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Who knows how long it will last.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_03:39:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "f85f4de88a30987f0360c336da9569ae", "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}, "1972327": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "CNN did a piece on Rep. Laura Richardson's foreclosure.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_03:55:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "f85f4de88a30987f0360c336da9569ae", "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}, "1972328": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "the obama bounce: 15 points ahead.<br></br><br>www.newsweek.com/id/142465/page/1</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_04:07:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7c4455626754e1b9bc3be232b1024136", "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}, "1972329": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "re perception of black women<br>how did this happen in a reality tv show..</br><br>this woman has pushed us a step or two back...</br><br></br><br>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/2156800/Big-Brother-Channel-4-releases-details-of-Alexandra-De-Gale%27s-bullying.html</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_07:21:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "e50424477cb17fac5123fe774759b3c0", "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}, "1972330": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.usmagazine.com/exclusive-barack-obama-michelle-is-an-extraordinary-mother%3Cbr%3EI\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.usmagazine.com/exclusive-barack-obam...</a> just bought this issue. It talks about how Michelle grew up in a one bedroom apartment and how she's become the mother and woman she is.  Most of the quotes come from long-time friends and all support the fact that she would be a fantastic First Lady.  On the one hand, it IS a puff piece. On the other hand, this is what America reads and it's important to reach people where they are.  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Whatever decision he will reach will be made through close consultation with the Iraqi government and U.S. military commanders in the field.\"</br><br></br><br>What if Obama goes to Iraq and declares upon his return that he has been persuaded that the surge has made a difference, that things are going much better, and that he is now convinced victory is both possible and crucial?</br><br></br><br>Does he have the political courage to adopt a smart and sensible position on Iraq?</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_10:19:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "bbb5f18b1f882407561a7f27f4fb2937", "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}, "1972333": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Politico\u2019s Kenneth Vogel wonders whether the editorial choices made in covering Barack Obama will change now that he has reversed himself on public financing of the general-election campaign.  Many newspapers consider that to be a key reform issue, and Obama had received over 100 endorsements in the primary on the basis of his reform message.  This week\u2019s responses to his abandonment of public financing reflected a great deal of anger at the betrayal, and it could signal a sharp turn in tone from the print media:<br></br><br>    Of the editorial boards that opined Friday about his breaking the pledge, most of those that endorsed him during the primary were aggressive in their criticism.</br><br></br><br>    The Philadelphia Inquirer\u2019s called the decision \u201cas disappointing as it is disingenuous,\u201d while the Boston Globe\u2019s wrote it \u201cdeals a body blow \u2026 to his own reputation as a reform candidate.\u201d And The Baltimore Sun\u2019s editorial called it \u201ca major disappointment for those struggling to restrain the pernicious influence of special interests in American politics.\u201d</br><br></br><br>    The New York Times\u2019 editorial board, which endorsed Clinton after allegedly leaning toward Obama, wrote that \u201cObama has come up short\u201d of \u201chis evocative vows to depart from self-interested politics.\u201d</br><br></br><br>    Obama attempted a preemptive defense of his new position by arguing that his massive base of small online donors constitute a \u201cparallel public financing,\u201d and that he needed to exit the program to defend himself from the independent spending of 527 groups, long a bugaboo of campaign finance reformers. Many editorial boards, though, have been outright dismissive of this argument.</br><br></br><br>    The Washington Post opined that Obama\u2019s \u201ceffort to cloak his broken promise in the smug mantle of selfless dedication to the public good is a little hard to take.\u201d</br><br></br><br>    And USA Today, which also did not endorse any candidates, said Obama put \u201cexpediency over principle,\u201d was \u201cdisingenuous about his reasons for opting out of public financing\u201d and proved he\u2019s not a \u201creal reformer.\u201d</br><br></br><br>Vogel notes that the print media has provided \u201cfawning\u201d coverage of Obama during the campaign.  They seemed enchanted by Obama to the point where they didn\u2019t bother to see whether he was too good to be true.  Now that he has turned his back on reform, that may change.  Even more damning may be the reasons why he claims to have abandoned the public financing system, in essence charging the GOP with forcing him into it through what turns out to be non-existent 527 efforts and PAC/lobbyist contributions that amounts to less than 2% of the Republican totals \u2014 when Democrats raised 10% of their 2004 funds from the same sources.</br><br></br><br>If Obama can\u2019t keep to his principles under fire, when would he ever keep to them?</br><br></br><br>Plus, for some of these editors, the issue has become personal.  Obama spoke to several of these editors in meetings during the campaign and insisted that he supported the public financing system,  including and especially the Washington Post.  They now know he flat-out lied to them, personally, and nothing quite gets the blood boiling than that kind of betrayal.</br><br></br><br>The print media doesn\u2019t have the same clout it once did, but it can still drive overall coverage.  If they start digging into Obama, the television and radio media will pick up on it; they use print media as a source for their own coverage.   One only has to look at the New York Times\u2019 hit piece on John McCain in February to see how newspapers can grab national attention for their political efforts.  If the editors decide to turn their cannons on Obama, the ride could get bumpy, and not just from Obama tossing more people under his own bus.</br><br></br><br>Many people will conclude that the print media will come back around to Obama after venting their spleen this week.  Don\u2019t be so sure.  They believe in the public financing system \u2014 the Washington Post\u2019s Watergate reporting practically invented it.  If Obama wins, that system is dead.  John McCain may look a lot more palatable now.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_10:25:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "bbb5f18b1f882407561a7f27f4fb2937", "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}, "1972334": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "bigassbelle, <br></br><br>I knew this day would come. Obama has an interview with the <a href=\"http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121365641014879041.html?mod=Leader-US\" rel=\"nofollow\">Wall Street Journal</a> that also highlights that he isn't an enemy of markets. Even in Penn, and OH (though the news didn't care to talk about it) he held up some free trade agreements that he thought were fine.  </br><br></br><br>However, I have a problem with assuming that particular advisers presuppose particular policy. Obama has been profiled before as a person who seeks diverse and often contrary opinions. Furhter, Klien is not the person I'd go to to discuss who is \"too friendly with markets.\" He writes a good book, but isn't a reporter of any note.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_10:29:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "ccbadf17de4c6a3cef70ff02873202a7", "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}, "1972335": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Barack Obama reversed his position on FISA reform yesterday, giving the Left a taste of the real Obama for the second time this week.  After Obama abandoned public financing, most of his supporters in the hard-Left base seemed willing to write that off as good politics. <br></br><br> John McCain has spent the last few weeks hammering Obama on his national-security weaknesses, and Obama\u2019s repeated clinging to the Nuremberg military tribunals as an example of why he opposes military tribunals didn\u2019t help. He needed to show that he can take a nuanced approach to the effort on the war, and he apparently chose FISA as the moment.  It\u2019s sheer political calculus, much the same as Obama\u2019s position on public financing, the death penalty, the Iraq war, and just about every position Obama has taken in this campaign.</br><br></br><br>It\u2019s becoming clear that Obama has no real firm principles, only ambition.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_10:31:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7c4455626754e1b9bc3be232b1024136", "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}, "1972336": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Obama plays the race card! According to AP Obama said,<br></br><br>\"They're going to try to make you afraid of me. He's young and inexperienced and he's got a funny name. And did I mention he's black?\"</br><br></br><br>This is an insulting and pathetic attempt to distract the public from his recent flip-flops on the positions that got him the nomination. He IS young and inexperienced, not to mention nothing more a cold, calculating, ambitious politician who will say and do anything to get elected.</br><br></br><br>OBAMA is a RACE BAITER!</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_10:38:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7c4455626754e1b9bc3be232b1024136", "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}, "1972337": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Good commentary in today's Washington Post.<br></br><br>The Loud Silence of Feminists</br><br>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/20/AR2008062002209.html?hpid=opinionsbox1</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_10:41:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7c4455626754e1b9bc3be232b1024136", "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}, "1972338": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<i>If Obama wins, that system is dead. John McCain may look a lot more palatable now.</i><br></br><br>Bull, that is what this is. The problem with this system, and I've been saying it for a long time, is that just because you didn't write a check to the candidate doesn't mean they didn't get your money. </br><br></br><br>Read: As long as the DNC and RNC (and 527's if you want) can take money from anyone, as much as they want this \"public\" financing system is a sham. As long as candidates can take PAC and lobbyist dollars the system is bunk. </br><br></br><br>Yes papers will and rightly so opine about Obama's decision. But if you want to make it about public financing then lets talk about which candidate has actually tried to do what the laws are there for: get special interests out.</br><br></br><br>Honestly those editorial boards are the few (besides dorks like I) who care about public financing. Hell only 10% of Americans check off that box on their tax returns. These papers may try to keep this alive, but they may not be able to. </br><br></br><br>s, </br><br></br><br>Fawning newspapers? Please the NY Times and many papers were so bent on having Hillary as the nominee that they hammered Obama, daily asking if he had the chops, etc. The Chicago Tribune (which endorsed Obama) has been the most critical of him. I don't and haven't bought this narrative of the media is too easy on him. </br><br></br><br>How many stories about Ayers did you read? I read ten too many. Point? The print media did their part in hammering Obama on stupid issues and that is indicative of the immature political reporting in our country, something I don't expect to change.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_10:42:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "ccbadf17de4c6a3cef70ff02873202a7", "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}, "1972339": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080620/pl_nm/usa_politics_obama_race_dc_1\" rel=\"nofollow\">Obama: Republicans will run on R-A-C-I-S-M</a><br></br><br><b>?!?!</b> Er, excuse me! That\u2019s akin to the <b>\"<i>Pot calling the Kettle black</i>\"</b>. In case anyone has missed it, the Democratic Party has been using <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_politics\" rel=\"nofollow\">Identity Politics</a> since the 1970\u2019s, and was especially used in their own recent Presidential candidate primaries \u2013 See: Obama vs. Hillary, 2008. In fact, they have used it much longer than just the past three-PLUS decades, if the infamous \u201cRICH\u201d Identity is included.</br><br></br><br>(uummmmmm...I feel a new post, at my blog, is coming.)</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_10:42:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "3da39b121dc85e9bd8d9f861782bc8b9", "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}, "1972340": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "FACT CHECKING OBAMA<br></br><br>In a new ad, Obama claims credit for three pieces of legislation. In one case, the claim is reasonable. The other two are bogus.</br><br></br><br>Obama says that \"I... cut taxes for working families,\" citing Illinois Public Act: PA 91-0700, the Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit of 2000. Given the collaborative nature of any legislation, Obama's claim that \"I cut taxes\" is pretentious at best. As it happens, though, Obama was only a minor player with respect to the Earned Income Tax Credit Act. In fact, he was not one of the bill's chief sponsors. He signed on as one of 37 co-sponsors on April 15, 2000, shortly before the act was signed into law on May 11.</br><br></br><br>In the ad, Obama also claims that \"I\u2026extended health care for wounded troops who had been neglected.\" Wow, that's quite an accomplishment for a single Senator. The ad cites Public Law 110-181, the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act. Funny thing, though: Obama didn't show up to vote on that bill in the Senate. So it's hard to see how Obama can take credit for having personally \"extended health care for wounded troops.\"</br><br></br><br>Resume padding.</br><br></br><br>But hey, what's really important is that the Republicans will say I have a funny name and that I'm black?</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_10:51:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7c4455626754e1b9bc3be232b1024136", "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}, "1972341": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Lisa Schiffren:<br></br><br>That incident earlier this week in which campaign aides didn't allow two Muslim women wearing the full, official headscarf to sit behind Barack Obama at a rally, allegedly for fear that they might show up in photos and video and solidify any Muslim associations which voters may harbor about the candidate, was a one day flap for the most teflon candidate in history. But it is grows more interesting as the facts emerge. According to this piece, one of the ejected women, Hebba Aref, was an official of the Muslim Students Association at U-Mich Dearborn, in charge of proselytizing. The MSA has been linked to the Sunni Al-Ikhwan Al-Muslimeem, a terrorist group. Shimaa Abdelfadeel, the other alleged victim, had been chairman of SAFE, a University of Michigan, Ann Arbor group that hosted the 2002 Divestment Conference against Israel. She is the author of vehement anti-Israel propaganda. Interesting coincidence that these two women were ejected from the picture simultaneously, by two different campaign aides in two different parts of the building.</br><br></br><br>Was this a set-up? Predictably enough the entire universe of Arab/Muslim grievance organizations, CAIR, ADC, MPAC, ISNA, et al, has continued to milk the story despite profuse apologies from the campaign. What do they want him to do? You'd think they would be more interested in how far he is willing to embrace their agenda (pretty far, if his views on rights for Gitmo detainees mean anything), than whether the visuals flatter their organizations. Although, the appearance of closeness probably helps those organizations with their constituents.</br><br></br><br>It's worth wondering just how far the Muslim lobby is going to push Barack Obama to tow their lines, and whether he will bend to their demands, or push back. Both sides have more to lose than to gain in this game. He has a long history, in Chicago, of friendly and obliging associations with these organizations. If they are publicly testing to see just how far they can go, sooner or later Obama will be forced to snap back, to avoid seeming like a patsy. Let the drama continue.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_11:00:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7c4455626754e1b9bc3be232b1024136", "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}, "1972342": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Karmicommunist, <br></br><br>1: I think all the readers of JJ know about the slime that Hillary introduced. In fact we know where she got it (read: Rep. southern strategy). </br><br></br><br>2: Please don't waste our time. As a son of the south I know firsthand how Republicans have and most likely will continue to use fear of the \"other\" to get votes. The target may change from year to year but the strategy is the same. Always based in xenophobia, racism, or even sexism (look at Ann Richards TX). </br><br></br><br>Do you honestly think a party with such a recent and long election history can lecture anyone? Hey, guess what, the Rep copycat didn't win. Apparently Dems could see a little more clearly that the Republicans on this issue. </br><br></br><br>3: Lastly, while I find identiy politics limiting, to equate them with the likes of the Republican southern strategy is logically dishonest. ID Politics speak to peoples issues, the Republican strategies have spoken to their irrational fears.</br><br></br><br>We all know the playbook, but hey maybe Obama will be wrong and maybe the Fox News and other conservative spin masters will stop short of the inevitable. But as long as folks are peddling in anti-Muslim Manchurian candidate slurs and angry black woman hysteria I think he has a point.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_11:01:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "ccbadf17de4c6a3cef70ff02873202a7", "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}, "1972343": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Did Obama <i>'Jump the Gun'</i>, in his recent decision to pass on public financing? <br></br><br>First, some facts: 1) Obama lost \"<i>most of the contests over the last three months of the primary</i>\". 2) Feb. '08, $50 million was raised...March '08, $40 million was raised...April '08, $32 million was raised. 3) Hillary is expecting Obama to help her with her $20-30 million debt.</br><br></br><br><a href=\"http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080621/ap_on_el_pr/campaign_money\" rel=\"nofollow\">May '08, $22 million was raised.</a></br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_11:03:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "3da39b121dc85e9bd8d9f861782bc8b9", "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}, "1972344": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "chaz, <i>Naomi</i> Klein is a thoughtful, thorough, investigative reporter.<br></br><br>perhaps you were thinking of joe or ezra klein.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_11:04:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7f306b3009c480dcd5fc7baf547d1b80", "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}, "1972345": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Anons-<br></br><br>The Republicans have been running on racism. He is dead on with that analysis. It is not race-baiting it is the truth about what they are trying to do.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_11:07:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "6b8623e8e850161265a6267d83471b3d", "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}, "1972346": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "bigassbelle,<br></br><br>You're right, I jumped the gun. Funny I've read Naomi and that article didn't sound like her at first. </br><br></br><br>Apologies all around. </br><br></br><br>-Cheers</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_11:09:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "ccbadf17de4c6a3cef70ff02873202a7", "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}, "1972347": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Now that Barack has finally made it clear that he's a politician (I'm not so sure what took people so long to realize it), we can have a general election campaign.<br></br><br>If Barack loses the election because voters don't accept his politricking, but they accept that of the crook who calls himself a reformer, then we'll get McCain who would be without a doubt the dumbest president in history.</br><br></br><br>If we thought 8 years of Bush was hell, then it's only going to get hotter.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_11:10:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9bf0971c139c9dc33659e8ed441e4f5e", "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}, "1972348": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Jim Webb breaks with Obama on offshore drilling.<br></br><br>Who would've thought even a month ago that offshore drilling would become the premiere issue of this election?</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_11:13:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9bf0971c139c9dc33659e8ed441e4f5e", "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}, "1972349": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Lisa Schiffren:<br></br><br></br><br>NO fan of Obama</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_11:24:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "f85f4de88a30987f0360c336da9569ae", "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}, "1972350": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<i>Anons-<br></br><br>The Republicans have been running on racism. He is dead on with that analysis. It is not race-baiting it is the truth about what they are trying to do.</br><br></br><br>Sat Jun 21, 08:07:00 AM 2008</br><br></br></i><br></br><br>I agree. </br><br></br><br>As I told ms. martin down below,</br><br></br><br>it doesn't matter how many monkey dolls there are, Obama knows that he could only say something like that, maybe TWICE in this campaign. He could never, and I mean NEVER would  be allowed to do what Hillary did (with regards to ' sexism) towards the end of the campaign. </br><br></br><br>So, he's trying to 're-introduce' himself, and he's trying to do pre-emptive innoculation. He decided to take this as one of his two times. </br><br></br><br>rhonda is right. This what we ALWAYS expected from the GOP. This is no surprise. </br><br></br><br>I know I'm just weary, because I never thought I'd have had to fight that battle TWICE - once against the GOP and another AGAINST ANOTHER DEMOCRAT. </br><br></br><br>That's why I'm weary. We'd be well rested and ready for battle if we'd had not to deal with the racebaiting of Camp Billary.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_11:28:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "f85f4de88a30987f0360c336da9569ae", "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}, "1972351": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "the newspapers weren't fawning over him during Rev. Wright, and 'Bitter'-gate.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_11:29:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "f85f4de88a30987f0360c336da9569ae", "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}, "1972352": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I'm LMAO over the posturing of the newspapers criticizing Obama not accepting Public Financing. <br></br><br>Oh, 'be principled'. 'Even if you lose, it would be on principle'.</br><br></br><br>ARE THEY INSANE?</br><br></br><br>We're not talking about 3 or 5 million. We're talking about the difference of beginning at 100 million. </br><br></br><br>I'm for finance reform as much as anyone. But, folks are crazy to think that any sane person would give up that kind of advantage. Makes no logical kind of sense.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_11:32:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "f85f4de88a30987f0360c336da9569ae", "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}, "1972353": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<i>http://www.usmagazine.com/exclusive-barack-obama-michelle-is-an-extraordinary-mother<br>I just bought this issue. It talks about how Michelle grew up in a one bedroom apartment and how she's become the mother and woman she is. Most of the quotes come from long-time friends and all support the fact that she would be a fantastic First Lady. On the one hand, it IS a puff piece. On the other hand, this is what America reads and it's important to reach people where they are. I thought it was a very 'humanizing' article.</br><br></br><br>Sat Jun 21, 04:24:00 AM 2008</br><br></br></i><br></br><br>Michelle's story IS very American. Beginning from humble roots, work hard, get a good education, and then keep your nose to the grindstone, and the success.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_11:33:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "f85f4de88a30987f0360c336da9569ae", "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}, "1972354": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "bigassbelle, thanks for the link to Klein's essay.<br></br><br>Clinton had to wait till after he was elected before his U-turn.</br><br></br><br>Barack is ruffling feathers/causing folks betrayal pain as early as June.</br><br></br><br>I was wondering how long into the general election campaign it would be before Barack's centrism/man of the system really pissed people off. </br><br></br><br>It didn't take long at all.</br><br></br><br>Editorial boards are pissed at Barack because he won't partake in a system that's supposed to about reform. </br><br></br><br>Talk about hypocrisy. </br><br></br><br>Newspapers stopped being credible decades ago. Mike Barnicle is sitting on television spouting bullshit as an \"expert.\" He was fired from the Boston Globe for fabricating sources and plagiarism. He was hired by the New York Daily News months later and is now back in Boston newsprint writing shit for the Herald.</br><br></br><br>If newspaper editors want to pontificate about reform, they need to look in the mirror.</br><br></br><br>I'm glad I don't take politics personally.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_11:34:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9bf0971c139c9dc33659e8ed441e4f5e", "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}, "1972355": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "This is a packed piece:<br></br><br><a href=\"http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/6/21/7175/72197/672/539349\" rel=\"nofollow\">Musings Over Morning Coffee</a></br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_11:49:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9bf0971c139c9dc33659e8ed441e4f5e", "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}, "1972356": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "From a diary at dailykos.<br></br><br>Background information regarding Obama's involvement with \"Public Law 110-181, 1/28/08\" as stated in his general election ad.</br><br></br><br>http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/21/11914/2500/451/539570</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_11:55:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "432619ba625f6a3e6b9013e9117e3759", "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}, "1972357": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<i>OBAMA is a RACE BAITER!</i><br></br><br>Yawnnnn.  What else do you have Anon 7:38?  This one doesn't work for me.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_11:58:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "3b9a39f6bc38c0fc6082bf0373618c04", "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}, "1972358": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://hotair.com/archives/2008/06/21/whos-playing-the-race-card/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Who\u2019s playing the race card?</a><br></br><br>And, from one of my favorite blogs, Baldilocks notes:</br><br></br><br><a href=\"http://www.luoamerican.com/baldilocks/2008/06/the-demonizatio.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">The Demonization Begins</a></br><br></br><br>\"<i>Most people couldn't care less about your name and your color, Senator Obama. They fear being lead by you because you have no substantive legislative record, you're a chronic liar and, after explicitly stating that you choose your friends carefully, you have repeatedly and systematically made friends with people who hate this country.</i>\"</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_12:44:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "3da39b121dc85e9bd8d9f861782bc8b9", "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}, "1972359": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "If if is fair for Obama to criticize people with statements like \"and no where is this (negative self-destructive behavoir)more evident than in the African American Community\" (or something like that), then how could he, rikyrah or anyone else be so indignent when the Republicans do it to him?<br></br><br>Craig is labeling it as politricks - ummm - know hope - I hope this isn't the change we've been waiting for.</br><br></br><br>I hope people keep donating.</br><br></br><br>Head bowed walking away.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_13:26:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9fcb7c771a7713dda01aa936fd426bfe", "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}, "1972360": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Fashion Campaign<br>Michelle Obama's Chicago designer </br><br>makes a bid for national recognition</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_13:31:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9fcb7c771a7713dda01aa936fd426bfe", "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}, "1972361": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "rikyrah<br></br><br>Aren't there a lot of up and coming fashion designers in  Chicago that are black?</br><br></br><br>I owe Field Negro an apology for my statements regarding him criticizing the Obama campaign for not having enough minorities.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_13:34:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9fcb7c771a7713dda01aa936fd426bfe", "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}, "1972362": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "The problem I have with running from blackness to appease those in our society who are afraid of it is that you leave behind the good black.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_13:38:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9fcb7c771a7713dda01aa936fd426bfe", "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}, "1972363": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "ms.martin, I don't know exactly what Barack will do as president. He's got a lot of weapons to choose from. <br></br><br>I know what McCain will do as president. He's only got one weapon and I don't like the one he's got.</br><br></br><br>I still have hope that Barack will be able to bring everyone to the table in order to begin bringing about change.</br><br></br><br>But he's got to get elected first.</br><br></br><br>And that will require that he move to the center and piss off his supporters from the left.</br><br></br><br>That won't ever change. Presidents cannot be (s)elected in this nation if they only run on left-of-center platforms.</br><br></br><br>Sometimes it gets uglier before it gets better.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_13:39:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9bf0971c139c9dc33659e8ed441e4f5e", "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}, "1972364": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I'm not into the fashion scene, but the two Black ones that I know, are twin sisters, but their stuff is crocheted. They are brilliant, but I can't see Michelle stepping out in their stuff - too edgy, though she has the body for it.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_13:40:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "f85f4de88a30987f0360c336da9569ae", "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}, "1972365": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "The problem I have with running from blackness to appease those in our society who are afraid of it is that you leave behind the good black and compound the struggles of those who remain unknown.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_13:41:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9fcb7c771a7713dda01aa936fd426bfe", "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}, "1972366": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Craig<br></br><br>I hope you're right.  I still think his willingness to go there reflects on his character.</br><br></br><br>I liked him better when he wasn't a reflection of his handlers.  There was more light there.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_13:45:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9fcb7c771a7713dda01aa936fd426bfe", "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}, "1972367": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "\"I don't know exactly what Barack will do as president. He's got a lot of weapons to choose from. <br></br><br>I know what McCain will do as president. He's only got one weapon and I don't like the one he's got.</br><br>I don't know exactly what Barack will do as president. He's got a lot of weapons to choose from. </br><br></br><br>I know what McCain will do as president. He's only got one weapon and I don't like the one he's got.\"</br><br></br><br>So now we're back to the lesser of two evils?</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_13:48:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9fcb7c771a7713dda01aa936fd426bfe", "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}, "1972368": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.theonion.com/content/news/black_guy_asks_nation_for_change\" rel=\"nofollow\">Black Guy Asks Nation For Change</a><br></br><br><b>;-)</b></br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_13:52:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "3da39b121dc85e9bd8d9f861782bc8b9", "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}, "1972369": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "So now we're back to the lesser of two evils?<br></br><br>::</br><br></br><br>Absolutely not.</br><br></br><br>I don't think Barack is evil.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_14:05:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9bf0971c139c9dc33659e8ed441e4f5e", "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}, "1972370": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "MoveOn has a campaign urging Obama to keep his promise to block any compromise that gives immunity to telecom companies: <a href=\"http://pol.moveon.org/immunity/080621obama.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://pol.moveon.org/immunity/080621obama.html</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_14:13:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "6a15e2f4a8734cebd4efee6381b0eb4f", "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}, "1972371": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Obama's new -  <a href=\"http://www.luoamerican.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/06/21/obamaracecard.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\">ID card</a>.<br></br><br>(From - <a href=\"http://www.villainouscompany.com/vcblog/archives/2008/06/no_mas_senator_1.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">No Mas, Senator</a>)</br><br></br><br>Starting to look like the Dem's old race card tricks have run out of interest...so to speak of a dead issue and/or beating a dead horse.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_14:19:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "3da39b121dc85e9bd8d9f861782bc8b9", "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}, "1972372": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "CBC meets with Obama.<br></br><br><a href=\"http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5215668&amp;page=1\" rel=\"nofollow\">Diane Watson is still feeling the pain over Billary's loss.</a>  However, if you expected Stephanie Tubbs-Jones to say something, she didn't, apparently.</br><br></br><br>The great seal of Obama-land.</br><br></br><br><a href=\"http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/20/the-great-seal-of-obamaland/?ex=1214712000&amp;en=dcac0e085dc04e39&amp;ei=5070&amp;emc=eta1\" rel=\"nofollow\">Somehow, I can't feel this; this does seem a bit arrogant at most, if not wishful thinking at least.</a></br><br></br><br>Back to folding clothes and watching <i>I, Claudius</i>.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_15:17:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7f7e228927cdd5dc7e99e0a65f900815", "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}, "1972373": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "To deal with the barrage of negative publicity about black women, I've been writing about black women who have made a difference but got few props for it. I've written about Nina Simone, who, besides being a great artist, was a great supporter of the civil rights movement. I've written about Wanda Coleman, a great poet who gets few props because she writes about how black women are put down in patriarchal white society. My most recent piece was on Helen M. Stummer, a great photographer who got few props because not only because she was a black woman, but because she photographed poor people, especially black people, showing not only the poverty and the violence in which they lived, but how they social network to survive and thier resilience.  I'm at <a href=\"http://daddyBstrong.blogspot.com\" rel=\"nofollow\">daddyBstrong.blogspot.com</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_15:29:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "8f7722f5791bd840b8777096327d9831", "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}, "1972374": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "\"The problem I have with running from blackness to appease those in our society who are afraid of it is that you leave behind the good black and compound the struggles of those who remain unknown.\"<br></br><br>Exactly.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_16:04:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "6b8623e8e850161265a6267d83471b3d", "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}, "1972375": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "ms.martin, I find your comment about  running from blackness to leave the good behind self-defeating.<br></br><br>I just don't get it. But that's me.</br><br></br><br>Especially since that's not what Barack is doing. Nor is that the way it works.</br><br></br><br>I suppose I have a different sociocultural view of race in American than you do.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_16:28:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9bf0971c139c9dc33659e8ed441e4f5e", "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}, "1972376": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Craig wrote @ 8:10 : <i>If Barack loses the election because voters don't accept his politricking, but they accept that of the crook who calls himself a reformer, then we'll get McCain who would be without a doubt the dumbest president in history.<br></br><br>If we thought 8 years of Bush was hell, then it's only going to get hotter.</br></i><br></br><br>In yesterday's conversation with me in the Friday open thread, bigassbelle wrote: </br><br></br><br><i>At this point, I hope and pray that this country goes to hell and fast. Right now we're like live frogs in hot water, the fire's burning, we're going to die, but we don't know it because it just gets a little toastier, a little warmer, just a bit, every day.</i></br><br></br><br>I want the fire on high. I want 50% unemployment in this country, $12/gallon gas, 50 million people to lose their homes. Bring it on, wake up this sleeping nation of sheep. (7:18 PM)</br><br></br><br>Apparently things getting much worse is one of the full range of goals guiding people's actions  right now, in relation to the election </br><br></br><br>I am absolutely <b>NOT</b> saying anyone questioning, criticizing and/or against Obama shares this goal -- just that this comment yesterday showed me that this particular goal is a part of the full range of goals guiding people's responses and actions right now.</br><br></br><br>I was going to post this without further comment, but it seems irresponsible for me to bring this up without naming where I stand: </br><br></br><br>I myself am strongly opposed to the goal that bigassbelle names. And, I am being very careful in how I say this, choosing bland words and holding back my deepest response.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_16:33:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "de3917e982ff609a0d6f7fb5e3c8f079", "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}, "1972377": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Today I <a href=\"http://www.womanist-musings.com/2008/06/cops-beat-transexual-woman.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">blogged about the case of Duanna Johnson a black transvestite that was brutally assaulted by white memphis police officers.</a>  My question is where is the black leadership when black GLBT people are assaulted?  If this were the case of a black man being assaulted by a white police officer Jackson and Sharpton would be screaming for blood.  Their silence on issues like this is very telling regarding which bodies matter in the black community.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_17:05:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "1a3c38476e8282656867aba687a1f4a4", "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}, "1972378": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I will <b>not</b> be surprised if by November, hey even October, Obama appears to the right of McCain. Not a problem to me. <br></br><br>I'm glad he is not the \"dreamer\" some folks thought. He promises to bring a gun to the knife fight. Good. </br><br></br><br>I suspect he is as liberal as this country will vote for. He may be conservative on other issues. That makes him a complex human being - like most of us are. </br><br></br><br>Andrew Sullivan, who I read occasionally, sees Obama as Machiavellian. I don't agree, or think that's necessary, but it is an acknowledgment of his intelligence. The Clinton(s) didn't see this. My guess is McCain and the Repubs don't either. </br><br></br><br>I like that. Running for President isn't for Boy Scouts.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_18:51:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "3580acf03b0e2b7f45dddfa3d1f96215", "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}, "1972379": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Ready to Attack Obama, But Geez...NO MONEY<br></br><br>http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/21/165639/847/121/539916</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_19:39:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "c8b2d42511d55e0cb79da4b7de989dab", "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}, "1972380": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<i>I suspect he is as liberal as this country will vote for. He may be conservative on other issues. That makes him a complex human being - like most of us are. <br></br></i><br></br><br>oh garbage. if you poll people on the issues without assigning \"liberal\" or \"conservative\" to them, the american people are liberal as hell.</br><br></br><br>the right wingers have demonized the word liberal in this country, tainting it with weakness and socialism and all manner of unamerican crap. it's all lies.</br><br></br><br>the american people are liberal. we have a government which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the richest of the multinational corporations.</br><br></br><br>that is the problem. it isn't even about all of our petty little concerns, it's about enriching big business. every one of them, democrat, republican, doesn't matter which side they're on, that's all window dressing for us. </br><br></br><br>every one of them are beholden to corporate interests. the american people don't have a government. our government is a corporatocracy. end of story.</br><br></br><br>ergo my suggestion that things need to go to hell and fast in order to wake people up. </br><br></br><br>doesn't matter to me, i'm out of here in the next 2-3 years, depending upon how far my sweet papa lasts. i cannot bear living in this wretched country any longer than i have to.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_19:43:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7f306b3009c480dcd5fc7baf547d1b80", "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}, "1972381": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Over the last couple of days, you all have given me hope...and a little disappointment.<br></br><br>I never expected so many to just turn on Obama at-essentially-the drop of a hat.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_20:56:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "0183bc94f5be8b9ec79636f3f2174ff5", "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}, "1972382": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Just finished reading a fascinating article on \"our CIA\" and the  <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/washington/22ksm.html?hp\" rel=\"nofollow\">interrogation of Khalied Sheik Mohammed</a>...(NOTE: I hope the National Security Agency will not be knocking on my door later tonight for typing KSM's name on JJP.  I'm going to put a flagpin on my underwear as a just-in-case).<br></br><br>...I usually gloss over these stories, but this one is <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/washington/22ksm.html?hp\" rel=\"nofollow\">pulitzer prize reporting.</a></br><br></br><br>However, I'm very troubled by the NYT's decision to publish the name of the interrogator (whose name I shall not repeat).  I think that was a bad decision...if and when Bush decides to martyr KSM, generations of Al-Qaeda devotees gonna be chasing after that dude.</br><br></br><br>Time 4 me 2 start drinking...</br><br>-Cheers</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_21:08:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "61b38052cdae3077225c223eee4a5ad9", "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}, "1972383": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Webb,<br>Say five Hail Cheneys and all will be forgiven.</br><br></br><br>Seriously...there's gonna be some pissed off people in DC/Langley come Monday.</br><br></br><br>And where Libby/Rove have been castrated by liberal (sorry, Belle) media, the NYT has just put someone's life in danger to a far greater extent than Valerie Plame.</br><br></br><br>And I bet that <i><b>no one says anything.</b></i></br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_21:22:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "0183bc94f5be8b9ec79636f3f2174ff5", "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}, "1972384": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "More people are commenting on the Hulk movie's bizarre depiction of the Hulk destroying Harlem. Again, allegory for gentrification. ;-)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_21:29:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "2856a0a69d86b3cc32b0fa651ff33d01", "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}, "1972385": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Got a note from my 68-year-old (white) mom today. She and her 80-year-old (white) friend enjoyed a 2-mile walk in the middle of Kansas as part of a Juneteenth celebration today. <br></br><br>That brought a real smile to my face and thought you all might enjoy that image, too. There really is hope out there, people, and Obama's presence on the national stage is helping a lot of White people learn to get over themselves, look around, and start to listen and learn from the experiences of those they used to unthinkingly ignore or discount. </br><br></br><br>Have a great weekend everyone.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_21:37:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "ad064973a08d113d9aa0f22d6482fe52", "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}, "1972386": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Some folks have lost their mind. Nobody here at JJP, but some of the stuff received in email. <br></br><br>Folks.is.CRAZY.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_22:07:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "f85f4de88a30987f0360c336da9569ae", "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}, "1972387": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "melinda,<br></br><br>that is a story to put a smile on the face.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_22:08:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "f85f4de88a30987f0360c336da9569ae", "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}, "1972388": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "christopher,<br></br><br>of course the Hulk couldn't destroy 5th Avenue...what blasphemy (sarcasm dripping here).</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_22:09:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "f85f4de88a30987f0360c336da9569ae", "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}, "1972389": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "goldenah,<br></br><br>been reading Sullivan too. It's Been interesting.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_22:10:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "f85f4de88a30987f0360c336da9569ae", "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}, "1972390": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Question...is it really that hard to find a good challenger against Dollar Bill?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_22:11:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "f85f4de88a30987f0360c336da9569ae", "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}, "1972391": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<i>Over the last couple of days, you all have given me hope...and a little disappointment.<br></br><br>I never expected so many to just turn on Obama at-essentially-the drop of a hat.</br></i><br></br><br>d,</br><br></br><br>I'm still here. :)</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_22:12:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "f85f4de88a30987f0360c336da9569ae", "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}, "1972392": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Rhonacoca,<br></br><br>This is just pathetic . . . . Most people couldn't care less about Obama's name and color. They fear being led by him because he has no substantive legislative record, he's a chronic liar and, after explicitly stating that he chooses his friends carefully, he has repeatedly and systematically made friends with people who hate this country.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_22:18:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7c4455626754e1b9bc3be232b1024136", "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}, "1972393": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Rikyrah,<br>...and holding on for dear life, I'm certain.</br><br></br><br>-Coby</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_22:19:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "0183bc94f5be8b9ec79636f3f2174ff5", "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}, "1972394": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "From hotair.com<br></br><br>Barack Obama told supporters in Jacksonville that Republicans would launch racist attacks against him in the upcoming election.  Without noting a single supporting piece of evidence, Obama cast any opposition to him as bigotry, and in doing so, recalled just a touch of Joe McCarthy\u2019s tactics:</br><br></br><br>    Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama said on Friday he expects Republicans to highlight the fact that he is black as part of an effort to make voters afraid of him.</br><br></br><br>    \u201cIt is going to be very difficult for Republicans to run on their stewardship of the economy or their outstanding foreign policy,\u201d Obama told a fundraiser in Jacksonville, Florida. \u201cWe know what kind of campaign they\u2019re going to run. They\u2019re going to try to make you afraid.</br><br></br><br>    \u201cThey\u2019re going to try to make you afraid of me. He\u2019s young and inexperienced and he\u2019s got a funny name. And did I mention he\u2019s black?\u201d</br><br></br><br>The ironic part of this argument is that it ignores the tactics his fellow Democrats used in the primary, while also overlooking John McCain\u2019s efforts to distance himself from the same tactics.  It was, after all, staffers on the Hillary Clinton campaign that sent the photo of Obama in African garb to the Drudge Report.   It was Bill Clinton who suggested that Obama\u2019s victory in South Carolina was no more significant than Jesse Jackson\u2019s in 1988.  It was Hillary who explicitly went after the white, working-class vote in the later primaries that bruised Obama so badly.</br><br></br><br>John McCain, meanwhile, was a lot more outspoken in criticizing his own supporters for relying on crypto-ethnic references.  He immediately and publicly disowned, without any prompting, Bill Cunningham in Ohio after the radio host enphasized Obama\u2019s middle name (Hussein) in his introductory remarks.  McCain also fired one staffer for e-mailing a Jeremiah Wright video after explicitly saying that his campaign would have no comment on Wright or Trinity United.  Meanwhile, Hillary could only offer a tepid \u201cas far as I know\u201d repudiation of the rumor that Obama is/was a Muslim.</br><br></br><br>Just as with his untrue statements on Republican financing and 527s, Obama seems content to issue lies and smears in order to inflame the electorate.  There is more than a little hint of McCarthyism in this tactic.  Joe McCarthy waved pieces of paper around and claimed to have lists of Communists in government that he never substantiated.  Obama likes to accuse Republicans of racism without any proof, either, while apparently discounting the real race-card playing in his own party.</br><br></br><br>If he has proof that the Republican Party and/or John McCain plan racist attacks on him, let him show it.  If he doesn\u2019t, then Obama is guilty of his own racial pandering and should apologize.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_22:28:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "bbb5f18b1f882407561a7f27f4fb2937", "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}, "1972395": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<i>Rikyrah,<br>...and holding on for dear life, I'm certain.</br></i><br></br><br>Nope...Just chugging along.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_22:28:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "f85f4de88a30987f0360c336da9569ae", "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}, "1972396": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Obama doesn't want to have debate about the future of our country in a way that doesn't demonize those who oppose him. I oppose Obama because I feel he is a hard-left liberal who underestimates the threats facing us. The idea of electing such a president does scare me, and many others, but not for the reasons he believes.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_22:46:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "bbb5f18b1f882407561a7f27f4fb2937", "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}, "1972397": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Barack Obama\u2019s position on Iraq has shifted significantly over the last six years. What is interesting is how his position on Iraq matches up with developments in Chicago. Specifically, there appears to be a direct correlation between the rising and falling prospects of his longtime friend and fundraiser Tony Rezko\u2019s attempts to secure multi-million-dollar contracts to build and operate a power plant in Kurdish Iraq and the senator\u2019s Iraq flip-flops.<br></br><br>Read the whole thing:</br><br>http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/tony-rezko-and-obamas-shifting-positions-on-iraq/</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_22:49:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7c4455626754e1b9bc3be232b1024136", "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}, "1972398": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Craig<br></br><br>\"ms.martin, I find your comment about running from blackness to leave the good behind self-defeating</br><br></br><br></br><br>You've misquoted me.  I didn't say \"to leave the good behind\".</br><br></br><br>This is what I said:</br><br></br><br>\"The problem I have with running from blackness to appease those in our society who are afraid of it is that you leave behind the good black and compound the struggles of those who remain unknown.\"</br><br></br><br>The result of running  from blackness to make someone else comfortable is to further the demonization of being black and therefore lending credence to sterotypes, judgments and suspicions and thus making the struggle harder for the unknown blacks who live a good life and strive for even better. And, is the epitome of self defeat. </br><br></br><br>Really, what have you gained if you've sold your soul for the prize?  And as I've asked before, what do you do when you get where your going if you've misrepresented your self to get people to go with you?</br><br></br><br>I don't feel defeated by myself for I have always had a strong sense of who I am and my capabilities even when faced with the doubt forever in the minds of some (because of my color) and have even  enjoyed showing them otherwise.</br><br></br><br>More importantly, I realize I am an individual and while I am responsible for doing all I can to help any man, I am not responsible for his actions and do not have to justify or deny them as Obama felt he had to do in his speech, I am me and he is he even though we share a race and the toll that must be paid for that race.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_23:04:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9fcb7c771a7713dda01aa936fd426bfe", "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}, "1972399": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Gina M of What About Our Daughters and Michelle Obama Watch, has penned an op-ed for The Guardian in England<br></br><br><a href=\"http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jun/20/uselections2008.race1\" rel=\"nofollow\">Michelle Obama's makeover--The media is transforming Michelle Obama from a classy, accomplished woman into a cookie-baking robo-wife</a></br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_23:11:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "f85f4de88a30987f0360c336da9569ae", "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}, "1972400": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "@ d.<br></br><br>I disagree man...I'm pretty liberal and the NYT really went too far by publishing that dude's name.  I'd rather be Salmon Rushdie [sic] than that dude.  My bet is that that story will be absorbing much of the MSM attention next week and don't be surprised if Brian Williams leads with it tomorrow morning on MTP.</br><br></br><br>BTW, I haven't had a chance to read the Obama-doubting-keep-him-accountable-to-the-AA-community comments....All I got to say his:</br><br>Let's get *O* in the White House and worry bout some of this shyt later.  I didnt make reservations to see ancient ass McCain take the oath on 1/20/09.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_23:12:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "61b38052cdae3077225c223eee4a5ad9", "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}, "1972401": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://wwd.com/related/article/125855\" rel=\"nofollow\">The Fashion World Meets Michelle Obama</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_23:14:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "f85f4de88a30987f0360c336da9569ae", "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}, "1972402": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Webb<br></br><br>Apparently you did read, hence your comments about keeping him acccountable.</br><br></br><br>You're free to work to get him in the whitehouse if you so choose and if that's where you want him, however, please don't foolishly discredit my concerns or tell me to get over my position and get him there - my vote is my vote.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_23:19:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9fcb7c771a7713dda01aa936fd426bfe", "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}, "1972403": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/06/20/obama_supports_fisa_legislatio.html%3Cbr%3E%3C/br%3E%3Cbr%3EThis\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/0...</a> is absolutely crushing to me.  I really can't believe he would do this.  I took my Obama sign out of my window.  What a fraud.  </br><br></br><br>If he doesn't show up and vote no on this bill, I won't give him another dime, I won't stump for him at the dinner table, nothing, nada, zilch, zippo, bupkis.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_23:39:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7ed613debb3ff32133f08bfbc1ae21c1", "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}, "1972404": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "@ ms. martin,<br></br><br>Honestly, i didn't read the comments. I scanned the verbiage and sensed the vibe...May I be honest?  I may  have had a couple of drinks, but i don't feel \"no ways tired,\" nor foolish.</br><br></br><br>Since I did not read your comments, I will not generalize on your character or declare you \"foolish.\" However, I will share with you a few similes that best describe my sentiments for Obama-doubters at this stage of the game:</br><br></br><br>Obama doubters are LIKE....</br><br>NAACP Protestors in 1985, outside of movie theatres showing THE Color Purple, attacking it for it's depiction of black men.</br><br></br><br>Obama doubters are LIKE...</br><br>Crabs in a barrel, trying to yank the crab-on-top back to the bottom.</br><br></br><br>After all is said and done, The Color Purple is regarded as one of the best pictures of all times among AAs...and the crab with the big *O* is going to climb out the barrel....no matter what the other crabs may say or do.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_23:39:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "61b38052cdae3077225c223eee4a5ad9", "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}, "1972405": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "ms martin,<br></br><br>You wrote:</br><br></br><br>\"Really, what have you gained if you've sold your soul for the prize? And as I've asked before, what do you do when you get where your going if you've misrepresented your self to get people to go with you?'</br><br></br><br>Bravo. </br><br></br><br>Obama has misrepresented himself as a 'post-racial' candidate. He is attempting to demonize those who oppose him. He is using race to distract the media and the electorate and deflect any legitimate criticism as 'racism.'</br><br></br><br>Obama has painted himself into quite a few corners these days and recent facts and past statements are running contrary to the narrative he formulated to win the nomination:</br><br>Iraq, campaign financing, domestic energy production, free trade...just to name a few.</br><br></br><br>So now, confronted with the facts and his own contradictions, what does he do? He pre-emptively tries to distract and deflect any and all criticism as 'racism'. He is willing to stir up and perpetuate ignorance and stereotypes for his own political gain.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-21_23:58:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "bbb5f18b1f882407561a7f27f4fb2937", "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}, "1972406": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Webb,<br></br><br>I would say that Obama Doubters  choose to judge Obama on the content of his character and not the color of his skin.</br><br></br><br>He has revealed himself to in fact be a 'blank slate', possessing no core conviction other than the belief that he 'is the one we've been waiting for.' A calculating, opportunistic, self-important politician who has yet to present a concrete, cohesive policy position on the most important issues facing this nation or present a solid record public service that has done more for the 'greater good' than for his own personal and political success.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_00:13:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "bbb5f18b1f882407561a7f27f4fb2937", "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}, "1972407": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Obama plans an ad buy for the Olympics.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_00:14:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "f85f4de88a30987f0360c336da9569ae", "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}, "1972408": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "OK, I am losing it a little. Or more.<br></br><br>To all those who have made public FISA-Obama-drama declarations in the past 24-36 hours on the internets: Speaking only for myself: I get it! You are feeling extremely upset and betrayed! How could he. The drama. The heartbreak. The pathos. Oh the humanity. Such betrayal. It was supposed to be about Change. And not The Change, which would mean hot flashes and irritability, but Change in a soul-stirring \"things will go exactly the way I think they should go at all times starting right now\" kind of way.</br><br></br><br>The main complaint I have about this particular drama (FISA-Obama-drama) is, I think that people engaged in it need to get together and pick a theme song. Something is lacking without a theme song, IMO. Please, for the children's sake, please pick one. Thank you.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_00:15:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "de3917e982ff609a0d6f7fb5e3c8f079", "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}, "1972409": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Rikyrah said, 'Nope...Just chugging along.\"<br></br><br>I'm with you, Rikyrah. Al Giodarno over at The Field has an interesting take on this (in the comment section of his June 20 post on Community Organizing), and considers it a distraction from the task at hand.  Lenore comments: \"So there's politics, if that's what you call it; and then there's community organizing, which I guess you'd call process.  If the goal is a liberal or progressive agenda, politics is key, and it's a betrayal to support the conservative candidate or a bill that leaves past evils unpunished (in civil court only, by the way).  But if the goal is to revive the popular democracy that some of us believe is the thing that matters most, these are wrong but, as Al says, sidebars.  Important in their way, but in the big picture they're blips.  If nurturing democracy is our goal, the question is how to best serve that goal, not how to force a particular conclusion.\" </br><br></br><br>The goal of community organizing is to always move the agenda forward, and not to get held back and distracted by issues one cannot, at this time, in this way, affect. There has been much disappointment here at the thought that Obama might be a \"politician\" after all; it is perhaps more relevant to distinguish between the goals of politics and the goals of community organizing. it is community organizing on a massive scale which has brought about this incredible activist base, and decisions are made within that context. For an articulate treatment of this perspective, read Al's post on Obama as community organizer here: <a href=\"http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield/uncensored-the-narrative-is-not-a-story-technology\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield/uncen...</a> </br><br>It offers another perspective through which to view the events of the past two days.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_00:19:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "c0503647f8088b08f4996f39cd0531f4", "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}, "1972410": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "@s,<br></br><br>\"100 years of war in Iraq\" is concrete, cohesive policy...</br><br></br><br>Offshore-drilling along the Florida coast will do more \"for the greater good than for [McCain's] own personal and political success.\" </br><br></br><br>I trust *O*'s judgment....I remain undisappointed and quite proud.</br><br></br><br>The only thing that 's got me somewhat disappointed tonight is that KSM went to an HBCU (NCA&T;).</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_00:33:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "61b38052cdae3077225c223eee4a5ad9", "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}, "1972411": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "@michelle,<br></br><br>I have learned to expect nothing more than ordinariness from our political class. But Obama should never have advertised himself as being something different than what he actually is.</br><br></br><br>@webb,</br><br></br><br>Interesting how you chose not to defend Obama but attack McCain with discredited smears.</br><br></br><br>You trust O's judgment about what exactly? </br><br></br><br>It is beyond doubt now that the surge has been hugely successful. Violence is down enormously, Anbar and Basra and Sadr City have been pacified, Prime Minister Maliki has led successful attempts to pacify Shiites as well as Sunnis, and the Iraqi parliament has passed almost all of the \"benchmark\" legislation demanded by the Democratic Congress. Obama has not visited Iraq since January 2006 and did not seek a meeting with Gen. David Petraeus when he was in Washington.</br><br></br><br>$4 gasoline has undermined Obama's judgment that alternative forms of energy can painlessly supply our needs. Public opinion has switched sharply and now favors drilling offshore and, by inference, in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Democrats are scrambling to argue that drilling wouldn't make any difference.</br><br></br><br>Proud?</br><br></br><br>Reality is running contrary to the narrative Obama constructed in order to win the nomination. He has painted himself into a corner with outdated policy positions and contradictions but it doesn't matter because anyone who criticizes him as inexperienced or lacking the judgment necessary to be POTUS will be called a 'racist' not only by surrogates and supporters but by Obama himself.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_01:02:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "bbb5f18b1f882407561a7f27f4fb2937", "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}, "1972412": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Webb<br></br><br>Crab like mentality is your defense against very real concerns about his character?</br><br></br><br>That's weak!</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_01:16:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9fcb7c771a7713dda01aa936fd426bfe", "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}, "1972413": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Good comment lexusoakland. I read Al's post and I agree. People - some people - will very easily let themselves be led astray by their expectations and emotions and put it on Obama for not living up to them. There are things that he should be held accountable for and then there's maintaining the full scope of reality. I look back at how the Civil Right's Act passed. It wasn't the one LBJ wanted. It was better. It took a lot of people getting their asses kicked and people being killed. Pressure had to be exerted and he complained about it but it had passed both Houses so it was sign...or veto. I see the abuses that occurred with FISA and I see how many people want a gay marriage referendum.  If Clinton had been the nominee she would have done the same thing. And you know McCain could care less. Obama is not that liberal. I've looked at his voting record and find a lot I agree with and some things I don't. I'd rather have some sense of balance in the gov't than the insanity of the last 2 presidents. Yes, I'm throwing Clinton in the mix because he signed quite a few things into law that have hurt the economy. It just opened everything for Bush to steal everything that wasn't nailed down and torch the house so to speak.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_02:00:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "1572c9b90152e199379cfb228c0cc759", "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}, "1972414": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "@s at 10:02 PM and your \"@michelle\" comment: I am so not interested in a discussion with you. I'm annoyed enough right now with other kinds of pointlessness as it is. I know what your agenda is, have seen it in operation for months now here at JJP, I generally no longer even read comments you author because I don't find them useful or interesting, and there's a reason I have chosen not to be in direct conversation with you all this time. Just so we're clear.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_02:51:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "de3917e982ff609a0d6f7fb5e3c8f079", "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}, "1972415": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "@heartsandflowers 11:00 PM: <i>People - some people - will very easily let themselves be led astray by their expectations and emotions and put it on Obama for not living up to them. There are things that he should be held accountable for and then there's maintaining the full scope of reality.</i><br></br><br>That is EXACTLY what my girlfriend and I were just discussing before I turned the computer back on. </br><br></br><br>Exactly. Wow.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_03:12:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "de3917e982ff609a0d6f7fb5e3c8f079", "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}, "1972416": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Michelle and Hearts<br></br><br>'There are things that he should be held accountable for and then there's maintaining the full scope of reality.'</br><br></br><br>Who determines what the full scope of reality is?</br><br></br><br>Would that be their reality or yours?</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_03:21:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9fcb7c771a7713dda01aa936fd426bfe", "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}, "1972417": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Hi Ms. Martin,<br></br><br>You asked: <i>Who determines what the full scope of reality is?</i></br><br></br><br>Would that be their reality or yours?</br><br></br><br>About what the full scope of reality is -- I do feel, viscerally, that excluding the reality of some people/groups is a very very common form of \"quiet violence\" inside this society. In this society the more system-power someone/some group has, the more their reality is supposedly legitimate. It's incredibly ugly the way it works. </br><br></br><br>My own reality is privileged in some ways and totally and completely discounted in others (to the point where there is no actual language for some core aspects of how I perceive and experience the world). </br><br></br><br>For me the resonance with what heartsandflowers wrote is the distinction between things he can be held accountable for, and everything else.</br><br></br><br>I myself feel he can be held accountable for where he is actually coming from and not what people just project into him. </br><br></br><br>I personally feel responsible for understanding the situation as best I can based on external information outside what I have desired him to be. I have needed to be as rigorous with myself as possible on this point and it's been (and remains) a big deal to me to push myself on it.</br><br></br><br>Because -- I've been trying to understand why I have such an interest in this political race. I'm generally not into electoral politics like this. I have had gut feelings that I didn't understand. Trying to understand led me to seek out information on where Senator Obama is coming from, what he's about. The three main sources of information that have informed me most so far are:</br><br></br><br>1. His two books (and also a biography on him, but mostly his books)</br><br></br><br>2. His actions in the campaign thus far that I have seen</br><br></br><br>3. Published interviews with him and various pieces of other information (for example recent experiences I have had in interaction with a member of his campaign staff)</br><br></br><br>I'm not saying these are the best sources of information, just the ones I looked at hardest to answer my own questions.</br><br></br><br>One of the biggest breakthroughs in my own comprehension was reading <i>Audacity of Hope.</i> It showed me something crucial about how he thinks. In some ways it's alien to me, and in some ways it felt really uncomfortable. But it was crucial information for my own understanding of what he is and isn't.</br><br></br><br>When I first started attending to this campaign I had various ideas about who he might be, and some of them turned out to be dead wrong. What I did was go searching for information to give me some sense of what is really going on. </br><br></br><br>For me, focusing on external information has helped a lot in my own sense of expectations. It is what differentiates my own expectations versus who and what he is. It's still in process. </br><br></br><br>I have no idea if I actually answered your question and certainly I rambled way past what you asked.  But that's more or less what I can say in reply right now at least.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_04:09:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "de3917e982ff609a0d6f7fb5e3c8f079", "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}, "1972418": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Michelle<br></br><br>I guessed my question would be better answered if you could tell me what you think people are projecting on him as opposed to what he has done or said.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_04:31:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9fcb7c771a7713dda01aa936fd426bfe", "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}, "1972419": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "rikyrah<br></br><br>Obama said that Hillary Clinton is worthy of your respect.  Now I know that's politics.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_04:48:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9fcb7c771a7713dda01aa936fd426bfe", "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}, "1972420": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "W<br>We really don't know just how liberal or moderate the probable next President of the United States actually is.  Secondly, the idea that he admits he has been blowing smoke on some topics (such as NAFTA) and has backed away from his own \"overheated\" rhetoric on other topics, (\"undivided\" Jerusalem, \"unconditional\" pledge to meet with foreign leaders) does not inspire confidence that we can discern the \"true\" Obama by listening to his words.  And of course, we can't discern the \"true\" Obama by studying his resume and track record because if you blink once you miss it.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_08:00:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7c4455626754e1b9bc3be232b1024136", "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}, "1972421": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I am so excited by Barack Obama's new politics. Like Chris Matthews, I got a thrill down my leg when the senator announced his candidacy promising a \"new kind of politics.\" As I recall, he said, \"Our leaders in Washington seem incapable of working together in a practical, commonsense way. Politics has become so bitter and partisan, so gummed up by money and influence, that we can't tackle the big problems that demand solutions. And that's what we have to change first.\" Goosebumps!<br></br><br>You know how most politicians say one thing and do another? Well, Barack is different. He gave Hillary Clinton quite a dressing down during the primaries in the Rust Belt for having once supported NAFTA, a treaty Barack called \"devastating.\" Obama said he'd use the threat of withdrawal from the treaty as a \"hammer\" to wring concessions out of Canada and Mexico. And sure, his top economics aide told a Canadian consulate official on the QT that Obama's anti-NAFTA rhetoric was \"more about political posturing than a clear articulation of policy plans.\"</br><br> </br><br></br><br>But that only shows how hard it is for Obama to find aides who are as farseeing and honest as he is. Well, yes, the candidate did acknowledge to Fortune magazine last week that he now views NAFTA more favorably and wouldn't seek to renegotiate its terms. And yes, he did say, \"Sometimes during campaigns the rhetoric gets overheated and amplified.\" But, oh, the way he employs the passive voice! It's not that he pandered to or misled the voters. No, the rhetoric got overheated. Who else, I ask you, can so smoothly deploy the passive voice?</br><br></br><br>Barack Obama is so uplifting. He has said, \"We need a president who sees government not as a tool to enrich friends and high-priced lobbyists (note: don't you hate those low priced lobbyists?) but as the defender of fairness and opportunity for every American.\" Yes, yes, yes. When he released a list of earmarks he had requested over the past three years in the U.S. Senate, he was being open and honest about the favors he has done. Some might say that $740 million is hardly worth mentioning in the context of the huge federal budget. And if $1 million went to the hospital that happens to employ Mrs. Obama, well, that's because she looks incredible in a black-and-white print sundress.</br><br></br><br>Obama has called us to something higher than politics as usual. \"The stakes are too high and the challenges too great to play the same old Washington games with the same old Washington players,\" he intoned. After clinching the Democratic nomination, Obama's first big appointment was Jim Johnson to head his vice presidential search committee. Johnson has such wonderful experience under his belt, with ties to Walter Mondale, John Kerry, Goldman Sachs, Fannie Mae, the Trilateral Commission, and it turns out, Countrywide Financial. Well, yes, Countrywide was one of the mortgage lenders Obama had condemned earlier this year for \"pumping up the subprime lending market. ... They get a $19 million bonus while people are at risk of losing their home. What's wrong with this picture?\" And it didn't look exactly kosher that Johnson had reportedly received up to $7 million at below-market rates as a special friend of the company's CEO, Angelo Mozilo.</br><br></br><br>But Obama's response showed just how above this sort of thing he truly is. He zeroed in on the nature of the problem as soon as Johnson's shady deal came to light: \"There's a game that can be played. Everybody, you know, who is tangentially related to our campaign, I think, is going to have a whole host of relationships. I would have to hire a vetter to vet the vetters.\" How true. It's a shame really that Johnson resigned, not wanting to become a distraction, because he was so tangential anyway.</br><br></br><br>Obama is the kind of leader who can bring us together. He may have the most one-sided, partisan voting record in the Senate, but that just shows how ready he is for a fresh start. He will take on the \"special interests,\" like the farmers. He voted for the largest farm bill in history ($307 billion). Take that!</br><br></br><br>Obama is going to set a new tone in politics. Yes, he did promise to abjure private financing of his presidential campaign if the Republican nominee would do the same, but as everyone can see, things have changed. Public finance would provide only $85 million, whereas Obama has raised more than three times that already. As the candidate explained so upliftingly, \"It's not an easy decision, and especially because I support a robust system of public financing of elections\" but \"this is our moment and our country is depending on us.\"</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_08:08:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7c4455626754e1b9bc3be232b1024136", "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}, "1972422": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Michelle - thanks. <br></br><br>I've been reading a lot of blogs and between Al Giordano's and Lisa Vasquez -</br><br></br><br>http://blackwomenblowthetrumpet.blogspot.com/</br><br></br><br> - I have been sorting through my perspective on a LOT of things.</br><br></br><br>*****************************</br><br></br><br>Ms. Martin,</br><br></br><br>I was not speaking of specifics per se, just that people have had an emotional response to Obama and now for some he's 'letting them down' or 'pissing them off'. </br><br></br><br>1. Messiah complex - there is no savior.</br><br></br><br>2. Assuming his agenda is 'liberal' or 'progressive' and not defining what that means - or assuming it means something specific. It is something different for everyone, so without one specific set of ifs, ands or buts who considers themselves being heard and who doesn't?</br><br></br><br>3. No understanding of how the government operates and expecting outcomes specific to a set of circumstances falling into place.</br><br></br><br>4. Thinking 'change' means wiping the slate clean or starting over from scratch.  I think the entire system is flawed and was broken back when the Founding Fathers: stole people and enslaved them, used the income to fund their own war of independence from another 'oppressor' and actively enacted laws that kept slavery in place in violation of ignored laws opposing it.  </br><br></br><br>I know people are attached to the Constitution but they intentionally discounted people from participating and benefitting from it's laws. So people today hold it up as this pillar when it has rarely been used in its entirety in the first place.</br><br></br><br>5. Free market vs. Capitalism vs. Regulation vs. De-regulation vs. 'No Big Gov't vs. Corporate Welfare, Earmarks and Kickbacks.  Union-busting vs. NAFTA</br><br>Living Wage vs. Minimum Wage.</br><br></br><br>Why the Federal Reserve wields so much power with no oversight.</br><br></br><br>Why we feel entitled to our lifestyle without accepting responsibility of the actions required to support it. </br><br></br><br>ex. people who support a vegan lifestyle and oppose animal abuse [and make it into a moral and/or political issue and have an air of superiority about \"doing the right thing\"] but don't consider the lives of the migrant workers who toil to make fruits/veggies available. </br><br></br><br></br><br>6. FISA rules being followed, being broken, the illusion that citizens are not to spied upon, but historically how the gov't has always spied on people; see MLK, Malcolm X, Black Panthers, Anti-War groups, Hoover. I've heard certain words are coded and get flagged and that we are in fact being monitored  all the time.  </br><br></br><br>7. How much power we abdicate. </br><br></br><br>Do I think an Obama presidency will be good? Yes. Will MY needs be met? That is yet to be determined. It comes down to exacting a value to my support. Black people have been giving it away for NOTHING in return but a hope and a sense of fairness. </br><br></br><br>AIPAC doesn't care about what's 'fair' they want certain actions to be taken even though a larger group of people want something different. But you see who gets catered to? We have to be like that. And it would be great for some balance while we're at it.</br><br></br><br>So that was long but this is off the top of my head.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_08:09:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "1572c9b90152e199379cfb228c0cc759", "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}, "1972423": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "According to ABC, some sparks flew during the meeting with Obama and some CBC members, particularly Clinton supporters.  <br>http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/Story?id=5215668&page;=1</br><br></br><br>Apparantly, these members don't understand that Obama has a general election campaign to run and he must move to the middle and not focus on the few dissatisfied women who support McCain.</br><br>According to Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., Obama then said, \"However, I need to make a decision in the next few months as to how I manage that since I'm running against John McCain, which takes a lot of time. If women take a moment to realize that on every issue important to women, John McCain is not in their corner, that would help them get over it.\"</br><br></br><br></br><br>Rep. Diane Watson, D-Calif., a longtime Clinton supporter, did not like those last three words -- \"Get over it.\" She found them dismissive, off-putting.</br><br></br><br></br><br>\"Don't use that terminology,\" Watson told Obama. </br><br></br><br></br><br>Clarke did not react the same way.</br><br></br><br>Watson must be looking for a primary challenge</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_09:35:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7c4455626754e1b9bc3be232b1024136", "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}, "1972424": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I sort of love the way that one or two persons on this thread throws around the term \"hard left\" as if it actually describes anything at all about the political beliefs and inclinations of the people who are tagged with this political epithet. If folks who are nominal Democrats or who describe their politics as being progressive are members of the \"hard left\" then how would one inclined to use this term describe members of the Sparticist League or the Communist Party of the USA?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_09:35:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "8804616a1945a0972926d2551dcab9e8", "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}, "1972425": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "d: you're a complete nitwit if you think there's a liberal media in this country. quit drinking the right wing koolaid.<br></br><br>s: hahahaha!! obama a \"hard left liberal\"? please. he's a center right politician. </br><br></br><br>michelle: what people aren't getting about FISA is this: </br><br></br><br>George Bush swore on a Bible to uphold and defend the Constitution. Then he wiped his ass with it. </br><br></br><br>The FISA betrayal is not about drama or emotion or any of that, it's about the foundation of this country, the Constitution of the United States. The one the Republicans have run roughshod over for the last eight years. </br><br></br><br>It's not a political issue, it's not a talking point, it's the fucking foundation of this country. To blow it off ~ especially while parroting the worst of the right wing terrorist talking points ~ is a fucking outrage. </br><br></br><br>Tell me how a constitutional law professor could even think of doing that? </br><br></br><br>Here, I'll tell you: corporatocracy. End of democracy.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_09:54:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7f306b3009c480dcd5fc7baf547d1b80", "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}, "1972426": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I am still supporting Obama but his position on the FISA bill is indefensible no matter how much he wants to inoculate himself from right-wing charges that he is weak on security issues. People who defend his position on the grounds that political expediency often overrules political principle are overlooking the real stakes in this debate. Maintaining the safeguards provisions of the 4th Amendment are actually more important than electing America's first black president or first woman or achieving any other historic milestone this November. <br></br><br>Obama is flat out wrong on this issue and his position demonstrates not the sort of practical pragmatism that is the stock-in-trade of politicians but a sort of craven cowardice and fear that is generally displayed by politicians with far less talent than he possesses. Getting elected president of the United States is a process of straining for symmetry, that is, trying to bring irregular halves together by occupying the middle. There is not, unfortunately, a middle position on the protections we are afforded under the 4th Amendment. Obama either believes the government can act unlawfully against American citizens or he does not.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_10:06:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "8804616a1945a0972926d2551dcab9e8", "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}, "1972427": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "ms.martin, I left out a word when I summarized your position. My bad. But I still don't see what you see.<br></br><br>You think Barack has sold his soul. I see no evidence of that. Clearly we have different thresholds a pol must cross before coming to that conclusion. </br><br></br><br>That's all.</br><br></br><br>::</br><br></br><br>Whoever wrote that Barack didn't cite a single example of a race-based attack when talking to the Floridians at that fundraiser is lying. They are also lying to say that he's suggesting that any criticism against his policies is racist. </br><br></br><br>Barack called out Floyd Brown, independent slimethrower, who has already created and aired two ads painting Barack as a scary Black Muslim terrorist. One of the ads ran in North Carolina, the other ran in South Dakota. </br><br></br><br>The \"Barack lied about never being a Muslim\" ad has nothing to do with policy issues. It includes lies that have already been debunked. It has everything to do with exactly what Barack said in Florida. It is about making the voter scared of him for reasons that have nothing to do with his policies or his politics.</br><br></br><br>::</br><br></br><br>d.,</br><br></br><br>I haven't lost my enthusiasm for Barack's candidacy because I never had any doubt that he was capable of playing tough politics in order to win. Chicago politics ain't never been no tea party. Ambition is the central ingredient for any politician running for President. </br><br></br><br>He's so inexperienced, he's so naive, folks say. </br><br></br><br>Uh huh.</br><br></br><br>The man is a shrewd, calculating, intelligent and talented politician who knows what's up.</br><br></br><br>Whether he's ultimately elected or not, I haven't seen a bigger political talent in my lifetime.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_10:41:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9bf0971c139c9dc33659e8ed441e4f5e", "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}, "1972428": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<i>Obama is not that liberal</i><br></br><br>::</br><br></br><br>Say it again. It amazes me how much his opponents are doing their best to paint him as a radical.</br><br></br><br>It won't work.</br><br></br><br>Anybody who's paying attention knows Barack is not that liberal.</br><br></br><br>His opponents are talking to those who aren't paying attention and to them only.</br><br></br><br>I'm no fan of David Brooks and I reject some of his more dismissive and sarcastic language in his recent column, but he basically put out a warning to Barack's opposition.</br><br></br><br>If they keep underestimating them, they will be run over.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_10:51:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9bf0971c139c9dc33659e8ed441e4f5e", "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}, "1972429": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "As a centrist ~ and now, apparently, center right ~ candidate, Obama is nowhere near liberal enough for me.<br></br><br>But I have supported him in large part because of his stand on foreign policy ~ that we must do things differently, that democrats are the better party to \"keep us safe\" (so fucking tired of that phrase).</br><br></br><br>With his support of FISA, he did a 180 degree turn back to the tired old destructive republican narrative that we can only be strong on security if we trash the Constitution. </br><br></br><br>As ptcruiser said: <i>\"Obama either believes the government can act unlawfully against American citizens or he does not.\"</i></br><br></br><br>which is it? and one of the most disappointing results of his statement is the sudden appeasement being promulgated by former staunch advocates of the defeat of this bill. it seems that the thing is just to <i>elect Obama</i>, no matter what, no matter what he does, says, anything. just elect him!! </br><br></br><br>bullshit. if we don't hold our candidates' feet to the fire ~ all of our candidates ~ we have nothing.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_10:56:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7f306b3009c480dcd5fc7baf547d1b80", "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}, "1972430": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1021293/How-mothers-fanatical-views-tore-apart.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">Fanatical Feminist</a><br></br><br>The article is just one reflection of what happens when leftists get their way. Leftists are actually communists/socialists -- though most deny it, or don\u2019t even realize it -- who believe that the government is suppose to help them and others, by forcefully taking from others.</br><br></br><br><i><b>From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs!</b></i> - Marx</br><br></br><br>Look at some of their other issues, e.g. <b>1)</b> <i>\u2018man-made\u2019</i> Global Warming. At one time -- on earth -- oceans were covered in an ice-sheet that was one-mile deep\u2026the entire planet earth was covered in ice. Mankind wasn\u2019t around, so how did the ice go away? And, that was just one Ice Age. <b>2)</b> Environment \u2013 \u201csave the trees\u201d\u2026by letting forest fires destroy the forests, instead of allowing loggers into the forests. \u201cno drilling for oil\u201d\u2026lets fund terrorism instead. \u201cBush caused Katrina\u201d\u2026of course, the environmentalists got a pass on the damage caused by Katrina, even though it was them who had stopped anyone from touching the Mississippi River and the marsh areas around New Orleans. <b>3)</b> World Peace \u2013 \u201cno more wars\u201d\u2026that\u2019s a good one. Leftists think that they can stop the enemy by talking to them, or by threatening them with court systems.</br><br></br><br>From the above link: Alice Walker <i>believed so strongly that children enslaved their mothers she disowned her own daughter</i>\u2026saw <i>motherhood a form of servitude</i>\u2026etc.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_11:09:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "3da39b121dc85e9bd8d9f861782bc8b9", "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}, "1972431": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/21/AR2008062101658.html?nav=rss_world\" rel=\"nofollow\">Europe Fears Obama Might Undercut Progress With Iran</a><br></br><br><i>European officials are increasingly concerned that Sen. Barack Obama's campaign pledge to begin direct talks with Iran on its nuclear program without preconditions could potentially rupture U.S. relations with key European allies early in a potential Obama administration.</i></br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_11:32:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "3da39b121dc85e9bd8d9f861782bc8b9", "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}, "1972432": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "From the Washington Post:<br></br><br><i>In a Post-ABC News poll last month, nearly nine in 10 whites said they would be comfortable with a black president. While fewer whites, about two-thirds, said they would be \"entirely comfortable\" with it, that was more than double the percentage of all adults who said they would be so at ease with someone entering office for the first time at age 72, which McCain (R-Ariz.) would do should he prevail in November.</i></br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_11:48:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "3b9a39f6bc38c0fc6082bf0373618c04", "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}, "1972433": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Pamela,<br></br><br>But the \"liberal media\" isn't discussing McCain's age and its effect on his electability with the same vim and vigor that it's discussing Barack's race.</br><br></br><br>Even though <i>every single poll</i> in the last two weeks tells us age is a bigger issue for voters.</br><br></br><br>::</br><br></br><br>For all of our discussions of the Constitution and FISA, has anyone expressed any outrage about the politics behind the way this bill came up for the vote the way this bill came pu for the vote?</br><br></br><br>On a related note, one would think the Supreme Court would want to uphold the Constitution, no? </br><br></br><br>What's the Supreme Court going to do when it decides to review this bill?</br><br></br><br>And what else is attacked to this bill? Isn't there something attached to this bill that extends unemployment benefits? Or did I hear that wrong?</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_12:29:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9bf0971c139c9dc33659e8ed441e4f5e", "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}, "1972434": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Craig,<br>Think the unemployment benefits are attached to the war supplemental.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_12:36:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "0183bc94f5be8b9ec79636f3f2174ff5", "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}, "1972435": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "the democrats <i>want</i> this fisa bill, they want it primarily <i>for</i> the telecom companies.<br></br><br>they are enormous donors to political campaigns, the telecoms. </br><br></br><br>the fisa bill has been fought back by activist democratic <i>citizens</i> several times now.</br><br></br><br>the democratic sellouts in congress <i>keep allowing it to come up.</i> over and over. </br><br></br><br>they <b>want</b> this bill to pass. want it.</br><br></br><br>the democrats could, if they wanted to, do precisely on this bill what the republicans do over and over:</br><br></br><br>play obstructionist politics and filibuster the motherfucker. but no, that would require some bit of spine and there doesn't seem to be a fucking backbone in the whole lot of them (feingold, dodd and a few others excluded).</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_13:40:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7f306b3009c480dcd5fc7baf547d1b80", "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}, "1972436": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "and that last paragraph would be predicated on their <i>not wanting</i> to pass this bill, so it's moot. <br></br><br>they want it. they want it for their \"people\" ~ the corporations.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_13:41:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7f306b3009c480dcd5fc7baf547d1b80", "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}, "1972437": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Ms Martin @1:31, don't know if anyone is still reading this thread, but you wrote: <i>I guessed my question would be better answered if you could tell me what you think people are projecting on him as opposed to what he has done or said.</i><br></br><br>Right now for me, it's the energy of the people who are upset at him because of his statement and actions/lack of actions re: the House vote on FISA. </br><br></br><br>For some -- NOT ALL but some -- there's this personal sense of dramatic psychological betrayal in how they make their public declarations about how they feel and what they are now going to do. Some of which I have seen on this site, though not as much as elsewhere. </br><br></br><br><b>I understand disagreeing with him and wanting to hold him to task and don't have any problem with comments and people coming cleanly from that space.</b></br><br></br><br>But the intensely personal-drama feel of some people's responses is really repellent to me. When I was sorting through what I felt going on I realized that it felt to me like relationship or \"family drama\" of the sort that is extremely self-referential for the people who are so upset.</br><br></br><br>I'm not entirely how best to name *what* some people are projecting on him around the FISA-Obama-drama; it may be a various things depending on the person, since IMO it really is pretty self-referential to whatever the individuals internal \"issues\" are.</br><br></br><br>(again -- I am NOT talking about the comments and people who are politically disagreeing in a clean sort of way, it's the ones with all the angst and personal drama energy I'm talking about). </br><br></br><br>My girlfriend sees some of this drama as coming from rigid ungrounded ideologies that get projected outward. I see some evidence of that too but not sure precisely how it gets so linked into the personal-drama feel of things. </br><br></br><br>There's a fair amount of what I am repelled by on the dailykos, which I never read before this election season and may have to stop reading again.</br><br></br><br>And, some of the comments from bigassbelle on this thread and Friday's open thread to me illustrate a vivid and particularly extreme version of what I am talking about. In this case the FISA statement seemed to serve as the catalyst for an individual to feel so deeply and personally betrayed and freaked out that she wrote that she prays for suffering on people in a country -- The U.S. -- we later find out she plans to leave. Praying for others to hurt while you plan to scape the pain, because you are so internally self-referentially upset ... I will not say the words that I have for this kind of thing. I do also see some evidence of a rigid ideology in these and other of her comments as well, which is along the lines my girlfriend is thinking.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_14:05:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "de3917e982ff609a0d6f7fb5e3c8f079", "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}, "1972438": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "heartsandflowers I find your comment at 05:09 AM extremely useful and wise and will be reflecting more on it.<br></br><br>The whole thing but in particular for me right now these parts:</br><br></br><br><i>4. Thinking 'change' means wiping the slate clean or starting over from scratch. I think the entire system is flawed and was broken back when the Founding Fathers: stole people and enslaved them, used the income to fund their own war of independence from another 'oppressor' and actively enacted laws that kept slavery in place in violation of ignored laws opposing it.</i></br><br></br><br>I know people are attached to the Constitution but they intentionally discounted people from participating and benefitting from it's laws. So people today hold it up as this pillar when it has rarely been used in its entirety in the first place.</br><br></br><br>........</br><br></br><br><i>Why we feel entitled to our lifestyle without accepting responsibility of the actions required to support it.</i></br><br></br><br>ex. people who support a vegan lifestyle and oppose animal abuse [and make it into a moral and/or political issue and have an air of superiority about \"doing the right thing\"] but don't consider the lives of the migrant workers who toil to make fruits/veggies available.</br><br></br><br>.......</br><br></br><br><i>6. FISA rules being followed, being broken, the illusion that citizens are not to spied upon, but historically how the gov't has always spied on people; see MLK, Malcolm X, Black Panthers, Anti-War groups, Hoover. I've heard certain words are coded and get flagged and that we are in fact being monitored all the time.</i></br><br></br><br>And really the whole thing.</br><br></br><br>I know it was a reply to Ms Martin but I will say: thank you so much for this comment, thank you.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_14:20:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "de3917e982ff609a0d6f7fb5e3c8f079", "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}, "1972439": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "michelle.<br></br><br>go read the constitution and the bill of rights. it's apparent you have no idea what those documents mean or what went into the making of them. </br><br></br><br>then you'll know what i'm so \"personally\" upset about. good grief, you're making this into some kind of personal psychological issue?</br><br></br><br></br><br>there's a term for that: projection.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_14:57:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7f306b3009c480dcd5fc7baf547d1b80", "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}, "1972440": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Hearts<br></br><br>Very well said.</br><br></br><br>' Black people have been giving it away for NOTHING in return but a hope and a sense of fairness. </br><br> Black people have been giving it away for NOTHING in return but a hope and a sense of fairness.'</br><br></br><br>So true.  This is why the Father's Day speech bothered me, I didn't think it was fair and I was very disappointed and feeling like more of the same.</br><br></br><br>I feel the same way you do about the other issues and think the variables make it difficult to please everyone.</br><br></br><br>Michelle</br><br></br><br>I understand, your frustration is about the uproar over FISA - I agree with Hearts on this.  Though I do believe the driving force is that many corporations are involved and the litigation would be voluminous and I'm sure they is much more to this story than the general public is privy to.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-22_16:25:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "9fcb7c771a7713dda01aa936fd426bfe", "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}, "1972441": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "@Craig<br></br><br>\"On a related note, one would think the Supreme Court would want to uphold the Constitution, no?\"</br><br></br><br>Good luck getting this in front of the Supreme Court, let alone a federal judge.  Since the whole damn program is secret, how the hell can you establish standing in litigation?  How can you prove that you were injured, if you can't prove that spying happened to you?  If you can't prove that you were injured, you have no standing.  If you can't prove standing, you have no case that a federal court will hear.  With telco immunity, everyone is going to get tossed out on their asses, and you're never going to be able to prove a damn thing.</br><br></br><br>I'm no expert on things of this nature, but I do know that courts won't strike down a law unless someone can prove an injury typically.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-23_18:05:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7ed613debb3ff32133f08bfbc1ae21c1", "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}}, "integration": {"receiver_url": "", "theme": 4, "reply_position": true, "disqus_logo": false}, "timer": {"timer_url": "http://localhost:8005", "thread_id": "2536450", "user_id": "anonymous", "forum_id": "21630", "hash": -5882897556736682578}, "thread": {"days_alive": 0, "slug": "saturday_open_thread_come_on_in", "paginate": false, "num_pages": 1, "num_posts": 117, "per_page": 0, "total_posts": 0, "realtime_paused": true, "id": 2536450, "queued": false}, "reactions_limit": 10, "context": {"show_reply": true, "use_fb_connect": true, "forum_facebook_key": "bd6a8bc56f8eb204984f34b6fefe228d", "use_yahoo": false, "subscribed": false, "use_twitter_signin": true, "use_openid": false, "realtime_speed": 5000}, "reactions_start": 0, "settings": {"debug": false, "disqus_url": "http://disqus.com", "media_url": "http://media.disqus.com"}, "media_url": "http://media.disqus.com"};
	/* */ this.jsonData.cookie_messages = {"user_created": null, "post_has_profile": null, "post_twitter": null, "post_not_approved": null}; this.jsonData.session = {"url": null, "name": null, "email": null}; /* */

	
	this.curPageId = 'dsq-comments';

	this.frames = {};
};

var disqus_popup_reference = null;

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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





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



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

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

	this._lastHash = null;

	this._accumMsg = '';

	this._lastSeqno = 0;

	this.MAX_DATA_LEN	= 1024;

	this.WAIT_TIME		= 10;

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

};

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

FragmentPacket.prototype.log = function(msg) {



};

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

		hash = this.reader.name;
	} else {

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

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

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

		this._lastSeqno = seqno;

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

				this._accumMsg = '';

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

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

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

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

};

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

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

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

	if (packetNum === 0) {

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

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

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

	if (num_packets === packetNum) {

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

	this._lastSeqno++;

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

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

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

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

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

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


	this.receiverId = receiverId;
};

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

	var listener = function(e) {

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


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

		that.receiveCallback(data);
	};

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

PostMessagePacket.prototype.send = function(msg) {



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


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

	var packet;
	if (!msg) {

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

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

var JsonRpc = function() {

	this.ids = {};

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

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

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

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

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

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

				json = 'null';
				break;
		}

		return json;
	};

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

		send_func(this.objectToJSON(request));

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

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


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



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


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


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

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

	this.packetHandler = null;


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


	var _createReceiverForFragmentPacket = function() {

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

			that._ready = true;
		};

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

		that.receiver.onload = receiver_onload;







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

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

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

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


	var _createReceiverForPostMessage = function() {

		var receiver_onload = function() {

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

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


		ParentMessenger['_receiver_onload_' + receiverId] = receiver_onload;

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

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

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

};

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

	var sendFunc = function(msg) {

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


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


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

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

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

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

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

		if (msg.username) {

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

	this.url = Dsq.Urls.REPLY +
		'?' + (new Date()).getTime() +
		'&f=jackandjillpolitics' +
		'&t=saturday_open_thread_come_on_in' +
		'&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_come_on_in/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_come_on_in'
			+ '&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_come_on_in/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">117</span> Comments\
	 &nbsp;\
	 <span class="dsq-item-feed">\
	 <a href="http://jackandjillpolitics.disqus.com/saturday_open_thread_come_on_in/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_come_on_in/">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:2536450" 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_come_on_in/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:2536450" 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:2536450" 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_come_on_in',
			// 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_come_on_in/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_come_on_in'
			+ '&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_come_on_in'
			+ '&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_come_on_in'
				+ '&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/2536450/realtime.js?timestamp=' + last_checked);
		}
	};

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

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

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

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

}();

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

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

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

	return obj;
}();

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

		if (isblank(openid_url)) {
			return;
		}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

	return obj;
}();


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





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

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

	
	var scriptEl = document.createElement('script');
	scriptEl.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript');
	scriptEl.setAttribute('src', 'http://media.disqus.com/javascript/library/swfobject.js');
	document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(scriptEl);

	function see_play_video(_videoUri, _add) {
		var swf = !!playerVersion ? playerVersion : 'http://seesmic.com/embeds/StandalonePlayer.swf';

		flashcontentDiv = Dsq.$(_videoUri + '_content');
		previewDiv = Dsq.$('dsq-seesmic-' + _videoUri + '_preview');
		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');
			so.addVariable('video', _videoUri);
			so.addParam('allowFullScreen', 'true');
			so.addParam('allowScriptAccess','always');
			so.useExpressInstall('swfobject/expressinstall.swf');
			so.write(_videoUri + '_content');

			previewDiv.style.display = 'none';
			hideDiv.style.display = 'block';
			showDiv.style.display = 'none';
		}
		else {
			flashcontentDiv.innerHTML = '';
			previewDiv.style.display = 'block';
			hideDiv.style.display = 'none';
			showDiv.style.display = 'block';
		}
	};





(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];
			}
		}
		
		for(var prop in Dsq.Post) {
			if(Dsq.Themes[theme] && Dsq.Themes[theme].hasOwnProperty(prop)) {
				Dsq.Post[prop] = Dsq.Themes[theme][prop];
			}
		}
	}

	//
	// Register templates.  This must be done after all themes are loaded.
	//
	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);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postPrependHeader', Dsq.Templates.postPrependHeader);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postAppendHeader', Dsq.Templates.postAppendHeader);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('preBody', Dsq.Templates.preBody);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postBody', Dsq.Templates.postBody);
	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);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postComment_onSuccess', Dsq.Templates.postComment_onSuccess);

})();

Dsq.container.className = "clearfix";
Dsq.container.innerHTML = ' \
<ul id="dsq-comments">\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972325">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972325" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972325" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972325">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972325" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972325" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/seth-grahamesmith/fear-of-a-black-president_b_108163.html" rel="nofollow">Fear of a Black President</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972326">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972326" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972326" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972326">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972326" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972326" class="dsq-comment-message">Hamas and Israel brokered a truce. Who knows how long it will last.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972327">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972327" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972327" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972327">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972327" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972327" class="dsq-comment-message">CNN did a piece on Rep. Laura Richardson\'s foreclosure.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972328">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972328" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972328" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972328">Anonymous</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972328" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972328" class="dsq-comment-message">the obama bounce: 15 points ahead.<br></br><br>www.newsweek.com/id/142465/page/1</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972329">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972329" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972329" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972329">marci</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972329" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972329" class="dsq-comment-message">re perception of black women<br>how did this happen in a reality tv show..</br><br>this woman has pushed us a step or two back...</br><br></br><br>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/2156800/Big-Brother-Channel-4-releases-details-of-Alexandra-De-Gale%27s-bullying.html</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972330">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972330" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972330" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972330">E</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972330" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972330" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/exclusive-barack-obama-michelle-is-an-extraordinary-mother%3Cbr%3EI" rel="nofollow">http://www.usmagazine.com/exclusive-barack-obam...</a> just bought this issue. It talks about how Michelle grew up in a one bedroom apartment and how she\'s become the mother and woman she is.  Most of the quotes come from long-time friends and all support the fact that she would be a fantastic First Lady.  On the one hand, it IS a puff piece. On the other hand, this is what America reads and it\'s important to reach people where they are.  I thought it was a very \'humanizing\' article.</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972331">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972331" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972331" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972331">BigAssBelle</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972331" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972331" class="dsq-comment-message">barack obama is the second coming of bill clinton.<br></br><br>http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080630/klein</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972332">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972332" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972332" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972332">s</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972332" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972332" class="dsq-comment-message">Is Obama planning to pivot on Iraq? <br></br><br>Iraq\'s Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, describes a conversation he had with Barack Obama:</br><br></br><br>"In addition to promising a visit, Mr. Obama said that "if there would be a Democratic administration, it will not take any irresponsible, reckless, sudden decisions or action to endanger your gains, your achievements, your stability or security. Whatever decision he will reach will be made through close consultation with the Iraqi government and U.S. military commanders in the field."</br><br></br><br>What if Obama goes to Iraq and declares upon his return that he has been persuaded that the surge has made a difference, that things are going much better, and that he is now convinced victory is both possible and crucial?</br><br></br><br>Does he have the political courage to adopt a smart and sensible position on Iraq?</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972333">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972333" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972333" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972333">s</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972333" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972333" class="dsq-comment-message">Politico’s Kenneth Vogel wonders whether the editorial choices made in covering Barack Obama will change now that he has reversed himself on public financing of the general-election campaign.  Many newspapers consider that to be a key reform issue, and Obama had received over 100 endorsements in the primary on the basis of his reform message.  This week’s responses to his abandonment of public financing reflected a great deal of anger at the betrayal, and it could signal a sharp turn in tone from the print media:<br></br><br>    Of the editorial boards that opined Friday about his breaking the pledge, most of those that endorsed him during the primary were aggressive in their criticism.</br><br></br><br>    The Philadelphia Inquirer’s called the decision “as disappointing as it is disingenuous,” while the Boston Globe’s wrote it “deals a body blow … to his own reputation as a reform candidate.” And The Baltimore Sun’s editorial called it “a major disappointment for those struggling to restrain the pernicious influence of special interests in American politics.”</br><br></br><br>    The New York Times’ editorial board, which endorsed Clinton after allegedly leaning toward Obama, wrote that “Obama has come up short” of “his evocative vows to depart from self-interested politics.”</br><br></br><br>    Obama attempted a preemptive defense of his new position by arguing that his massive base of small online donors constitute a “parallel public financing,” and that he needed to exit the program to defend himself from the independent spending of 527 groups, long a bugaboo of campaign finance reformers. Many editorial boards, though, have been outright dismissive of this argument.</br><br></br><br>    The Washington Post opined that Obama’s “effort to cloak his broken promise in the smug mantle of selfless dedication to the public good is a little hard to take.”</br><br></br><br>    And USA Today, which also did not endorse any candidates, said Obama put “expediency over principle,” was “disingenuous about his reasons for opting out of public financing” and proved he’s not a “real reformer.”</br><br></br><br>Vogel notes that the print media has provided “fawning” coverage of Obama during the campaign.  They seemed enchanted by Obama to the point where they didn’t bother to see whether he was too good to be true.  Now that he has turned his back on reform, that may change.  Even more damning may be the reasons why he claims to have abandoned the public financing system, in essence charging the GOP with forcing him into it through what turns out to be non-existent 527 efforts and PAC/lobbyist contributions that amounts to less than 2% of the Republican totals — when Democrats raised 10% of their 2004 funds from the same sources.</br><br></br><br>If Obama can’t keep to his principles under fire, when would he ever keep to them?</br><br></br><br>Plus, for some of these editors, the issue has become personal.  Obama spoke to several of these editors in meetings during the campaign and insisted that he supported the public financing system,  including and especially the Washington Post.  They now know he flat-out lied to them, personally, and nothing quite gets the blood boiling than that kind of betrayal.</br><br></br><br>The print media doesn’t have the same clout it once did, but it can still drive overall coverage.  If they start digging into Obama, the television and radio media will pick up on it; they use print media as a source for their own coverage.   One only has to look at the New York Times’ hit piece on John McCain in February to see how newspapers can grab national attention for their political efforts.  If the editors decide to turn their cannons on Obama, the ride could get bumpy, and not just from Obama tossing more people under his own bus.</br><br></br><br>Many people will conclude that the print media will come back around to Obama after venting their spleen this week.  Don’t be so sure.  They believe in the public financing system — the Washington Post’s Watergate reporting practically invented it.  If Obama wins, that system is dead.  John McCain may look a lot more palatable now.</br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972334">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972334" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972334" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972334">Chaz</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972334" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972334" class="dsq-comment-message">bigassbelle, <br></br><br>I knew this day would come. Obama has an interview with the <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121365641014879041.html?mod=Leader-US" rel="nofollow">Wall Street Journal</a> that also highlights that he isn\'t an enemy of markets. Even in Penn, and OH (though the news didn\'t care to talk about it) he held up some free trade agreements that he thought were fine.  </br><br></br><br>However, I have a problem with assuming that particular advisers presuppose particular policy. Obama has been profiled before as a person who seeks diverse and often contrary opinions. Furhter, Klien is not the person I\'d go to to discuss who is "too friendly with markets." He writes a good book, but isn\'t a reporter of any note.</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972335">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972335" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972335" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972335">Anonymous</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972335" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972335" class="dsq-comment-message">Barack Obama reversed his position on FISA reform yesterday, giving the Left a taste of the real Obama for the second time this week.  After Obama abandoned public financing, most of his supporters in the hard-Left base seemed willing to write that off as good politics. <br></br><br> John McCain has spent the last few weeks hammering Obama on his national-security weaknesses, and Obama’s repeated clinging to the Nuremberg military tribunals as an example of why he opposes military tribunals didn’t help. He needed to show that he can take a nuanced approach to the effort on the war, and he apparently chose FISA as the moment.  It’s sheer political calculus, much the same as Obama’s position on public financing, the death penalty, the Iraq war, and just about every position Obama has taken in this campaign.</br><br></br><br>It’s becoming clear that Obama has no real firm principles, only ambition.</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972336">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972336" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972336" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972336">Anonymous</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972336" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972336" class="dsq-comment-message">Obama plays the race card! According to AP Obama said,<br></br><br>"They\'re going to try to make you afraid of me. He\'s young and inexperienced and he\'s got a funny name. And did I mention he\'s black?"</br><br></br><br>This is an insulting and pathetic attempt to distract the public from his recent flip-flops on the positions that got him the nomination. He IS young and inexperienced, not to mention nothing more a cold, calculating, ambitious politician who will say and do anything to get elected.</br><br></br><br>OBAMA is a RACE BAITER!</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972337">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972337" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972337" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972337">Anonymous</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972337" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972337" class="dsq-comment-message">Good commentary in today\'s Washington Post.<br></br><br>The Loud Silence of Feminists</br><br>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/20/AR2008062002209.html?hpid=opinionsbox1</br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972338">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972338" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972338" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972338">Chaz</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972338" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972338" class="dsq-comment-message"><i>If Obama wins, that system is dead. John McCain may look a lot more palatable now.</i><br></br><br>Bull, that is what this is. The problem with this system, and I\'ve been saying it for a long time, is that just because you didn\'t write a check to the candidate doesn\'t mean they didn\'t get your money. </br><br></br><br>Read: As long as the DNC and RNC (and 527\'s if you want) can take money from anyone, as much as they want this "public" financing system is a sham. As long as candidates can take PAC and lobbyist dollars the system is bunk. </br><br></br><br>Yes papers will and rightly so opine about Obama\'s decision. But if you want to make it about public financing then lets talk about which candidate has actually tried to do what the laws are there for: get special interests out.</br><br></br><br>Honestly those editorial boards are the few (besides dorks like I) who care about public financing. Hell only 10% of Americans check off that box on their tax returns. These papers may try to keep this alive, but they may not be able to. </br><br></br><br>s, </br><br></br><br>Fawning newspapers? Please the NY Times and many papers were so bent on having Hillary as the nominee that they hammered Obama, daily asking if he had the chops, etc. The Chicago Tribune (which endorsed Obama) has been the most critical of him. I don\'t and haven\'t bought this narrative of the media is too easy on him. </br><br></br><br>How many stories about Ayers did you read? I read ten too many. Point? The print media did their part in hammering Obama on stupid issues and that is indicative of the immature political reporting in our country, something I don\'t expect to change.</br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972339">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972339" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972339" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972339">KarmiCommunist</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972339" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972339" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080620/pl_nm/usa_politics_obama_race_dc_1" rel="nofollow">Obama: Republicans will run on R-A-C-I-S-M</a><br></br><br><b>?!?!</b> Er, excuse me! That’s akin to the <b>"<i>Pot calling the Kettle black</i>"</b>. In case anyone has missed it, the Democratic Party has been using <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_politics" rel="nofollow">Identity Politics</a> since the 1970’s, and was especially used in their own recent Presidential candidate primaries – See: Obama vs. Hillary, 2008. In fact, they have used it much longer than just the past three-PLUS decades, if the infamous “RICH” Identity is included.</br><br></br><br>(uummmmmm...I feel a new post, at my blog, is coming.)</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972340">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972340" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972340" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972340">Anonymous</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972340" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972340" class="dsq-comment-message">FACT CHECKING OBAMA<br></br><br>In a new ad, Obama claims credit for three pieces of legislation. In one case, the claim is reasonable. The other two are bogus.</br><br></br><br>Obama says that "I... cut taxes for working families," citing Illinois Public Act: PA 91-0700, the Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit of 2000. Given the collaborative nature of any legislation, Obama\'s claim that "I cut taxes" is pretentious at best. As it happens, though, Obama was only a minor player with respect to the Earned Income Tax Credit Act. In fact, he was not one of the bill\'s chief sponsors. He signed on as one of 37 co-sponsors on April 15, 2000, shortly before the act was signed into law on May 11.</br><br></br><br>In the ad, Obama also claims that "I…extended health care for wounded troops who had been neglected." Wow, that\'s quite an accomplishment for a single Senator. The ad cites Public Law 110-181, the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act. Funny thing, though: Obama didn\'t show up to vote on that bill in the Senate. So it\'s hard to see how Obama can take credit for having personally "extended health care for wounded troops."</br><br></br><br>Resume padding.</br><br></br><br>But hey, what\'s really important is that the Republicans will say I have a funny name and that I\'m black?</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972341">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972341" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972341" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972341">Anonymous</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972341" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972341" class="dsq-comment-message">Lisa Schiffren:<br></br><br>That incident earlier this week in which campaign aides didn\'t allow two Muslim women wearing the full, official headscarf to sit behind Barack Obama at a rally, allegedly for fear that they might show up in photos and video and solidify any Muslim associations which voters may harbor about the candidate, was a one day flap for the most teflon candidate in history. But it is grows more interesting as the facts emerge. According to this piece, one of the ejected women, Hebba Aref, was an official of the Muslim Students Association at U-Mich Dearborn, in charge of proselytizing. The MSA has been linked to the Sunni Al-Ikhwan Al-Muslimeem, a terrorist group. Shimaa Abdelfadeel, the other alleged victim, had been chairman of SAFE, a University of Michigan, Ann Arbor group that hosted the 2002 Divestment Conference against Israel. She is the author of vehement anti-Israel propaganda. Interesting coincidence that these two women were ejected from the picture simultaneously, by two different campaign aides in two different parts of the building.</br><br></br><br>Was this a set-up? Predictably enough the entire universe of Arab/Muslim grievance organizations, CAIR, ADC, MPAC, ISNA, et al, has continued to milk the story despite profuse apologies from the campaign. What do they want him to do? You\'d think they would be more interested in how far he is willing to embrace their agenda (pretty far, if his views on rights for Gitmo detainees mean anything), than whether the visuals flatter their organizations. Although, the appearance of closeness probably helps those organizations with their constituents.</br><br></br><br>It\'s worth wondering just how far the Muslim lobby is going to push Barack Obama to tow their lines, and whether he will bend to their demands, or push back. Both sides have more to lose than to gain in this game. He has a long history, in Chicago, of friendly and obliging associations with these organizations. If they are publicly testing to see just how far they can go, sooner or later Obama will be forced to snap back, to avoid seeming like a patsy. Let the drama continue.</br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972342">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972342" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972342" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972342">Chaz</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972342" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972342" class="dsq-comment-message">Karmicommunist, <br></br><br>1: I think all the readers of JJ know about the slime that Hillary introduced. In fact we know where she got it (read: Rep. southern strategy). </br><br></br><br>2: Please don\'t waste our time. As a son of the south I know firsthand how Republicans have and most likely will continue to use fear of the "other" to get votes. The target may change from year to year but the strategy is the same. Always based in xenophobia, racism, or even sexism (look at Ann Richards TX). </br><br></br><br>Do you honestly think a party with such a recent and long election history can lecture anyone? Hey, guess what, the Rep copycat didn\'t win. Apparently Dems could see a little more clearly that the Republicans on this issue. </br><br></br><br>3: Lastly, while I find identiy politics limiting, to equate them with the likes of the Republican southern strategy is logically dishonest. ID Politics speak to peoples issues, the Republican strategies have spoken to their irrational fears.</br><br></br><br>We all know the playbook, but hey maybe Obama will be wrong and maybe the Fox News and other conservative spin masters will stop short of the inevitable. But as long as folks are peddling in anti-Muslim Manchurian candidate slurs and angry black woman hysteria I think he has a point.</br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972343">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972343" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972343" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972343">KarmiCommunist</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972343" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972343" class="dsq-comment-message">Did Obama <i>\'Jump the Gun\'</i>, in his recent decision to pass on public financing? <br></br><br>First, some facts: 1) Obama lost "<i>most of the contests over the last three months of the primary</i>". 2) Feb. \'08, $50 million was raised...March \'08, $40 million was raised...April \'08, $32 million was raised. 3) Hillary is expecting Obama to help her with her $20-30 million debt.</br><br></br><br><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080621/ap_on_el_pr/campaign_money" rel="nofollow">May \'08, $22 million was raised.</a></br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972344">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972344" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972344" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972344">BigAssBelle</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972344" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972344" class="dsq-comment-message">chaz, <i>Naomi</i> Klein is a thoughtful, thorough, investigative reporter.<br></br><br>perhaps you were thinking of joe or ezra klein.</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972345">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972345" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972345" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972345">RhondaCoca</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972345" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972345" class="dsq-comment-message">Anons-<br></br><br>The Republicans have been running on racism. He is dead on with that analysis. It is not race-baiting it is the truth about what they are trying to do.</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972346">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972346" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972346" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972346">Chaz</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972346" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972346" class="dsq-comment-message">bigassbelle,<br></br><br>You\'re right, I jumped the gun. Funny I\'ve read Naomi and that article didn\'t sound like her at first. </br><br></br><br>Apologies all around. </br><br></br><br>-Cheers</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972347">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972347" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972347" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972347">Craig Hickman</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972347" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972347" class="dsq-comment-message">Now that Barack has finally made it clear that he\'s a politician (I\'m not so sure what took people so long to realize it), we can have a general election campaign.<br></br><br>If Barack loses the election because voters don\'t accept his politricking, but they accept that of the crook who calls himself a reformer, then we\'ll get McCain who would be without a doubt the dumbest president in history.</br><br></br><br>If we thought 8 years of Bush was hell, then it\'s only going to get hotter.</br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972348">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972348" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972348" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972348">Craig Hickman</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972348" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972348" class="dsq-comment-message">Jim Webb breaks with Obama on offshore drilling.<br></br><br>Who would\'ve thought even a month ago that offshore drilling would become the premiere issue of this election?</br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972349">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972349" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972349" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972349">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972349" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972349" class="dsq-comment-message">Lisa Schiffren:<br></br><br></br><br>NO fan of Obama</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972350">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972350" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972350" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972350">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972350" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972350" class="dsq-comment-message"><i>Anons-<br></br><br>The Republicans have been running on racism. He is dead on with that analysis. It is not race-baiting it is the truth about what they are trying to do.</br><br></br><br>Sat Jun 21, 08:07:00 AM 2008</br><br></br></i><br></br><br>I agree. </br><br></br><br>As I told ms. martin down below,</br><br></br><br>it doesn\'t matter how many monkey dolls there are, Obama knows that he could only say something like that, maybe TWICE in this campaign. He could never, and I mean NEVER would  be allowed to do what Hillary did (with regards to \' sexism) towards the end of the campaign. </br><br></br><br>So, he\'s trying to \'re-introduce\' himself, and he\'s trying to do pre-emptive innoculation. He decided to take this as one of his two times. </br><br></br><br>rhonda is right. This what we ALWAYS expected from the GOP. This is no surprise. </br><br></br><br>I know I\'m just weary, because I never thought I\'d have had to fight that battle TWICE - once against the GOP and another AGAINST ANOTHER DEMOCRAT. </br><br></br><br>That\'s why I\'m weary. We\'d be well rested and ready for battle if we\'d had not to deal with the racebaiting of Camp Billary.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972351">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972351" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972351" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972351">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972351" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972351" class="dsq-comment-message">the newspapers weren\'t fawning over him during Rev. Wright, and \'Bitter\'-gate.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972352">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972352" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972352" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972352">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972352" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972352" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'m LMAO over the posturing of the newspapers criticizing Obama not accepting Public Financing. <br></br><br>Oh, \'be principled\'. \'Even if you lose, it would be on principle\'.</br><br></br><br>ARE THEY INSANE?</br><br></br><br>We\'re not talking about 3 or 5 million. We\'re talking about the difference of beginning at 100 million. </br><br></br><br>I\'m for finance reform as much as anyone. But, folks are crazy to think that any sane person would give up that kind of advantage. Makes no logical kind of sense.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972353">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972353" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972353" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972353">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972353" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972353" class="dsq-comment-message"><i>http://www.usmagazine.com/exclusive-barack-obama-michelle-is-an-extraordinary-mother<br>I just bought this issue. It talks about how Michelle grew up in a one bedroom apartment and how she\'s become the mother and woman she is. Most of the quotes come from long-time friends and all support the fact that she would be a fantastic First Lady. On the one hand, it IS a puff piece. On the other hand, this is what America reads and it\'s important to reach people where they are. I thought it was a very \'humanizing\' article.</br><br></br><br>Sat Jun 21, 04:24:00 AM 2008</br><br></br></i><br></br><br>Michelle\'s story IS very American. Beginning from humble roots, work hard, get a good education, and then keep your nose to the grindstone, and the success.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972354">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972354" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972354" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972354">Craig Hickman</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972354" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972354" class="dsq-comment-message">bigassbelle, thanks for the link to Klein\'s essay.<br></br><br>Clinton had to wait till after he was elected before his U-turn.</br><br></br><br>Barack is ruffling feathers/causing folks betrayal pain as early as June.</br><br></br><br>I was wondering how long into the general election campaign it would be before Barack\'s centrism/man of the system really pissed people off. </br><br></br><br>It didn\'t take long at all.</br><br></br><br>Editorial boards are pissed at Barack because he won\'t partake in a system that\'s supposed to about reform. </br><br></br><br>Talk about hypocrisy. </br><br></br><br>Newspapers stopped being credible decades ago. Mike Barnicle is sitting on television spouting bullshit as an "expert." He was fired from the Boston Globe for fabricating sources and plagiarism. He was hired by the New York Daily News months later and is now back in Boston newsprint writing shit for the Herald.</br><br></br><br>If newspaper editors want to pontificate about reform, they need to look in the mirror.</br><br></br><br>I\'m glad I don\'t take politics personally.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972355">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972355" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972355" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972355">Craig Hickman</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972355" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972355" class="dsq-comment-message">This is a packed piece:<br></br><br><a href="http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/6/21/7175/72197/672/539349" rel="nofollow">Musings Over Morning Coffee</a></br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972356">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972356" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972356" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972356">texas girl in l.a.</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972356" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972356" class="dsq-comment-message">From a diary at dailykos.<br></br><br>Background information regarding Obama\'s involvement with "Public Law 110-181, 1/28/08" as stated in his general election ad.</br><br></br><br>http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/21/11914/2500/451/539570</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972357">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972357" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972357" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972357">Pamela</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972357" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972357" class="dsq-comment-message"><i>OBAMA is a RACE BAITER!</i><br></br><br>Yawnnnn.  What else do you have Anon 7:38?  This one doesn\'t work for me.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972358">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972358" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972358" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972358">KarmiCommunist</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972358" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972358" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2008/06/21/whos-playing-the-race-card/" rel="nofollow">Who’s playing the race card?</a><br></br><br>And, from one of my favorite blogs, Baldilocks notes:</br><br></br><br><a href="http://www.luoamerican.com/baldilocks/2008/06/the-demonizatio.html" rel="nofollow">The Demonization Begins</a></br><br></br><br>"<i>Most people couldn\'t care less about your name and your color, Senator Obama. They fear being lead by you because you have no substantive legislative record, you\'re a chronic liar and, after explicitly stating that you choose your friends carefully, you have repeatedly and systematically made friends with people who hate this country.</i>"</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972359">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972359" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972359" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972359">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972359" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972359" class="dsq-comment-message">If if is fair for Obama to criticize people with statements like "and no where is this (negative self-destructive behavoir)more evident than in the African American Community" (or something like that), then how could he, rikyrah or anyone else be so indignent when the Republicans do it to him?<br></br><br>Craig is labeling it as politricks - ummm - know hope - I hope this isn\'t the change we\'ve been waiting for.</br><br></br><br>I hope people keep donating.</br><br></br><br>Head bowed walking away.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972360">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972360" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972360" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972360">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972360" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972360" class="dsq-comment-message">Fashion Campaign<br>Michelle Obama\'s Chicago designer </br><br>makes a bid for national recognition</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972361">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972361" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972361" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972361">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972361" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972361" class="dsq-comment-message">rikyrah<br></br><br>Aren\'t there a lot of up and coming fashion designers in  Chicago that are black?</br><br></br><br>I owe Field Negro an apology for my statements regarding him criticizing the Obama campaign for not having enough minorities.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972362">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972362" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972362" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972362">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972362" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972362" class="dsq-comment-message">The problem I have with running from blackness to appease those in our society who are afraid of it is that you leave behind the good black.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972363">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972363" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972363" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972363">Craig Hickman</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972363" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972363" class="dsq-comment-message">ms.martin, I don\'t know exactly what Barack will do as president. He\'s got a lot of weapons to choose from. <br></br><br>I know what McCain will do as president. He\'s only got one weapon and I don\'t like the one he\'s got.</br><br></br><br>I still have hope that Barack will be able to bring everyone to the table in order to begin bringing about change.</br><br></br><br>But he\'s got to get elected first.</br><br></br><br>And that will require that he move to the center and piss off his supporters from the left.</br><br></br><br>That won\'t ever change. Presidents cannot be (s)elected in this nation if they only run on left-of-center platforms.</br><br></br><br>Sometimes it gets uglier before it gets better.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972364">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972364" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972364" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972364">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972364" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972364" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'m not into the fashion scene, but the two Black ones that I know, are twin sisters, but their stuff is crocheted. They are brilliant, but I can\'t see Michelle stepping out in their stuff - too edgy, though she has the body for it.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972365">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972365" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972365" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972365">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972365" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972365" class="dsq-comment-message">The problem I have with running from blackness to appease those in our society who are afraid of it is that you leave behind the good black and compound the struggles of those who remain unknown.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972366">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972366" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972366" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972366">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972366" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972366" class="dsq-comment-message">Craig<br></br><br>I hope you\'re right.  I still think his willingness to go there reflects on his character.</br><br></br><br>I liked him better when he wasn\'t a reflection of his handlers.  There was more light there.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972367">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972367" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972367" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972367">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972367" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972367" class="dsq-comment-message">"I don\'t know exactly what Barack will do as president. He\'s got a lot of weapons to choose from. <br></br><br>I know what McCain will do as president. He\'s only got one weapon and I don\'t like the one he\'s got.</br><br>I don\'t know exactly what Barack will do as president. He\'s got a lot of weapons to choose from. </br><br></br><br>I know what McCain will do as president. He\'s only got one weapon and I don\'t like the one he\'s got."</br><br></br><br>So now we\'re back to the lesser of two evils?</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972368">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972368" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972368" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972368">KarmiCommunist</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972368" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972368" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.theonion.com/content/news/black_guy_asks_nation_for_change" rel="nofollow">Black Guy Asks Nation For Change</a><br></br><br><b>;-)</b></br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972369">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972369" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972369" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972369">Craig Hickman</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972369" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972369" class="dsq-comment-message">So now we\'re back to the lesser of two evils?<br></br><br>::</br><br></br><br>Absolutely not.</br><br></br><br>I don\'t think Barack is evil.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972370">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972370" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972370" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972370">Sepia</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972370" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972370" class="dsq-comment-message">MoveOn has a campaign urging Obama to keep his promise to block any compromise that gives immunity to telecom companies: <a href="http://pol.moveon.org/immunity/080621obama.html" rel="nofollow">http://pol.moveon.org/immunity/080621obama.html</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972371">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972371" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972371" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972371">KarmiCommunist</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972371" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972371" class="dsq-comment-message">Obama\'s new -  <a href="http://www.luoamerican.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/06/21/obamaracecard.jpg" rel="nofollow">ID card</a>.<br></br><br>(From - <a href="http://www.villainouscompany.com/vcblog/archives/2008/06/no_mas_senator_1.html" rel="nofollow">No Mas, Senator</a>)</br><br></br><br>Starting to look like the Dem\'s old race card tricks have run out of interest...so to speak of a dead issue and/or beating a dead horse.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972372">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972372" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972372" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972372">blksista</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972372" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972372" class="dsq-comment-message">CBC meets with Obama.<br></br><br><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5215668&amp;page=1" rel="nofollow">Diane Watson is still feeling the pain over Billary\'s loss.</a>  However, if you expected Stephanie Tubbs-Jones to say something, she didn\'t, apparently.</br><br></br><br>The great seal of Obama-land.</br><br></br><br><a href="http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/20/the-great-seal-of-obamaland/?ex=1214712000&amp;en=dcac0e085dc04e39&amp;ei=5070&amp;emc=eta1" rel="nofollow">Somehow, I can\'t feel this; this does seem a bit arrogant at most, if not wishful thinking at least.</a></br><br></br><br>Back to folding clothes and watching <i>I, Claudius</i>.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972373">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972373" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972373" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972373">MacDaddy</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972373" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972373" class="dsq-comment-message">To deal with the barrage of negative publicity about black women, I\'ve been writing about black women who have made a difference but got few props for it. I\'ve written about Nina Simone, who, besides being a great artist, was a great supporter of the civil rights movement. I\'ve written about Wanda Coleman, a great poet who gets few props because she writes about how black women are put down in patriarchal white society. My most recent piece was on Helen M. Stummer, a great photographer who got few props because not only because she was a black woman, but because she photographed poor people, especially black people, showing not only the poverty and the violence in which they lived, but how they social network to survive and thier resilience.  I\'m at <a href="http://daddyBstrong.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">daddyBstrong.blogspot.com</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972374">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972374" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972374" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972374">RhondaCoca</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972374" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972374" class="dsq-comment-message">"The problem I have with running from blackness to appease those in our society who are afraid of it is that you leave behind the good black and compound the struggles of those who remain unknown."<br></br><br>Exactly.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972375">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972375" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972375" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972375">Craig Hickman</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972375" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972375" class="dsq-comment-message">ms.martin, I find your comment about  running from blackness to leave the good behind self-defeating.<br></br><br>I just don\'t get it. But that\'s me.</br><br></br><br>Especially since that\'s not what Barack is doing. Nor is that the way it works.</br><br></br><br>I suppose I have a different sociocultural view of race in American than you do.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972376">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972376" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972376" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972376">Michelle</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972376" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972376" class="dsq-comment-message">Craig wrote @ 8:10 : <i>If Barack loses the election because voters don\'t accept his politricking, but they accept that of the crook who calls himself a reformer, then we\'ll get McCain who would be without a doubt the dumbest president in history.<br></br><br>If we thought 8 years of Bush was hell, then it\'s only going to get hotter.</br></i><br></br><br>In yesterday\'s conversation with me in the Friday open thread, bigassbelle wrote: </br><br></br><br><i>At this point, I hope and pray that this country goes to hell and fast. Right now we\'re like live frogs in hot water, the fire\'s burning, we\'re going to die, but we don\'t know it because it just gets a little toastier, a little warmer, just a bit, every day.</i></br><br></br><br>I want the fire on high. I want 50% unemployment in this country, $12/gallon gas, 50 million people to lose their homes. Bring it on, wake up this sleeping nation of sheep. (7:18 PM)</br><br></br><br>Apparently things getting much worse is one of the full range of goals guiding people\'s actions  right now, in relation to the election </br><br></br><br>I am absolutely <b>NOT</b> saying anyone questioning, criticizing and/or against Obama shares this goal -- just that this comment yesterday showed me that this particular goal is a part of the full range of goals guiding people\'s responses and actions right now.</br><br></br><br>I was going to post this without further comment, but it seems irresponsible for me to bring this up without naming where I stand: </br><br></br><br>I myself am strongly opposed to the goal that bigassbelle names. And, I am being very careful in how I say this, choosing bland words and holding back my deepest response.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972377">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972377" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972377" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972377">Renee</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972377" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972377" class="dsq-comment-message">Today I <a href="http://www.womanist-musings.com/2008/06/cops-beat-transexual-woman.html" rel="nofollow">blogged about the case of Duanna Johnson a black transvestite that was brutally assaulted by white memphis police officers.</a>  My question is where is the black leadership when black GLBT people are assaulted?  If this were the case of a black man being assaulted by a white police officer Jackson and Sharpton would be screaming for blood.  Their silence on issues like this is very telling regarding which bodies matter in the black community.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972378">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972378" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972378" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972378">GoldenAh</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972378" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972378" class="dsq-comment-message">I will <b>not</b> be surprised if by November, hey even October, Obama appears to the right of McCain. Not a problem to me. <br></br><br>I\'m glad he is not the "dreamer" some folks thought. He promises to bring a gun to the knife fight. Good. </br><br></br><br>I suspect he is as liberal as this country will vote for. He may be conservative on other issues. That makes him a complex human being - like most of us are. </br><br></br><br>Andrew Sullivan, who I read occasionally, sees Obama as Machiavellian. I don\'t agree, or think that\'s necessary, but it is an acknowledgment of his intelligence. The Clinton(s) didn\'t see this. My guess is McCain and the Repubs don\'t either. </br><br></br><br>I like that. Running for President isn\'t for Boy Scouts.</br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972379">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972379" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972379" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972379">icebergslim</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972379" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972379" class="dsq-comment-message">Ready to Attack Obama, But Geez...NO MONEY<br></br><br>http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/21/165639/847/121/539916</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972380">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972380" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972380" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972380">BigAssBelle</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972380" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972380" class="dsq-comment-message"><i>I suspect he is as liberal as this country will vote for. He may be conservative on other issues. That makes him a complex human being - like most of us are. <br></br></i><br></br><br>oh garbage. if you poll people on the issues without assigning "liberal" or "conservative" to them, the american people are liberal as hell.</br><br></br><br>the right wingers have demonized the word liberal in this country, tainting it with weakness and socialism and all manner of unamerican crap. it\'s all lies.</br><br></br><br>the american people are liberal. we have a government which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the richest of the multinational corporations.</br><br></br><br>that is the problem. it isn\'t even about all of our petty little concerns, it\'s about enriching big business. every one of them, democrat, republican, doesn\'t matter which side they\'re on, that\'s all window dressing for us. </br><br></br><br>every one of them are beholden to corporate interests. the american people don\'t have a government. our government is a corporatocracy. end of story.</br><br></br><br>ergo my suggestion that things need to go to hell and fast in order to wake people up. </br><br></br><br>doesn\'t matter to me, i\'m out of here in the next 2-3 years, depending upon how far my sweet papa lasts. i cannot bear living in this wretched country any longer than i have to.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972381">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972381" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972381" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972381">D.</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972381" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972381" class="dsq-comment-message">Over the last couple of days, you all have given me hope...and a little disappointment.<br></br><br>I never expected so many to just turn on Obama at-essentially-the drop of a hat.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972382">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972382" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972382" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972382">Webb</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972382" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972382" class="dsq-comment-message">Just finished reading a fascinating article on "our CIA" and the  <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/washington/22ksm.html?hp" rel="nofollow">interrogation of Khalied Sheik Mohammed</a>...(NOTE: I hope the National Security Agency will not be knocking on my door later tonight for typing KSM\'s name on JJP.  I\'m going to put a flagpin on my underwear as a just-in-case).<br></br><br>...I usually gloss over these stories, but this one is <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/washington/22ksm.html?hp" rel="nofollow">pulitzer prize reporting.</a></br><br></br><br>However, I\'m very troubled by the NYT\'s decision to publish the name of the interrogator (whose name I shall not repeat).  I think that was a bad decision...if and when Bush decides to martyr KSM, generations of Al-Qaeda devotees gonna be chasing after that dude.</br><br></br><br>Time 4 me 2 start drinking...</br><br>-Cheers</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972383">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972383" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972383" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972383">D.</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972383" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972383" class="dsq-comment-message">Webb,<br>Say five Hail Cheneys and all will be forgiven.</br><br></br><br>Seriously...there\'s gonna be some pissed off people in DC/Langley come Monday.</br><br></br><br>And where Libby/Rove have been castrated by liberal (sorry, Belle) media, the NYT has just put someone\'s life in danger to a far greater extent than Valerie Plame.</br><br></br><br>And I bet that <i><b>no one says anything.</b></i></br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972384">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972384" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972384" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972384">Christopher Chambers</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972384" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972384" class="dsq-comment-message">More people are commenting on the Hulk movie\'s bizarre depiction of the Hulk destroying Harlem. Again, allegory for gentrification. ;-)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972385">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972385" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972385" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972385">Melinda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972385" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972385" class="dsq-comment-message">Got a note from my 68-year-old (white) mom today. She and her 80-year-old (white) friend enjoyed a 2-mile walk in the middle of Kansas as part of a Juneteenth celebration today. <br></br><br>That brought a real smile to my face and thought you all might enjoy that image, too. There really is hope out there, people, and Obama\'s presence on the national stage is helping a lot of White people learn to get over themselves, look around, and start to listen and learn from the experiences of those they used to unthinkingly ignore or discount. </br><br></br><br>Have a great weekend everyone.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972386">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972386" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972386" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972386">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972386" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972386" class="dsq-comment-message">Some folks have lost their mind. Nobody here at JJP, but some of the stuff received in email. <br></br><br>Folks.is.CRAZY.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972387">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972387" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972387" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972387">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972387" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972387" class="dsq-comment-message">melinda,<br></br><br>that is a story to put a smile on the face.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972388">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972388" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972388" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972388">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972388" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972388" class="dsq-comment-message">christopher,<br></br><br>of course the Hulk couldn\'t destroy 5th Avenue...what blasphemy (sarcasm dripping here).</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972389">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972389" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972389" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972389">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972389" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972389" class="dsq-comment-message">goldenah,<br></br><br>been reading Sullivan too. It\'s Been interesting.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972390">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972390" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972390" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972390">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972390" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972390" class="dsq-comment-message">Question...is it really that hard to find a good challenger against Dollar Bill?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972391">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972391" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972391" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972391">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972391" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972391" class="dsq-comment-message"><i>Over the last couple of days, you all have given me hope...and a little disappointment.<br></br><br>I never expected so many to just turn on Obama at-essentially-the drop of a hat.</br></i><br></br><br>d,</br><br></br><br>I\'m still here. :)</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972392">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972392" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972392" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972392">Anonymous</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972392" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972392" class="dsq-comment-message">Rhonacoca,<br></br><br>This is just pathetic . . . . Most people couldn\'t care less about Obama\'s name and color. They fear being led by him because he has no substantive legislative record, he\'s a chronic liar and, after explicitly stating that he chooses his friends carefully, he has repeatedly and systematically made friends with people who hate this country.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972393">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972393" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972393" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972393">D.</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972393" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972393" class="dsq-comment-message">Rikyrah,<br>...and holding on for dear life, I\'m certain.</br><br></br><br>-Coby</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972394">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972394" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972394" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972394">s</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972394" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972394" class="dsq-comment-message">From hotair.com<br></br><br>Barack Obama told supporters in Jacksonville that Republicans would launch racist attacks against him in the upcoming election.  Without noting a single supporting piece of evidence, Obama cast any opposition to him as bigotry, and in doing so, recalled just a touch of Joe McCarthy’s tactics:</br><br></br><br>    Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama said on Friday he expects Republicans to highlight the fact that he is black as part of an effort to make voters afraid of him.</br><br></br><br>    “It is going to be very difficult for Republicans to run on their stewardship of the economy or their outstanding foreign policy,” Obama told a fundraiser in Jacksonville, Florida. “We know what kind of campaign they’re going to run. They’re going to try to make you afraid.</br><br></br><br>    “They’re going to try to make you afraid of me. He’s young and inexperienced and he’s got a funny name. And did I mention he’s black?”</br><br></br><br>The ironic part of this argument is that it ignores the tactics his fellow Democrats used in the primary, while also overlooking John McCain’s efforts to distance himself from the same tactics.  It was, after all, staffers on the Hillary Clinton campaign that sent the photo of Obama in African garb to the Drudge Report.   It was Bill Clinton who suggested that Obama’s victory in South Carolina was no more significant than Jesse Jackson’s in 1988.  It was Hillary who explicitly went after the white, working-class vote in the later primaries that bruised Obama so badly.</br><br></br><br>John McCain, meanwhile, was a lot more outspoken in criticizing his own supporters for relying on crypto-ethnic references.  He immediately and publicly disowned, without any prompting, Bill Cunningham in Ohio after the radio host enphasized Obama’s middle name (Hussein) in his introductory remarks.  McCain also fired one staffer for e-mailing a Jeremiah Wright video after explicitly saying that his campaign would have no comment on Wright or Trinity United.  Meanwhile, Hillary could only offer a tepid “as far as I know” repudiation of the rumor that Obama is/was a Muslim.</br><br></br><br>Just as with his untrue statements on Republican financing and 527s, Obama seems content to issue lies and smears in order to inflame the electorate.  There is more than a little hint of McCarthyism in this tactic.  Joe McCarthy waved pieces of paper around and claimed to have lists of Communists in government that he never substantiated.  Obama likes to accuse Republicans of racism without any proof, either, while apparently discounting the real race-card playing in his own party.</br><br></br><br>If he has proof that the Republican Party and/or John McCain plan racist attacks on him, let him show it.  If he doesn’t, then Obama is guilty of his own racial pandering and should apologize.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972395">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972395" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972395" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972395">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972395" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972395" class="dsq-comment-message"><i>Rikyrah,<br>...and holding on for dear life, I\'m certain.</br></i><br></br><br>Nope...Just chugging along.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972396">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972396" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972396" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972396">s</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972396" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972396" class="dsq-comment-message">Obama doesn\'t want to have debate about the future of our country in a way that doesn\'t demonize those who oppose him. I oppose Obama because I feel he is a hard-left liberal who underestimates the threats facing us. The idea of electing such a president does scare me, and many others, but not for the reasons he believes.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972397">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972397" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972397" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972397">Anonymous</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972397" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972397" class="dsq-comment-message">Barack Obama’s position on Iraq has shifted significantly over the last six years. What is interesting is how his position on Iraq matches up with developments in Chicago. Specifically, there appears to be a direct correlation between the rising and falling prospects of his longtime friend and fundraiser Tony Rezko’s attempts to secure multi-million-dollar contracts to build and operate a power plant in Kurdish Iraq and the senator’s Iraq flip-flops.<br></br><br>Read the whole thing:</br><br>http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/tony-rezko-and-obamas-shifting-positions-on-iraq/</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972398">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972398" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972398" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972398">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972398" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972398" class="dsq-comment-message">Craig<br></br><br>"ms.martin, I find your comment about running from blackness to leave the good behind self-defeating</br><br></br><br></br><br>You\'ve misquoted me.  I didn\'t say "to leave the good behind".</br><br></br><br>This is what I said:</br><br></br><br>"The problem I have with running from blackness to appease those in our society who are afraid of it is that you leave behind the good black and compound the struggles of those who remain unknown."</br><br></br><br>The result of running  from blackness to make someone else comfortable is to further the demonization of being black and therefore lending credence to sterotypes, judgments and suspicions and thus making the struggle harder for the unknown blacks who live a good life and strive for even better. And, is the epitome of self defeat. </br><br></br><br>Really, what have you gained if you\'ve sold your soul for the prize?  And as I\'ve asked before, what do you do when you get where your going if you\'ve misrepresented your self to get people to go with you?</br><br></br><br>I don\'t feel defeated by myself for I have always had a strong sense of who I am and my capabilities even when faced with the doubt forever in the minds of some (because of my color) and have even  enjoyed showing them otherwise.</br><br></br><br>More importantly, I realize I am an individual and while I am responsible for doing all I can to help any man, I am not responsible for his actions and do not have to justify or deny them as Obama felt he had to do in his speech, I am me and he is he even though we share a race and the toll that must be paid for that race.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972399">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972399" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972399" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972399">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972399" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972399" class="dsq-comment-message">Gina M of What About Our Daughters and Michelle Obama Watch, has penned an op-ed for The Guardian in England<br></br><br><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jun/20/uselections2008.race1" rel="nofollow">Michelle Obama\'s makeover--The media is transforming Michelle Obama from a classy, accomplished woman into a cookie-baking robo-wife</a></br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972400">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972400" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972400" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972400">Webb</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972400" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972400" class="dsq-comment-message">@ d.<br></br><br>I disagree man...I\'m pretty liberal and the NYT really went too far by publishing that dude\'s name.  I\'d rather be Salmon Rushdie [sic] than that dude.  My bet is that that story will be absorbing much of the MSM attention next week and don\'t be surprised if Brian Williams leads with it tomorrow morning on MTP.</br><br></br><br>BTW, I haven\'t had a chance to read the Obama-doubting-keep-him-accountable-to-the-AA-community comments....All I got to say his:</br><br>Let\'s get *O* in the White House and worry bout some of this shyt later.  I didnt make reservations to see ancient ass McCain take the oath on 1/20/09.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972401">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972401" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972401" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972401">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972401" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972401" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://wwd.com/related/article/125855" rel="nofollow">The Fashion World Meets Michelle Obama</a></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972402">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972402" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972402" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972402">Ms.Martin</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972402" class="dsq-comment-message">Webb<br></br><br>Apparently you did read, hence your comments about keeping him acccountable.</br><br></br><br>You\'re free to work to get him in the whitehouse if you so choose and if that\'s where you want him, however, please don\'t foolishly discredit my concerns or tell me to get over my position and get him there - my vote is my vote.</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972403">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972403" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972403" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972403">Der Vandernder Yid</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972403" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972403" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/06/20/obama_supports_fisa_legislatio.html%3Cbr%3E%3C/br%3E%3Cbr%3EThis" rel="nofollow">http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/0...</a> is absolutely crushing to me.  I really can\'t believe he would do this.  I took my Obama sign out of my window.  What a fraud.  </br><br></br><br>If he doesn\'t show up and vote no on this bill, I won\'t give him another dime, I won\'t stump for him at the dinner table, nothing, nada, zilch, zippo, bupkis.</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972404">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972404" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972404" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972404">Webb</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972404" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972404" class="dsq-comment-message">@ ms. martin,<br></br><br>Honestly, i didn\'t read the comments. I scanned the verbiage and sensed the vibe...May I be honest?  I may  have had a couple of drinks, but i don\'t feel "no ways tired," nor foolish.</br><br></br><br>Since I did not read your comments, I will not generalize on your character or declare you "foolish." However, I will share with you a few similes that best describe my sentiments for Obama-doubters at this stage of the game:</br><br></br><br>Obama doubters are LIKE....</br><br>NAACP Protestors in 1985, outside of movie theatres showing THE Color Purple, attacking it for it\'s depiction of black men.</br><br></br><br>Obama doubters are LIKE...</br><br>Crabs in a barrel, trying to yank the crab-on-top back to the bottom.</br><br></br><br>After all is said and done, The Color Purple is regarded as one of the best pictures of all times among AAs...and the crab with the big *O* is going to climb out the barrel....no matter what the other crabs may say or do.</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972405">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972405" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972405" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972405">s</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972405" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972405" class="dsq-comment-message">ms martin,<br></br><br>You wrote:</br><br></br><br>"Really, what have you gained if you\'ve sold your soul for the prize? And as I\'ve asked before, what do you do when you get where your going if you\'ve misrepresented your self to get people to go with you?\'</br><br></br><br>Bravo. </br><br></br><br>Obama has misrepresented himself as a \'post-racial\' candidate. He is attempting to demonize those who oppose him. He is using race to distract the media and the electorate and deflect any legitimate criticism as \'racism.\'</br><br></br><br>Obama has painted himself into quite a few corners these days and recent facts and past statements are running contrary to the narrative he formulated to win the nomination:</br><br>Iraq, campaign financing, domestic energy production, free trade...just to name a few.</br><br></br><br>So now, confronted with the facts and his own contradictions, what does he do? He pre-emptively tries to distract and deflect any and all criticism as \'racism\'. He is willing to stir up and perpetuate ignorance and stereotypes for his own political gain.</br></div>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972406" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972406" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972406">s</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972406" class="dsq-comment-message">Webb,<br></br><br>I would say that Obama Doubters  choose to judge Obama on the content of his character and not the color of his skin.</br><br></br><br>He has revealed himself to in fact be a \'blank slate\', possessing no core conviction other than the belief that he \'is the one we\'ve been waiting for.\' A calculating, opportunistic, self-important politician who has yet to present a concrete, cohesive policy position on the most important issues facing this nation or present a solid record public service that has done more for the \'greater good\' than for his own personal and political success.</br></div>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972407" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972407" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972407">rikyrah</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972407" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972407" class="dsq-comment-message">Obama plans an ad buy for the Olympics.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972408">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972408" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972408" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972408">Michelle</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972408" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972408" class="dsq-comment-message">OK, I am losing it a little. Or more.<br></br><br>To all those who have made public FISA-Obama-drama declarations in the past 24-36 hours on the internets: Speaking only for myself: I get it! You are feeling extremely upset and betrayed! How could he. The drama. The heartbreak. The pathos. Oh the humanity. Such betrayal. It was supposed to be about Change. And not The Change, which would mean hot flashes and irritability, but Change in a soul-stirring "things will go exactly the way I think they should go at all times starting right now" kind of way.</br><br></br><br>The main complaint I have about this particular drama (FISA-Obama-drama) is, I think that people engaged in it need to get together and pick a theme song. Something is lacking without a theme song, IMO. Please, for the children\'s sake, please pick one. Thank you.</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972409">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972409" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972409" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972409">lexusOakland</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972409" class="dsq-comment-message">Rikyrah said, \'Nope...Just chugging along."<br></br><br>I\'m with you, Rikyrah. Al Giodarno over at The Field has an interesting take on this (in the comment section of his June 20 post on Community Organizing), and considers it a distraction from the task at hand.  Lenore comments: "So there\'s politics, if that\'s what you call it; and then there\'s community organizing, which I guess you\'d call process.  If the goal is a liberal or progressive agenda, politics is key, and it\'s a betrayal to support the conservative candidate or a bill that leaves past evils unpunished (in civil court only, by the way).  But if the goal is to revive the popular democracy that some of us believe is the thing that matters most, these are wrong but, as Al says, sidebars.  Important in their way, but in the big picture they\'re blips.  If nurturing democracy is our goal, the question is how to best serve that goal, not how to force a particular conclusion." </br><br></br><br>The goal of community organizing is to always move the agenda forward, and not to get held back and distracted by issues one cannot, at this time, in this way, affect. There has been much disappointment here at the thought that Obama might be a "politician" after all; it is perhaps more relevant to distinguish between the goals of politics and the goals of community organizing. it is community organizing on a massive scale which has brought about this incredible activist base, and decisions are made within that context. For an articulate treatment of this perspective, read Al\'s post on Obama as community organizer here: <a href="http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield/uncensored-the-narrative-is-not-a-story-technology" rel="nofollow">http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield/uncen...</a> </br><br>It offers another perspective through which to view the events of the past two days.</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972410">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972410" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972410" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972410">Webb</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972410" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972410" class="dsq-comment-message">@s,<br></br><br>"100 years of war in Iraq" is concrete, cohesive policy...</br><br></br><br>Offshore-drilling along the Florida coast will do more "for the greater good than for [McCain\'s] own personal and political success." </br><br></br><br>I trust *O*\'s judgment....I remain undisappointed and quite proud.</br><br></br><br>The only thing that \'s got me somewhat disappointed tonight is that KSM went to an HBCU (NCA&T;).</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972411">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972411" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972411" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972411">s</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972411" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972411" class="dsq-comment-message">@michelle,<br></br><br>I have learned to expect nothing more than ordinariness from our political class. But Obama should never have advertised himself as being something different than what he actually is.</br><br></br><br>@webb,</br><br></br><br>Interesting how you chose not to defend Obama but attack McCain with discredited smears.</br><br></br><br>You trust O\'s judgment about what exactly? </br><br></br><br>It is beyond doubt now that the surge has been hugely successful. Violence is down enormously, Anbar and Basra and Sadr City have been pacified, Prime Minister Maliki has led successful attempts to pacify Shiites as well as Sunnis, and the Iraqi parliament has passed almost all of the "benchmark" legislation demanded by the Democratic Congress. Obama has not visited Iraq since January 2006 and did not seek a meeting with Gen. David Petraeus when he was in Washington.</br><br></br><br>$4 gasoline has undermined Obama\'s judgment that alternative forms of energy can painlessly supply our needs. Public opinion has switched sharply and now favors drilling offshore and, by inference, in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Democrats are scrambling to argue that drilling wouldn\'t make any difference.</br><br></br><br>Proud?</br><br></br><br>Reality is running contrary to the narrative Obama constructed in order to win the nomination. He has painted himself into a corner with outdated policy positions and contradictions but it doesn\'t matter because anyone who criticizes him as inexperienced or lacking the judgment necessary to be POTUS will be called a \'racist\' not only by surrogates and supporters but by Obama himself.</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972412">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972412" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972412" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972412">Ms.Martin</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972412" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972412" class="dsq-comment-message">Webb<br></br><br>Crab like mentality is your defense against very real concerns about his character?</br><br></br><br>That\'s weak!</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972413">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972413" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972413" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972413">heartsandflowers</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972413" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972413" class="dsq-comment-message">Good comment lexusoakland. I read Al\'s post and I agree. People - some people - will very easily let themselves be led astray by their expectations and emotions and put it on Obama for not living up to them. There are things that he should be held accountable for and then there\'s maintaining the full scope of reality. I look back at how the Civil Right\'s Act passed. It wasn\'t the one LBJ wanted. It was better. It took a lot of people getting their asses kicked and people being killed. Pressure had to be exerted and he complained about it but it had passed both Houses so it was sign...or veto. I see the abuses that occurred with FISA and I see how many people want a gay marriage referendum.  If Clinton had been the nominee she would have done the same thing. And you know McCain could care less. Obama is not that liberal. I\'ve looked at his voting record and find a lot I agree with and some things I don\'t. I\'d rather have some sense of balance in the gov\'t than the insanity of the last 2 presidents. Yes, I\'m throwing Clinton in the mix because he signed quite a few things into law that have hurt the economy. It just opened everything for Bush to steal everything that wasn\'t nailed down and torch the house so to speak.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972414">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972414" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972414" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972414">Michelle</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972414" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972414" class="dsq-comment-message">@s at 10:02 PM and your "@michelle" comment: I am so not interested in a discussion with you. I\'m annoyed enough right now with other kinds of pointlessness as it is. I know what your agenda is, have seen it in operation for months now here at JJP, I generally no longer even read comments you author because I don\'t find them useful or interesting, and there\'s a reason I have chosen not to be in direct conversation with you all this time. Just so we\'re clear.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972415">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972415" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972415" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972415">Michelle</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972415" class="dsq-comment-message">@heartsandflowers 11:00 PM: <i>People - some people - will very easily let themselves be led astray by their expectations and emotions and put it on Obama for not living up to them. There are things that he should be held accountable for and then there\'s maintaining the full scope of reality.</i><br></br><br>That is EXACTLY what my girlfriend and I were just discussing before I turned the computer back on. </br><br></br><br>Exactly. Wow.</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972416">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972416" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972416" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972416">Ms.Martin</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972416" class="dsq-comment-message">Michelle and Hearts<br></br><br>\'There are things that he should be held accountable for and then there\'s maintaining the full scope of reality.\'</br><br></br><br>Who determines what the full scope of reality is?</br><br></br><br>Would that be their reality or yours?</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972417">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972417" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972417" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972417">Michelle</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972417" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972417" class="dsq-comment-message">Hi Ms. Martin,<br></br><br>You asked: <i>Who determines what the full scope of reality is?</i></br><br></br><br>Would that be their reality or yours?</br><br></br><br>About what the full scope of reality is -- I do feel, viscerally, that excluding the reality of some people/groups is a very very common form of "quiet violence" inside this society. In this society the more system-power someone/some group has, the more their reality is supposedly legitimate. It\'s incredibly ugly the way it works. </br><br></br><br>My own reality is privileged in some ways and totally and completely discounted in others (to the point where there is no actual language for some core aspects of how I perceive and experience the world). </br><br></br><br>For me the resonance with what heartsandflowers wrote is the distinction between things he can be held accountable for, and everything else.</br><br></br><br>I myself feel he can be held accountable for where he is actually coming from and not what people just project into him. </br><br></br><br>I personally feel responsible for understanding the situation as best I can based on external information outside what I have desired him to be. I have needed to be as rigorous with myself as possible on this point and it\'s been (and remains) a big deal to me to push myself on it.</br><br></br><br>Because -- I\'ve been trying to understand why I have such an interest in this political race. I\'m generally not into electoral politics like this. I have had gut feelings that I didn\'t understand. Trying to understand led me to seek out information on where Senator Obama is coming from, what he\'s about. The three main sources of information that have informed me most so far are:</br><br></br><br>1. His two books (and also a biography on him, but mostly his books)</br><br></br><br>2. His actions in the campaign thus far that I have seen</br><br></br><br>3. Published interviews with him and various pieces of other information (for example recent experiences I have had in interaction with a member of his campaign staff)</br><br></br><br>I\'m not saying these are the best sources of information, just the ones I looked at hardest to answer my own questions.</br><br></br><br>One of the biggest breakthroughs in my own comprehension was reading <i>Audacity of Hope.</i> It showed me something crucial about how he thinks. In some ways it\'s alien to me, and in some ways it felt really uncomfortable. But it was crucial information for my own understanding of what he is and isn\'t.</br><br></br><br>When I first started attending to this campaign I had various ideas about who he might be, and some of them turned out to be dead wrong. What I did was go searching for information to give me some sense of what is really going on. </br><br></br><br>For me, focusing on external information has helped a lot in my own sense of expectations. It is what differentiates my own expectations versus who and what he is. It\'s still in process. </br><br></br><br>I have no idea if I actually answered your question and certainly I rambled way past what you asked.  But that\'s more or less what I can say in reply right now at least.</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972418">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972418" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972418" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972418">Ms.Martin</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972418" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972418" class="dsq-comment-message">Michelle<br></br><br>I guessed my question would be better answered if you could tell me what you think people are projecting on him as opposed to what he has done or said.</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972419">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972419" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972419" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972419">Ms.Martin</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972419" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972419" class="dsq-comment-message">rikyrah<br></br><br>Obama said that Hillary Clinton is worthy of your respect.  Now I know that\'s politics.</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972420">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972420" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972420" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972420">Anonymous</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972420" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972420" class="dsq-comment-message">W<br>We really don\'t know just how liberal or moderate the probable next President of the United States actually is.  Secondly, the idea that he admits he has been blowing smoke on some topics (such as NAFTA) and has backed away from his own "overheated" rhetoric on other topics, ("undivided" Jerusalem, "unconditional" pledge to meet with foreign leaders) does not inspire confidence that we can discern the "true" Obama by listening to his words.  And of course, we can\'t discern the "true" Obama by studying his resume and track record because if you blink once you miss it.</br></div>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972421" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972421" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972421">Anonymous</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972421" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972421" class="dsq-comment-message">I am so excited by Barack Obama\'s new politics. Like Chris Matthews, I got a thrill down my leg when the senator announced his candidacy promising a "new kind of politics." As I recall, he said, "Our leaders in Washington seem incapable of working together in a practical, commonsense way. Politics has become so bitter and partisan, so gummed up by money and influence, that we can\'t tackle the big problems that demand solutions. And that\'s what we have to change first." Goosebumps!<br></br><br>You know how most politicians say one thing and do another? Well, Barack is different. He gave Hillary Clinton quite a dressing down during the primaries in the Rust Belt for having once supported NAFTA, a treaty Barack called "devastating." Obama said he\'d use the threat of withdrawal from the treaty as a "hammer" to wring concessions out of Canada and Mexico. And sure, his top economics aide told a Canadian consulate official on the QT that Obama\'s anti-NAFTA rhetoric was "more about political posturing than a clear articulation of policy plans."</br><br> </br><br></br><br>But that only shows how hard it is for Obama to find aides who are as farseeing and honest as he is. Well, yes, the candidate did acknowledge to Fortune magazine last week that he now views NAFTA more favorably and wouldn\'t seek to renegotiate its terms. And yes, he did say, "Sometimes during campaigns the rhetoric gets overheated and amplified." But, oh, the way he employs the passive voice! It\'s not that he pandered to or misled the voters. No, the rhetoric got overheated. Who else, I ask you, can so smoothly deploy the passive voice?</br><br></br><br>Barack Obama is so uplifting. He has said, "We need a president who sees government not as a tool to enrich friends and high-priced lobbyists (note: don\'t you hate those low priced lobbyists?) but as the defender of fairness and opportunity for every American." Yes, yes, yes. When he released a list of earmarks he had requested over the past three years in the U.S. Senate, he was being open and honest about the favors he has done. Some might say that $740 million is hardly worth mentioning in the context of the huge federal budget. And if $1 million went to the hospital that happens to employ Mrs. Obama, well, that\'s because she looks incredible in a black-and-white print sundress.</br><br></br><br>Obama has called us to something higher than politics as usual. "The stakes are too high and the challenges too great to play the same old Washington games with the same old Washington players," he intoned. After clinching the Democratic nomination, Obama\'s first big appointment was Jim Johnson to head his vice presidential search committee. Johnson has such wonderful experience under his belt, with ties to Walter Mondale, John Kerry, Goldman Sachs, Fannie Mae, the Trilateral Commission, and it turns out, Countrywide Financial. Well, yes, Countrywide was one of the mortgage lenders Obama had condemned earlier this year for "pumping up the subprime lending market. ... They get a $19 million bonus while people are at risk of losing their home. What\'s wrong with this picture?" And it didn\'t look exactly kosher that Johnson had reportedly received up to $7 million at below-market rates as a special friend of the company\'s CEO, Angelo Mozilo.</br><br></br><br>But Obama\'s response showed just how above this sort of thing he truly is. He zeroed in on the nature of the problem as soon as Johnson\'s shady deal came to light: "There\'s a game that can be played. Everybody, you know, who is tangentially related to our campaign, I think, is going to have a whole host of relationships. I would have to hire a vetter to vet the vetters." How true. It\'s a shame really that Johnson resigned, not wanting to become a distraction, because he was so tangential anyway.</br><br></br><br>Obama is the kind of leader who can bring us together. He may have the most one-sided, partisan voting record in the Senate, but that just shows how ready he is for a fresh start. He will take on the "special interests," like the farmers. He voted for the largest farm bill in history ($307 billion). Take that!</br><br></br><br>Obama is going to set a new tone in politics. Yes, he did promise to abjure private financing of his presidential campaign if the Republican nominee would do the same, but as everyone can see, things have changed. Public finance would provide only $85 million, whereas Obama has raised more than three times that already. As the candidate explained so upliftingly, "It\'s not an easy decision, and especially because I support a robust system of public financing of elections" but "this is our moment and our country is depending on us."</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972422">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972422" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972422" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972422">heartsandflowers</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972422" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972422" class="dsq-comment-message">Michelle - thanks. <br></br><br>I\'ve been reading a lot of blogs and between Al Giordano\'s and Lisa Vasquez -</br><br></br><br>http://blackwomenblowthetrumpet.blogspot.com/</br><br></br><br> - I have been sorting through my perspective on a LOT of things.</br><br></br><br>*****************************</br><br></br><br>Ms. Martin,</br><br></br><br>I was not speaking of specifics per se, just that people have had an emotional response to Obama and now for some he\'s \'letting them down\' or \'pissing them off\'. </br><br></br><br>1. Messiah complex - there is no savior.</br><br></br><br>2. Assuming his agenda is \'liberal\' or \'progressive\' and not defining what that means - or assuming it means something specific. It is something different for everyone, so without one specific set of ifs, ands or buts who considers themselves being heard and who doesn\'t?</br><br></br><br>3. No understanding of how the government operates and expecting outcomes specific to a set of circumstances falling into place.</br><br></br><br>4. Thinking \'change\' means wiping the slate clean or starting over from scratch.  I think the entire system is flawed and was broken back when the Founding Fathers: stole people and enslaved them, used the income to fund their own war of independence from another \'oppressor\' and actively enacted laws that kept slavery in place in violation of ignored laws opposing it.  </br><br></br><br>I know people are attached to the Constitution but they intentionally discounted people from participating and benefitting from it\'s laws. So people today hold it up as this pillar when it has rarely been used in its entirety in the first place.</br><br></br><br>5. Free market vs. Capitalism vs. Regulation vs. De-regulation vs. \'No Big Gov\'t vs. Corporate Welfare, Earmarks and Kickbacks.  Union-busting vs. NAFTA</br><br>Living Wage vs. Minimum Wage.</br><br></br><br>Why the Federal Reserve wields so much power with no oversight.</br><br></br><br>Why we feel entitled to our lifestyle without accepting responsibility of the actions required to support it. </br><br></br><br>ex. people who support a vegan lifestyle and oppose animal abuse [and make it into a moral and/or political issue and have an air of superiority about "doing the right thing"] but don\'t consider the lives of the migrant workers who toil to make fruits/veggies available. </br><br></br><br></br><br>6. FISA rules being followed, being broken, the illusion that citizens are not to spied upon, but historically how the gov\'t has always spied on people; see MLK, Malcolm X, Black Panthers, Anti-War groups, Hoover. I\'ve heard certain words are coded and get flagged and that we are in fact being monitored  all the time.  </br><br></br><br>7. How much power we abdicate. </br><br></br><br>Do I think an Obama presidency will be good? Yes. Will MY needs be met? That is yet to be determined. It comes down to exacting a value to my support. Black people have been giving it away for NOTHING in return but a hope and a sense of fairness. </br><br></br><br>AIPAC doesn\'t care about what\'s \'fair\' they want certain actions to be taken even though a larger group of people want something different. But you see who gets catered to? We have to be like that. And it would be great for some balance while we\'re at it.</br><br></br><br>So that was long but this is off the top of my head.</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972423">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972423" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972423" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972423">Anonymous</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972423" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972423" class="dsq-comment-message">According to ABC, some sparks flew during the meeting with Obama and some CBC members, particularly Clinton supporters.  <br>http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/Story?id=5215668&page;=1</br><br></br><br>Apparantly, these members don\'t understand that Obama has a general election campaign to run and he must move to the middle and not focus on the few dissatisfied women who support McCain.</br><br>According to Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., Obama then said, "However, I need to make a decision in the next few months as to how I manage that since I\'m running against John McCain, which takes a lot of time. If women take a moment to realize that on every issue important to women, John McCain is not in their corner, that would help them get over it."</br><br></br><br></br><br>Rep. Diane Watson, D-Calif., a longtime Clinton supporter, did not like those last three words -- "Get over it." She found them dismissive, off-putting.</br><br></br><br></br><br>"Don\'t use that terminology," Watson told Obama. </br><br></br><br></br><br>Clarke did not react the same way.</br><br></br><br>Watson must be looking for a primary challenge</br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972424">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972424" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972424" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972424">PTCruiser</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972424" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972424" class="dsq-comment-message">I sort of love the way that one or two persons on this thread throws around the term "hard left" as if it actually describes anything at all about the political beliefs and inclinations of the people who are tagged with this political epithet. If folks who are nominal Democrats or who describe their politics as being progressive are members of the "hard left" then how would one inclined to use this term describe members of the Sparticist League or the Communist Party of the USA?</div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972425">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972425" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972425" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972425">BigAssBelle</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972425" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972425" class="dsq-comment-message">d: you\'re a complete nitwit if you think there\'s a liberal media in this country. quit drinking the right wing koolaid.<br></br><br>s: hahahaha!! obama a "hard left liberal"? please. he\'s a center right politician. </br><br></br><br>michelle: what people aren\'t getting about FISA is this: </br><br></br><br>George Bush swore on a Bible to uphold and defend the Constitution. Then he wiped his ass with it. </br><br></br><br>The FISA betrayal is not about drama or emotion or any of that, it\'s about the foundation of this country, the Constitution of the United States. The one the Republicans have run roughshod over for the last eight years. </br><br></br><br>It\'s not a political issue, it\'s not a talking point, it\'s the fucking foundation of this country. To blow it off ~ especially while parroting the worst of the right wing terrorist talking points ~ is a fucking outrage. </br><br></br><br>Tell me how a constitutional law professor could even think of doing that? </br><br></br><br>Here, I\'ll tell you: corporatocracy. End of democracy.</br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972426">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972426" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972426" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972426">PTCruiser</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972426" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972426" class="dsq-comment-message">I am still supporting Obama but his position on the FISA bill is indefensible no matter how much he wants to inoculate himself from right-wing charges that he is weak on security issues. People who defend his position on the grounds that political expediency often overrules political principle are overlooking the real stakes in this debate. Maintaining the safeguards provisions of the 4th Amendment are actually more important than electing America\'s first black president or first woman or achieving any other historic milestone this November. <br></br><br>Obama is flat out wrong on this issue and his position demonstrates not the sort of practical pragmatism that is the stock-in-trade of politicians but a sort of craven cowardice and fear that is generally displayed by politicians with far less talent than he possesses. Getting elected president of the United States is a process of straining for symmetry, that is, trying to bring irregular halves together by occupying the middle. There is not, unfortunately, a middle position on the protections we are afforded under the 4th Amendment. Obama either believes the government can act unlawfully against American citizens or he does not.</br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972427">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972427" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972427" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972427">Craig Hickman</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972427" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972427" class="dsq-comment-message">ms.martin, I left out a word when I summarized your position. My bad. But I still don\'t see what you see.<br></br><br>You think Barack has sold his soul. I see no evidence of that. Clearly we have different thresholds a pol must cross before coming to that conclusion. </br><br></br><br>That\'s all.</br><br></br><br>::</br><br></br><br>Whoever wrote that Barack didn\'t cite a single example of a race-based attack when talking to the Floridians at that fundraiser is lying. They are also lying to say that he\'s suggesting that any criticism against his policies is racist. </br><br></br><br>Barack called out Floyd Brown, independent slimethrower, who has already created and aired two ads painting Barack as a scary Black Muslim terrorist. One of the ads ran in North Carolina, the other ran in South Dakota. </br><br></br><br>The "Barack lied about never being a Muslim" ad has nothing to do with policy issues. It includes lies that have already been debunked. It has everything to do with exactly what Barack said in Florida. It is about making the voter scared of him for reasons that have nothing to do with his policies or his politics.</br><br></br><br>::</br><br></br><br>d.,</br><br></br><br>I haven\'t lost my enthusiasm for Barack\'s candidacy because I never had any doubt that he was capable of playing tough politics in order to win. Chicago politics ain\'t never been no tea party. Ambition is the central ingredient for any politician running for President. </br><br></br><br>He\'s so inexperienced, he\'s so naive, folks say. </br><br></br><br>Uh huh.</br><br></br><br>The man is a shrewd, calculating, intelligent and talented politician who knows what\'s up.</br><br></br><br>Whether he\'s ultimately elected or not, I haven\'t seen a bigger political talent in my lifetime.</br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972428">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972428" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972428" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972428">Craig Hickman</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972428" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972428" class="dsq-comment-message"><i>Obama is not that liberal</i><br></br><br>::</br><br></br><br>Say it again. It amazes me how much his opponents are doing their best to paint him as a radical.</br><br></br><br>It won\'t work.</br><br></br><br>Anybody who\'s paying attention knows Barack is not that liberal.</br><br></br><br>His opponents are talking to those who aren\'t paying attention and to them only.</br><br></br><br>I\'m no fan of David Brooks and I reject some of his more dismissive and sarcastic language in his recent column, but he basically put out a warning to Barack\'s opposition.</br><br></br><br>If they keep underestimating them, they will be run over.</br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972429">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972429" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972429" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972429">BigAssBelle</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972429" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972429" class="dsq-comment-message">As a centrist ~ and now, apparently, center right ~ candidate, Obama is nowhere near liberal enough for me.<br></br><br>But I have supported him in large part because of his stand on foreign policy ~ that we must do things differently, that democrats are the better party to "keep us safe" (so fucking tired of that phrase).</br><br></br><br>With his support of FISA, he did a 180 degree turn back to the tired old destructive republican narrative that we can only be strong on security if we trash the Constitution. </br><br></br><br>As ptcruiser said: <i>"Obama either believes the government can act unlawfully against American citizens or he does not."</i></br><br></br><br>which is it? and one of the most disappointing results of his statement is the sudden appeasement being promulgated by former staunch advocates of the defeat of this bill. it seems that the thing is just to <i>elect Obama</i>, no matter what, no matter what he does, says, anything. just elect him!! </br><br></br><br>bullshit. if we don\'t hold our candidates\' feet to the fire ~ all of our candidates ~ we have nothing.</br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972430">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972430" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972430" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972430">KarmiCommunist</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972430" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972430" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1021293/How-mothers-fanatical-views-tore-apart.html" rel="nofollow">Fanatical Feminist</a><br></br><br>The article is just one reflection of what happens when leftists get their way. Leftists are actually communists/socialists -- though most deny it, or don’t even realize it -- who believe that the government is suppose to help them and others, by forcefully taking from others.</br><br></br><br><i><b>From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs!</b></i> - Marx</br><br></br><br>Look at some of their other issues, e.g. <b>1)</b> <i>‘man-made’</i> Global Warming. At one time -- on earth -- oceans were covered in an ice-sheet that was one-mile deep…the entire planet earth was covered in ice. Mankind wasn’t around, so how did the ice go away? And, that was just one Ice Age. <b>2)</b> Environment – “save the trees”…by letting forest fires destroy the forests, instead of allowing loggers into the forests. “no drilling for oil”…lets fund terrorism instead. “Bush caused Katrina”…of course, the environmentalists got a pass on the damage caused by Katrina, even though it was them who had stopped anyone from touching the Mississippi River and the marsh areas around New Orleans. <b>3)</b> World Peace – “no more wars”…that’s a good one. Leftists think that they can stop the enemy by talking to them, or by threatening them with court systems.</br><br></br><br>From the above link: Alice Walker <i>believed so strongly that children enslaved their mothers she disowned her own daughter</i>…saw <i>motherhood a form of servitude</i>…etc.</br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972431">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972431" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972431" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972431">KarmiCommunist</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972431" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972431" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/21/AR2008062101658.html?nav=rss_world" rel="nofollow">Europe Fears Obama Might Undercut Progress With Iran</a><br></br><br><i>European officials are increasingly concerned that Sen. Barack Obama\'s campaign pledge to begin direct talks with Iran on its nuclear program without preconditions could potentially rupture U.S. relations with key European allies early in a potential Obama administration.</i></br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972432">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972432" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972432" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972432">Pamela</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972432" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972432" class="dsq-comment-message">From the Washington Post:<br></br><br><i>In a Post-ABC News poll last month, nearly nine in 10 whites said they would be comfortable with a black president. While fewer whites, about two-thirds, said they would be "entirely comfortable" with it, that was more than double the percentage of all adults who said they would be so at ease with someone entering office for the first time at age 72, which McCain (R-Ariz.) would do should he prevail in November.</i></br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972433">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972433" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972433" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972433">Craig Hickman</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972433" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972433" class="dsq-comment-message">Pamela,<br></br><br>But the "liberal media" isn\'t discussing McCain\'s age and its effect on his electability with the same vim and vigor that it\'s discussing Barack\'s race.</br><br></br><br>Even though <i>every single poll</i> in the last two weeks tells us age is a bigger issue for voters.</br><br></br><br>::</br><br></br><br>For all of our discussions of the Constitution and FISA, has anyone expressed any outrage about the politics behind the way this bill came up for the vote the way this bill came pu for the vote?</br><br></br><br>On a related note, one would think the Supreme Court would want to uphold the Constitution, no? </br><br></br><br>What\'s the Supreme Court going to do when it decides to review this bill?</br><br></br><br>And what else is attacked to this bill? Isn\'t there something attached to this bill that extends unemployment benefits? Or did I hear that wrong?</br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972434">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972434" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972434" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972434">D.</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972434" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972434" class="dsq-comment-message">Craig,<br>Think the unemployment benefits are attached to the war supplemental.</br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972435">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972435" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972435" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972435">BigAssBelle</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972435" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972435" class="dsq-comment-message">the democrats <i>want</i> this fisa bill, they want it primarily <i>for</i> the telecom companies.<br></br><br>they are enormous donors to political campaigns, the telecoms. </br><br></br><br>the fisa bill has been fought back by activist democratic <i>citizens</i> several times now.</br><br></br><br>the democratic sellouts in congress <i>keep allowing it to come up.</i> over and over. </br><br></br><br>they <b>want</b> this bill to pass. want it.</br><br></br><br>the democrats could, if they wanted to, do precisely on this bill what the republicans do over and over:</br><br></br><br>play obstructionist politics and filibuster the motherfucker. but no, that would require some bit of spine and there doesn\'t seem to be a fucking backbone in the whole lot of them (feingold, dodd and a few others excluded).</br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972436">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972436" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972436" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972436">BigAssBelle</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972436" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972436" class="dsq-comment-message">and that last paragraph would be predicated on their <i>not wanting</i> to pass this bill, so it\'s moot. <br></br><br>they want it. they want it for their "people" ~ the corporations.</br></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972437">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972437" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972437" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972437">Michelle</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972437" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972437" class="dsq-comment-message">Ms Martin @1:31, don\'t know if anyone is still reading this thread, but you wrote: <i>I guessed my question would be better answered if you could tell me what you think people are projecting on him as opposed to what he has done or said.</i><br></br><br>Right now for me, it\'s the energy of the people who are upset at him because of his statement and actions/lack of actions re: the House vote on FISA. </br><br></br><br>For some -- NOT ALL but some -- there\'s this personal sense of dramatic psychological betrayal in how they make their public declarations about how they feel and what they are now going to do. Some of which I have seen on this site, though not as much as elsewhere. </br><br></br><br><b>I understand disagreeing with him and wanting to hold him to task and don\'t have any problem with comments and people coming cleanly from that space.</b></br><br></br><br>But the intensely personal-drama feel of some people\'s responses is really repellent to me. When I was sorting through what I felt going on I realized that it felt to me like relationship or "family drama" of the sort that is extremely self-referential for the people who are so upset.</br><br></br><br>I\'m not entirely how best to name *what* some people are projecting on him around the FISA-Obama-drama; it may be a various things depending on the person, since IMO it really is pretty self-referential to whatever the individuals internal "issues" are.</br><br></br><br>(again -- I am NOT talking about the comments and people who are politically disagreeing in a clean sort of way, it\'s the ones with all the angst and personal drama energy I\'m talking about). </br><br></br><br>My girlfriend sees some of this drama as coming from rigid ungrounded ideologies that get projected outward. I see some evidence of that too but not sure precisely how it gets so linked into the personal-drama feel of things. </br><br></br><br>There\'s a fair amount of what I am repelled by on the dailykos, which I never read before this election season and may have to stop reading again.</br><br></br><br>And, some of the comments from bigassbelle on this thread and Friday\'s open thread to me illustrate a vivid and particularly extreme version of what I am talking about. In this case the FISA statement seemed to serve as the catalyst for an individual to feel so deeply and personally betrayed and freaked out that she wrote that she prays for suffering on people in a country -- The U.S. -- we later find out she plans to leave. Praying for others to hurt while you plan to scape the pain, because you are so internally self-referentially upset ... I will not say the words that I have for this kind of thing. I do also see some evidence of a rigid ideology in these and other of her comments as well, which is along the lines my girlfriend is thinking.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972438">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972438" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972438" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972438">Michelle</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972438" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972438" class="dsq-comment-message">heartsandflowers I find your comment at 05:09 AM extremely useful and wise and will be reflecting more on it.<br></br><br>The whole thing but in particular for me right now these parts:</br><br></br><br><i>4. Thinking \'change\' means wiping the slate clean or starting over from scratch. I think the entire system is flawed and was broken back when the Founding Fathers: stole people and enslaved them, used the income to fund their own war of independence from another \'oppressor\' and actively enacted laws that kept slavery in place in violation of ignored laws opposing it.</i></br><br></br><br>I know people are attached to the Constitution but they intentionally discounted people from participating and benefitting from it\'s laws. So people today hold it up as this pillar when it has rarely been used in its entirety in the first place.</br><br></br><br>........</br><br></br><br><i>Why we feel entitled to our lifestyle without accepting responsibility of the actions required to support it.</i></br><br></br><br>ex. people who support a vegan lifestyle and oppose animal abuse [and make it into a moral and/or political issue and have an air of superiority about "doing the right thing"] but don\'t consider the lives of the migrant workers who toil to make fruits/veggies available.</br><br></br><br>.......</br><br></br><br><i>6. FISA rules being followed, being broken, the illusion that citizens are not to spied upon, but historically how the gov\'t has always spied on people; see MLK, Malcolm X, Black Panthers, Anti-War groups, Hoover. I\'ve heard certain words are coded and get flagged and that we are in fact being monitored all the time.</i></br><br></br><br>And really the whole thing.</br><br></br><br>I know it was a reply to Ms Martin but I will say: thank you so much for this comment, thank you.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972439">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972439" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972439" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972439">BigAssBelle</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972439" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972439" class="dsq-comment-message">michelle.<br></br><br>go read the constitution and the bill of rights. it\'s apparent you have no idea what those documents mean or what went into the making of them. </br><br></br><br>then you\'ll know what i\'m so "personally" upset about. good grief, you\'re making this into some kind of personal psychological issue?</br><br></br><br></br><br>there\'s a term for that: projection.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972440">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972440" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972440" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972440">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972440" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972440" class="dsq-comment-message">Hearts<br></br><br>Very well said.</br><br></br><br>\' Black people have been giving it away for NOTHING in return but a hope and a sense of fairness. </br><br> Black people have been giving it away for NOTHING in return but a hope and a sense of fairness.\'</br><br></br><br>So true.  This is why the Father\'s Day speech bothered me, I didn\'t think it was fair and I was very disappointed and feeling like more of the same.</br><br></br><br>I feel the same way you do about the other issues and think the variables make it difficult to please everyone.</br><br></br><br>Michelle</br><br></br><br>I understand, your frustration is about the uproar over FISA - I agree with Hearts on this.  Though I do believe the driving force is that many corporations are involved and the litigation would be voluminous and I\'m sure they is much more to this story than the general public is privy to.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1972441">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1972441" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1972441" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1972441">Der Vandernder Yid</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1972441" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1972441" class="dsq-comment-message">@Craig<br></br><br>"On a related note, one would think the Supreme Court would want to uphold the Constitution, no?"</br><br></br><br>Good luck getting this in front of the Supreme Court, let alone a federal judge.  Since the whole damn program is secret, how the hell can you establish standing in litigation?  How can you prove that you were injured, if you can\'t prove that spying happened to you?  If you can\'t prove that you were injured, you have no standing.  If you can\'t prove standing, you have no case that a federal court will hear.  With telco immunity, everyone is going to get tossed out on their asses, and you\'re never going to be able to prove a damn thing.</br><br></br><br>I\'m no expert on things of this nature, but I do know that courts won\'t strike down a law unless someone can prove an injury typically.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 </ul>\
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