s too much to consider another subject for about five minutes at time, especially since I\'m not asking you to stage a boycott or a march.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2873009">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2873009" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2873009" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2873009">caligirl</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2873009" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2873009" class="dsq-comment-message">tyler perry is a serious COON.  your comparison of him to bob johnson is a good one.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2873170">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2873170" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2873170" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2873170">kalagenesis</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2873170" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2873170" class="dsq-comment-message">INTRODUCING 1800 RENT A COON.Find the perfect sellout for your particular venue.<br>Yes folks it is true right now if you are a racist who needs a parrot,puppet fool of a Black man to say what you want them to say,well look no further that your yellow pages.It is called 1-800 RENT A COON.An agency dedicated to serving the interest of white domination and Black subjugation.We have many fool,clown shuffling niggers who will say anything at anytime the master White race tells them to say.And they work cheap.They will sell their souls for a few dollars,an invite to a party or a chance to date a White girl.These Black men care not about the damage they do to the image of their own people just as long as you pay them.Look at the rap industry,recently Lil Wayne made a song called misunderstood,his AnR and label works with 1-800 RENT A COON so we had some interested racist clients hire him to spew hate about the Reverend Al Sharpton.Now Lil Wayne has more fans in Klan infested suburbs buys his cd than ever!You see have these negroes have no soul.If he had an issue with Al Sharpton why didn\'t he come to him Black Man to Black Man instead of playing the we all one color role and racism is only something Black people without money complain about.Because Lil Wayne knows what the racist masses want to hear young Black disrespecting older Blacks in front of the world and for money.The same racist contacted us and used another of our boys the Game.The former G UNIT member was told to dis Jesse Jackson on a song and say race is not an issue any more.You see we have many Black men selling us their souls for a few buck.Hey the reason you may get a rapper cheap these days the industry is on life support.Look at the VMA\'S.We supplied MTV with most of its Black and hip hop acts.We had T pain come as a clown and Lil Wayne run around on stage,with his pants down he charged 75,000 for that one but we made 20 million.Anything you want your coon to say and do we can make it happen.We had both 50 cent and Snoop Dog out making ignorant comment about Senator Barack Obama during the primaries.Bill Clinton wanted his monies worth on that one and he got it.<br>But our prized buck,coon,sambo,traitor to his race is Republican Micheal Steele.The former Lt Gov of Maryland who lost his bid to become the first Black governor,now heads GOPAC.The fundraising arm of the Republican party.We are making a killing with him.He is good for showing up at racist all White political events saying right wing non sense about drilling now for oil even though oil prices are falling and we might have a burst soon like the housing market.You see he guest host on Sean Hannity,and other conservative shows.If you want him to say stupid things like drill baby drill or speak on topics that he has no knowledge about just call us now a 1800 RENT A COON.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2873184">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2873184" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2873184" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2873184" href="http://www.natturnersrevenge.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chris Chambers</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2873184" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2873184" class="dsq-comment-message">Val sounds a bit loopy. The Field Negro calls it Obamaholism. Yeah, one DOES have a lot to do with the other, Tyler, and Obama. In the entertainment industry, in society. This is America. <br><br>But you know, maybe it\'s not greed, stupidity or ego. Maybe Tyler\'s going nuts because it\'s tough trying to hide sexual identity from his very religious fans. LOL</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2873234">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2873234" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2873234" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2873234">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2873234" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2873234" class="dsq-comment-message">"You asked about my examination of the situation; do YOU know what the agreement was between Perry and these writers? Do YOU know if these fired writers will be compensated for their work on the 100+ episodes now in daily syndication to TV stations across the country (and not just TBS)? "<br><br>I did not ask about your examination of anything.  I said "I don\'t assume I know everything about everybody. I don\'t assume I know why Tyler made the decisions that he did but I am hardpressed to believe he tossed these people out on the street, without health insurance for no good reason.  I also said we could ask the question or wait until things play themselves out and based on the answers there are decisions that a consumer could make that would impact his pocketbook ".<br><br>Again, my point to the original note was that an attempt to link Tyler Perry\'\'s actions and decision making as it pertains to how he chooses to handle his business matter is not Obama\'s problem and that if the post was about Tyler Perry (and not Tyler/\'Obama issue) well I would have had a softer response.<br><br>I pushed back against the concept that this could lead to an Obama problem.  It was not.  This was a Tyler Perry problem and no -- it is not farfetched that the McCain campaign would use anything against Obama -- see the original post and the concern that was expressed by the writer.  Specifically -- "There\'s a story how this might hurt Obama--with Tyler firing black writers who tried to join the Writers Guild while keeping a white head writer."<br><br>That is it for me on this topic.  Town covered it.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 </ul>\
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