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group of specific people, is, also, at the core, racial and not in keeping with Obama's one people meme.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_21:27:00", "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}, "1971073": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "For instance, I've never heard of him speak of the help that Michelle's mother provides in his absence.<br></br><br>I support him, but I don't like him pointing out \"black\" problems when he doesn't point out white ones. This is where I draw the line. My kool-aid is sour on this subject.</br><br></br><br>*******</br><br></br><br>He did in his speech.  Here it is:</br><br></br><br>*I say this knowing that I have been an imperfect father \u2013 knowing that I have made mistakes and will continue to make more; wishing that I could be home for my girls and my wife more than I am right now.* I say this knowing all of these things because even as we are imperfect, even as we face difficult circumstances, there are still certain lessons we must strive to live and learn as fathers \u2013 *whether we are black or white; rich or poor; from the South Side or the wealthiest suburb.*</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_21:29:00", "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}, "1971074": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Truth<br></br><br>Sometimes you just have to tell the truth.</br><br></br><br>Don't get me started on Tiger Woods.  I've often wondered how he could love his Dad so much and be able to totally disassociate from his blackness.</br><br></br><br>I feel sorry for people like that, I wish they could be white.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_21:35:00", "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}, "1971075": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "ptcruiser, freedom of expression is paramount, no?<br></br><br>I'm not angered by this. And I think there's much more to the speech than that which angers you.</br><br></br><br>Let's just agree to disagree.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_21:38:00", "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}, "1971076": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Anon 6:29<br></br><br>I didn't see a thing in that excerpt about Michelle's mother.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_21:39:00", "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}, "1971077": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Anon 6;29<br></br><br>Also, inserting the phrase black and white whenever he criticizes blacks is not the same as pointing out the short comings of whites.</br><br></br><br>I've seen him do this twice now, once in Texas to a black audience and again today.  I'm waiting on him to give a speech to a white audience directing them on parenting and child rearing.</br><br></br><br>Unless of course he thinks we are the only ones who need this advice.</br><br></br><br>Better yet, he just needs to steer clear of this shit altogether and focus on the issues unless he's volunteering somewhere where his opinion was requested.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_21:49:00", "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}, "1971078": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Craig Hickman,<br></br><br>I have no desire to take away your ability and right to express yourself in whatever manner or style that pleases you. This disagreement, however, is not much ado about nothing. You saying so belittles my viewpoint, but I will accept your offer that we do not see eye to eye on this issue.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_21:55:00", "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}, "1971079": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Ok..now Rick Sanchez is saying the Father's Day speech is trying to cut into the white male vote.  He asks if this is Barack sharing something personal or if it's Machiavellian.<br></br><br>Rick is asking if he's saying to angry white guys that he's calling out black guys for not looking after their kids and if that might win points with white guys be get criticism from blacks...paraphrasing.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_22:24:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "0e63fda3bc8752465623f674ffcc5f40", "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}, "1971080": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I think it was foolish to go there.  It really won't serve him well.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_22:34:00", "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}, "1971081": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I am so tired of me and mine being converted again and again into branches on other folks' learning tree. Tired. Of. It.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_22:55:00", "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}, "1971082": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "truthseeker,<br></br><br>Rick Sanchez is a clown. A straight up clown. </br><br></br><br>Like I said, it's Hampton, VA all over again.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_23:02:00", "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}, "1971083": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Maybe I misjudged Rick, either that or people have been emailing him.  The speech didn't feel right to me, and Rick articulates why...Is the speech slapping black guys around a bit to make a point?  <br></br><br>Some parts just sounded so trite.  He ad-libs: Any fool can make a child, but it takes a man to be a father..or something like that.  It's like going to someone's birthday party and berating them about how old they're getting.</br><br></br><br>I'm done ranting.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_23:05:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "0e63fda3bc8752465623f674ffcc5f40", "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}, "1971084": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Truth<br></br><br>Rick Sanchez is filling space, but Obama opened that door.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_23:20:00", "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}, "1971085": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I guess I'm not done ranting Rikyrah:<br></br><br>On Huffington, this is the headline on the main page:</br><br><a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/15/obamas-fathers-day-speech_n_107220.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">Obama Rebukes Absent Black Fathers</a></br><br></br><br>Check out the comments if you're inclined.  Most people think it was great.  This one comment I've pasted below was moving.  Really, would it be so hard just to say Happy Father's day to my black brothers without the rebuke?</br><br></br><br><i>PAposter See Profile I'm a Fan of PAposter</i></br><br></br><br>It is my firm belief that people do the best that they can, with what they have to work with. It's not about what you or I would do, but what is possible for a given individual. This includes their mental capacity, their physical abilities, their perceived possibilities and their true opportunities. Having said that, I hope that each man and his child's mother, and his child, will seek to acknowledge, embrace and expand his or her reality. Then and only then will things be different, good, possible, better. Because, as the saying goes: When nothing changes, nothing changes.</br><br></br><br>Happy Father Day My Beautiful Black Brothers....and to all those that seek to be better fathers, and to be the best man he can be for his sons and his daughters.</br><br></br><br>Peace be with you.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_23:37:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "0e63fda3bc8752465623f674ffcc5f40", "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}, "1971086": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I just read \"Learning to be Michelle Obama\" that Rikyrah posted at the top.  I am so glad someone finally wrote about Michelle's experiences in college!  A must read.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-16_00:10:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "0e63fda3bc8752465623f674ffcc5f40", "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}, "1971087": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Here is a video of one on one with Obama a year ago on Father's Day. Also, shows the girls. June 2007<br></br><br>Don't worry...less than 5 mins</br><br></br><br>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CURvgDRDg3M&feature;=related</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-16_00:45:00", "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}, "1971088": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I'm listening to the speech live and I like it even less.<br></br><br>I am offended that he would do this.</br><br></br><br>I had a father and a husband/father to my children and this offends me.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-16_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}, "1971089": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.prometheus6.org/node/21307\" rel=\"nofollow\">No Quarter USA seems to have dropped from the same rump as LGF</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-16_01:27:00", "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}, "1971090": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "ptcruiser, Let him say what's on his heart. Either receive it or don't receive it. Don't expect 100% perfection from him @ all times. He is a mere mortal trying to get a job against great obstacles. Be mindful that he has personal issues, most likely with both of his parents. There are times in his life where both of them abdicated their responsibility to him. If my mother asked me to let one of the kids live with her, the answer would be, \"no I want him/her with me.\" My dad's parents gave him away (like a kitten) to relatives. It left a hole in his heart that only God can fill. The negative statistics in the Black community are critical and warrant addressing in a way that goes beyond rhetoric. I hope he inspires male citizens to become good husbands and fathers. <br></br><br>Sasha O. was rocking the kinky twists in church today! You know she is going to be a mainstream trend setter.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-16_01:30:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "889c732285beb0fc252d78b61edaa231", "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}, "1971091": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/06/23/080623fa_fact_boyer?currentPage=1\" rel=\"nofollow\">Keith Olbermann: One Angry Man</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-16_01:38:00", "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}, "1971092": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "This debate has gotten pretty heated, and I guess I'm very conservative (small c) on this issue. I agreed with Mr. Cosby, and I agree with Senator Obama.  <br></br><br>teacher, </br><br></br><br>someone up above brought in his mother, and I forgot to add that that is  one of the headlines in one of the tabloids at the supermarket this week - I read it while standing in line today. </br><br></br><br>And, the twists were on Malia.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-16_01:42:00", "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}, "1971093": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "\"ptcruiser, Let him say what's on his heart. Either receive it or don't receive it. Don't expect 100% perfection from him @ all times. He is a mere mortal trying to get a job against great obstacles. Be mindful that he has personal issues, most likely with both of his parents. There are times in his life where both of them abdicated their responsibility to him.\"<br></br><br>Then he needs to use his government medical plan and spend a few 50 minute hours with people who are trained to assist people to figure this stuff out. Or, he could give a speech about his own parents. But, in any case, please don't try to tell me that I should be alright with what he did because he needs to get something off of his chest.</br><br></br><br>The speech was a political speech and it had a political intent.  We may disagree about the intent but let's try to avoid giving him a pass because he has suffered. He is running for president of the United States. If he is running for the president of Black America, then we need to have a discussion about what that means. I do not need him to tell me what it means for me to be black nor what I should do to take care of my children.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-16_03:20:00", "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}, "1971094": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Let me know when Obama gives a speech about the proliferation of white methamphetamine addicts in the mid-west and the danger to public safety posed by illegal meth labs. Or is that McCain's cross to bear? I'm getting confused here.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-16_03:28:00", "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}, "1971095": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Personally, I think the media is unfair, often VERY biased, critical, & stupidly insulting toward Obama. They question his manhood (OVER A BOWLING GAME!),called him a nerd for riding the bike with his daughter, repeat rumors in a continuous loop, often without any truth or facts...Today Rick Sanchez had some new commentator who stated (like he would know) that Obama is pandering only, like he wouldn't speak from his heart at all because he is only out to get more votes. Personally, I think Michelle would confront him about something like that, because his integrity means everything to her. I think he would try very hard not to lose the respect of his wife. I don't like everything he does or says, but I also don't expect him to be all things to all people. I don't think he should have let that vetter go, and I hope he will stop giving in to pressure from people who aren't for him. I understand the differing opinions presented here. It's a very sensitive subject for us (Black family/community/fathers/mothers/etc.) and my bottom line interpretation is that people want to see a balanced perspective. Nothing wrong with that.<br></br><br>I think O is very complicated. We live in a tribal, clannish world, and he has somewhat been a person without a tribe. I am his same age. I know biracial people whose white relatives wouldn't have anything to do with them. Even though his grandparents loved him (eventually), they still communicated to him how they felt about Blacks in general (everyone but him). And just because they were willing to love & support him doesn't mean that their family members were. They may have had to sacrifice some of their relationships to do what they did for him. They may have made disparagements about his dad. I know my grandmother reduced me to tears many times by criticizing my parents when I was a kid. His wife & children give him a tribe without the conflicts he's had to endure, but he is probably still learning not to be a loner. He might always be one.</br><br></br><br>I also want to see Black people excel individually & collectively. I tell my students that they must pursue education; that no one can \"give\" them one. Either they will get one or they won't.I tell them that without self-discipline they won't succeed at anything in life. Does that sound like Cosby or Obama, because I'm in their same camp.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-16_03:59:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "889c732285beb0fc252d78b61edaa231", "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}, "1971096": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "ptcruiser, I'm ok that with you disliking the speech he gave. I'm not tryng to tell you how to feel and I agree with you point on the personal counseling. As I've already stated, I wasn't bothered by the speech, and I really don't get why you are. I read and understand your words, I just don't feel them. The speech didn't offend me the way that it offended you.<br></br><br>I also think we (humans) can be influenced by our personal issues or experiences, and respond to life from those, even if we don't do it deliberately or consciously. I also think we all have parts of ourselves that we don't see. This means politicians too. People can be complicated, but are very fascinating.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-16_04:13:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "889c732285beb0fc252d78b61edaa231", "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}, "1971097": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "\"As I've already stated, I wasn't bothered by the speech, and I really don't get why you are.\"<br></br><br>If you don't understand why I was bothered by Obama's speech then no amount of words we exchange here, regardless of our good intentions, will bridge the gap between us. We'll have to play it as it lays.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-16_10:35:00", "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}, "1971098": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Listen,<br></br><br>I am with PTCruiser, Ms.Martin and Truthseeker on this one,</br><br></br><br>I am also every conservative but all I have seen is strong good black men as fathers throughout my whole life. </br><br></br><br>When one makes a speech like this, he is making generalizations. White people will look at it and go yea, black man are incapable of being fathers (as a white professor once felt necessary to admit to a class). Obama is only capable because of his white upbringing. He will be the one to set blacks straight (as a white man in the Philly office at Obama's campaign headquarters felt the need to announce).</br><br></br><br>I was always raised with respectablity. We are aware of the issues that go on in the black community but we dwell on the positive especially in the public light. Yes Obama was in a black church but he was speaking to the country not just blacks. I was always taught that you never put down your own in the presence of whites. Obama said nothing that I havent heard community leaders, black leaders, ministers, films, books and everyday black people say. The message coming from Obama is not different than that coming from anyone else. </br><br></br><br>However my question is:</br><br></br><br>\"Why do we only dwell on the negative constantly?\"</br><br></br><br>This creates a picture that everything is black and everyone black is negative.Please remember that we as blacks know how nuanced and diverse we are as a people but others do not.We allow ourselves to be judged and reduced to a statistic in the public eye. We allow ourselves to be looked upon as a one-dimensional monolith. For all the black youth who have gone atray, there are more who have done the right thing and amazing things who never see the light of day. Who never get congratulated. People only talk and write books about black youth in peril, black youth as no good, black youth who have nothing to contribute to society. People tell me but oh...Rhonda people need to hear that negative message because it real. So I assume that these people believe that black youth who do bad are more really and worthy of attention than those who do good? When people only see that represnetation of those who do bad and are blinded to all those who do good because of our society;s negative thought pattern when black and youth come into the same picture, they label all of us. I am only 21 when, i work with black youth and I have seen the positive. I even work with those who do negative but can be positive if people believed in them.</br><br></br><br>Noentheless, everytime we brought a speaker or anytime a adult would speak to the children, it was only about the negative rather than congratulating the group for all of their wonderful achievements.</br><br>What a downer!!</br><br></br><br>I had a breakfast with the men of my family who are all amazing fathers. All of my friends had wonderful fathers days with their fathers and/or with their own children.</br><br></br><br>I held a cookout on Saturday in the backyard of my brooklyn brownstone apartment. It was for the people in the neighborhood and I had a large turnout with black men and their children, wives and girlfriends. There were some who simply came with their children because they may not have the nuclear family structure in some cases but they are their for their children.We had a wonderful time until it rained.</br><br></br><br>The local restaurant was packed with black men and their families taking their children out to eat. All the Caribbean and Soulf food restaurants were packed. My friend said that you could stick a pin at Sammy's Fish Box in City Island (NY). They have a large black clientele because of the large portions and you know how our sisters and brother like to eat!</br><br></br><br>Yesterday evening, I got a phone call from my cousin who dropped the ball on his son. After attending my cookout on Saturday because he had to help me with the grill, he felt ashamed. He watched all the amazing brothers who were equally amazing fathers. He decided to re-enter his son's life on Father's Day. He vowed that he would not make that mistake again and I will make sure to keep him in check. </br><br></br><br>As a community, we have to keep those who go astray in check but by example. I have learned that scolding doesn't work. What made my cousin, Craig realize his fault was watching all those men with their sons and daughters and families. He kept like a damn fool and went straight!</br><br></br><br>You see I would like the father's who do right like my father, grandfathers, uncles, cousins (which now includes Craig), friends, neighbors and all those brothers at my cookout, at all the restaurants and in Sammy's Fish Box like so many others to get congratulated! I want the world to see them and talk about them. I would like the Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune and the Hiffington Post on Father's Day to announce that they are congratulating these men not one that says \"Obama Rebukes Absent Black Fathers\". </br><br></br><br>Black people are never congratualted for the good. Only reprimanded for the bad. You see that cannot work. And in a country where whites have a low opinion of black regardless (they have felt that way since they brought us here on slave ships), they continue to justify it based on the negativity that is constantly given attention. Many are blinded to the good and when they see our black faces they probably assume that we are no good without knowing who we are. This creates problems on all levels regardless of those who claim they could care less about what white people think. You say that because you don't know how it affects you. </br><br></br><br>Too many people don't see the beauty, the good, the happiness, the achievement that goes on in the black community. I would like it if we began to showcase that because then and only then will those who don't get it see that there is a better way to live. Those who don't get it wont change because Obama made a speech in a church somewhere. </br><br></br><br>A good father's day message is the one delivered by my grandfather at my Brooklyn cookout. One of the triumph of black fatherhood.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-16_12:40:00", "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}, "1971014": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20080614/pl_bloomberg/aoi_isposoqa_1\" rel=\"nofollow\">Obama to Speak on Fatherhood</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_03:35:00", "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}, "1971015": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.dailysentinel.com/opin/content/news/opinion/stories/2008/06/08/mills_0608kd.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">Honoring Strong African-American fathers</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_03:36:00", "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}, "1971016": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://whattamisaid.blogspot.com/2008/06/do-radicals-become-president-of-united.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">Can a radical become President of the United States?</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_03:37:00", "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}, "1971017": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "so sorry you lost your father early..i still have mine and i do not know what i will do when he is gone...<br></br><br>am off to see my father now..my mother and i will pamper the hell out of him all day..</br><br></br><br>happy fathers day to all the men out there... and you single mothers holding it together too..</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_04:05:00", "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}, "1971018": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads out there!<br></br><br>I am truly blessed to have the strong and supportive <b> black man </b> that is my father. He always made sure I knew I was loved and important. Thank you, Dad!</br><br></br><br>p.s. I purchased \"Daughters of Men\" for my Dad last Christmas. He was touched beyond words.   Thanks, Ms. Vassel for honoring our unsung heroes.  You're a true Daddy's girl :-)</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_09:30:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "5e5216a4d8e0e1e02b0fec9811cdb1a3", "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}, "1971019": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "This is from politicsincolor dot com.<br></br><br>Nation's Capital Built by Slaves May Soon House Its First Black President</br><br>New book shows irony how the Nation's capital was built by slaves </br><br>By Neil Foote     Updated: Thu, 05/15/2008 - 17:19 </br><br>The nation is riddled in debt.  Elected officials are split among party lines, blaming each other for the inefficiencies of government.  Racial politics are at the heart of the on-going debate about the future of the country.  The public is disillusioned by the \u2018back room' politics driving decision-making. </br><br></br><br>Sound familiar?  That was 1790.  Just 14 years after the Revolutionary War, this \u2018great' nation was struggling with many of the same issues it is now.  In his newly published book, \"Washington, The Making of the American Capital\" (Amistad/HarperCollins Publishers Imprint, 27.95, 384 pp) author Fergus M. Bordewich offers an insightful, thorough and ironic picture of America.   </br><br></br><br>As the nation chooses what is likely to be its first African-American Democratic presidential nominee and potential president, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) would be making history in many ways.  He would move full-time into a city that once was a bustling city for slave trade, and live in a house built by slaves. </br><br></br><br>\"The practice of slavery is embedded in the founding of a capital, but it was hidden history,\" said Bordewich, whose last book, \"Bound for Canaan\" focused on the personalities involved in The Underground Railroad. \"In a year when an African-American is about to be nominate as president, this book has immediacy and relevancy.  If elected, [Sen. Obama] would be the first African-American living in the White House, and not just working there.\" </br><br></br><br>In \"The Making of the American Capital\", Bordewich said he tried to capture the sense that the development of the nation's capital almost became a \"huge flop\".  \"It was a race against time,\" said Bordewich, author of five books who has written for The New York Times, Smithsonian, and Atlantic Monthly, \"and Washington treated it like a military campaign because he knew if he had failed, the capital would be returned to Philadelphia.\"  </br><br></br><br>For President George Washington, his reputation was on the line.  If he had failed, it was perceived that the country and the world watching with skeptical eyes would label the notion of the \"United States of America\" as a farce.  For Thomas Jefferson, he struggled with his conflicting views on democracy and slavery. </br><br></br><br>In fact, Bordewich said construction was almost abandoned because major concerns with the private contractors used to build The Capitol and the White House.  Corruption, labor problems, huge cost overruns and political opposition almost put the project to a halt. </br><br></br><br>Washington, a slave owner, stood firm, seeking to create an \u2018imperial city' with its grand architecture.  Another irony of this story is that William Thornton from the Caribbean island of Tortola, who designed The Capitol Building, owned slaves, but was an abolitionist.  </br><br></br><br>The other key figure, Benjamin Banneker, was the most prominent African-American involved in the project - who wasn't a slave, Bordewich said.   Known as a brilliant self-educated mathematician and astronomer, Banneker had become friends with the Ellicott family in Maryland.  The family, devout Quakers who were also abolitionists, let the young genius borrow astronomical equipment.  </br><br></br><br>Andrew Ellicott was hired to do the land survey for the capital project, and along with him, he brought Banneker who distinguished himself with his ability to provide crucial information to Ellicott and the developers. With that project under his belt, Bordewich said Banneker went on to publish numerous almanacs, and was admired by whites for his intellect, </br><br></br><br>\"The construction of the capital was to be the first collective project of United States,\" Bordewich said. In the end, the project foreshadowed what's currently happening in the country. \"In the end, Washington got what he wanted ... and in his waning days, he became an abolitionist.\" </br><br></br><br> </br><br></br><br>SEVEN UNKNOWN FACTS CENTRAL TO \u2018THE MAKING OF THE AMERICAN CAPITAL' </br><br></br><br>1. Congress originally voted to place the national capital in the free state of Pennsylvania. </br><br></br><br>2. Establishment of the capital on the Potomac resulted from a backroom deal among Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, which took place over Jefferson's dinner table. </br><br></br><br>3. The Capitol Building was designed by a slave-owning abolitionist from the Caribbean island of Tortola, William Thornton. </br><br></br><br>4. The Capitol and the White House were built by slaves. </br><br></br><br>5. The development of Washington was the biggest real estate boondoggle in American history, up to that point, and was almost wrecked by scandalous machinations of land-grabbing speculators led by the richest man in the country, Robert Morris. </br><br></br><br>6. Construction of Washington was almost abandoned because of corruption, labor problems, giant cost overruns, political opposition, and public disillusionment. </br><br></br><br>7. The driving force behind the city's completion was George Washington, for whom the project was a personal obsession.  He believed that the Potomac was destined to become a great commercial highway into the heart of North America, and that the city of Washington would become the nation's greatest metropolis. </br><br></br><br>Source: Fergus M. Bordewich, \"Washington: The Making of the American Capital\"</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_09:58:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "889c732285beb0fc252d78b61edaa231", "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}, "1971020": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Will states topple Electoral College?<br>States may move to eliminate role of 'College' and move to new system </br><br>By PoliticsInColor News Staff     Updated: Tue, 06/10/2008 - 19:07 </br><br>By Pamela M. Prah, <a href=\"http://Stateline.org\" rel=\"nofollow\">Stateline.org</a> Staff Writer </br><br></br><br>First it was the presidential primary calendar that state legislatures across the country upended to give their voters a greater say this year in choosing candidates. Now a few states are orchestrating an overhaul of the way voters select the U.S. president. </br><br></br><br>Voters this fall will still use the Electoral College to determine the next occupant of the White House, but a movement is bubbling at the state level to bypass the process and instead ensure future presidents are the candidates who get the most votes nationwide \u2014 an outcome not always guaranteed under the current system. </br><br></br><br>Maryland last year became the first state to approve a \u201cnational popular vote\u201d compact that would allocate all of its 10 electoral votes to the candidate who wins the most votes nationwide, rather than to the candidate who garners the most votes in the state, as is the case under the Electoral College. </br><br></br><br>New Jersey, Hawaii and Illinois have since followed suit and passed laws that would allot their collective 40 electoral votes the same way. Identical bills are moving in Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina and Rhode Island, which have a total of 62 electoral votes.</br><br></br><br>These bills do nothing on their own and would take effect only when states that collectively have at least 270 electoral votes pass identical measures, since a candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.</br><br></br><br>Those who remember their history classes know that American voters don\u2019t directly elect a president \u2014 states do through \u201celectors\u201d who typically vote for the candidate who drew the most votes in their state. </br><br></br><br>\u201cWhy are all the other elections in this country based on the popular vote except for the most important one, the presidency?\u201d asks Barry F. Fadem, president of the National Popular Vote, a group based in California that aims to persuade state legislatures to implement a nationwide popular election of the president. He called today\u2019s system \u201cflat-out, wrong\u201d and expressed optimism that enough states will pass the legislation in time for the 2012 presidential election. </br><br></br><br>National Popular Vote was launched in 2006 and is largely funded by its chairman, John R. Koza, a scientist best known for inventing the rub-off instant lottery ticket used by state lotteries and his work in genetic programming at Stanford University. In the 1980s, he and Fadem, an attorney, were active in promoting adoption of lotteries in the states. </br><br></br><br>Fadem and his supporters say that such a system would make every vote matter, not just those in \u201cbattleground states,\u201d while critics argue that the approach is an end-run around the U.S. Constitution and wouldn\u2019t necessarily be more fair than today\u2019s arrangement.</br><br></br><br>John Samples, director of Cato\u2019s Center for Representative Government in Washington, D.C., called the National Popular Vote campaign a \u201cnovel gimmick\u201d that he said is \u201casking for a mess\u201d if enacted. </br><br></br><br>Calls to reform or abolish the Electoral College were common after the 2000 presidential election, when former Vice President Al Gore won the popular vote, but didn't have enough votes in the right states to carry the electoral vote over Republican George W. Bush. While Bush won the popular vote in 2004, he could have lost the election if John Kerry (D) had won Ohio. </br><br></br><br>Despite the hand-wringing over what many call an obsolete election system, little has happened, largely because dumping the Electoral College means changing the U.S. Constitution, an arduous task that requires two-thirds approval of Congress and three-fourths of the states. The National Popular Vote would keep the Electoral College, but change the way electoral votes are awarded.</br><br></br><br>The way Fadem sees it, a national popular vote would generate the same kind of excitement and enthusiasm seen in the recent primaries because all states \u2014 and their voters \u2014 would matter. </br><br></br><br>Under the current system, candidates have no reason to poll, visit, advertise, organize, or pay attention to the concerns of states where they are safely ahead or hopelessly behind, Fadem said. For example, presidential nominees have long ignored California because the state is considered a solid \u201cblue\u201d state that will award its 55 electoral votes to the Democratic candidate.</br><br></br><br>Gary Gregg II, director of the McConnell Center at the University of Louisville in Kentucky and a fan of the Electoral College, agrees that the National Popular Vote would change the way candidates campaign, but not in a good way. Candidates would go where most of the votes are, namely cities. \u201cRural areas would never see a presidential candidate. Small states would never see a presidential candidate,\u201d he said. </br><br></br><br>Gregg also predicted chaos if there were a close election and candidates challenged the vote count. \u201cYou would have the [2000] Florida recount replayed across the country \u2026 It would be a very ugly situation.\u201d</br><br></br><br>Even some supporters of using the popular vote to elect the president have problems with the National Popular Vote\u2019s campaign. \u201cThey are trying to circumvent the U.S. Constitution,\u201d said Burdett Loomis, a professor of the political science at the University of Kansas, who advocates changing the system but by having Congress and the states debate the issue and amend the U.S. Constitution.</br><br></br><br>Fadem says his group is not thumbing its nose at the Constitution since states still would have their right to decide how to allocate their electoral votes. </br><br></br><br>Supporters also reject critics\u2019 characterization that backers of the National Popular Vote are Democrats who are bitter about the 2000 elections.</br><br></br><br>\u201cIt\u2019s not a partisan issue. This isn\u2019t about electing a Democrat president, but electing a president democratically,\u201d said Jamie Raskin, a Democratic state senator in Maryland, reiterating what he said when he introduced the National Popular Vote plan that was signed into law by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) last April. Raskin, a professor of constitutional law at American University in Washington, D.C, spoke to <a href=\"http://Stateline.org\" rel=\"nofollow\">Stateline.org</a> from Massachusetts, where he was discussing the measure with state lawmakers there.</br><br></br><br>But three Republican governors vetoed the bill when it landed on their desks. In his veto message, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said, \u201cIt disregards the will of a majority of Californians,\" pointing out that the state's electoral votes under the new system could be awarded to a candidate most Californians didn't vote for. Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle voiced the same concern when she vetoed the bill twice, but this year, lawmakers overrode her objection. Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas last month rejected the measure, saying it would decrease the influence of small states, like Vermont.</br><br></br><br>Cato\u2019s Samples said he wonders if voters who support the concept of a popular vote really understand how it would operate. \u201cDo people in Maryland know under the National Popular Voter system, that their vote may go to someone who didn\u2019t win their state?\u201d</br><br></br><br>Still, despite the concerns of the National Popular Vote approach, even their critics give the group kudos for bringing the issue to the attention of voters and elected officials. \u201cThey are doing a service \u2026 We ought to be talking about this,\u201d said Loomis of the University of Kansas.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_10:05:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "889c732285beb0fc252d78b61edaa231", "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}, "1971021": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Will states fix 2012 primary process?<br>By Pamela M. Prah, <a href=\"http://Stateline.org\" rel=\"nofollow\">Stateline.org</a> Staff Writer      </br><br> </br><br> </br><br></br><br></br><br> </br><br>CAMBRIDGE, Mass. \u2014 What if the presidential primary worked more like a lottery with all the states having a chance at the ultimate prize of voting first in the nominating schedule, ending the coveted tradition of New Hampshire and Iowa leading the pack?</br><br> </br><br>That\u2019s a simplified version of one of several ideas being considered by top party and state officials, who aim to prevent a repeat of states\u2019 helter-skelter scramble for early presidential primary dates in 2008.</br><br> </br><br>While voters in Indiana and North Carolina go to the polls today (May 6) to help Democrats pick Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama as their nominee and Republicans rally behind John McCain, party insiders and state election officials are in informal talks to improve the presidential nominating contests for 2012 and beyond. </br><br> </br><br>\u201cFollowing the frenzied 2008 primary and caucus schedule that began just a few days into the new year, election officials have a strong interest in curbing the impacts of frontloading and restoring order to the process,\u201d said Todd Rokita (R), Indiana secretary of state and president of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) during a bipartisan gathering at Harvard University here April 29 that brought together party and state leaders to discuss the presidential primary process.</br><br> </br><br>While all sides agreed that this year\u2019s historic run for the White House has energized voters, as evidenced by the record voter registration and primary turnout in many states, many are concerned that this cycle\u2019s very early start was unfair to candidates and some voters. </br><br> </br><br>Candidates were forced to start campaigning at Thanksgiving, giving an unfair advantage to highly funded candidates with name recognition, critics say. </br><br> </br><br>And for some voters, their ballots may not count. States like Florida and Michigan were in such a mad dash to be first that they broke party rules and leapfrogged ahead \u2014 throwing into question whether their results will count and whether all their delegates can attend the nominating conventions this summer. The parties and states are still working on a compromise. </br><br> </br><br>\u201cIt is time to stop the frontloading of the presidential nominating calendar so that states are not pitted against each other in a quadrennial attempt to land a prized early spot in the sequence of voting,\u201d said Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R), co-chair of the NASS subcommittee on presidential primaries, who attended the conference.</br><br> </br><br>For nearly a decade, NASS has been pushing its plan to overhaul the way presidential nominees are selected. Under its proposal, states would be divided into regions \u2014 the East, South, Midwest and West \u2014 and each of those regions would hold primaries, a month apart, between March and June. New Hampshire and Iowa would still be allowed to go first.</br><br> </br><br>NASS\u2019s push to change the system stalled until the past year when 28 states rushed to either move up their primaries or caucuses or decided to have one after not holding one in 2004. Voters in 24 states expressed their presidential preferences on Feb. 5, becoming essentially a national primary.</br><br> </br><br>\u201cIt\u2019s about equity,\u201d said Elaine Kamarck, a member of the Democratic rules committee and professor at Harvard\u2019s John F. Kennedy School of Government. This year, the states that went very early and very late are getting all the attention. \u201cHow do we figure out how to make all states important?\u201d she said.</br><br> </br><br>But changing the current process won\u2019t be easy. If the parties want to revamp the presidential primary system for 2012, the Republican National Committee (RNC) requires that GOP delegates approve the changes during the Republican convention Sept. 1- 4 in Minneapolis. Democratic Party rules allow members to act long after their convention in Denver Aug. 25-28.</br><br> </br><br>States are another wild card. Legislatures would have to incorporate into state law any system that the national parties adopt. State and local governments are responsible for funding and running presidential primaries, which are not necessarily held on the same dates as state primaries. For many state lawmakers, \"their own primary is more important than the presidential primary,\" Ron Thornburgh (R), Kansas secretary of state, said. Every state will ask, \u201cWhat\u2019s best for me?\u201d he said.</br><br> </br><br>But no one is completely ruling out possible changes for the next presidential cycle.</br><br> </br><br>A variation of the NASS plan called the \u201cOhio plan\u201d is moving forward after an important RNC panel approved it. The plan faces further party review before it could go to the convention in September. </br><br> </br><br>The proposal would continue to give Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada the opening shots, but the country\u2019s smallest states would always come first after that. Three groups of remaining larger states would vote later on a rotating basis. The Ohio plan already has drawn fire from larger states such as California and Michigan because the approach would guarantee they always go last. </br><br> </br><br>U.S. Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.) called the Ohio plan \u201cdead on arrival for Democrats\u201d and is instead pushing his own \u201cMichigan plan\u201d that dethrones Iowa and New Hampshire as kingmakers. His proposed randomly drawn \u201clottery\u201d would give every state the chance to be part of the first of six voting groups that go first in primaries spread between March and June.</br><br> </br><br>\u201cIt\u2019s not about Michigan going first,\u201d Debbie Dingell, vice chairman of the General Motors Foundation and Democratic National Committee (DNC) member, told the gathering here. \u201cIt\u2019s about every state having the opportunity to have the kind of attention that those two small states have,\u201d she said, referring to Iowa and New Hampshire.</br><br> </br><br>Also being circulated are the \u201cDelaware plan\u201d that establishes a \u201cpod\u201d system based on the population of each state and the \u201cTexas plan\u201d that divides the country into four groups based on a balance of convention delegates, electoral votes and the proportion of \u201cred\u201d and \u201cblue\u201d states.</br><br> </br><br>Of the various plans, the NASS rotating regional plan has received the most formal support, earning endorsements from the National Governors Association, the National Association of Lieutenant Governors,  the Council of State Governments and a 2005 blue-ribbon panel, the Commission on Federal Election Reform, co-chaired by former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James A. Baker III.  </br><br> </br><br>Several governors told <a href=\"http://Stateline.org\" rel=\"nofollow\">Stateline.org</a> earlier this year that they regarded this election\u2019s chaotic rush for early spots on the presidential primary calendar as a mess to be avoided in 2012 \u2014 but were quite happy with how the 2008 schedule worked for them (Click here for the story and to access the audio of the governors\u2019 comments).</br><br> </br><br>Some political consultants predict that the push for reworking the primary process will be driven by the party that is defeated this fall. \u201cIf the Democrats lose the White House, you\u2019ll see the most fundamental, sweeping changes of the rules since the 1970s,\u201d predicted Tad Devine, a Democratic campaign consultant. If McCain loses, some may argue that he became the front-runner too early and that the selection process ended too soon for the GOP. </br><br> </br><br>On the other hand, whoever wins the presidency may not want to tinker with the system that worked for them, said James Roosevelt Jr., co-chair of the DNC\u2019s rules and bylaws committee.</br><br> </br><br>Despite the various proposals, many state party and state election officials do agree on one thing: They don\u2019t want Congress getting into the act. Competing legislation has been introduced on Capitol Hill that would make the NASS and Michigan plans law. \u201cAnytime you have Congress sniffing around your door, pretty soon, they\u2019ll be inside eating your lunch,\u201d said David Norcross, chairman of the RNC's standing committee on rules.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_10:11:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "889c732285beb0fc252d78b61edaa231", "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}, "1971022": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I must tell you guys a half-embarassing/half-funny story. I will keep it short.<br></br><br>Well, back on Christmas, I got a Macys gift card from my cousin but I do not shop at Macys. So when I realized that I had bought nothing for my father and that my family was holding an early morning breakfast, I decided to re-gift the gift card. However I did not realize that it said \"Merry Christmas\"! So I basically got my cheap butt called out=/!</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_10:51:00", "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}, "1971023": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "What My Father Could Learn From Usher<br>For millions of Americans, the TV version of fatherhood is all we have.</br><br>By Helena Andrews</br><br>TheRoot.com</br><br>Updated: 4:34 PM ET Jun 10, 2008</br><br>June 13, 2008--On my desk, in my office, is a picture of my mother and me. I might be 2 weeks old. She's cradling me with one arm against her chest, her slender fingers smoothing down my baby hair. She's got a close-cropped afro, and we're in somebody's kitchen\u2014maybe ours, but probably my Grandmommy's. There's a bag of Wonder Bread on the table. </br><br></br><br>As with 24 million other Americans, there's no man in my picture or in the picture. </br><br></br><br>Obviously, I've never been a big fan of Father's Day.</br><br></br><br>Still as a pop culture stalker, I've been captivated by the new obsession with black fatherhood. On television there's Snoop Dogg's Father Hood, Deion Sanders' Primetime Love, the Rev. Run's Run's House, and Flavor Flav made a big show of \"proposing\" to Liz, the mother of his youngest son Karma, on VH1. </br><br></br><br>Even new father Usher has taken up the fatherhood cause. While promoting his latest offering, Here I Stand, the man's been on The Ellen Degeneres Show, in People magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Vibe, and most recently MTV's Total Request Live, talking about marriage and babies\u2014in a real way.</br><br></br><br>It makes sense that I would be delighted by the attention that higher profile black fathers have been getting lately, but it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I'd rather have the real thing, not the \"reality.\" </br><br></br><br>In real life, I found a photo of my father in a tin can hidden under my mother's bed when I was around 8 years old. He wore a black afro and black flip-flops. It looked like he was on the floor of a dorm room (actually he was on a ship). He had long legs and light skin. I fell in love with him then. This was him. The man my mother never talked about\u2014badly or in any other way. </br><br></br><br>I imagined he was on the moon, and if I hoped for him enough, thought of him enough, prayed for him enough, he'd come back down. I didn't need saving, but I needed something. Every night for years, I repeated the same line to baby Jesus or grown-up Jesus or God or whomever like mantra: \"Dear Lord, please let our paths cross someday.\" I seriously said it like this in my little 8-year-old head. I didn't even necessarily have to talk to him. I just wanted him to see me.</br><br></br><br>Each Father's Day, I'm reminded first of his abandonment and second of my mother's strength. Fortunately it is the latter that has made an impact on my life, but I still count myself among those unfortunate fatherless souls. </br><br></br><br>In Salman Rushdie's new novel The Enchantress of Florence\u2014a mythological love story starring princes and prostitutes\u2014this line caught my breath: \"[Akbar learned] \u2026 about abandonment in general, and in particular fatherlessness, the lessness of fathers, the lessness of the fatherless\u2026\"</br><br></br><br>It makes sense that I would see myself in those words\u2014less than culture's \"normal\" and sometimes unfazed by loss of something I never knew. How do you miss a person you've only seen in pictures\u2014in one picture, in fact? But how do you not?</br><br></br><br>Nearly one out of every three children grows up in households without their biological fathers. Or two out of every three African American children, according to the National Fatherhood Initiative, a non-profit dedicated to spreading the word about the \"crisis\" of father absence. </br><br></br><br>When I think about the black fathers dominating reality television today, none of these real men can stand up to the fatherly fiction that is Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable. On Thursday nights at 8 p.m., the little 8-year-old me pretended a character on a television show was all the things my father wasn't\u2014present, paid and promising.</br><br></br><br>As unmoved as today's reality dads leave me, though, I'm actually excited about Usher's recent impromptu paternal PSAs. \"I want to see more men standing with their women. I want to see more men be open and honest about where they are in life,\" Usher told Ellen Degeneres recently. \"As an African American, to be there for my child is so important when there are so many young African-American kids without their fathers.\"</br><br></br><br>And then on MTV's TRL, Raymond had another breakthrough, this time deciding to address rumors about his wife, Tameka, and his son, \"baby cinco.\"</br><br></br><br>\"I'm a black, strong man in America standing up for my people as a man,\" Usher said to the camera, while taking off his huge sunglasses and looking his television audience (us) dead in the eye. </br><br></br><br>\"To my wife, to my son, to my family, I'm making a stand that a lot of us should make. I could've been like any other man who would have a child and just, you know, live with that woman and continue to just, you know, play the game. I'm tryna do it the right way. This is the way you should do it. Pay attention, fellas.\" </br><br></br><br>I wish my father was paying more attention in 1980. I wish I hadn't needed to pay so much attention to Cliff Huxtable eight years later. I wish the fellas watching Usher on MTV get the picture.</br><br></br><br>URL: <a href=\"http://www.theroot.com/id/46822%C2%A9\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.theroot.com/id/46822\u00a9</a>   TheRoot.com</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_10:57:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "889c732285beb0fc252d78b61edaa231", "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}, "1971024": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "There was an incident in upstate New York, Herkimer. They are calling it the Herkimer 3. I am going to start covering it on my blog once I get info.<br></br><br>Basically, two black men were attacked by white athletes and defended themselves. When the police came, they arrested the two black guys along with another who came to see what was going on. </br><br></br><br>The white boys were not only not arrested but they were put in a hotel and given immediate medical treatment for their wounds whild the black guys had to go to the jail with their wounds and all. The court up there is charging them them with the usual assault counts. A person was telling me that they were even threatening them with a 25 to life sentence. The families of the guys who attend college up there are very religious people and are asking for the support of the community.</br><br></br><br>Does this ever end?</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_11:03:00", "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}, "1971025": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Jack Turner's on C-Span right now.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_11:26:00", "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}, "1971026": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "rhonda, where's Rev. Al on this?<br></br><br>Could you post a link to the story.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_11:27:00", "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}, "1971027": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "God bless all fathers, especially those who provide the gifts of freedom and security through their service to our country.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_11:54:00", "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}, "1971028": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/15/business/worldbusiness/15ambani.html?em&amp;ex=1213675200&amp;en=b69086ddc3c58ae1&amp;ei=5087%0A#\" rel=\"nofollow\">Meet Mukesh Ambani-India's Richest Man</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_12:28:00", "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}, "1971029": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://craighickman.blogspot.com/2007/06/daddys-boy.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">Daddy's Boy: In Loving Memory of My Father</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_12:34:00", "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}, "1971030": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Here Rikyrah:<br></br><br><a href=\"http://www.uticaod.com/news/x222986158/HCCC-Students-Racial-slur-led-to-lacrosse-stick-fight\" rel=\"nofollow\"> Herkimer incident</a></br><br></br><br>They are to be or has already been on Sharpton's radio show?</br><br></br><br>I heard it today on WBLS out here in NY and from a few people here in Brooklyn. The guys are from Brooklyn and as I said attended school at Herkimer Community College in Herkimer, New York a 90% or more white town.</br><br></br><br> I am hearing that the white youth were reported to have used Lacrosse sticks and uttered profanity and racial slurs.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_12:59:00", "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}, "1971031": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.simplifythepositive.blogspot.com/\" rel=\"nofollow\">In My Father's Arm</a><br></br><br></br><br>When I called my father today the first thing he said was \"where did you get that picture?\"</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_13:51:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "7742568e575d2a6e3fc095c1ba56f44c", "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}, "1971032": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<b>Apostolic Church of God<br></br><br>Sunday, June 15th, 2008</br><br></br><br>Chicago, IL</br><br></br><br>Good morning.  It\u2019s good to be home on this Father\u2019s Day with my girls, and it\u2019s an honor to spend some time with all of you today in the house of our Lord.</br><br></br><br>At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus closes by saying, \"Whoever hears these words of mine, and does them, shall be likened to a wise man who built his house upon a rock:  and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.\"  [Matthew 7: 24-25]</br><br></br><br>Here at Apostolic, you are blessed to worship in a house that has been founded on the rock of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  But it is also built on another rock, another foundation \u2013 and that rock is Bishop Arthur Brazier.  In forty-eight years, he has built this congregation from just a few hundred to more than 20,000 strong \u2013 a congregation that, because of his leadership, has braved the fierce winds and heavy rains of violence and poverty; joblessness and hopelessness.  Because of his work and his ministry, there are more graduates and fewer gang members in the neighborhoods surrounding this church.  There are more homes and fewer homeless.  There is more community and less chaos because Bishop Brazier continued the march for justice that he began by Dr. King\u2019s side all those years ago.  He is the reason this house has stood tall for half a century.  And on this Father\u2019s Day, it must make him proud to know that the man now charged with keeping its foundation strong is his son and your new pastor, Reverend Byron Brazier.</br><br></br><br>Of all the rocks upon which we build our lives, we are reminded today that family is the most important.  And we are called to recognize and honor how critical every father is to that foundation.  They are teachers and coaches.  They are mentors and role models.  They are examples of success and the men who constantly push us toward it.</br><br></br><br>But if we are honest with ourselves, we\u2019ll admit that what too many fathers also are is missing \u2013 missing from too many lives and too many homes.  They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men.  And the foundations of our families are weaker because of it.</br><br></br><br>You and I know how true this is in the African-American community.  We know that more than half of all black children live in single-parent households, a number that has doubled \u2013 doubled \u2013 since we were children.  We know the statistics \u2013 that children who grow up without a father are five times more likely to live in poverty and commit crime; nine times more likely to drop out of schools and twenty times more likely to end up in prison.  They are more likely to have behavioral problems, or run away from home, or become teenage parents themselves.  And the foundations of our community are weaker because of it.</br><br></br><br>How many times in the last year has this city lost a child at the hands of another child?  How many times have our hearts stopped in the middle of the night with the sound of a gunshot or a siren?  How many teenagers have we seen hanging around on street corners when they should be sitting in a classroom?  How many are sitting in prison when they should be working, or at least looking for a job?  How many in this generation are we willing to lose to poverty or violence or addiction?  How many?</br><br></br><br>Yes, we need more cops on the street.  Yes, we need fewer guns in the hands of people who shouldn\u2019t have them.  Yes, we need more money for our schools, and more outstanding teachers in the classroom, and more afterschool programs for our children.  Yes, we need more jobs and more job training and more opportunity in our communities.</br><br></br><br>But we also need families to raise our children.  We need fathers to realize that responsibility does not end at conception.  We need them to realize that what makes you a man is not the ability to have a child \u2013 it\u2019s the courage to raise one.</br><br></br><br>We need to help all the mothers out there who are raising these kids by themselves; the mothers who drop them off at school, go to work, pick up them up in the afternoon, work another shift, get dinner, make lunches, pay the bills, fix the house, and all the other things it takes both parents to do.  So many of these women are doing a heroic job, but they need support.  They need another parent.  Their children need another parent.  That\u2019s what keeps their foundation strong.  It\u2019s what keeps the foundation of our country strong.</br><br></br><br>I know what it means to have an absent father, although my circumstances weren\u2019t as tough as they are for many young people today.  Even though my father left us when I was two years old, and I only knew him from the letters he wrote and the stories that my family told, I was luckier than most.  I grew up in Hawaii, and had two wonderful grandparents from Kansas who poured everything they had into helping my mother raise my sister and me \u2013 who worked with her to teach us about love and respect and the obligations we have to one another.  I screwed up more often than I should\u2019ve, but I got plenty of second chances.  And even though we didn\u2019t have a lot of money, scholarships gave me the opportunity to go to some of the best schools in the country.  A lot of kids don\u2019t get these chances today.  There is no margin for error in their lives.  So my own story is different in that way.</br><br></br><br>Still, I know the toll that being a single parent took on my mother \u2013 how she struggled at times to the pay bills; to give us the things that other kids had; to play all the roles that both parents are supposed to play.  And I know the toll it took on me.  So I resolved many years ago that it was my obligation to break the cycle \u2013 that if I could be anything in life, I would be a good father to my girls; that if I could give them anything, I would give them that rock \u2013 that foundation \u2013 on which to build their lives.  And that would be the greatest gift I could offer.</br><br></br><br>I say this knowing that I have been an imperfect father \u2013 knowing that I have made mistakes and will continue to make more; wishing that I could be home for my girls and my wife more than I am right now.  I say this knowing all of these things because even as we are imperfect, even as we face difficult circumstances, there are still certain lessons we must strive to live and learn as fathers \u2013 whether we are black or white; rich or poor; from the South Side or the wealthiest suburb.</br><br></br><br>The first is setting an example of excellence for our children \u2013 because if we want to set high expectations for them, we\u2019ve got to set high expectations for ourselves.  It\u2019s great if you have a job; it\u2019s even better if you have a college degree.  It\u2019s a wonderful thing if you are married and living in a home with your children, but don\u2019t just sit in the house and watch \"SportsCenter\" all weekend long.  That\u2019s why so many children are growing up in front of the television.  As fathers and parents, we\u2019ve got to spend more time with them, and help them with their homework, and replace the video game or the remote control with a book once in awhile.  That\u2019s how we build that foundation.</br><br></br><br>We know that education is everything to our children\u2019s future.  We know that they will no longer just compete for good jobs with children from Indiana, but children from India and China and all over the world.  We know the work and the studying and the level of education that requires.</br><br></br><br>You know, sometimes I\u2019ll go to an eighth-grade graduation and there\u2019s all that pomp and circumstance and gowns and flowers.  And I think to myself, it\u2019s just eighth grade.  To really compete, they need to graduate high school, and then they need to graduate college, and they probably need a graduate degree too.  An eighth-grade education doesn\u2019t cut it today.  Let\u2019s give them a handshake and tell them to get their butts back in the library!</br><br></br><br>It\u2019s up to us \u2013 as fathers and parents \u2013 to instill this ethic of excellence in our children.  It\u2019s up to us to say to our daughters, don\u2019t ever let images on TV tell you what you are worth, because I expect you to dream without limit and reach for those goals.  It\u2019s up to us to tell our sons, those songs on the radio may glorify violence, but in my house we live glory to achievement, self respect, and hard work.   It\u2019s up to us to set these high expectations.  And that means meeting those expectations ourselves.  That means setting examples of excellence in our own lives.</br><br></br><br>The second thing we need to do as fathers is pass along the value of empathy to our children.  Not sympathy, but empathy \u2013 the ability to stand in somebody else\u2019s shoes; to look at the world through their eyes.  Sometimes it\u2019s so easy to get caught up in \"us,\" that we forget about our obligations to one another.  There\u2019s a culture in our society that says remembering these obligations is somehow soft \u2013 that we can\u2019t show weakness, and so therefore we can\u2019t show kindness.</br><br></br><br>But our young boys and girls see that.  They see when you are ignoring or mistreating your wife.  They see when you are inconsiderate at home; or when you are distant; or when you are thinking only of yourself.  And so it\u2019s no surprise when we see that behavior in our schools or on our streets.  That\u2019s why we pass on the values of empathy and kindness to our children by living them.  We need to show our kids that you\u2019re not strong by putting other people down \u2013 you\u2019re strong by lifting them up.  That\u2019s our responsibility as fathers.</br><br></br><br>And by the way \u2013 it\u2019s a responsibility that also extends to Washington.  Because if fathers are doing their part; if they\u2019re taking our responsibilities seriously to be there for their children, and set high expectations for them, and instill in them a sense of excellence and empathy, then our government should meet them halfway.</br><br></br><br>We should be making it easier for fathers who make responsible choices and harder for those who avoid them.  We should get rid of the financial penalties we impose on married couples right now, and start making sure that every dime of child support goes directly to helping children instead of some bureaucrat.  We should reward fathers who pay that child support with job training and job opportunities and a larger Earned Income Tax Credit that can help them pay the bills.  We should expand programs where registered nurses visit expectant and new mothers and help them learn how to care for themselves before the baby is born and what to do after \u2013 programs that have helped increase father involvement, women\u2019s employment, and children\u2019s readiness for school.  We should help these new families care for their children by expanding maternity and paternity leave, and we should guarantee every worker more paid sick leave so they can stay home to take care of their child without losing their income.</br><br></br><br>We should take all of these steps to build a strong foundation for our children.  But we should also know that even if we do; even if we meet our obligations as fathers and parents; even if Washington does its part too, we will still face difficult challenges in our lives.  There will still be days of struggle and heartache.  The rains will still come and the winds will still blow.</br><br></br><br>And that is why the final lesson we must learn as fathers is also the greatest gift we can pass on to our children \u2013 and that is the gift of hope.</br><br></br><br>I\u2019m not talking about an idle hope that\u2019s little more than blind optimism or willful ignorance of the problems we face.  I\u2019m talking about hope as that spirit inside us that insists, despite all evidence to the contrary, that something better is waiting for us if we\u2019re willing to work for it and fight for it.  If we are willing to believe.</br><br></br><br>I was answering questions at a town hall meeting in Wisconsin the other day and a young man raised his hand, and I figured he\u2019d ask about college tuition or energy or maybe the war in Iraq.  But instead he looked at me very seriously and he asked, \"What does life mean to you?\"</br><br></br><br>Now, I have to admit that I wasn\u2019t quite prepared for that one.  I think I stammered for a little bit, but then I stopped and gave it some thought, and I said this:</br><br></br><br>When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me \u2013 how do I make my way in the world, and how do I become successful and how do I get the things that I want.</br><br></br><br>But now, my life revolves around my two little girls.  And what I think about is what kind of world I\u2019m leaving them.  Are they living in a county where there\u2019s a huge gap between a few who are wealthy and a whole bunch of people who are struggling every day?  Are they living in a county that is still divided by race?  A country where, because they\u2019re girls, they don\u2019t have as much opportunity as boys do?  Are they living in a country where we are hated around the world because we don\u2019t cooperate effectively with other nations?  Are they living a world that is in grave danger because of what we\u2019ve done to its climate?</br><br></br><br>And what I\u2019ve realized is that life doesn\u2019t count for much unless you\u2019re willing to do your small part to leave our children \u2013 all of our children \u2013 a better world.  Even if it\u2019s difficult.  Even if the work seems great.  Even if we don\u2019t get very far in our lifetime.</br><br></br><br>That is our ultimate responsibility as fathers and parents.  We try.  We hope.  We do what we can to build our house upon the sturdiest rock.  And when the winds come, and the rains fall, and they beat upon that house, we keep faith that our Father will be there to guide us, and watch over us, and protect us, and lead His children through the darkest of storms into light of a better day.  That is my prayer for all of us on this Father\u2019s Day, and that is my hope for this country in the years ahead.  May God Bless you and your children.  Thank you. </br><br></br></b>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_15:57:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "208eec9c0e5cb9133c392af69f829c94", "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}, "1971033": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I am a father. I hold my son in trust for himself, our people...and yes our community as a whole and our nation.<br></br><br>Why is that so damn tough for other black men? I see rap moguls and athletes who aren't even married to their child's moms wanting their sons dress, speak and act a certain way...or they resist the way their kids do speak, act, learn now that those kids are in expensive private schools. Even murderous Mafia dons and Jewish gangsters used their crime money to send their sons OUT of the hood. To become accountants, doctors, attorneys, scientists, bankers, engineers. </br><br></br><br>We as fathers hold our sons in trust. We as trustees have a fiduciary duty. 'Bout time we re-learned that...</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_17:37:00", "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}, "1971034": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I have a confession to make: I am angry to the point of nearly shaking after reading a news story earlier  about Barack Obama making a speech in a Chicago church assailing black men who are absent from their children's lives. I am sure that the senator will receive more than his fair share of high fives and praise for having addressed this topic in what will be described over and over again as a \"honest, forthright manner.\"<br></br><br>Black folks will be told once again that this is a discussion that we need to have and Obama will be thanked by our friends and our enemies too for having the courage to address this sensitive matter. Fine. Let us now praise famous men and give thanks for what we have already got. </br><br></br><br>I am angry not because I disagree with Obama or because he has the facts ass-backwards. I am angry because I would have much preferred to read about a pulpit stump speech from him that praises all the black men who were not absent from the lives of their children. Black men like my father, my paternal and maternal grandfathers, my paternal and maternal great-grandfathers and my paternal and maternal uncles and my great uncles on both sides of my family. Men who got up everyday in good and bad health and did whatever they needed to do to look after families. </br><br></br><br>My own father has been dead for four years and there is not a day that goes by that my sisters and I do not miss him and the way that he loved and cared for us all of our lives. I regret that Obama and other black men and women did not have fathers who chose to place them in an honored place in their lives. I grew up with girls and boys, now women and men, who had been abandoned by their fathers and that absence has left a wound that never quite heals. </br><br></br><br>I wish, however, that Senator Obama had chosen another time and another place to play the role of a Jeremiah. I wish that he had used today to give praise to black men who are not famous and never will be but who did what they could to strengthen the fabric of their communities by loving and caring for their children. Black people, as Albert Murray pointed out, don't suffer from a lack of accomplishment. They suffer from a lack of recognition of their accomplishments. The junior senator from Illinois should keep this fact in mind as he races for the White House.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_18:04:00", "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}, "1971035": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "ptcruiser,<br></br><br>did you read the speech? he talked about how he felt as a child growing up without a father and breaking the cycle. as well as about what fathers need to do to help their children succeed. it was not an admonishment of black fathers as the media and headlines would have you to believe. the media is only trying to divide and conquer.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_18:16:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "f384ee25dac93aaae26608c224319088", "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}, "1971036": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I don't want to go on an anti-Obama jag but there is no way for that brother to have made such a speech and not know that the media would play up the aspects that I deplore. I am not a happy camper about that speech and I will not accept the MSM's divide, blame and conquer strategy and tactics as an excuse. In my opinion, he should have made a different speech. He did not and that's the way the prune wrinkles when a person of African descent is running for president of these United States.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_18:26:00", "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}, "1971037": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "pt, <br></br><br>we'll agree to disagree. I read the speech in total, and don't have the issues with it that you do.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_18:37:00", "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}, "1971038": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "ptcruiser,<br></br><br>I agree somewhat.  Of 365 days, this single one is for celebration.  I found parts of the speech patronizing and in the style of  \"preaching\", ie self-righteous and fundamentally disrespectful of the audience.</br><br></br><br>On father's day, there could have been an acknowledgment of the many fathers who are present. He could have ignored the stereotype of the absent black father.  I was a little annoyed with it all.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_18:41:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "0e63fda3bc8752465623f674ffcc5f40", "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}, "1971039": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Isn't that what people do in church every Sunday? The church I go to they talk about the responsibility of fathers to their children. But suddenly this is patronizing? If you're raising your kids well the speech isn't for you. Is this a holiday from being a father or reality? I don't see anything wrong with both celebrating fatherhood and also speaking about the improvements that need to be made.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_18:51:00", "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}, "1971040": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I was most struck by his pleas (off script) for people to pray for him and Michelle.<br></br><br>There must be an unending stream of threats flowing in their direction.</br><br></br><br>Because he asked, I will.</br><br></br><br>But I will pray even more for his children.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_18:58:00", "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}, "1971041": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "\"On father's day, there could have been an acknowledgment of the many fathers who are present. He could have ignored the stereotype of the absent black father.\"<br></br><br>That's all I'm saying. No more. I miss my daddy and I miss my grandfathers. I knew both of them quite well and they lived long enough to see me become an adult. Obama could have his speech some other day. </br><br></br><br>This incident sort of reminds me of the time I went to my in-laws church and the guest minister devoted his whole sermon to talking about people who were living dissolute sinful lives. I looked around the church at the congregation and came to the conclusion that none of the people he was talking about were in that church that day. I got up and went outside to wait until he was done.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_18:59:00", "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}, "1971042": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Oh, and one other thing.<br></br><br>The absent black father isn't a stereotype for Barack Obama.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_18:59:00", "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}, "1971043": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "craig,<br></br><br>I never forget that not-so-small fact.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_19:14:00", "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}, "1971044": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "ptcruiser, truthseeker<br></br><br>I agree, this is a day for celebration not education.</br><br></br><br>I was a bit bothered by the presentation.  I thought he may be \"preaching\" to the choir for the sake of the media.  Let's be honest - there was probably no one in that audience that he reached or that would benefit any more from him than they would a parent that was already training them.</br><br></br><br>Once again, for me, it's the audience.</br><br></br><br>I do not like it when he or anyone else goes here in the spotlight.</br><br></br><br>This is a problem that is tackled face-to-face, hand by hand.</br><br></br><br>I rather hear what his plans for rebuilding the American economy - black folks like to hear that kind of stuff too!</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_19:22:00", "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}, "1971045": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "And another thing, if he wishes to ignore race, I'd appreciate it if he would ignore the things that are attributed to a specific race.  It makes more sense.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_19:27:00", "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}, "1971046": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Craig Rikyrah<br></br><br>I also think we should remember Obama's father was not the typical \"absent\" black father.</br><br></br><br>We're not talking about a father in the same city, around the corner or across town.  We're talking about a father a continent and ocean away.</br><br></br><br>His father did what he is now doing and compelled him to do (stated in the book) to help his people.  He was trying to change a country.  He also suffered achohol addiction and poverty.  He did however keep in touch with him through letters over the years.  How many absent father chilren can say that.  Please remember it's not the same.  Also, his mother was an absent figure in his life during periods of time.  Let's to tell the whole story.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_19:33:00", "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}, "1971047": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/06/15/learning_to_be_michelle_obama/?page=1\" rel=\"nofollow\">Learning to be Michelle Obama</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_19:42:00", "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}, "1971048": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "video of the speech:<br></br><br>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj1hCDjwG6M&eur;</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_19:43:00", "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}, "1971049": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<i>Also, his mother was an absent figure in his life during periods of time. Let's to tell the whole story.<br></br></i><br></br><br>True, which is why his grandparents' devotion to him is instrumental in his development; something else that 'The Community' can relate to.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_19:43:00", "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}, "1971050": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "anonymous 3:51,<br></br><br>Preachers preach in church on Sundays.  Barack is not a preacher and this is not a typical Sunday.  Is he speaking as a member of the congregation or as a Presidential candidate?   </br><br></br><br>There are many lines guaranteed to get a nod of the head and an \"amen\"...patronizing.  But, what's the message to the national audience.</br><br></br><br>There are parts of the speech that soar, and parts that go ka-plunk with inauthenticity.</br><br></br><br>I question if it's appropriate to address this subject in anything other than very broad terms.  If it is appropriate tough love, then I would like him to go before AIPAC and insist the Palestinians should be treated humanely.</br><br></br><br>He is in a predominantly black church <i>preaching</i> about absent fathers on Father's day.  It feeds the stereotype that all black fathers are substandard.  It implies that on this celebratory occasion, there is nothing to celebrate in a black church on fahter's day.</br><br></br><br></br><br>Automatically, everyone will think this is related to Barack's own absent father....who has been dead for many years.  Does Barack himself still hold angst toward a dead father?  I doubt it, so what's he talking about. </br><br></br><br>What I'm trying to figure out is who is his audience? This is nothing that a black congregation hasn't heard before, so who is Barack really talking to?</br><br></br><br>It feels like something having to do with throwing off racial shame.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_19:45:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "0e63fda3bc8752465623f674ffcc5f40", "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}, "1971051": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "craig,<br></br><br>I can't even imagine the threats they are probably getting. I pray for them daily.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_19:46:00", "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}, "1971052": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Racial shame - wow - never thought about it.<br></br><br>I woner if that's what the black conservatives feel.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_19:49:00", "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}, "1971053": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Happy Father's Day From Blacks4Barack.org<br></br><br>Obama Addresses Absent Black Fathers.</br><br></br><br>For complete transcript or to watch speech visit:</br><br>www.Blacks4Barack.org</br><br>(issues page)</br><br></br><br>Say It Loud...BARACK & I'M PROUD !!!!!</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_19:52:00", "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}, "1971054": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I understand some of your criticism, but I think some of you are only focusing on the negative aspects of the speech. He gave much praise to the founding preacher and his son the new pastor. So to me he gave fathers both the respect, honor and the criticism they need. He also talked about the government's and the community's responsibility in raising our children. When did that become patronizing? Those were core values in my home and my black church.<br>------------------------------------</br><br>Here at Apostolic, you are blessed to worship in a house that has been founded on the rock of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. But it is also built on another rock, another foundation \u2013 and that rock is Bishop Arthur Brazier. In forty-eight years, he has built this congregation from just a few hundred to more than 20,000 strong \u2013 a congregation that, because of his leadership, has braved the fierce winds and heavy rains of violence and poverty; joblessness and hopelessness. Because of his work and his ministry, there are more graduates and fewer gang members in the neighborhoods surrounding this church. There are more homes and fewer homeless. There is more community and less chaos because Bishop Brazier continued the march for justice that he began by Dr. King\u2019s side all those years ago. He is the reason this house has stood tall for half a century. And on this Father\u2019s Day, it must make him proud to know that the man now charged with keeping its foundation strong is his son and your new pastor, Reverend Byron Brazier. </br><br></br><br>Of all the rocks upon which we build our lives, we are reminded today that family is the most important. And we are called to recognize and honor how critical every father is to that foundation. They are teachers and coaches. They are mentors and role models. They are examples of success and the men who constantly push us toward it.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_20:02:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "f384ee25dac93aaae26608c224319088", "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}, "1971055": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I understand the questions about intent and audience and message and appropriateness and such, but we'd probably be able to fill in the blanks easier if we knew how this speech at this church on this day came about.<br></br><br>Maybe he was asked to deliver this address by the minister. </br><br></br><br>I don't have a clue.</br><br></br><br>Maybe he was advised to give this speech by his advisors.</br><br></br><br>I don't have a clue.</br><br></br><br>But I didn't hear a speech that spoke only to black fathers, present or absent.</br><br></br><br>I didn't even hear a particularly conservative speech, though Barack's values are, at their roots, pretty conservative.</br><br></br><br>I didn't even hear a speech that promoted the father as the only other parent a single mother could use help from.</br><br></br><br>No, it wasn't a daring speech. As daring as the one truthseeker is asking he give before AIPAC.</br><br></br><br>But Barack is first and foremost a politician.</br><br></br><br>He's ultimately going to give the speech that works best for him at any given moment. Somtimes he needs to take a big risk, sometimes he doesn't. </br><br></br><br>Today, however it all cambe about, I think he judged the situation just fine.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_20:05:00", "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}, "1971056": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "ms.martin,<br></br><br>lol...I just posted that, then saw your response.  It was hard for me to figure out exactly what bothered me about the speech.  I think AA's deserve to be congratulated for the things they do right, not just always criticized.  I'm thinking about how I'd feel sitting in that congregation...what a downer.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_20:05:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "0e63fda3bc8752465623f674ffcc5f40", "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}, "1971057": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "craig,<br></br><br>the church has a new pastor. The longtime pastor just retired. Apostolic is a huge megachurch, but definitely more on the conservative side.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_20:07:00", "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}, "1971058": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "\"True, which is why his grandparents' devotion to him is instrumental in his development; something else that 'The Community' can relate to.\"<br></br><br>What does this have to do with the price of eggs?  Especially when one considers the fact that he never bothers to mention the extended family support that the \"community\" provides for their children.  It sounds like only white grandparents can raise a successful black man.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_20:09:00", "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}, "1971059": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "\"He's ultimately going to give the speech that works best for him at any given moment. Somtimes he needs to take a big risk, sometimes he doesn't.\"<br></br><br>I wish he wouldn't do this at our expense considering the low opinion the world already has of us.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_20:12:00", "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}, "1971060": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Michelle Bernard is on C-Span's Q&A; right now. <br></br><br>Her family's from Jamaica, and kept her maiden name after marriage.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_20:13:00", "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}, "1971061": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Truthseeker<br></br><br>Racial shame - sounds like a book to me.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_20:15:00", "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}, "1971062": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<i>\"True, which is why his grandparents' devotion to him is instrumental in his development; something else that 'The Community' can relate to.\"<br></br><br>What does this have to do with the price of eggs? Especially when one considers the fact that he never bothers to mention the extended family support that the \"community\" provides for their children. It sounds like only white grandparents can raise a successful black man.</br></i><br></br><br>No, because many Black grandparents have raised their grandchildren, helping their children. That ' situation' is not foreign to Black folk; in what way did anything I wrote didn't mean that?</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_20:15:00", "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}, "1971063": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "\"I wish he wouldn't do this at our expense considering the low opinion the world already has of us.\"<br></br><br>The world's opinion doesn't faze me but black folk are not a fungible commodity to be traded or used to advance a politician's own ambitions. I am with Obama, come rain or shine, but enough of this half-assed truth telling. It will not persuade \"hardworking Americans, white Americans\" in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania or the folks in Geraldine Ferraro's coming of age neighborhood to vote for him.  Juan Williams and Fox News will still be on his case. </br><br></br><br>Give me and mine a break. We have earned one today.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_20:26:00", "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}, "1971064": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "rikyrah<br></br><br>I wasn't suggesting that you're saying we don't support, I was saying that he doesn't give credit.</br><br></br><br>I'm arguing that crediting his grandparents isn't  the same as crediting the \"community\" as I understood you to mean.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_20:58:00", "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}, "1971065": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I love this post. Thank you and Happy Father's day to the fathers here at JJP.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_21:02:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "ae84a1f516965138dcc59937fe7a7ac1", "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}, "1971066": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "For instance, I've never heard of him speak of the help that Michelle's mother provides in his absence.<br></br><br>I support him, but I don't like him pointing out \"black\" problems when he doesn't point out white ones.  This is where I draw the line.  My kool-aid is sour on this subject.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_21:05:00", "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}, "1971067": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Note: P6, the owner of the blogsite, <a href=\"http://Prometheus6.org\" rel=\"nofollow\">Prometheus6.org</a> has decided, in response to Br. Obama's Father's Day speechifying to not post any news about Obama's campaign for the next few weeks. I am in total accord with P6's decision.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_21:08:00", "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}, "1971068": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<i>I am with Obama, come rain or shine, but enough of this half-assed truth telling. It will not persuade \"hardworking Americans, white Americans\" in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania or the folks in Geraldine Ferraro's coming of age neighborhood to vote for him. </i><br></br><br>::</br><br></br><br>You suggest that he's pandering. I don't see it. Not from the speech he gave today, anyway.</br><br></br><br>Blue-collar people from every race and region will vote for him. As it is, despite what the MSM is peddling, he's beating McCain in polls in that demographic by a significant margin.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_21:08:00", "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}, "1971069": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "One last thing:<br></br><br>I do recall Bareck telling white audiences in A More Perfect Union that the truth would be better served if white people stopped acting as though racism exists only in our imaginations.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_21:20:00", "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}, "1971070": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Craig Hickman,<br></br><br>This is not much ado about nothing, my brother!</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_21:22:00", "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}, "1971071": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Rikyrah,<br>re Michelle Bernard,</br><br></br><br>No wonder she was so tickled on Hardball by that Harvard professor who thought the 3am ad was appealing to racial fears...he  had what sounded like a strong Jamaican accent.</br><br></br><br>I just caught the last bit of the interview.</br><br></br><br></br><br></br><br>ms.martin,</br><br></br><br>no doubt there's books written on racial shame.  I was reading about Tiger Woods this afternoon..there were pics of him and his wife.  To be borderline offensive, she is white to the n-th degree.  </br><br></br><br>What the hell, it's too late for me now:  How much \"whiter\" can you get than Scandinavian.  In fact, if you plotted whiteness on a number line, she would be in the rightmost outer reaches.  She could trump any would-be member of any white-supremacist organization.</br><br></br><br>There were pictures of Elin sitting with the other golfing wives.  They all had light coloured, long hair and visually, she fit right in.   </br><br></br><br>I wondered about Tiger being attracted to the \"whitest\" woman possible, obsessing over the implications as I am wont to do:  If life is symbolic, what does this particular symbol mean?</br><br></br><br>Now all the white people are going to kick my ass...</br><br></br><br>The tension is unbearable.</br>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-06-15_21:25:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "0e63fda3bc8752465623f674ffcc5f40", "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": "2628946", "user_id": "anonymous", "forum_id": "21630", "hash": -4707715962459587696}, "thread": {"days_alive": 0, "slug": "sunday_open_thread_happy_father8217s_day", "paginate": false, "num_pages": 1, "num_posts": 85, "per_page": 0, "total_posts": 0, "realtime_paused": true, "id": 2628946, "queued": false}, "reactions_limit": 10, "context": {"show_reply": true, "use_fb_connect": true, "forum_facebook_key": "bd6a8bc56f8eb204984f34b6fefe228d", "use_yahoo": false, "subscribed": false, "use_twitter_signin": true, "use_openid": false, "realtime_speed": 5000}, "reactions_start": 0, "settings": {"debug": false, "disqus_url": "http://disqus.com", "media_url": "http://media.disqus.com"}, "media_url": "http://media.disqus.com"};
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	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=sunday_open_thread_happy_father8217s_day' +
		'&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/sunday_open_thread_happy_father8217s_day/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='	+ 'sunday_open_thread_happy_father8217s_day'
			+ '&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/sunday_open_thread_happy_father8217s_day/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">85</span> Comments\
	 &nbsp;\
	 <span class="dsq-item-feed">\
	 <a href="http://jackandjillpolitics.disqus.com/sunday_open_thread_happy_father8217s_day/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/sunday_open_thread_happy_father8217s_day/">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:2628946" 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/sunday_open_thread_happy_father8217s_day/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:2628946" 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:2628946" 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'				: 'sunday_open_thread_happy_father8217s_day',
			// 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/sunday_open_thread_happy_father8217s_day/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='	+ 'sunday_open_thread_happy_father8217s_day'
			+ '&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='	+ 'sunday_open_thread_happy_father8217s_day'
			+ '&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='		+ 'sunday_open_thread_happy_father8217s_day'
				+ '&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/2628946/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/";
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Dsq.container.className = "clearfix";
Dsq.container.innerHTML = ' \
<ul id="dsq-comments">\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971014">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971014" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971014" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971014">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971014" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971014" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20080614/pl_bloomberg/aoi_isposoqa_1" rel="nofollow">Obama to Speak on Fatherhood</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971015">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971015" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971015" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971015">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971015" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971015" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.dailysentinel.com/opin/content/news/opinion/stories/2008/06/08/mills_0608kd.html" rel="nofollow">Honoring Strong African-American fathers</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971016">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971016" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971016" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971016">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971016" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971016" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://whattamisaid.blogspot.com/2008/06/do-radicals-become-president-of-united.html" rel="nofollow">Can a radical become President of the United States?</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971017">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971017" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971017" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971017">marci</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971017" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971017" class="dsq-comment-message">so sorry you lost your father early..i still have mine and i do not know what i will do when he is gone...<br></br><br>am off to see my father now..my mother and i will pamper the hell out of him all day..</br><br></br><br>happy fathers day to all the men out there... and you single mothers holding it together too..</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971018">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971018" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971018" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971018">Denise</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971018" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971018" class="dsq-comment-message">Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads out there!<br></br><br>I am truly blessed to have the strong and supportive <b> black man </b> that is my father. He always made sure I knew I was loved and important. Thank you, Dad!</br><br></br><br>p.s. I purchased "Daughters of Men" for my Dad last Christmas. He was touched beyond words.   Thanks, Ms. Vassel for honoring our unsung heroes.  You\'re a true Daddy\'s girl :-)</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971019">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971019" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971019" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971019">teacher</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971019" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971019" class="dsq-comment-message">This is from politicsincolor dot com.<br></br><br>Nation\'s Capital Built by Slaves May Soon House Its First Black President</br><br>New book shows irony how the Nation\'s capital was built by slaves </br><br>By Neil Foote     Updated: Thu, 05/15/2008 - 17:19 </br><br>The nation is riddled in debt.  Elected officials are split among party lines, blaming each other for the inefficiencies of government.  Racial politics are at the heart of the on-going debate about the future of the country.  The public is disillusioned by the ‘back room\' politics driving decision-making. </br><br></br><br>Sound familiar?  That was 1790.  Just 14 years after the Revolutionary War, this ‘great\' nation was struggling with many of the same issues it is now.  In his newly published book, "Washington, The Making of the American Capital" (Amistad/HarperCollins Publishers Imprint, 27.95, 384 pp) author Fergus M. Bordewich offers an insightful, thorough and ironic picture of America.   </br><br></br><br>As the nation chooses what is likely to be its first African-American Democratic presidential nominee and potential president, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) would be making history in many ways.  He would move full-time into a city that once was a bustling city for slave trade, and live in a house built by slaves. </br><br></br><br>"The practice of slavery is embedded in the founding of a capital, but it was hidden history," said Bordewich, whose last book, "Bound for Canaan" focused on the personalities involved in The Underground Railroad. "In a year when an African-American is about to be nominate as president, this book has immediacy and relevancy.  If elected, [Sen. Obama] would be the first African-American living in the White House, and not just working there." </br><br></br><br>In "The Making of the American Capital", Bordewich said he tried to capture the sense that the development of the nation\'s capital almost became a "huge flop".  "It was a race against time," said Bordewich, author of five books who has written for The New York Times, Smithsonian, and Atlantic Monthly, "and Washington treated it like a military campaign because he knew if he had failed, the capital would be returned to Philadelphia."  </br><br></br><br>For President George Washington, his reputation was on the line.  If he had failed, it was perceived that the country and the world watching with skeptical eyes would label the notion of the "United States of America" as a farce.  For Thomas Jefferson, he struggled with his conflicting views on democracy and slavery. </br><br></br><br>In fact, Bordewich said construction was almost abandoned because major concerns with the private contractors used to build The Capitol and the White House.  Corruption, labor problems, huge cost overruns and political opposition almost put the project to a halt. </br><br></br><br>Washington, a slave owner, stood firm, seeking to create an ‘imperial city\' with its grand architecture.  Another irony of this story is that William Thornton from the Caribbean island of Tortola, who designed The Capitol Building, owned slaves, but was an abolitionist.  </br><br></br><br>The other key figure, Benjamin Banneker, was the most prominent African-American involved in the project - who wasn\'t a slave, Bordewich said.   Known as a brilliant self-educated mathematician and astronomer, Banneker had become friends with the Ellicott family in Maryland.  The family, devout Quakers who were also abolitionists, let the young genius borrow astronomical equipment.  </br><br></br><br>Andrew Ellicott was hired to do the land survey for the capital project, and along with him, he brought Banneker who distinguished himself with his ability to provide crucial information to Ellicott and the developers. With that project under his belt, Bordewich said Banneker went on to publish numerous almanacs, and was admired by whites for his intellect, </br><br></br><br>"The construction of the capital was to be the first collective project of United States," Bordewich said. In the end, the project foreshadowed what\'s currently happening in the country. "In the end, Washington got what he wanted ... and in his waning days, he became an abolitionist." </br><br></br><br> </br><br></br><br>SEVEN UNKNOWN FACTS CENTRAL TO ‘THE MAKING OF THE AMERICAN CAPITAL\' </br><br></br><br>1. Congress originally voted to place the national capital in the free state of Pennsylvania. </br><br></br><br>2. Establishment of the capital on the Potomac resulted from a backroom deal among Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, which took place over Jefferson\'s dinner table. </br><br></br><br>3. The Capitol Building was designed by a slave-owning abolitionist from the Caribbean island of Tortola, William Thornton. </br><br></br><br>4. The Capitol and the White House were built by slaves. </br><br></br><br>5. The development of Washington was the biggest real estate boondoggle in American history, up to that point, and was almost wrecked by scandalous machinations of land-grabbing speculators led by the richest man in the country, Robert Morris. </br><br></br><br>6. Construction of Washington was almost abandoned because of corruption, labor problems, giant cost overruns, political opposition, and public disillusionment. </br><br></br><br>7. The driving force behind the city\'s completion was George Washington, for whom the project was a personal obsession.  He believed that the Potomac was destined to become a great commercial highway into the heart of North America, and that the city of Washington would become the nation\'s greatest metropolis. </br><br></br><br>Source: Fergus M. Bordewich, "Washington: The Making of the American Capital"</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971020">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971020" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971020" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971020">teacher</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971020" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971020" class="dsq-comment-message">Will states topple Electoral College?<br>States may move to eliminate role of \'College\' and move to new system </br><br>By PoliticsInColor News Staff     Updated: Tue, 06/10/2008 - 19:07 </br><br>By Pamela M. Prah, <a href="http://Stateline.org" rel="nofollow">Stateline.org</a> Staff Writer </br><br></br><br>First it was the presidential primary calendar that state legislatures across the country upended to give their voters a greater say this year in choosing candidates. Now a few states are orchestrating an overhaul of the way voters select the U.S. president. </br><br></br><br>Voters this fall will still use the Electoral College to determine the next occupant of the White House, but a movement is bubbling at the state level to bypass the process and instead ensure future presidents are the candidates who get the most votes nationwide — an outcome not always guaranteed under the current system. </br><br></br><br>Maryland last year became the first state to approve a “national popular vote” compact that would allocate all of its 10 electoral votes to the candidate who wins the most votes nationwide, rather than to the candidate who garners the most votes in the state, as is the case under the Electoral College. </br><br></br><br>New Jersey, Hawaii and Illinois have since followed suit and passed laws that would allot their collective 40 electoral votes the same way. Identical bills are moving in Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina and Rhode Island, which have a total of 62 electoral votes.</br><br></br><br>These bills do nothing on their own and would take effect only when states that collectively have at least 270 electoral votes pass identical measures, since a candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.</br><br></br><br>Those who remember their history classes know that American voters don’t directly elect a president — states do through “electors” who typically vote for the candidate who drew the most votes in their state. </br><br></br><br>“Why are all the other elections in this country based on the popular vote except for the most important one, the presidency?” asks Barry F. Fadem, president of the National Popular Vote, a group based in California that aims to persuade state legislatures to implement a nationwide popular election of the president. He called today’s system “flat-out, wrong” and expressed optimism that enough states will pass the legislation in time for the 2012 presidential election. </br><br></br><br>National Popular Vote was launched in 2006 and is largely funded by its chairman, John R. Koza, a scientist best known for inventing the rub-off instant lottery ticket used by state lotteries and his work in genetic programming at Stanford University. In the 1980s, he and Fadem, an attorney, were active in promoting adoption of lotteries in the states. </br><br></br><br>Fadem and his supporters say that such a system would make every vote matter, not just those in “battleground states,” while critics argue that the approach is an end-run around the U.S. Constitution and wouldn’t necessarily be more fair than today’s arrangement.</br><br></br><br>John Samples, director of Cato’s Center for Representative Government in Washington, D.C., called the National Popular Vote campaign a “novel gimmick” that he said is “asking for a mess” if enacted. </br><br></br><br>Calls to reform or abolish the Electoral College were common after the 2000 presidential election, when former Vice President Al Gore won the popular vote, but didn\'t have enough votes in the right states to carry the electoral vote over Republican George W. Bush. While Bush won the popular vote in 2004, he could have lost the election if John Kerry (D) had won Ohio. </br><br></br><br>Despite the hand-wringing over what many call an obsolete election system, little has happened, largely because dumping the Electoral College means changing the U.S. Constitution, an arduous task that requires two-thirds approval of Congress and three-fourths of the states. The National Popular Vote would keep the Electoral College, but change the way electoral votes are awarded.</br><br></br><br>The way Fadem sees it, a national popular vote would generate the same kind of excitement and enthusiasm seen in the recent primaries because all states — and their voters — would matter. </br><br></br><br>Under the current system, candidates have no reason to poll, visit, advertise, organize, or pay attention to the concerns of states where they are safely ahead or hopelessly behind, Fadem said. For example, presidential nominees have long ignored California because the state is considered a solid “blue” state that will award its 55 electoral votes to the Democratic candidate.</br><br></br><br>Gary Gregg II, director of the McConnell Center at the University of Louisville in Kentucky and a fan of the Electoral College, agrees that the National Popular Vote would change the way candidates campaign, but not in a good way. Candidates would go where most of the votes are, namely cities. “Rural areas would never see a presidential candidate. Small states would never see a presidential candidate,” he said. </br><br></br><br>Gregg also predicted chaos if there were a close election and candidates challenged the vote count. “You would have the [2000] Florida recount replayed across the country … It would be a very ugly situation.”</br><br></br><br>Even some supporters of using the popular vote to elect the president have problems with the National Popular Vote’s campaign. “They are trying to circumvent the U.S. Constitution,” said Burdett Loomis, a professor of the political science at the University of Kansas, who advocates changing the system but by having Congress and the states debate the issue and amend the U.S. Constitution.</br><br></br><br>Fadem says his group is not thumbing its nose at the Constitution since states still would have their right to decide how to allocate their electoral votes. </br><br></br><br>Supporters also reject critics’ characterization that backers of the National Popular Vote are Democrats who are bitter about the 2000 elections.</br><br></br><br>“It’s not a partisan issue. This isn’t about electing a Democrat president, but electing a president democratically,” said Jamie Raskin, a Democratic state senator in Maryland, reiterating what he said when he introduced the National Popular Vote plan that was signed into law by Gov. Martin O\'Malley (D) last April. Raskin, a professor of constitutional law at American University in Washington, D.C, spoke to <a href="http://Stateline.org" rel="nofollow">Stateline.org</a> from Massachusetts, where he was discussing the measure with state lawmakers there.</br><br></br><br>But three Republican governors vetoed the bill when it landed on their desks. In his veto message, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said, “It disregards the will of a majority of Californians," pointing out that the state\'s electoral votes under the new system could be awarded to a candidate most Californians didn\'t vote for. Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle voiced the same concern when she vetoed the bill twice, but this year, lawmakers overrode her objection. Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas last month rejected the measure, saying it would decrease the influence of small states, like Vermont.</br><br></br><br>Cato’s Samples said he wonders if voters who support the concept of a popular vote really understand how it would operate. “Do people in Maryland know under the National Popular Voter system, that their vote may go to someone who didn’t win their state?”</br><br></br><br>Still, despite the concerns of the National Popular Vote approach, even their critics give the group kudos for bringing the issue to the attention of voters and elected officials. “They are doing a service … We ought to be talking about this,” said Loomis of the University of Kansas.</br></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971021">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971021" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971021" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971021">teacher</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971021" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971021" class="dsq-comment-message">Will states fix 2012 primary process?<br>By Pamela M. Prah, <a href="http://Stateline.org" rel="nofollow">Stateline.org</a> Staff Writer      </br><br> </br><br> </br><br></br><br></br><br> </br><br>CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — What if the presidential primary worked more like a lottery with all the states having a chance at the ultimate prize of voting first in the nominating schedule, ending the coveted tradition of New Hampshire and Iowa leading the pack?</br><br> </br><br>That’s a simplified version of one of several ideas being considered by top party and state officials, who aim to prevent a repeat of states’ helter-skelter scramble for early presidential primary dates in 2008.</br><br> </br><br>While voters in Indiana and North Carolina go to the polls today (May 6) to help Democrats pick Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama as their nominee and Republicans rally behind John McCain, party insiders and state election officials are in informal talks to improve the presidential nominating contests for 2012 and beyond. </br><br> </br><br>“Following the frenzied 2008 primary and caucus schedule that began just a few days into the new year, election officials have a strong interest in curbing the impacts of frontloading and restoring order to the process,” said Todd Rokita (R), Indiana secretary of state and president of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) during a bipartisan gathering at Harvard University here April 29 that brought together party and state leaders to discuss the presidential primary process.</br><br> </br><br>While all sides agreed that this year’s historic run for the White House has energized voters, as evidenced by the record voter registration and primary turnout in many states, many are concerned that this cycle’s very early start was unfair to candidates and some voters. </br><br> </br><br>Candidates were forced to start campaigning at Thanksgiving, giving an unfair advantage to highly funded candidates with name recognition, critics say. </br><br> </br><br>And for some voters, their ballots may not count. States like Florida and Michigan were in such a mad dash to be first that they broke party rules and leapfrogged ahead — throwing into question whether their results will count and whether all their delegates can attend the nominating conventions this summer. The parties and states are still working on a compromise. </br><br> </br><br>“It is time to stop the frontloading of the presidential nominating calendar so that states are not pitted against each other in a quadrennial attempt to land a prized early spot in the sequence of voting,” said Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R), co-chair of the NASS subcommittee on presidential primaries, who attended the conference.</br><br> </br><br>For nearly a decade, NASS has been pushing its plan to overhaul the way presidential nominees are selected. Under its proposal, states would be divided into regions — the East, South, Midwest and West — and each of those regions would hold primaries, a month apart, between March and June. New Hampshire and Iowa would still be allowed to go first.</br><br> </br><br>NASS’s push to change the system stalled until the past year when 28 states rushed to either move up their primaries or caucuses or decided to have one after not holding one in 2004. Voters in 24 states expressed their presidential preferences on Feb. 5, becoming essentially a national primary.</br><br> </br><br>“It’s about equity,” said Elaine Kamarck, a member of the Democratic rules committee and professor at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. This year, the states that went very early and very late are getting all the attention. “How do we figure out how to make all states important?” she said.</br><br> </br><br>But changing the current process won’t be easy. If the parties want to revamp the presidential primary system for 2012, the Republican National Committee (RNC) requires that GOP delegates approve the changes during the Republican convention Sept. 1- 4 in Minneapolis. Democratic Party rules allow members to act long after their convention in Denver Aug. 25-28.</br><br> </br><br>States are another wild card. Legislatures would have to incorporate into state law any system that the national parties adopt. State and local governments are responsible for funding and running presidential primaries, which are not necessarily held on the same dates as state primaries. For many state lawmakers, "their own primary is more important than the presidential primary," Ron Thornburgh (R), Kansas secretary of state, said. Every state will ask, “What’s best for me?” he said.</br><br> </br><br>But no one is completely ruling out possible changes for the next presidential cycle.</br><br> </br><br>A variation of the NASS plan called the “Ohio plan” is moving forward after an important RNC panel approved it. The plan faces further party review before it could go to the convention in September. </br><br> </br><br>The proposal would continue to give Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada the opening shots, but the country’s smallest states would always come first after that. Three groups of remaining larger states would vote later on a rotating basis. The Ohio plan already has drawn fire from larger states such as California and Michigan because the approach would guarantee they always go last. </br><br> </br><br>U.S. Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.) called the Ohio plan “dead on arrival for Democrats” and is instead pushing his own “Michigan plan” that dethrones Iowa and New Hampshire as kingmakers. His proposed randomly drawn “lottery” would give every state the chance to be part of the first of six voting groups that go first in primaries spread between March and June.</br><br> </br><br>“It’s not about Michigan going first,” Debbie Dingell, vice chairman of the General Motors Foundation and Democratic National Committee (DNC) member, told the gathering here. “It’s about every state having the opportunity to have the kind of attention that those two small states have,” she said, referring to Iowa and New Hampshire.</br><br> </br><br>Also being circulated are the “Delaware plan” that establishes a “pod” system based on the population of each state and the “Texas plan” that divides the country into four groups based on a balance of convention delegates, electoral votes and the proportion of “red” and “blue” states.</br><br> </br><br>Of the various plans, the NASS rotating regional plan has received the most formal support, earning endorsements from the National Governors Association, the National Association of Lieutenant Governors,  the Council of State Governments and a 2005 blue-ribbon panel, the Commission on Federal Election Reform, co-chaired by former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James A. Baker III.  </br><br> </br><br>Several governors told <a href="http://Stateline.org" rel="nofollow">Stateline.org</a> earlier this year that they regarded this election’s chaotic rush for early spots on the presidential primary calendar as a mess to be avoided in 2012 — but were quite happy with how the 2008 schedule worked for them (Click here for the story and to access the audio of the governors’ comments).</br><br> </br><br>Some political consultants predict that the push for reworking the primary process will be driven by the party that is defeated this fall. “If the Democrats lose the White House, you’ll see the most fundamental, sweeping changes of the rules since the 1970s,” predicted Tad Devine, a Democratic campaign consultant. If McCain loses, some may argue that he became the front-runner too early and that the selection process ended too soon for the GOP. </br><br> </br><br>On the other hand, whoever wins the presidency may not want to tinker with the system that worked for them, said James Roosevelt Jr., co-chair of the DNC’s rules and bylaws committee.</br><br> </br><br>Despite the various proposals, many state party and state election officials do agree on one thing: They don’t want Congress getting into the act. Competing legislation has been introduced on Capitol Hill that would make the NASS and Michigan plans law. “Anytime you have Congress sniffing around your door, pretty soon, they’ll be inside eating your lunch,” said David Norcross, chairman of the RNC\'s standing committee on rules.</br></div>\
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	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971022">RhondaCoca</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971022" class="dsq-comment-message">I must tell you guys a half-embarassing/half-funny story. I will keep it short.<br></br><br>Well, back on Christmas, I got a Macys gift card from my cousin but I do not shop at Macys. So when I realized that I had bought nothing for my father and that my family was holding an early morning breakfast, I decided to re-gift the gift card. However I did not realize that it said "Merry Christmas"! So I basically got my cheap butt called out=/!</br></div>\
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	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971023">teacher</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971023" class="dsq-comment-message">What My Father Could Learn From Usher<br>For millions of Americans, the TV version of fatherhood is all we have.</br><br>By Helena Andrews</br><br>TheRoot.com</br><br>Updated: 4:34 PM ET Jun 10, 2008</br><br>June 13, 2008--On my desk, in my office, is a picture of my mother and me. I might be 2 weeks old. She\'s cradling me with one arm against her chest, her slender fingers smoothing down my baby hair. She\'s got a close-cropped afro, and we\'re in somebody\'s kitchen—maybe ours, but probably my Grandmommy\'s. There\'s a bag of Wonder Bread on the table. </br><br></br><br>As with 24 million other Americans, there\'s no man in my picture or in the picture. </br><br></br><br>Obviously, I\'ve never been a big fan of Father\'s Day.</br><br></br><br>Still as a pop culture stalker, I\'ve been captivated by the new obsession with black fatherhood. On television there\'s Snoop Dogg\'s Father Hood, Deion Sanders\' Primetime Love, the Rev. Run\'s Run\'s House, and Flavor Flav made a big show of "proposing" to Liz, the mother of his youngest son Karma, on VH1. </br><br></br><br>Even new father Usher has taken up the fatherhood cause. While promoting his latest offering, Here I Stand, the man\'s been on The Ellen Degeneres Show, in People magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Vibe, and most recently MTV\'s Total Request Live, talking about marriage and babies—in a real way.</br><br></br><br>It makes sense that I would be delighted by the attention that higher profile black fathers have been getting lately, but it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I\'d rather have the real thing, not the "reality." </br><br></br><br>In real life, I found a photo of my father in a tin can hidden under my mother\'s bed when I was around 8 years old. He wore a black afro and black flip-flops. It looked like he was on the floor of a dorm room (actually he was on a ship). He had long legs and light skin. I fell in love with him then. This was him. The man my mother never talked about—badly or in any other way. </br><br></br><br>I imagined he was on the moon, and if I hoped for him enough, thought of him enough, prayed for him enough, he\'d come back down. I didn\'t need saving, but I needed something. Every night for years, I repeated the same line to baby Jesus or grown-up Jesus or God or whomever like mantra: "Dear Lord, please let our paths cross someday." I seriously said it like this in my little 8-year-old head. I didn\'t even necessarily have to talk to him. I just wanted him to see me.</br><br></br><br>Each Father\'s Day, I\'m reminded first of his abandonment and second of my mother\'s strength. Fortunately it is the latter that has made an impact on my life, but I still count myself among those unfortunate fatherless souls. </br><br></br><br>In Salman Rushdie\'s new novel The Enchantress of Florence—a mythological love story starring princes and prostitutes—this line caught my breath: "[Akbar learned] … about abandonment in general, and in particular fatherlessness, the lessness of fathers, the lessness of the fatherless…"</br><br></br><br>It makes sense that I would see myself in those words—less than culture\'s "normal" and sometimes unfazed by loss of something I never knew. How do you miss a person you\'ve only seen in pictures—in one picture, in fact? But how do you not?</br><br></br><br>Nearly one out of every three children grows up in households without their biological fathers. Or two out of every three African American children, according to the National Fatherhood Initiative, a non-profit dedicated to spreading the word about the "crisis" of father absence. </br><br></br><br>When I think about the black fathers dominating reality television today, none of these real men can stand up to the fatherly fiction that is Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable. On Thursday nights at 8 p.m., the little 8-year-old me pretended a character on a television show was all the things my father wasn\'t—present, paid and promising.</br><br></br><br>As unmoved as today\'s reality dads leave me, though, I\'m actually excited about Usher\'s recent impromptu paternal PSAs. "I want to see more men standing with their women. I want to see more men be open and honest about where they are in life," Usher told Ellen Degeneres recently. "As an African American, to be there for my child is so important when there are so many young African-American kids without their fathers."</br><br></br><br>And then on MTV\'s TRL, Raymond had another breakthrough, this time deciding to address rumors about his wife, Tameka, and his son, "baby cinco."</br><br></br><br>"I\'m a black, strong man in America standing up for my people as a man," Usher said to the camera, while taking off his huge sunglasses and looking his television audience (us) dead in the eye. </br><br></br><br>"To my wife, to my son, to my family, I\'m making a stand that a lot of us should make. I could\'ve been like any other man who would have a child and just, you know, live with that woman and continue to just, you know, play the game. I\'m tryna do it the right way. This is the way you should do it. Pay attention, fellas." </br><br></br><br>I wish my father was paying more attention in 1980. I wish I hadn\'t needed to pay so much attention to Cliff Huxtable eight years later. I wish the fellas watching Usher on MTV get the picture.</br><br></br><br>URL: <a href="http://www.theroot.com/id/46822%C2%A9" rel="nofollow">http://www.theroot.com/id/46822©</a>   TheRoot.com</br></div>\
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	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971024">RhondaCoca</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971024" class="dsq-comment-message">There was an incident in upstate New York, Herkimer. They are calling it the Herkimer 3. I am going to start covering it on my blog once I get info.<br></br><br>Basically, two black men were attacked by white athletes and defended themselves. When the police came, they arrested the two black guys along with another who came to see what was going on. </br><br></br><br>The white boys were not only not arrested but they were put in a hotel and given immediate medical treatment for their wounds whild the black guys had to go to the jail with their wounds and all. The court up there is charging them them with the usual assault counts. A person was telling me that they were even threatening them with a 25 to life sentence. The families of the guys who attend college up there are very religious people and are asking for the support of the community.</br><br></br><br>Does this ever end?</br></div>\
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	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971025">rikyrah</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971025" class="dsq-comment-message">Jack Turner\'s on C-Span right now.</div>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971026" class="dsq-comment-header">\
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	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971026">rikyrah</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971026" class="dsq-comment-message">rhonda, where\'s Rev. Al on this?<br></br><br>Could you post a link to the story.</br></div>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971027" class="dsq-comment-header">\
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	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971027">D.</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971027" class="dsq-comment-message">God bless all fathers, especially those who provide the gifts of freedom and security through their service to our country.</div>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971028" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971028" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971028">rikyrah</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971028" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/15/business/worldbusiness/15ambani.html?em&amp;ex=1213675200&amp;en=b69086ddc3c58ae1&amp;ei=5087%0A#" rel="nofollow">Meet Mukesh Ambani-India\'s Richest Man</a></div>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971029" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971029" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971029">Craig Hickman</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971029" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com/2007/06/daddys-boy.html" rel="nofollow">Daddy\'s Boy: In Loving Memory of My Father</a></div>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971030" class="dsq-comment-header">\
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	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971030">RhondaCoca</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971030" class="dsq-comment-message">Here Rikyrah:<br></br><br><a href="http://www.uticaod.com/news/x222986158/HCCC-Students-Racial-slur-led-to-lacrosse-stick-fight" rel="nofollow"> Herkimer incident</a></br><br></br><br>They are to be or has already been on Sharpton\'s radio show?</br><br></br><br>I heard it today on WBLS out here in NY and from a few people here in Brooklyn. The guys are from Brooklyn and as I said attended school at Herkimer Community College in Herkimer, New York a 90% or more white town.</br><br></br><br> I am hearing that the white youth were reported to have used Lacrosse sticks and uttered profanity and racial slurs.</br></div>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971031" class="dsq-comment-header">\
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	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971031">Brown Man</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971031" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.simplifythepositive.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">In My Father\'s Arm</a><br></br><br></br><br>When I called my father today the first thing he said was "where did you get that picture?"</br></div>\
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	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971032">Chele Belle</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971032" class="dsq-comment-message"><b>Apostolic Church of God<br></br><br>Sunday, June 15th, 2008</br><br></br><br>Chicago, IL</br><br></br><br>Good morning.  It’s good to be home on this Father’s Day with my girls, and it’s an honor to spend some time with all of you today in the house of our Lord.</br><br></br><br>At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus closes by saying, "Whoever hears these words of mine, and does them, shall be likened to a wise man who built his house upon a rock:  and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock."  [Matthew 7: 24-25]</br><br></br><br>Here at Apostolic, you are blessed to worship in a house that has been founded on the rock of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  But it is also built on another rock, another foundation – and that rock is Bishop Arthur Brazier.  In forty-eight years, he has built this congregation from just a few hundred to more than 20,000 strong – a congregation that, because of his leadership, has braved the fierce winds and heavy rains of violence and poverty; joblessness and hopelessness.  Because of his work and his ministry, there are more graduates and fewer gang members in the neighborhoods surrounding this church.  There are more homes and fewer homeless.  There is more community and less chaos because Bishop Brazier continued the march for justice that he began by Dr. King’s side all those years ago.  He is the reason this house has stood tall for half a century.  And on this Father’s Day, it must make him proud to know that the man now charged with keeping its foundation strong is his son and your new pastor, Reverend Byron Brazier.</br><br></br><br>Of all the rocks upon which we build our lives, we are reminded today that family is the most important.  And we are called to recognize and honor how critical every father is to that foundation.  They are teachers and coaches.  They are mentors and role models.  They are examples of success and the men who constantly push us toward it.</br><br></br><br>But if we are honest with ourselves, we’ll admit that what too many fathers also are is missing – missing from too many lives and too many homes.  They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men.  And the foundations of our families are weaker because of it.</br><br></br><br>You and I know how true this is in the African-American community.  We know that more than half of all black children live in single-parent households, a number that has doubled – doubled – since we were children.  We know the statistics – that children who grow up without a father are five times more likely to live in poverty and commit crime; nine times more likely to drop out of schools and twenty times more likely to end up in prison.  They are more likely to have behavioral problems, or run away from home, or become teenage parents themselves.  And the foundations of our community are weaker because of it.</br><br></br><br>How many times in the last year has this city lost a child at the hands of another child?  How many times have our hearts stopped in the middle of the night with the sound of a gunshot or a siren?  How many teenagers have we seen hanging around on street corners when they should be sitting in a classroom?  How many are sitting in prison when they should be working, or at least looking for a job?  How many in this generation are we willing to lose to poverty or violence or addiction?  How many?</br><br></br><br>Yes, we need more cops on the street.  Yes, we need fewer guns in the hands of people who shouldn’t have them.  Yes, we need more money for our schools, and more outstanding teachers in the classroom, and more afterschool programs for our children.  Yes, we need more jobs and more job training and more opportunity in our communities.</br><br></br><br>But we also need families to raise our children.  We need fathers to realize that responsibility does not end at conception.  We need them to realize that what makes you a man is not the ability to have a child – it’s the courage to raise one.</br><br></br><br>We need to help all the mothers out there who are raising these kids by themselves; the mothers who drop them off at school, go to work, pick up them up in the afternoon, work another shift, get dinner, make lunches, pay the bills, fix the house, and all the other things it takes both parents to do.  So many of these women are doing a heroic job, but they need support.  They need another parent.  Their children need another parent.  That’s what keeps their foundation strong.  It’s what keeps the foundation of our country strong.</br><br></br><br>I know what it means to have an absent father, although my circumstances weren’t as tough as they are for many young people today.  Even though my father left us when I was two years old, and I only knew him from the letters he wrote and the stories that my family told, I was luckier than most.  I grew up in Hawaii, and had two wonderful grandparents from Kansas who poured everything they had into helping my mother raise my sister and me – who worked with her to teach us about love and respect and the obligations we have to one another.  I screwed up more often than I should’ve, but I got plenty of second chances.  And even though we didn’t have a lot of money, scholarships gave me the opportunity to go to some of the best schools in the country.  A lot of kids don’t get these chances today.  There is no margin for error in their lives.  So my own story is different in that way.</br><br></br><br>Still, I know the toll that being a single parent took on my mother – how she struggled at times to the pay bills; to give us the things that other kids had; to play all the roles that both parents are supposed to play.  And I know the toll it took on me.  So I resolved many years ago that it was my obligation to break the cycle – that if I could be anything in life, I would be a good father to my girls; that if I could give them anything, I would give them that rock – that foundation – on which to build their lives.  And that would be the greatest gift I could offer.</br><br></br><br>I say this knowing that I have been an imperfect father – knowing that I have made mistakes and will continue to make more; wishing that I could be home for my girls and my wife more than I am right now.  I say this knowing all of these things because even as we are imperfect, even as we face difficult circumstances, there are still certain lessons we must strive to live and learn as fathers – whether we are black or white; rich or poor; from the South Side or the wealthiest suburb.</br><br></br><br>The first is setting an example of excellence for our children – because if we want to set high expectations for them, we’ve got to set high expectations for ourselves.  It’s great if you have a job; it’s even better if you have a college degree.  It’s a wonderful thing if you are married and living in a home with your children, but don’t just sit in the house and watch "SportsCenter" all weekend long.  That’s why so many children are growing up in front of the television.  As fathers and parents, we’ve got to spend more time with them, and help them with their homework, and replace the video game or the remote control with a book once in awhile.  That’s how we build that foundation.</br><br></br><br>We know that education is everything to our children’s future.  We know that they will no longer just compete for good jobs with children from Indiana, but children from India and China and all over the world.  We know the work and the studying and the level of education that requires.</br><br></br><br>You know, sometimes I’ll go to an eighth-grade graduation and there’s all that pomp and circumstance and gowns and flowers.  And I think to myself, it’s just eighth grade.  To really compete, they need to graduate high school, and then they need to graduate college, and they probably need a graduate degree too.  An eighth-grade education doesn’t cut it today.  Let’s give them a handshake and tell them to get their butts back in the library!</br><br></br><br>It’s up to us – as fathers and parents – to instill this ethic of excellence in our children.  It’s up to us to say to our daughters, don’t ever let images on TV tell you what you are worth, because I expect you to dream without limit and reach for those goals.  It’s up to us to tell our sons, those songs on the radio may glorify violence, but in my house we live glory to achievement, self respect, and hard work.   It’s up to us to set these high expectations.  And that means meeting those expectations ourselves.  That means setting examples of excellence in our own lives.</br><br></br><br>The second thing we need to do as fathers is pass along the value of empathy to our children.  Not sympathy, but empathy – the ability to stand in somebody else’s shoes; to look at the world through their eyes.  Sometimes it’s so easy to get caught up in "us," that we forget about our obligations to one another.  There’s a culture in our society that says remembering these obligations is somehow soft – that we can’t show weakness, and so therefore we can’t show kindness.</br><br></br><br>But our young boys and girls see that.  They see when you are ignoring or mistreating your wife.  They see when you are inconsiderate at home; or when you are distant; or when you are thinking only of yourself.  And so it’s no surprise when we see that behavior in our schools or on our streets.  That’s why we pass on the values of empathy and kindness to our children by living them.  We need to show our kids that you’re not strong by putting other people down – you’re strong by lifting them up.  That’s our responsibility as fathers.</br><br></br><br>And by the way – it’s a responsibility that also extends to Washington.  Because if fathers are doing their part; if they’re taking our responsibilities seriously to be there for their children, and set high expectations for them, and instill in them a sense of excellence and empathy, then our government should meet them halfway.</br><br></br><br>We should be making it easier for fathers who make responsible choices and harder for those who avoid them.  We should get rid of the financial penalties we impose on married couples right now, and start making sure that every dime of child support goes directly to helping children instead of some bureaucrat.  We should reward fathers who pay that child support with job training and job opportunities and a larger Earned Income Tax Credit that can help them pay the bills.  We should expand programs where registered nurses visit expectant and new mothers and help them learn how to care for themselves before the baby is born and what to do after – programs that have helped increase father involvement, women’s employment, and children’s readiness for school.  We should help these new families care for their children by expanding maternity and paternity leave, and we should guarantee every worker more paid sick leave so they can stay home to take care of their child without losing their income.</br><br></br><br>We should take all of these steps to build a strong foundation for our children.  But we should also know that even if we do; even if we meet our obligations as fathers and parents; even if Washington does its part too, we will still face difficult challenges in our lives.  There will still be days of struggle and heartache.  The rains will still come and the winds will still blow.</br><br></br><br>And that is why the final lesson we must learn as fathers is also the greatest gift we can pass on to our children – and that is the gift of hope.</br><br></br><br>I’m not talking about an idle hope that’s little more than blind optimism or willful ignorance of the problems we face.  I’m talking about hope as that spirit inside us that insists, despite all evidence to the contrary, that something better is waiting for us if we’re willing to work for it and fight for it.  If we are willing to believe.</br><br></br><br>I was answering questions at a town hall meeting in Wisconsin the other day and a young man raised his hand, and I figured he’d ask about college tuition or energy or maybe the war in Iraq.  But instead he looked at me very seriously and he asked, "What does life mean to you?"</br><br></br><br>Now, I have to admit that I wasn’t quite prepared for that one.  I think I stammered for a little bit, but then I stopped and gave it some thought, and I said this:</br><br></br><br>When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me – how do I make my way in the world, and how do I become successful and how do I get the things that I want.</br><br></br><br>But now, my life revolves around my two little girls.  And what I think about is what kind of world I’m leaving them.  Are they living in a county where there’s a huge gap between a few who are wealthy and a whole bunch of people who are struggling every day?  Are they living in a county that is still divided by race?  A country where, because they’re girls, they don’t have as much opportunity as boys do?  Are they living in a country where we are hated around the world because we don’t cooperate effectively with other nations?  Are they living a world that is in grave danger because of what we’ve done to its climate?</br><br></br><br>And what I’ve realized is that life doesn’t count for much unless you’re willing to do your small part to leave our children – all of our children – a better world.  Even if it’s difficult.  Even if the work seems great.  Even if we don’t get very far in our lifetime.</br><br></br><br>That is our ultimate responsibility as fathers and parents.  We try.  We hope.  We do what we can to build our house upon the sturdiest rock.  And when the winds come, and the rains fall, and they beat upon that house, we keep faith that our Father will be there to guide us, and watch over us, and protect us, and lead His children through the darkest of storms into light of a better day.  That is my prayer for all of us on this Father’s Day, and that is my hope for this country in the years ahead.  May God Bless you and your children.  Thank you. </br><br></br></b></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971033">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971033" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971033" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971033">Christopher Chambers</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971033" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971033" class="dsq-comment-message">I am a father. I hold my son in trust for himself, our people...and yes our community as a whole and our nation.<br></br><br>Why is that so damn tough for other black men? I see rap moguls and athletes who aren\'t even married to their child\'s moms wanting their sons dress, speak and act a certain way...or they resist the way their kids do speak, act, learn now that those kids are in expensive private schools. Even murderous Mafia dons and Jewish gangsters used their crime money to send their sons OUT of the hood. To become accountants, doctors, attorneys, scientists, bankers, engineers. </br><br></br><br>We as fathers hold our sons in trust. We as trustees have a fiduciary duty. \'Bout time we re-learned that...</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971034">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971034" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971034" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971034">PTCruiser</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971034" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971034" class="dsq-comment-message">I have a confession to make: I am angry to the point of nearly shaking after reading a news story earlier  about Barack Obama making a speech in a Chicago church assailing black men who are absent from their children\'s lives. I am sure that the senator will receive more than his fair share of high fives and praise for having addressed this topic in what will be described over and over again as a "honest, forthright manner."<br></br><br>Black folks will be told once again that this is a discussion that we need to have and Obama will be thanked by our friends and our enemies too for having the courage to address this sensitive matter. Fine. Let us now praise famous men and give thanks for what we have already got. </br><br></br><br>I am angry not because I disagree with Obama or because he has the facts ass-backwards. I am angry because I would have much preferred to read about a pulpit stump speech from him that praises all the black men who were not absent from the lives of their children. Black men like my father, my paternal and maternal grandfathers, my paternal and maternal great-grandfathers and my paternal and maternal uncles and my great uncles on both sides of my family. Men who got up everyday in good and bad health and did whatever they needed to do to look after families. </br><br></br><br>My own father has been dead for four years and there is not a day that goes by that my sisters and I do not miss him and the way that he loved and cared for us all of our lives. I regret that Obama and other black men and women did not have fathers who chose to place them in an honored place in their lives. I grew up with girls and boys, now women and men, who had been abandoned by their fathers and that absence has left a wound that never quite heals. </br><br></br><br>I wish, however, that Senator Obama had chosen another time and another place to play the role of a Jeremiah. I wish that he had used today to give praise to black men who are not famous and never will be but who did what they could to strengthen the fabric of their communities by loving and caring for their children. Black people, as Albert Murray pointed out, don\'t suffer from a lack of accomplishment. They suffer from a lack of recognition of their accomplishments. The junior senator from Illinois should keep this fact in mind as he races for the White House.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971035">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971035" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971035" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971035">lisa</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971035" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971035" class="dsq-comment-message">ptcruiser,<br></br><br>did you read the speech? he talked about how he felt as a child growing up without a father and breaking the cycle. as well as about what fathers need to do to help their children succeed. it was not an admonishment of black fathers as the media and headlines would have you to believe. the media is only trying to divide and conquer.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971036">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971036" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971036" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971036">PTCruiser</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971036" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971036" class="dsq-comment-message">I don\'t want to go on an anti-Obama jag but there is no way for that brother to have made such a speech and not know that the media would play up the aspects that I deplore. I am not a happy camper about that speech and I will not accept the MSM\'s divide, blame and conquer strategy and tactics as an excuse. In my opinion, he should have made a different speech. He did not and that\'s the way the prune wrinkles when a person of African descent is running for president of these United States.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971037">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971037" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971037" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971037">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971037" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971037" class="dsq-comment-message">pt, <br></br><br>we\'ll agree to disagree. I read the speech in total, and don\'t have the issues with it that you do.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971038">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971038" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971038" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971038">TruthSeeker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971038" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971038" class="dsq-comment-message">ptcruiser,<br></br><br>I agree somewhat.  Of 365 days, this single one is for celebration.  I found parts of the speech patronizing and in the style of  "preaching", ie self-righteous and fundamentally disrespectful of the audience.</br><br></br><br>On father\'s day, there could have been an acknowledgment of the many fathers who are present. He could have ignored the stereotype of the absent black father.  I was a little annoyed with it all.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971039">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971039" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971039" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971039">Anonymous</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971039" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971039" class="dsq-comment-message">Isn\'t that what people do in church every Sunday? The church I go to they talk about the responsibility of fathers to their children. But suddenly this is patronizing? If you\'re raising your kids well the speech isn\'t for you. Is this a holiday from being a father or reality? I don\'t see anything wrong with both celebrating fatherhood and also speaking about the improvements that need to be made.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971040">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971040" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971040" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971040">Craig Hickman</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971040" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971040" class="dsq-comment-message">I was most struck by his pleas (off script) for people to pray for him and Michelle.<br></br><br>There must be an unending stream of threats flowing in their direction.</br><br></br><br>Because he asked, I will.</br><br></br><br>But I will pray even more for his children.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971041">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971041" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971041" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971041">PTCruiser</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971041" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971041" class="dsq-comment-message">"On father\'s day, there could have been an acknowledgment of the many fathers who are present. He could have ignored the stereotype of the absent black father."<br></br><br>That\'s all I\'m saying. No more. I miss my daddy and I miss my grandfathers. I knew both of them quite well and they lived long enough to see me become an adult. Obama could have his speech some other day. </br><br></br><br>This incident sort of reminds me of the time I went to my in-laws church and the guest minister devoted his whole sermon to talking about people who were living dissolute sinful lives. I looked around the church at the congregation and came to the conclusion that none of the people he was talking about were in that church that day. I got up and went outside to wait until he was done.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971042">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971042" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971042" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971042">Craig Hickman</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971042" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971042" class="dsq-comment-message">Oh, and one other thing.<br></br><br>The absent black father isn\'t a stereotype for Barack Obama.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971043">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971043" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971043" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971043">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971043" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971043" class="dsq-comment-message">craig,<br></br><br>I never forget that not-so-small fact.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971044">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971044" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971044" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971044">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971044" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971044" class="dsq-comment-message">ptcruiser, truthseeker<br></br><br>I agree, this is a day for celebration not education.</br><br></br><br>I was a bit bothered by the presentation.  I thought he may be "preaching" to the choir for the sake of the media.  Let\'s be honest - there was probably no one in that audience that he reached or that would benefit any more from him than they would a parent that was already training them.</br><br></br><br>Once again, for me, it\'s the audience.</br><br></br><br>I do not like it when he or anyone else goes here in the spotlight.</br><br></br><br>This is a problem that is tackled face-to-face, hand by hand.</br><br></br><br>I rather hear what his plans for rebuilding the American economy - black folks like to hear that kind of stuff too!</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971045">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971045" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971045" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971045">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971045" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971045" class="dsq-comment-message">And another thing, if he wishes to ignore race, I\'d appreciate it if he would ignore the things that are attributed to a specific race.  It makes more sense.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971046">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971046" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971046" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971046">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971046" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971046" class="dsq-comment-message">Craig Rikyrah<br></br><br>I also think we should remember Obama\'s father was not the typical "absent" black father.</br><br></br><br>We\'re not talking about a father in the same city, around the corner or across town.  We\'re talking about a father a continent and ocean away.</br><br></br><br>His father did what he is now doing and compelled him to do (stated in the book) to help his people.  He was trying to change a country.  He also suffered achohol addiction and poverty.  He did however keep in touch with him through letters over the years.  How many absent father chilren can say that.  Please remember it\'s not the same.  Also, his mother was an absent figure in his life during periods of time.  Let\'s to tell the whole story.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971047">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971047" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971047" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971047">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971047" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971047" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/06/15/learning_to_be_michelle_obama/?page=1" rel="nofollow">Learning to be Michelle Obama</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971048">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971048" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971048" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971048">texas girl in l.a.</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971048" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971048" class="dsq-comment-message">video of the speech:<br></br><br>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj1hCDjwG6M&eur;</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971049">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971049" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971049" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971049">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971049" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971049" class="dsq-comment-message"><i>Also, his mother was an absent figure in his life during periods of time. Let\'s to tell the whole story.<br></br></i><br></br><br>True, which is why his grandparents\' devotion to him is instrumental in his development; something else that \'The Community\' can relate to.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971050">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971050" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971050" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971050">TruthSeeker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971050" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971050" class="dsq-comment-message">anonymous 3:51,<br></br><br>Preachers preach in church on Sundays.  Barack is not a preacher and this is not a typical Sunday.  Is he speaking as a member of the congregation or as a Presidential candidate?   </br><br></br><br>There are many lines guaranteed to get a nod of the head and an "amen"...patronizing.  But, what\'s the message to the national audience.</br><br></br><br>There are parts of the speech that soar, and parts that go ka-plunk with inauthenticity.</br><br></br><br>I question if it\'s appropriate to address this subject in anything other than very broad terms.  If it is appropriate tough love, then I would like him to go before AIPAC and insist the Palestinians should be treated humanely.</br><br></br><br>He is in a predominantly black church <i>preaching</i> about absent fathers on Father\'s day.  It feeds the stereotype that all black fathers are substandard.  It implies that on this celebratory occasion, there is nothing to celebrate in a black church on fahter\'s day.</br><br></br><br></br><br>Automatically, everyone will think this is related to Barack\'s own absent father....who has been dead for many years.  Does Barack himself still hold angst toward a dead father?  I doubt it, so what\'s he talking about. </br><br></br><br>What I\'m trying to figure out is who is his audience? This is nothing that a black congregation hasn\'t heard before, so who is Barack really talking to?</br><br></br><br>It feels like something having to do with throwing off racial shame.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971051">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971051" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971051" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971051">texas girl in l.a.</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971051" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971051" class="dsq-comment-message">craig,<br></br><br>I can\'t even imagine the threats they are probably getting. I pray for them daily.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971052">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971052" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971052" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971052">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971052" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971052" class="dsq-comment-message">Racial shame - wow - never thought about it.<br></br><br>I woner if that\'s what the black conservatives feel.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971053">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971053" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971053" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971053">Anonymous</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971053" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971053" class="dsq-comment-message">Happy Father\'s Day From Blacks4Barack.org<br></br><br>Obama Addresses Absent Black Fathers.</br><br></br><br>For complete transcript or to watch speech visit:</br><br>www.Blacks4Barack.org</br><br>(issues page)</br><br></br><br>Say It Loud...BARACK & I\'M PROUD !!!!!</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971054">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971054" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971054" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971054">lisa</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971054" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971054" class="dsq-comment-message">I understand some of your criticism, but I think some of you are only focusing on the negative aspects of the speech. He gave much praise to the founding preacher and his son the new pastor. So to me he gave fathers both the respect, honor and the criticism they need. He also talked about the government\'s and the community\'s responsibility in raising our children. When did that become patronizing? Those were core values in my home and my black church.<br>------------------------------------</br><br>Here at Apostolic, you are blessed to worship in a house that has been founded on the rock of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. But it is also built on another rock, another foundation – and that rock is Bishop Arthur Brazier. In forty-eight years, he has built this congregation from just a few hundred to more than 20,000 strong – a congregation that, because of his leadership, has braved the fierce winds and heavy rains of violence and poverty; joblessness and hopelessness. Because of his work and his ministry, there are more graduates and fewer gang members in the neighborhoods surrounding this church. There are more homes and fewer homeless. There is more community and less chaos because Bishop Brazier continued the march for justice that he began by Dr. King’s side all those years ago. He is the reason this house has stood tall for half a century. And on this Father’s Day, it must make him proud to know that the man now charged with keeping its foundation strong is his son and your new pastor, Reverend Byron Brazier. </br><br></br><br>Of all the rocks upon which we build our lives, we are reminded today that family is the most important. And we are called to recognize and honor how critical every father is to that foundation. They are teachers and coaches. They are mentors and role models. They are examples of success and the men who constantly push us toward it.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971055">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971055" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971055" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971055">Craig Hickman</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971055" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971055" class="dsq-comment-message">I understand the questions about intent and audience and message and appropriateness and such, but we\'d probably be able to fill in the blanks easier if we knew how this speech at this church on this day came about.<br></br><br>Maybe he was asked to deliver this address by the minister. </br><br></br><br>I don\'t have a clue.</br><br></br><br>Maybe he was advised to give this speech by his advisors.</br><br></br><br>I don\'t have a clue.</br><br></br><br>But I didn\'t hear a speech that spoke only to black fathers, present or absent.</br><br></br><br>I didn\'t even hear a particularly conservative speech, though Barack\'s values are, at their roots, pretty conservative.</br><br></br><br>I didn\'t even hear a speech that promoted the father as the only other parent a single mother could use help from.</br><br></br><br>No, it wasn\'t a daring speech. As daring as the one truthseeker is asking he give before AIPAC.</br><br></br><br>But Barack is first and foremost a politician.</br><br></br><br>He\'s ultimately going to give the speech that works best for him at any given moment. Somtimes he needs to take a big risk, sometimes he doesn\'t. </br><br></br><br>Today, however it all cambe about, I think he judged the situation just fine.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971056">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971056" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971056" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971056">TruthSeeker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971056" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971056" class="dsq-comment-message">ms.martin,<br></br><br>lol...I just posted that, then saw your response.  It was hard for me to figure out exactly what bothered me about the speech.  I think AA\'s deserve to be congratulated for the things they do right, not just always criticized.  I\'m thinking about how I\'d feel sitting in that congregation...what a downer.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971057">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971057" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971057" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971057">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971057" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971057" class="dsq-comment-message">craig,<br></br><br>the church has a new pastor. The longtime pastor just retired. Apostolic is a huge megachurch, but definitely more on the conservative side.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971058">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971058" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971058" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971058">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971058" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971058" class="dsq-comment-message">"True, which is why his grandparents\' devotion to him is instrumental in his development; something else that \'The Community\' can relate to."<br></br><br>What does this have to do with the price of eggs?  Especially when one considers the fact that he never bothers to mention the extended family support that the "community" provides for their children.  It sounds like only white grandparents can raise a successful black man.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971059">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971059" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971059" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971059">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971059" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971059" class="dsq-comment-message">"He\'s ultimately going to give the speech that works best for him at any given moment. Somtimes he needs to take a big risk, sometimes he doesn\'t."<br></br><br>I wish he wouldn\'t do this at our expense considering the low opinion the world already has of us.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971060">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971060" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971060" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971060">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971060" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971060" class="dsq-comment-message">Michelle Bernard is on C-Span\'s Q&A; right now. <br></br><br>Her family\'s from Jamaica, and kept her maiden name after marriage.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971061">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971061" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971061" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971061">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971061" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971061" class="dsq-comment-message">Truthseeker<br></br><br>Racial shame - sounds like a book to me.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971062">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971062" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971062" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971062">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971062" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971062" class="dsq-comment-message"><i>"True, which is why his grandparents\' devotion to him is instrumental in his development; something else that \'The Community\' can relate to."<br></br><br>What does this have to do with the price of eggs? Especially when one considers the fact that he never bothers to mention the extended family support that the "community" provides for their children. It sounds like only white grandparents can raise a successful black man.</br></i><br></br><br>No, because many Black grandparents have raised their grandchildren, helping their children. That \' situation\' is not foreign to Black folk; in what way did anything I wrote didn\'t mean that?</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971063">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971063" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971063" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971063">PTCruiser</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971063" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971063" class="dsq-comment-message">"I wish he wouldn\'t do this at our expense considering the low opinion the world already has of us."<br></br><br>The world\'s opinion doesn\'t faze me but black folk are not a fungible commodity to be traded or used to advance a politician\'s own ambitions. I am with Obama, come rain or shine, but enough of this half-assed truth telling. It will not persuade "hardworking Americans, white Americans" in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania or the folks in Geraldine Ferraro\'s coming of age neighborhood to vote for him.  Juan Williams and Fox News will still be on his case. </br><br></br><br>Give me and mine a break. We have earned one today.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971064">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971064" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971064" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971064">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971064" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971064" class="dsq-comment-message">rikyrah<br></br><br>I wasn\'t suggesting that you\'re saying we don\'t support, I was saying that he doesn\'t give credit.</br><br></br><br>I\'m arguing that crediting his grandparents isn\'t  the same as crediting the "community" as I understood you to mean.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971065">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971065" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971065" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971065">N. Mahana</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971065" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971065" class="dsq-comment-message">I love this post. Thank you and Happy Father\'s day to the fathers here at JJP.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971066">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971066" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971066" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971066">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971066" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971066" class="dsq-comment-message">For instance, I\'ve never heard of him speak of the help that Michelle\'s mother provides in his absence.<br></br><br>I support him, but I don\'t like him pointing out "black" problems when he doesn\'t point out white ones.  This is where I draw the line.  My kool-aid is sour on this subject.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971067">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971067" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971067" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971067">PTCruiser</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971067" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971067" class="dsq-comment-message">Note: P6, the owner of the blogsite, <a href="http://Prometheus6.org" rel="nofollow">Prometheus6.org</a> has decided, in response to Br. Obama\'s Father\'s Day speechifying to not post any news about Obama\'s campaign for the next few weeks. I am in total accord with P6\'s decision.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971068">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971068" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971068" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971068">Craig Hickman</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971068" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971068" class="dsq-comment-message"><i>I am with Obama, come rain or shine, but enough of this half-assed truth telling. It will not persuade "hardworking Americans, white Americans" in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania or the folks in Geraldine Ferraro\'s coming of age neighborhood to vote for him. </i><br></br><br>::</br><br></br><br>You suggest that he\'s pandering. I don\'t see it. Not from the speech he gave today, anyway.</br><br></br><br>Blue-collar people from every race and region will vote for him. As it is, despite what the MSM is peddling, he\'s beating McCain in polls in that demographic by a significant margin.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971069">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971069" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971069" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971069">Craig Hickman</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971069" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971069" class="dsq-comment-message">One last thing:<br></br><br>I do recall Bareck telling white audiences in A More Perfect Union that the truth would be better served if white people stopped acting as though racism exists only in our imaginations.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971070">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971070" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971070" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971070">PTCruiser</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971070" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971070" class="dsq-comment-message">Craig Hickman,<br></br><br>This is not much ado about nothing, my brother!</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971071">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971071" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971071" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971071">TruthSeeker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971071" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971071" class="dsq-comment-message">Rikyrah,<br>re Michelle Bernard,</br><br></br><br>No wonder she was so tickled on Hardball by that Harvard professor who thought the 3am ad was appealing to racial fears...he  had what sounded like a strong Jamaican accent.</br><br></br><br>I just caught the last bit of the interview.</br><br></br><br></br><br></br><br>ms.martin,</br><br></br><br>no doubt there\'s books written on racial shame.  I was reading about Tiger Woods this afternoon..there were pics of him and his wife.  To be borderline offensive, she is white to the n-th degree.  </br><br></br><br>What the hell, it\'s too late for me now:  How much "whiter" can you get than Scandinavian.  In fact, if you plotted whiteness on a number line, she would be in the rightmost outer reaches.  She could trump any would-be member of any white-supremacist organization.</br><br></br><br>There were pictures of Elin sitting with the other golfing wives.  They all had light coloured, long hair and visually, she fit right in.   </br><br></br><br>I wondered about Tiger being attracted to the "whitest" woman possible, obsessing over the implications as I am wont to do:  If life is symbolic, what does this particular symbol mean?</br><br></br><br>Now all the white people are going to kick my ass...</br><br></br><br>The tension is unbearable.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971072">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971072" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971072" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971072">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971072" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971072" class="dsq-comment-message">"The world\'s opinion doesn\'t faze me..."  <br></br><br>It doesn\'t faze me physchologically, but it does effect us socially and economically and allows feelings of indifference that have allowed injustices that exists now.</br><br></br><br>The mere fact that he takes a stand in a public arena and speaks to a group of specific people, is, also, at the core, racial and not in keeping with Obama\'s one people meme.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971073">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971073" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971073" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971073">Anonymous</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971073" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971073" class="dsq-comment-message">For instance, I\'ve never heard of him speak of the help that Michelle\'s mother provides in his absence.<br></br><br>I support him, but I don\'t like him pointing out "black" problems when he doesn\'t point out white ones. This is where I draw the line. My kool-aid is sour on this subject.</br><br></br><br>*******</br><br></br><br>He did in his speech.  Here it is:</br><br></br><br>*I say this knowing that I have been an imperfect father – knowing that I have made mistakes and will continue to make more; wishing that I could be home for my girls and my wife more than I am right now.* I say this knowing all of these things because even as we are imperfect, even as we face difficult circumstances, there are still certain lessons we must strive to live and learn as fathers – *whether we are black or white; rich or poor; from the South Side or the wealthiest suburb.*</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971074">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971074" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971074" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971074">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971074" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971074" class="dsq-comment-message">Truth<br></br><br>Sometimes you just have to tell the truth.</br><br></br><br>Don\'t get me started on Tiger Woods.  I\'ve often wondered how he could love his Dad so much and be able to totally disassociate from his blackness.</br><br></br><br>I feel sorry for people like that, I wish they could be white.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971075">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971075" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971075" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971075">Craig Hickman</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971075" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971075" class="dsq-comment-message">ptcruiser, freedom of expression is paramount, no?<br></br><br>I\'m not angered by this. And I think there\'s much more to the speech than that which angers you.</br><br></br><br>Let\'s just agree to disagree.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971076">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971076" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971076" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971076">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971076" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971076" class="dsq-comment-message">Anon 6:29<br></br><br>I didn\'t see a thing in that excerpt about Michelle\'s mother.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971077">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971077" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971077" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971077">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971077" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971077" class="dsq-comment-message">Anon 6;29<br></br><br>Also, inserting the phrase black and white whenever he criticizes blacks is not the same as pointing out the short comings of whites.</br><br></br><br>I\'ve seen him do this twice now, once in Texas to a black audience and again today.  I\'m waiting on him to give a speech to a white audience directing them on parenting and child rearing.</br><br></br><br>Unless of course he thinks we are the only ones who need this advice.</br><br></br><br>Better yet, he just needs to steer clear of this shit altogether and focus on the issues unless he\'s volunteering somewhere where his opinion was requested.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971078">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971078" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971078" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971078">PTCruiser</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971078" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971078" class="dsq-comment-message">Craig Hickman,<br></br><br>I have no desire to take away your ability and right to express yourself in whatever manner or style that pleases you. This disagreement, however, is not much ado about nothing. You saying so belittles my viewpoint, but I will accept your offer that we do not see eye to eye on this issue.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971079">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971079" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971079" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971079">TruthSeeker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971079" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971079" class="dsq-comment-message">Ok..now Rick Sanchez is saying the Father\'s Day speech is trying to cut into the white male vote.  He asks if this is Barack sharing something personal or if it\'s Machiavellian.<br></br><br>Rick is asking if he\'s saying to angry white guys that he\'s calling out black guys for not looking after their kids and if that might win points with white guys be get criticism from blacks...paraphrasing.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971080">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971080" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971080" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971080">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971080" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971080" class="dsq-comment-message">I think it was foolish to go there.  It really won\'t serve him well.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971081">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971081" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971081" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971081">PTCruiser</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971081" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971081" class="dsq-comment-message">I am so tired of me and mine being converted again and again into branches on other folks\' learning tree. Tired. Of. It.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971082">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971082" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971082" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971082">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971082" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971082" class="dsq-comment-message">truthseeker,<br></br><br>Rick Sanchez is a clown. A straight up clown. </br><br></br><br>Like I said, it\'s Hampton, VA all over again.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971083">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971083" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971083" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971083">TruthSeeker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971083" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971083" class="dsq-comment-message">Maybe I misjudged Rick, either that or people have been emailing him.  The speech didn\'t feel right to me, and Rick articulates why...Is the speech slapping black guys around a bit to make a point?  <br></br><br>Some parts just sounded so trite.  He ad-libs: Any fool can make a child, but it takes a man to be a father..or something like that.  It\'s like going to someone\'s birthday party and berating them about how old they\'re getting.</br><br></br><br>I\'m done ranting.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971084">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971084" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971084" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971084">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971084" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971084" class="dsq-comment-message">Truth<br></br><br>Rick Sanchez is filling space, but Obama opened that door.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971085">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971085" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971085" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971085">TruthSeeker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971085" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971085" class="dsq-comment-message">I guess I\'m not done ranting Rikyrah:<br></br><br>On Huffington, this is the headline on the main page:</br><br><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/15/obamas-fathers-day-speech_n_107220.html" rel="nofollow">Obama Rebukes Absent Black Fathers</a></br><br></br><br>Check out the comments if you\'re inclined.  Most people think it was great.  This one comment I\'ve pasted below was moving.  Really, would it be so hard just to say Happy Father\'s day to my black brothers without the rebuke?</br><br></br><br><i>PAposter See Profile I\'m a Fan of PAposter</i></br><br></br><br>It is my firm belief that people do the best that they can, with what they have to work with. It\'s not about what you or I would do, but what is possible for a given individual. This includes their mental capacity, their physical abilities, their perceived possibilities and their true opportunities. Having said that, I hope that each man and his child\'s mother, and his child, will seek to acknowledge, embrace and expand his or her reality. Then and only then will things be different, good, possible, better. Because, as the saying goes: When nothing changes, nothing changes.</br><br></br><br>Happy Father Day My Beautiful Black Brothers....and to all those that seek to be better fathers, and to be the best man he can be for his sons and his daughters.</br><br></br><br>Peace be with you.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971086">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971086" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971086" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971086">TruthSeeker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971086" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971086" class="dsq-comment-message">I just read "Learning to be Michelle Obama" that Rikyrah posted at the top.  I am so glad someone finally wrote about Michelle\'s experiences in college!  A must read.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971087">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971087" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971087" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971087">Anonymous</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971087" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971087" class="dsq-comment-message">Here is a video of one on one with Obama a year ago on Father\'s Day. Also, shows the girls. June 2007<br></br><br>Don\'t worry...less than 5 mins</br><br></br><br>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CURvgDRDg3M&feature;=related</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971088">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971088" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971088" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971088">Ms.Martin</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971088" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971088" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'m listening to the speech live and I like it even less.<br></br><br>I am offended that he would do this.</br><br></br><br>I had a father and a husband/father to my children and this offends me.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971089">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971089" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971089" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971089">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971089" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971089" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.prometheus6.org/node/21307" rel="nofollow">No Quarter USA seems to have dropped from the same rump as LGF</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971090">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971090" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971090" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971090">teacher</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971090" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971090" class="dsq-comment-message">ptcruiser, Let him say what\'s on his heart. Either receive it or don\'t receive it. Don\'t expect 100% perfection from him @ all times. He is a mere mortal trying to get a job against great obstacles. Be mindful that he has personal issues, most likely with both of his parents. There are times in his life where both of them abdicated their responsibility to him. If my mother asked me to let one of the kids live with her, the answer would be, "no I want him/her with me." My dad\'s parents gave him away (like a kitten) to relatives. It left a hole in his heart that only God can fill. The negative statistics in the Black community are critical and warrant addressing in a way that goes beyond rhetoric. I hope he inspires male citizens to become good husbands and fathers. <br></br><br>Sasha O. was rocking the kinky twists in church today! You know she is going to be a mainstream trend setter.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971091">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971091" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971091" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971091">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971091" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971091" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/06/23/080623fa_fact_boyer?currentPage=1" rel="nofollow">Keith Olbermann: One Angry Man</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971092">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971092" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971092" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971092">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971092" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971092" class="dsq-comment-message">This debate has gotten pretty heated, and I guess I\'m very conservative (small c) on this issue. I agreed with Mr. Cosby, and I agree with Senator Obama.  <br></br><br>teacher, </br><br></br><br>someone up above brought in his mother, and I forgot to add that that is  one of the headlines in one of the tabloids at the supermarket this week - I read it while standing in line today. </br><br></br><br>And, the twists were on Malia.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971093">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971093" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971093" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971093">PTCruiser</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971093" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971093" class="dsq-comment-message">"ptcruiser, Let him say what\'s on his heart. Either receive it or don\'t receive it. Don\'t expect 100% perfection from him @ all times. He is a mere mortal trying to get a job against great obstacles. Be mindful that he has personal issues, most likely with both of his parents. There are times in his life where both of them abdicated their responsibility to him."<br></br><br>Then he needs to use his government medical plan and spend a few 50 minute hours with people who are trained to assist people to figure this stuff out. Or, he could give a speech about his own parents. But, in any case, please don\'t try to tell me that I should be alright with what he did because he needs to get something off of his chest.</br><br></br><br>The speech was a political speech and it had a political intent.  We may disagree about the intent but let\'s try to avoid giving him a pass because he has suffered. He is running for president of the United States. If he is running for the president of Black America, then we need to have a discussion about what that means. I do not need him to tell me what it means for me to be black nor what I should do to take care of my children.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971094">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971094" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971094" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971094">PTCruiser</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971094" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971094" class="dsq-comment-message">Let me know when Obama gives a speech about the proliferation of white methamphetamine addicts in the mid-west and the danger to public safety posed by illegal meth labs. Or is that McCain\'s cross to bear? I\'m getting confused here.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971095">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971095" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971095" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971095">teacher</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971095" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971095" class="dsq-comment-message">Personally, I think the media is unfair, often VERY biased, critical, & stupidly insulting toward Obama. They question his manhood (OVER A BOWLING GAME!),called him a nerd for riding the bike with his daughter, repeat rumors in a continuous loop, often without any truth or facts...Today Rick Sanchez had some new commentator who stated (like he would know) that Obama is pandering only, like he wouldn\'t speak from his heart at all because he is only out to get more votes. Personally, I think Michelle would confront him about something like that, because his integrity means everything to her. I think he would try very hard not to lose the respect of his wife. I don\'t like everything he does or says, but I also don\'t expect him to be all things to all people. I don\'t think he should have let that vetter go, and I hope he will stop giving in to pressure from people who aren\'t for him. I understand the differing opinions presented here. It\'s a very sensitive subject for us (Black family/community/fathers/mothers/etc.) and my bottom line interpretation is that people want to see a balanced perspective. Nothing wrong with that.<br></br><br>I think O is very complicated. We live in a tribal, clannish world, and he has somewhat been a person without a tribe. I am his same age. I know biracial people whose white relatives wouldn\'t have anything to do with them. Even though his grandparents loved him (eventually), they still communicated to him how they felt about Blacks in general (everyone but him). And just because they were willing to love & support him doesn\'t mean that their family members were. They may have had to sacrifice some of their relationships to do what they did for him. They may have made disparagements about his dad. I know my grandmother reduced me to tears many times by criticizing my parents when I was a kid. His wife & children give him a tribe without the conflicts he\'s had to endure, but he is probably still learning not to be a loner. He might always be one.</br><br></br><br>I also want to see Black people excel individually & collectively. I tell my students that they must pursue education; that no one can "give" them one. Either they will get one or they won\'t.I tell them that without self-discipline they won\'t succeed at anything in life. Does that sound like Cosby or Obama, because I\'m in their same camp.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971096">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971096" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971096" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971096">teacher</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971096" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971096" class="dsq-comment-message">ptcruiser, I\'m ok that with you disliking the speech he gave. I\'m not tryng to tell you how to feel and I agree with you point on the personal counseling. As I\'ve already stated, I wasn\'t bothered by the speech, and I really don\'t get why you are. I read and understand your words, I just don\'t feel them. The speech didn\'t offend me the way that it offended you.<br></br><br>I also think we (humans) can be influenced by our personal issues or experiences, and respond to life from those, even if we don\'t do it deliberately or consciously. I also think we all have parts of ourselves that we don\'t see. This means politicians too. People can be complicated, but are very fascinating.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971097">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971097" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971097" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971097">PTCruiser</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971097" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971097" class="dsq-comment-message">"As I\'ve already stated, I wasn\'t bothered by the speech, and I really don\'t get why you are."<br></br><br>If you don\'t understand why I was bothered by Obama\'s speech then no amount of words we exchange here, regardless of our good intentions, will bridge the gap between us. We\'ll have to play it as it lays.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-1971098">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-1971098" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-1971098" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-1971098">RhondaCoca</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-1971098" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-1971098" class="dsq-comment-message">Listen,<br></br><br>I am with PTCruiser, Ms.Martin and Truthseeker on this one,</br><br></br><br>I am also every conservative but all I have seen is strong good black men as fathers throughout my whole life. </br><br></br><br>When one makes a speech like this, he is making generalizations. White people will look at it and go yea, black man are incapable of being fathers (as a white professor once felt necessary to admit to a class). Obama is only capable because of his white upbringing. He will be the one to set blacks straight (as a white man in the Philly office at Obama\'s campaign headquarters felt the need to announce).</br><br></br><br>I was always raised with respectablity. We are aware of the issues that go on in the black community but we dwell on the positive especially in the public light. Yes Obama was in a black church but he was speaking to the country not just blacks. I was always taught that you never put down your own in the presence of whites. Obama said nothing that I havent heard community leaders, black leaders, ministers, films, books and everyday black people say. The message coming from Obama is not different than that coming from anyone else. </br><br></br><br>However my question is:</br><br></br><br>"Why do we only dwell on the negative constantly?"</br><br></br><br>This creates a picture that everything is black and everyone black is negative.Please remember that we as blacks know how nuanced and diverse we are as a people but others do not.We allow ourselves to be judged and reduced to a statistic in the public eye. We allow ourselves to be looked upon as a one-dimensional monolith. For all the black youth who have gone atray, there are more who have done the right thing and amazing things who never see the light of day. Who never get congratulated. People only talk and write books about black youth in peril, black youth as no good, black youth who have nothing to contribute to society. People tell me but oh...Rhonda people need to hear that negative message because it real. So I assume that these people believe that black youth who do bad are more really and worthy of attention than those who do good? When people only see that represnetation of those who do bad and are blinded to all those who do good because of our society;s negative thought pattern when black and youth come into the same picture, they label all of us. I am only 21 when, i work with black youth and I have seen the positive. I even work with those who do negative but can be positive if people believed in them.</br><br></br><br>Noentheless, everytime we brought a speaker or anytime a adult would speak to the children, it was only about the negative rather than congratulating the group for all of their wonderful achievements.</br><br>What a downer!!</br><br></br><br>I had a breakfast with the men of my family who are all amazing fathers. All of my friends had wonderful fathers days with their fathers and/or with their own children.</br><br></br><br>I held a cookout on Saturday in the backyard of my brooklyn brownstone apartment. It was for the people in the neighborhood and I had a large turnout with black men and their children, wives and girlfriends. There were some who simply came with their children because they may not have the nuclear family structure in some cases but they are their for their children.We had a wonderful time until it rained.</br><br></br><br>The local restaurant was packed with black men and their families taking their children out to eat. All the Caribbean and Soulf food restaurants were packed. My friend said that you could stick a pin at Sammy\'s Fish Box in City Island (NY). They have a large black clientele because of the large portions and you know how our sisters and brother like to eat!</br><br></br><br>Yesterday evening, I got a phone call from my cousin who dropped the ball on his son. After attending my cookout on Saturday because he had to help me with the grill, he felt ashamed. He watched all the amazing brothers who were equally amazing fathers. He decided to re-enter his son\'s life on Father\'s Day. He vowed that he would not make that mistake again and I will make sure to keep him in check. </br><br></br><br>As a community, we have to keep those who go astray in check but by example. I have learned that scolding doesn\'t work. What made my cousin, Craig realize his fault was watching all those men with their sons and daughters and families. He kept like a damn fool and went straight!</br><br></br><br>You see I would like the father\'s who do right like my father, grandfathers, uncles, cousins (which now includes Craig), friends, neighbors and all those brothers at my cookout, at all the restaurants and in Sammy\'s Fish Box like so many others to get congratulated! I want the world to see them and talk about them. I would like the Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune and the Hiffington Post on Father\'s Day to announce that they are congratulating these men not one that says "Obama Rebukes Absent Black Fathers". </br><br></br><br>Black people are never congratualted for the good. Only reprimanded for the bad. You see that cannot work. And in a country where whites have a low opinion of black regardless (they have felt that way since they brought us here on slave ships), they continue to justify it based on the negativity that is constantly given attention. Many are blinded to the good and when they see our black faces they probably assume that we are no good without knowing who we are. This creates problems on all levels regardless of those who claim they could care less about what white people think. You say that because you don\'t know how it affects you. </br><br></br><br>Too many people don\'t see the beauty, the good, the happiness, the achievement that goes on in the black community. I would like it if we began to showcase that because then and only then will those who don\'t get it see that there is a better way to live. Those who don\'t get it wont change because Obama made a speech in a church somewhere. </br><br></br><br>A good father\'s day message is the one delivered by my grandfather at my Brooklyn cookout. One of the triumph of black fatherhood.</br></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 </ul>\
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