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{"7324162": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "The post you replied to said not one word about bonuses. Rather, it was focused on how conservatives who controlled congress were the driving force behind the current financial crises. It was conservatives who deregulated the markets, It was conservatives who refused to enforce regulations on the books. And it was conservatives who incentivivized the market for banking  fraud,  investor speculation and unparalled financial market leveraging resulting in the current GLOBAL financial meltdown.<br><br>Nothing but 'free market' conservatism is at the bottom of this scam. They gambled the bank away and now they want to point fingers at everyone but themselves and their own greed, and plundering.<br><br>Conservatives are the worse thing that has happened to America. They respect no laws, have no values and constantly run around like hypocrites talking about morals when they are the most amoral group of people in the country. The banks and investment crooks were so corrupt they even sold their worthless 'money products' to the only people who own most of America's debt. The greedy SOB's didn't give a shyt.<br><br>Conservatives are the downfall of capitalism...conservatives are the jerks and assholes who are unpatriotic and would sell their own mother and unborn child just to make a buck.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:57:03", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320451, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322629": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "<b> HuffPost Livechat With CNN's Jack Cafferty</b><br><br><a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/livechat-with-cnns-jack-c_n_176285.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/livech...</a><br><br><i>Since 2005, Jack Cafferty has stalked CNN's Situation Room during \"The Cafferty File,\" giving voice to the emails of CNN viewers, articulating his own outrages, and generally making Wolf Blitzer sweat. Along the way, he's racked up some impressive accomplishments in an almost five decade long career, including an Emmy, an Edward R. Murrow Award, and a New York Associated Press State Broadcasters Award. </i><br><br><i>Cafferty is also the author of two books, including the brand new Now or Never: Getting Down to the Business of Saving Our American Dream, in which he challenges the Obama administration to deliver some \"change we will believe in when we see it.\" But a copy HERE!</i><br><br><i>Today, we are very pleased that the award-winning newsman will be joining the Huffington Post community for a live chat. This will be different from a \"Twitterview,\" in that it will be \"comprehensible.\" Also, it will be you, the Huff Post reader, that will get to ask Cafferty questions!</i><br><br><i>Join us by clicking play on module below (and when we're done, read Jack's blog at CNN.com)!</i>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:06:48", "killed": false, "user_key": "Justice58", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327243": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "RAOTFL", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_17:53:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7324613, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323664": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "It was a closed casket service......the funeral home just couldn't make that presentable for viewing...too mangled.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:40:42", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323377, "depth": 5, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323853": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Me thinks somebody is in DEEP Shyt.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:46:44", "killed": false, "user_key": "Webb", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 9, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323829, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324180": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I wish I could take credit for this, but I came across this on Democratic Underground and I thought I would share for those times we come across never ending trolls and others along the way.<br><br><b> I'm Sorry to Announce....</b><br>Posted by FrenchieCat <br><a href=\"http://journals.democraticunderground.com/FrenchieCat/464\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Frenc...</a><br><br>He never said that he was perfect, in fact he always said that he wasn't.<br>His supporters also never said that he was perfect,<br>although they were accused of it.<br><br>He never said he was the Messiah.<br>His supporters also never said he was the Messiah,<br>those were his distractors and his enemies who called him that.<br><br>He never was an empty suit,<br>although he was accused of it.<br><br>He never said that he was left, right, center...<br>He said he was a pragmatic progressive who would use common sense.<br><br>He never said that he was going to be everything to everybody,<br>and he said that he wouldn't always tell us what we wanted to hear.<br><br>He never said that he wasn't going to make mistakes,<br>in fact, he said he was sure he'd make a few,<br>and he always said that he would listen to all sides in order to find common ground,<br>without compromising his own beliefs.<br><br>He always said that he supported teacher merit pay (just not in the traditional sense),<br>that he would wind down the Iraq war (after speaking to the generals on the ground),<br>that he would take the fight to Afghanistan (but review the objectives and make a review),<br><br>He said that he would fix our economy (but that it would take time),<br>and provide us with universal health care (but he didn't run on single payer),<br>and make the government more transparent, and reverse the tax cuts to the rich.<br><br><br>It is a fact that he ran on Change,<br>But I'm sorry to announce,<br>that he will need more than 60 motherfucking days.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:58:04", "killed": false, "user_key": "Suprk", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327765": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "me thinks that Timmy's days might be numbered once the smoke clears", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:17:47", "killed": false, "user_key": "wawtu", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7326767, "depth": 5, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322969": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "(clapping) Her-cu-leez! Her-cu-leez!", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:17:37", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sepia", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7322791, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320088": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Looking forward to his Town Hall tonight in California.  He really doesnt shy away from a good fight.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:46:50", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mythe", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7319943, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7325210": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "He is what we thought he was.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:32:40", "killed": false, "user_key": "Admiral_Komack", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7319749, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324847": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "So I responded to Color of Change's request to make a call to Gov. Mark Sanford about accepting the stimulus money for our schools here in South Carolina. I have to say, President Obama - you really are pushing me out of my comfort zone... I was nervous since I've never done anything like this before. (I usually express my outrage through petition signatures and comments on JJP - smile.)<br><br>In any case, a representative from the governor's office explained to me that the discretionary part of the stimulus funds that Sanford wanted to use would go towards paying down the debt for school construction. Basically, that even though he wanted to use the money for something different, it would still be going to schools. Does this make sense? It is some kind of bait and switch?<br><br>I'd really appreciate anyone out there (who knows something about how the states are being asked to use the stimulus funding) to help me understand what Sanford is trying to do. I just want to get my facts straight.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:20:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "claudia_m", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324704": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Kltpzyxm", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:15:40", "killed": false, "user_key": "Admiral_Komack", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7321485, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7328294": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Supposedly these meeting took place when Geithner recused himself.  I still think that the Obama administration handled this poorly but I also think there has been some sabotage going on.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:39:54", "killed": false, "user_key": "Micheline", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7327765, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7325223": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Mama Robinson cooked up some fried chicken and a buttermilk pound cake...secret service took it over.<br><br>LOL", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:32:59", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7324386, "depth": 7, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320110": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "No one is blaming black folks. This is not a black vs. white issue. <br><br>My point is government and business share the blame. <br><br>Government trying to engineer 'affordable housing'  set the snow ball rolling.<br><br>predacious wants to lay the blame entirely on conservatives but I can tell you that just as many Dems have their hands in banking, private-equity and hedge funds as well as the Banking and Finance Committees of Congress.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:47:18", "killed": false, "user_key": "Conserv1", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 13, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7318391, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320111": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "The press just needs to quit while they're ahead.  The administration is making them look more and more like chumps.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:47:34", "killed": false, "user_key": "MsKitty", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7319943, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7321136": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "So true. I honestly come here to find out the obscure columns and articles about all of the works the Obama Administration is doing - I rely upon y'all to scour thru and find positive news because clearly the mainstream press has an agenda to the contrary.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:18:58", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320269, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323400": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5vvZNKy0hk\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5vvZNKy0hk</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:30:57", "killed": false, "user_key": "spirit_55z", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7322552, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322439": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://leftwingconspiracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/motivator4699699.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://leftwingconspiracy.com/wp-content/upload...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:00:19", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7322243, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323696": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Liar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br><br>Read Suprk's post below!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:41:41", "killed": false, "user_key": "Justice58", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7322909, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324725": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Kltpzyxm", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:16:31", "killed": false, "user_key": "Admiral_Komack", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320532, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322679": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Dang, I wish I could participate!", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:08:31", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7322629, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7321658": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "<a href=\"http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/53802.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/53802.html</a><br><br>As the economy worsens and Election Day approaches, a conservative campaign that blames the global financial crisis on a government push to make housing more affordable to lower-class Americans has taken off on talk radio and e-mail. <br><br>Commentators say that's what triggered the stock market meltdown and the freeze on credit. They've specifically targeted the mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which the federal government seized on Sept. 6, contending that lending to poor and minority Americans caused Fannie's and Freddie's financial problems.<br><br>Federal housing data reveal that the charges aren't true, and that the private sector, not the government or government-backed companies, was behind the soaring subprime lending at the core of the crisis. <br><br>Subprime lending offered high-cost loans to the weakest borrowers during the housing boom that lasted from 2001 to 2007. Subprime lending was at its height from 2004 to 2006.<br><br>Federal Reserve Board data show that: <br><br>More than 84 percent of the subprime mortgages in 2006 were issued by private lending institutions.<br><br><br>Private firms made nearly 83 percent of the subprime loans to low- and moderate-income borrowers that year.<br><br><br>Only one of the top 25 subprime lenders in 2006 was directly subject to the housing law that's being lambasted by conservative critics. <br><br>The \"turmoil in financial markets clearly was triggered by a dramatic weakening of underwriting standards for U.S. subprime mortgages, beginning in late 2004 and extending into 2007,\" the President's Working Group on Financial Markets reported Friday.<br><br>Conservative critics claim that the Clinton administration pushed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to make home ownership more available to riskier borrowers with little concern for their ability to pay the mortgages.<br><br>\"I don't remember a clarion call that said Fannie and Freddie are a disaster. Loaning to minorities and risky folks is a disaster,\" said Neil Cavuto of Fox News.<br><br>Fannie, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and Freddie, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., don't lend money, to minorities or anyone else, however. They purchase loans from the private lenders who actually underwrite the loans.<br><br>It's a process called securitization, and by passing on the loans, banks have more capital on hand so they can lend even more.<br><br>This much is true. In an effort to promote affordable home ownership for minorities and rural whites, the Department of Housing and Urban Development set targets for Fannie and Freddie in 1992 to purchase low-income loans for sale into the secondary market that eventually reached this number: 52 percent of loans given to low-to moderate-income families.<br><br>To be sure, encouraging lower-income Americans to become homeowners gave unsophisticated borrowers and unscrupulous lenders and mortgage brokers more chances to turn dreams of homeownership in nightmares.<br><br>But these loans, and those to low- and moderate-income families represent a small portion of overall lending. And at the height of the housing boom in 2005 and 2006, Republicans and their party's standard bearer, President Bush, didn't criticize any sort of lending, frequently boasting that they were presiding over the highest-ever rates of U.S. homeownership.<br><br>Between 2004 and 2006, when subprime lending was exploding, Fannie and Freddie went from holding a high of 48 percent of the subprime loans that were sold into the secondary market to holding about 24 percent, according to data from Inside Mortgage Finance, a specialty publication. One reason is that Fannie and Freddie were subject to tougher standards than many of the unregulated players in the private sector who weakened lending standards, most of whom have gone bankrupt or are now in deep trouble.<br><br>During those same explosive three years, private investment banks \u2014 not Fannie and Freddie \u2014 dominated the mortgage loans that were packaged and sold into the secondary mortgage market. In 2005 and 2006, the private sector securitized almost two thirds of all U.S. mortgages, supplanting Fannie and Freddie, according to a number of specialty publications that track this data.<br><br>In 1999, the year many critics charge that the Clinton administration pressured Fannie and Freddie, the private sector sold into the secondary market just 18 percent of all mortgages.<br><br>Fueled by low interest rates and cheap credit, home prices between 2001 and 2007 galloped beyond anything ever seen, and that fueled demand for mortgage-backed securities, the technical term for mortgages that are sold to a company, usually an investment bank, which then pools and sells them into the secondary mortgage market.<br><br>About 70 percent of all U.S. mortgages are in this secondary mortgage market, according to the Federal Reserve.<br><br>Conservative critics also blame the subprime lending mess on the Community Reinvestment Act, a 31-year-old law aimed at freeing credit for underserved neighborhoods.<br><br>Congress created the CRA in 1977 to reverse years of redlining and other restrictive banking practices that locked the poor, and especially minorities, out of homeownership and the tax breaks and wealth creation it affords. The CRA requires federally regulated and insured financial institutions to show that they're lending and investing in their communities.<br><br>Conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer wrote recently that while the goal of the CRA was admirable, \"it led to tremendous pressure on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac \u2014 who in turn pressured banks and other lenders \u2014 to extend mortgages to people who were borrowing over their heads. That's called subprime lending. It lies at the root of our current calamity.\"<br><br>Fannie and Freddie, however, didn't pressure lenders to sell them more loans; they struggled to keep pace with their private sector competitors. In fact, their regulator, the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, imposed new restrictions in 2006 that led to Fannie and Freddie losing even more market share in the booming subprime market.<br><br>What's more, only commercial banks and thrifts must follow CRA rules. The investment banks don't, nor did the now-bankrupt non-bank lenders such as New Century Financial Corp. and Ameriquest that underwrote most of the subprime loans.<br><br>These private non-bank lenders enjoyed a regulatory gap, allowing them to be regulated by 50 different state banking supervisors instead of the federal government. And mortgage brokers, who also weren't subject to federal regulation or the CRA, originated most of the subprime loans.<br><br>In a speech last March, Janet Yellen, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, debunked the notion that the push for affordable housing created today's problems.<br><br>\"Most of the loans made by depository institutions examined under the CRA have not been higher-priced loans,\" she said. \"The CRA has increased the volume of responsible lending to low- and moderate-income households.\"<br><br>In a book on the sub-prime lending collapse published in June 2007, the late Federal Reserve Governor Ed Gramlich wrote that only one-third of all CRA loans had interest rates high enough to be considered sub-prime and that to the pleasant surprise of commercial banks there were low default rates. Banks that participated in CRA lending had found, he wrote, \"that this new lending is good business.\"", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:35:38", "killed": false, "user_key": "Plantsmantx", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 5, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320949, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7328317": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "More of Baracks Afghanistan Plan. More diplomacy in the region.<br><a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/18/AR2009031802313_2.html?hpid=topnews?ref=fp4\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:40:46", "killed": false, "user_key": "allamr18", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327295": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Hold it down Miranda.  lol", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_17:56:29", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7322498, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7319110": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Eljah Cummings just defended Geithner. He's gotta be a keeper at this point.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:11:25", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mythe", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 19, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7318701, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7321159": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Were progressives to early in declaring the death of the DLC?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:20:18", "killed": false, "user_key": "Conserv1", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 11, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320966, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7328330": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "LIddy just showed his hand, is all. He's clearly a fraud interested in protecting his employees, playing the victim (you should have heard the threats he read), and casting aspersions on the administration.<br><br>He didn't have to pay out the hush money. He could have told his employees to sue him under the same contract law the administration cited. But he paid out the hush money anyway, and now, he's parsing words and playing stupid.<br><br>It's all a distraction.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:40:53", "killed": false, "user_key": "CraigHickman", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7326304, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324748": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Kltpzyxm", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:17:15", "killed": false, "user_key": "Admiral_Komack", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7321108, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7331407": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I have not been watching the TV for a month and I have begun to take 2-3 days off from political blogs.<br><br>I am finding it is just like the day time soaps...no matter when you tune back in..it takes less than 2 days to catch up on the entire shyt and gaboodle.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_21:07:31", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7326947, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7328015": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "AIG CEO tells staff to return bonus money<br>Today<br><br>Edward Liddy, AIG Chairman & CEO, appearing before congress, stated that he has asked AIG employees who received bonus money to return some of the money. He also said that \"in reviewing how AIG had been run in prior years, I have ... seen evidence of its bad side.\" <br><br><a href=\"http://www.c-span.org/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.c-span.org/</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:28:11", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324242": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://soundboard.com/sb/crickets_sounds_audio.aspx\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://soundboard.com/sb/crickets_sounds_audio....</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:00:40", "killed": false, "user_key": "spirit_55z", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323297, "depth": 9, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322196": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "If only he hadn't gotten caught up with the call girl.....if only............", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:53:22", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 6, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7321942, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320150": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Thanks djchefron!!<br>Bet we didn\u2019t hear a DAMN THING about this in the mainstream press did we?? NOPE! <br><br>The Urgency in the Sudan <br>Two weeks ago, the President launched a \"high-level, urgent review\" of US policy toward Sudan that will among other things consider whether the US should re-examine joining the International Criminal Court (ICC). Today, the President will name Maj. Gen. J. Scott Gration, a Swahili-speaking retired Air Force officer who grew up in Africa, to be the US special envoy to Sudan according to the New York Times. It is a decent start but if we are to avert a major humanitarian crisis in the Sudan, more is required.<br> <br>President Obama is no stranger to the urgency of the Sudan. As a senator, he visited Darfurian refugee camps in Tchad in 2006 and identified the issue as a priority, speaking eloquently and vociferously on the subject frequently. While Darfur remains a flash point, the situation in the Sudan is growing ever more critical now as a major humanitarian crisis is beginning to unfold in Juba and the southern Sudan.<br><br><a href=\"http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/3/18/378/82423\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/3/18/378/82423</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:48:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7325113": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Kltpzyxm", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:28:59", "killed": false, "user_key": "Admiral_Komack", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323112, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7328344": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Oh really when Richard Shelby tried to kill Dodd's provision. Yeah right.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:41:21", "killed": false, "user_key": "Micheline", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7322909, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327844": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Obama tickets sold out in 30 minutes <br>@ 3:36 pm by Hill Staff <br>Tickets for the first fundraiser featuring President Obama are making hotcake sales look slow by comparison.<br><br>A source at the Democratic National Committee tells The Hill that $100 tickets for the March 25 event at the Warner Theater in Washington sold out in just 30 minutes, a pace so fast that the DNC is considering boosting the number of $1,000 tickets available to the public.<br><br>Tickets for the event, which will benefit the cash-strapped DNC, range from $100 to $2,500. The 700 tickets at the cheapest level sold faster than the party expected, the source said.<br><br>It's not the first time tickets to something Obama-related have sold out fast. During his inauguration, $25 tickets for the 5,000 bleacher seats made available for Obama's parade route sold out in under one minute, according to TicketMaster, which sold the tickets.<br><br>Tickets to the fundraiser are selling so quickly that even some congressional staffers, who had hoped to get into the event for free given their association with their bosses, are being turned away.<br><br><a href=\"http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2009/03/18/obama-tickets-sold-out-in-30-minutes/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2009/03/18/obam...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:20:41", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7328347": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Let me get this straight. Merrill Lynch gave out $3.6M in bonuses in Dec., but the media is harping about $165M in bonuses from AIG. <br><br>Uh-huh.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:41:22", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sepia", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7327969, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327333": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "\"Black Don't Crack!\" - Dayum Skippy!<br><br>And to think that they have...TANNING SALONS.  They are literally trying to look BLACKER.<br><br>Do we have BLEACHING SALONS on our corners???<br>HEEEEEEEELLLL No!  <br>Do we want BLEACHING SALONS?  HEEELLLLL No!<br><br>And now I'm about to betray myself for real: I can taste the difference between when I kiss (Self-Censorship...ain't ready to say that yet).", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_17:57:47", "killed": false, "user_key": "Webb", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7326203, "depth": 5, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7326304": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "So this bonus thingy is turning out to be pure politics after all. Liddy's testimony shed full light on the situation. What a fraud he is. And the talking heads are trying to turn this into a murder mystery.<br><br>What a fraud they are.<br><br>I guess I'm going to take my own advice and turn off the fucking television.<br><br>It's becoming even more clear why the president is standing by his administration, whether we like the members of it or not.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_17:11:47", "killed": false, "user_key": "CraigHickman", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 6, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324258": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "It started under Reagan", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:01:09", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7321017, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7319140": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Please, please don't invite him over here, please.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:12:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mythe", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 4, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7318391, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7325286": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "This is how we do it.  Don't hate the PLAYER, hate the game, baby!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:34:48", "killed": false, "user_key": "spirit_55z", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323762, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327334": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Please Justice -- don't . . . don't mention that \"woman\" in the same breath as our President Obama.  no contest.<br><br>Just the thought makes me want to . . . umphh uuumphh . . . I think I just threw up in my mouth.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_17:57:48", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7321899, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320680": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I see so we should give more power to regulators but smart regulations require smart regulators; a big question in this crisis was whether anyone at Treasury was \"minding the store,\" so to speak. At this point, it appears no one in government bothered to object to the bonuses until it was too late. The president's argument amounts to calling for additional power in the hands of those who dropped the ball on this matter.<br><br>Also, how can Obama hope to entice private equity firms to use government money to buy toxic assets while he demonizes Wall Street?<br><br><a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/17/AR2009031703565.html?wprss=rss_politics\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...</a><br><br>Treasury is going to have to negotiate with private investors who are going to want to be rewarded with profit (gasp!) in exchange for the risk they will shoulder in an effort to recoup taxpayer dollars.<br><br>Shareholders should revolt against CEOs who reward failure, but merit bonuses for execs who successfully manage profitable companies is not immoral.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:05:48", "killed": false, "user_key": "Conserv1", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 8, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7319943, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7328367": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "There were some very cool older guys on my block that used to call me 'Angela Davis' when I was a kid-  I wore that moniker proudly. :)<br><br><a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/dodd-treasury-officials-i_n_176609.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/dodd-t...</a><br><br>Wow, can you imagine if Dodd had been VP?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:41:48", "killed": false, "user_key": "Shazza", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7319144": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "The FRO is slammin!  Mine is getting bigger and I'm lovin it!", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:12:40", "killed": false, "user_key": "spirit_55z", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7318297, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323762": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I heard that First Lady Michelle Obama sent a very nice tasteful peace lily.....you know how we do it.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:44:03", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323001, "depth": 5, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7317624": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "\"Nobody even noticed that the Dow went up like 100 pts yesterday.\"  Oh they noticed, which is why they came up with this distraction, and that's ALL it is a distraction.  And damned if we're not falling for it!  <br><br>This is an open question to everyone who frequents this blog and beyond, what they hell did we work so hard and invest so much into getting Obama elected?  Was it just to make history or are we truly committed to bringing about the change we say we want?  Will President Obama be the latest in a long line of Black \"firsts\" who accomplished much of nothing or will he be the next great President?  It's really up to us.  Are we going to stay on Democratic congressman and Senators to stick with the President's agenda or allow them to use this an excuse to do nothing.  We have to decide is this our moment for real progress or will we continue to be just a bunch of complaining mother fuckers?!<br><br>I admit, of late I'm been crtical of the President for being off message and giving his opponents and critics too much to exploit, but I'm damn sure committed to his agenda!  And I'm not going to allow myself to be distracted by drop in the bucket, relative to the amount we've invested.  <br><br>As this reader says, no one is asking is the investment paying off?  We only want to know the bad, not the good!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_12:19:31", "killed": false, "user_key": "NMP", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 11, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7317151, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7321108": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Was there or was there not a provision in the stimulus bill that exempted the AIG bonuses? THERE WAS.<br><br>There's a FireDogLake post claiming that Dodd actually wanted to severely restrict the bonuses, and only consented to put in the bonus grandfather clause because Geithner and Summers insisted on it.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:18:31", "killed": false, "user_key": "Conserv1", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320855, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323774": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "There were no 'policies' that led to subprime mortgages.<br><br>It was unmitigaged greed and avarice nothing but a rapacious appetite for money and to defraud everyone who was not in on the 3 card monty.<br><br>That greed had been held in check by the GlassStengall Act and bankers being unwilling to take risk on investments which they had no money to cover....credit default swaps changed that and the ratings agencies GINNEd the entire game.<br><br>policies my ass<br><br>Clinton was not the proponent of this ..he was a lame duck President...with an overwhelming GOP majority Congress. The GOP had more than enough votes to override a veto from Clinton. The majority of Democrats voted against the bill.<br><br>Your focus is on the wrong issue.  And you keep repeatingit as if that will make it right. It doesn't.  Fannie and Freddie were not the problem.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:44:31", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320949, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324334": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "RON KIRK CONFIRMED<br><br><a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/18/AR2009031802206.html?hpid=moreheadlines\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:03:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mothsmoke", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7325313": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Blame us for everydamn thing, and the whole damn white population that came over here were either part of a penal colony or damn religous zealots.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:35:26", "killed": false, "user_key": "rorysmomma", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7324857, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322243": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "WASHINGTON (AP) \u2014 Fannie Mae is planning to pay retention bonuses of as much as $611,000 each to several top executives of the government-controlled mortgage finance titan. Sibling company Freddie Mac is planning similar awards.<br><br>Fannie Mae disclosed in a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it's planning bonuses of $470,000 to $611,000 for four top executives, on top of their base salaries this year.<br><br>And federal regulators are defending the plan.<br><br>\"I think it's a reasonable and well-thought out plan,\" James Lockhart, the director for the Federal Housing Finance Agency told reporters at a housing symposium. \"The most important thing in those companies are the human assets,\" he said.<br><br>Do you suppose President Obama has an opinion on this?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:54:50", "killed": false, "user_key": "Conserv1", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7321221": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "See there you go again....<br><br>Let me remind you of a name that Bush cartel tried to SILENCE when he spoke the truth about the incompetence of the administration, his first Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill...even he was taken aback.<br><br>From 2004, take notes:<br><br>\"O'Neill had been preaching that a fiscal crisis was looming and more tax cuts would exacerbate it. But others in the White House saw a chance to capitalize on the historic Republican congressional gains in the 2002 elections. Surely, Cheney would not be so smug. He would hear O'Neill out. In an economic meeting in the Vice President's office, O'Neill started pitching, describing how the numbers showed that growing budget deficits threatened the economy. Cheney cut him off. \"Reagan proved deficits don't matter,\" he said. O'Neill was too dumbfounded to respond. Cheney continued: \"We won the midterms. This is our due.\"<br><br>\"A month later, Paul O'Neill was fired, ending the rocky two-year tenure of Bush's first Treasury Secretary, who became known for his candid statements and the controversies that followed them. Rarely had a person who spoke so freely been embedded so high in an Administration that valued frank public remarks so little. \"<br><br><br>Now O'Neill is speaking with the same bracing style in a book written by Pulitzer prizewinning journalist Ron Suskind. The Price of Loyalty: George W. Bush, the White House and the Education of Paul O'Neill  traces the former Alcoa CEO's rise and fall through the Administration: from his return to Washington to work for his third President, whom he believed would govern from the sensible center, through O'Neill's disillusionment, to his firing, executed in a surreal conversation with Cheney, a man he once considered a fellow traveler. Suskind had access not only to O'Neill but also to the saddlebags he took with him when he left town, which included a minute-by-minute accounting of his 23 months in office and 19,000 pages of documents on CD-ROM.<br><br>So, what does O'Neill reveal? According to the book, ideology and electoral politics so dominated the domestic-policy process during his tenure that it was often impossible to have a rational exchange of ideas. The incurious President was so opaque on some important issues that top Cabinet officials were left guessing his mind even after face-to-face meetings. Cheney is portrayed as an unstoppable force, unbowed by inconvenient facts as he drives Administration policy toward his goals.\"<br><br>\"When the corporate scandals rocked Wall Street, O'Neill and Greenspan devised a plan to make CEOs accountable. Bush went with a more modest plan because \"the corporate crowd,\" as O'Neill calls it in the book, complained loudly and Bush could not buck that constituency. \"The biggest difference between then and now,\" O'Neill tells Suskind about his two previous tours in Washington, \"is that our group was mostly about evidence and analysis, and Karl (Rove), Dick (Cheney), Karen (Hughes) and the gang seemed to be mostly about politics. It's a huge distinction.\" <br><br> <br><a href=\"http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C1101040119-574809%2C00.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,917...</a><br><br>PRESIDENT OBAMA is cleaning up the shitpile that was left for him with all its complexities and intricacies.....a pile that was years in the making from stubborn ass REPUBLICAN ideologues.  PERIOD.<br><br>And the President already told us it won't going to be easy.  The wolves had guarded the hen house for far to long", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:22:09", "killed": false, "user_key": "Monie", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 6, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320680, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327366": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Is there an Antidote to the Republican Amnesia?<br><br>Rep. Barney Frank<br><br><a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-barney-frank/is-there-an-antidote-to-t_b_176538.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-barney-frank/...</a><br><br>Ironically, Barney Frank is dispelling and addressing every damn lie Conserv1 was floating on JJP today<br><br>and HE IS PREACHING!!!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_17:59:25", "killed": false, "user_key": "Monie", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7328904": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "He's calling bullsh%t on that \"doing too much\" meme! BAM!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_19:04:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "Justice58", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7328638, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322761": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Where is Webb and Parker?? These idiots in the GA General Assembly are at it again<br><br>Library Money Based On Politics<br><br>When Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue recommended which communities would get money for new libraries, there was little political distinction in his choices.<br>He reviewed a list recommended by state library officials. Money went to communities represented by Republicans at the statehouse, and money went to cities represented by Democrats.<br>General Assembly politics changed all that.<br>Rest of story:<br><a href=\"http://blogs.ajc.com/gold-dome-live/2009/03/18/politics-decide-which-cities-get-library-money/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://blogs.ajc.com/gold-dome-live/2009/03/18/...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:11:13", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323415": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "That Dodd was involved has been debunked.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:31:10", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7321108, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327884": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Sanchez unveils bill to prevent bullying <br>@ 6:21 pm by Jeremy P. Jacobs <br>Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) introduced legislation on Wednesday that seeks to prevent bullying in schools.<br><br>The \"Bullying and Gang Reduction for Improved Education Act,\" co-sponsored by Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.), would provide additional federal funding to schools for counseling and emergency intervention programs to address bullying and gang related violence.<br><br>\u201cBullying and harassment are problems that will only get bigger if we don\u2019t put a stop to it,\u201d Sanchez said in a statement. \u201cThree-quarters of all school shooting incidents have been linked to bullying and harassment, and victims of bullying and harassment are more likely to be depressed or suicidal. This is a need we can address to help keep our kids safe and in school.\u201d<br><br>Sanchez noted in her release that the No Child Left Behind Act contains some provisions that are intended to reduce school violence but none focus specifically on bullying or harassment. Sanchez and Ehlers' legislation would amend part of No Child Left Behind to secure funds dedicated to that end.<br><br><a href=\"mailto:jeremy.jacobs@thehill.com\" rel=\"nofollow\">jeremy.jacobs@thehill.com</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:22:26", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327983": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "man he might have more star power than Michael Jackson in his prime", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:26:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "allamr18", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7327844, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322768": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "lmao", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:11:16", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7322498, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324041": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Ron Christie is on MSNBC. He is trying to make a living as best he can", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:52:36", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mythe", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320722": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Pres Bush admin dropped the ball if anybody did.  There is also the possibility and I would say liklehood that the laws and the enforcers are inadequate.  AIG broke no laws.  Sub prime mortagages weren't illegal.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:07:04", "killed": false, "user_key": "Nardwilly", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 13, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320451, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7325331": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I may be late on this but this little sister rocked it !!!!!!<br>So what if i am a Black woman<br><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfteAvSqqBc\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfteAvSqqBc</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:36:05", "killed": false, "user_key": "djchefron", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324820": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "You know Conserv! thinks white folks created rock and roll....<br><br>and their greatest performer of all time Elvis Presley learned how to move his body and sing like that all on his own..........he really didn't study,  admire, and COPY the styles of black folks &lt;snark&gt;", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:19:27", "killed": false, "user_key": "Monie", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 11, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7324517, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322340": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<b>Felipe Sixto, Bush Aide, Gets Thirty Months In Jail</b><br><br><a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/felipe-sixto-bush-aide-ge_n_176352.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/felipe...</a><br><br><i>WASHINGTON \u2014 A former Bush White House aide was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison on Wednesday for stealing nearly $600,000 from a government-funded program that promotes democracy in Cuba.</i><br><br><i>Felipe Sixto apologized for stealing from the Center for a Free Cuba, telling U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton that in addition to his own greed and selfishness, he \"wanted to provide a lifestyle for my family I could not afford.\"</i><br><br><i>That argument from Sixto did not sway Walton, who compared him to Bernie Madoff, who has pleaded guilty to ripping off thousands of investors of billions of dollars.</i><br><br><i>While the situations are different, Walton said Sixto, like Madoff, wanted a lifestyle \"far above\" what he deserved.</i><br><br><i>\"The mentality that brings you before this court is the same,\" Walton said.</i><br><br><i>Walton sentenced him to 30 months in prison, three years supervised release and fined him $10,000. Sixto had asked for home confinement or probation.</i><br><br><i>Sixto pleaded guilty Dec. 19 to theft. He acknowledged overcharging the organization more than $579,000 when purchasing radios and flashlights with federal funds. His lawyer said 90 percent of the money had been paid back to the center, with some of it coming from a mortgage that Sixto's parents took out on their house.</i><br><br><i>Walton also criticized Sixto for accepting a job in the White House, knowing that he had been stealing from the center, an independent institution that receives millions of dollars in USAID funds for rent, travel and equipment such as shortwave radios and laptops.</i><br><br><i>Sixto quit his job as a special assistant to President George W. Bush for intergovernmental affairs almost a year ago after learning that the center was beginning legal action against him.</i><br><br><i>Walton said having employees like Sixto inside the White House makes people question the honesty and integrity of government officials.</i><br><br><br><br>Get them all!  Let investigations begin...", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:57:32", "killed": false, "user_key": "Justice58", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7364250": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I'm playing wait and see. I don't think these are obstructionists. We'll find out.<br><br>This is politics. These people are posturing for their constituents. What's wrong with that?<br><br>The DLC has no power. These folks are trying to capitalize on the success of the Democrats. So what.<br><br>If they vote against the president's agenda, I'll know better. So far they haven't.<br><br>But Claire McCaskill is gold. She's not going to stab Obama in the back.<br><br>Let's not assume anything until we know the facts.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-19_22:24:40", "killed": false, "user_key": "CraigHickman", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320786, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327899": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Tedisco: I'm an American, not a Republican <br>@ 3:43 pm by Jeremy P. Jacobs <br>Republican Assemblyman Jim Tedisco is up with a new ad in his race for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's (D-N.Y.) former House seat that sheds his partisan ties.<br><br>\u201cIn these difficult times, we\u2019re not Republicans or Democrats,\" Tedisco says. \"We\u2019re Americans, and that\u2019s the team I\u2019m on.\u201d<br><br>The ad comes less than a week after Tedisco railed against national Republicans for being too negative. It also comes as Democrat Scott Murphy appears to have closed the gap on the Republican.<br><br>The special election for the upstate New York seat is set for March 31.<br><br><a href=\"http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2009/03/18/tedisco-im-an-american-not-a-republican/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2009/03/18/tedi...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:23:44", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323804": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Exactly.  HE was saying what we all know is the truth.<br><br>Mind you, Paul O'Neill was arguably  very much an insider...even recommending Cheney as Defense Secretary when he was offered the position   by George HW Bush.<br><br>From Wikipedia:<br><br>Bush Administration<br><br>O'Neill was appointed Secretary of the Treasury by George W. Bush. O'Neill was a somewhat outspoken member of the administration, often saying things to the press that went against the administration's party line, and doing unusual things like taking a tour of Africa with singer Bono.<br><br>A report commissioned in 2002 by O'Neill, while he was Treasury Secretary, suggested the United States faced future federal budget deficits of more than US$ 500 billion. The report also suggested that sharp tax increases, massive spending cuts, or both would be unavoidable if the United States were to meet benefit promises to its future generations. The study estimated that closing the budget gap would require the equivalent of an immediate and permanent 66 percent across-the-board income tax increase. The Bush administration left the findings out of the 2004 annual budget report published in February 2003.<br><br>O'Neill's private feuds with Bush's tax cut policies and his push to further investigate alleged al-Qaeda funding from some American-allied countries, as well as his objection to the invasion of Iraq in the name of the war on terror \u2014 that he considered as nothing but a simple excuse for a war decided long before by neoconservative elements of the first Bush Administration \u2014 led to his resignation in 2002 and replacement with John W. Snow.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:45:34", "killed": false, "user_key": "Monie", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323501, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7326234": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Who or whom is 'the fed' that was advised months ago...was that prior to the new administration?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_17:09:35", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 7, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7324111, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7319198": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://disney-clipart.com/Chicken-Little/Disney-Chicken-Little.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://disney-clipart.com/Chicken-Little/Disney...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:14:31", "killed": false, "user_key": "spirit_55z", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7318977, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7317151": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Type your comment here. Saw this comment about Geithner on Greg Sargent's blog over at Wash Post, it articulates my feeling better than I could:<br><br>\"sgwhiteinfla | March 18th, 2009 at 08:44 am <br>I personally feel like the criticism of Geitner is overheated. For all of the complaints I haven\u2019t exactly seen anybody come up with a different/better plan to handle the financial crisis. Having said that I believe that he has handled the executive compensation question very poorly. The truth is its all kabuki theater. The money paid out in bonuses is a drop in the bucket when you are talking about the truck loads of money delivered to bail out AIG. But the optics are bad and just like with earmarks the media is prone to blowing this up to crisis proportions. Still more and more banks are saying that they are back to being profitable now so evidently SOMETHING is working. I don\u2019t really care if Geitner is a great speaker, I just want him to get the financial sector stabilized. Honestly I don\u2019t remember ever even seeing Hank Paulson before last fall and if the banks get stabilized I am pretty sure we won\u2019t see much more of Geitner either. However maybe for now they should just keep putting Summers out for speaking purposes and let Geitner work behind the scenes. The media has made a caricature out of him at this point without any real reason for doing so. I saw him testifying before Congress and I thought he did a good job and knew what the hell he was talking about but President Obama will lose if they allow the media to continue making everything about Geitner. Nobody even noticed that the Dow went up like 100 pts yesterday. This after weeks of saying the market was falling because nobody had confidence in Geitner. They are going to keep tailoring stories to make every problem Geitner\u2019s problem and every success will go underreported. Thats the way the world is now and the White House better recognize that and soon.\"<br><br><a href=\"http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/rahm-obama-believes-aig-mess-is-a-distraction/#comment-6014\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-med...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_12:00:28", "killed": false, "user_key": "lamh", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 15, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7326368": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "ROFLMAO", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_17:14:58", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323614, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323297": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Fannie this, Freddie that....<br><br>So please explain the downfall of Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns, AIG, and others...that ain't got shit to do with Fannie and Freddie....<br><br>EXPLAIN.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:27:21", "killed": false, "user_key": "Monie", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323031, "depth": 8, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324323": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Are we back to blaming rich white men for the world's ills?  Wasn't that at the beginning of your damn post?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:03:09", "killed": false, "user_key": "rorysmomma", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323431, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327398": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Angela Davis smacked the doctor the day she was born.......the original bad mofo of all these mofos. bow down", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:01:08", "killed": false, "user_key": "wawtu", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322791": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "CNN BREAKING NEWS<br><br>Defense secretary: U.S. military in most cases to phase out stop-loss practice of holding troops past end of enlistments.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:12:28", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327400": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Oooh, Chris Matthews called Rush Limbaugh and Dick Cheney a racial epithet.  He called them fireCRACKERS!  Ha, ha, ha, Chris got jokes.  I like Chris.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:00:58", "killed": false, "user_key": "Webb", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323818": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Thank you!!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:46:01", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7322356, "depth": 7, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7318701": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Obama Shoulders AIG Blame, Stands Behind Geithner<br><a href=\"http://thepage.time.com/2009/03/18/obama-keeps-pressure-on-aig/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://thepage.time.com/2009/03/18/obama-keeps-...</a><br><br>The president defends his Treasury Secretary amid widespread criticism over his handling of AIG in remarks on the South Lawn Wednesday.<br><br>\"Nobody's working harder than this guy. He's making all the right moves in terms of playing a bad hand.\"<br><br>\"Ultimately, I'm responsible. I'm the president of the United States... the buck stops with me.\"", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_12:57:44", "killed": false, "user_key": "lamh", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 21, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323822": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Yup, he did!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:46:07", "killed": false, "user_key": "Justice58", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323363, "depth": 5, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327407": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "lolol Go Admiral!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:01:31", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7324748, "depth": 5, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324849": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Justice, Conserv1 is achieving its goal;  to keep you distracted.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:20:09", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mythe", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323549, "depth": 7, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323829": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Someone's Got Some Explaining to do ASAP!<br><br><a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/congress-white-house-poin_n_176412.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/congre...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:46:11", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mothsmoke", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 10, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320210": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Did anyone hear Chris Matthews on Mrs. Greenspan's show? They were talking about a provision that was removed from the stimulus bill that would have prevented bonuses from being handed out. Tweety was insinuating that PBO had it pulled because he received \"a lot\" of campaign contributions from AIG. He added that Clinton only received \"a little\". WTF? They are trying their best to paint PBO with the shady brush. Funny, they said NOTHING when AIG handed out $55M in bonuses back in Dec.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:50:24", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sepia", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 9, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324857": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "The got d#mn nerve of these mofos. They love to accuse blacks of being lazy when infact they're the laZy mofos enslaving an entire race so they can get labor for free. They stand accusing the black man of not taking care of his own ...but since slavery the white man has inpregnated the black woman...only to ignore his own offspring and sold them off for MONEY....to the highest bidder!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:20:19", "killed": false, "user_key": "Justice58", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7324517, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327420": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Hey predacious - do you have a link to that interview?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:02:19", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7319943, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7318389": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Lyin mofos - just lyin for no reason...just liars...lying liars and the knucklehead liars that watch them:<br><br>Faux News apologizes for LYING<br><br>Martha MacCallum, co-anchor of the Fox News program \"The Live Desk,\" apologized today after Fox News \"inadvertently\" used a six-month-old clip of Joe Biden talking about the economy.<br><br>The misleading segment featured splices of recent interviews with Obama administration officials discussing the state of the economy. One clip showed Joe Biden saying that the \"fundamentals of the economy are strong.\" The Huffington Post reported yesterday that the clip of Biden was taken from a much earlier stump speech, and that he was repeating a statement John McCain made on the campaign <br><a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/17/fox-news-apologizes-for-m_n_175906.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/17/fox-ne...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_12:45:12", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324864": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Kltpzyxm", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:20:17", "killed": false, "user_key": "Admiral_Komack", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320680, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322656": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Is this wiki page wrong? Please tell me this is incorrect:<br><br>Joseph J. \"Joe\" Cassano (age 53 in 2008) is an American insurance executive who was an officer at AIG Financial Products from the division's founding in 1987 until his resignation in February 2008.[1] Cassano is considered a key figure in the Global financial crisis of 2008\u20132009.[2]<br><br>Life and career<br>Cassano grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where his father was a policeman. He earned a political science degree from Brooklyn College in 1977. He worked at investment bank Drexel Burnham Lambert during their junk bond phase.<br>In 1987, AIG hired Cassano as one of the first ten people in the Financial Products unit, as Chief Financial Officer.[3] In 1994, Thomas R. Savage appointed Cassano as head of the Transaction Development Group. Cassano rejected the 1998 proposal by J.P. Morgan to package credit-default swaps on Broad Index Secured Trust Offering (nicknamed Bistros). Cassano considered these collateralized debt obligations a key event: \"It was a watershed event in 1998 when J.P. Morgan came to us, who were somebody we worked with a great deal, and asked us to participate.\"[4]<br><br>Before he retired in March 2009, Cassano received $315 million: $280 million in cash and an additional $34 million in bonuses.[5] An initial $1 million-a-month consulting fee was later canceled.[6]<br><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Cassano\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Cassano</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:07:35", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320770": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "The gop was in complete charge for 6 years.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:08:16", "killed": false, "user_key": "Nardwilly", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 9, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320110, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324619": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Kltpzyxm", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:12:30", "killed": false, "user_key": "Admiral_Komack", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7322243, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7319749": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "we all knew Bayh couldn't be trusted. he's just revealing what we already knew.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:35:07", "killed": false, "user_key": "rikyrah", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": true, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7318000, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320269": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Of course the MSM didn't report this. First off, they don't care about black people and second, it was something positive that PBO did and they're too busy running the \"See! I told you so!\" meme.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:52:33", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sepia", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320150, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322831": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "You are so right....damn Damn DAMN!!!!!!!!!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:13:34", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7322787, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320786": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Here are the members of Evan Bayh's Rogue Group of Dems Against Progress (my title :-P). Claire McCaskill sold us out! :<br><br>Evan Bayh<br><br>Tom Carper of Delaware<br><br>Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas<br><br>Mark Udall of Colorado<br><br>Michael Bennet of Colorado<br><br>Mark Begich of Alaska<br><br>Kay Hagan of North Carolina<br><br>Herb Kohl of Wisconsin<br><br>Mary Landrieu of Louisiana<br><br>Joe Lieberman of Connecticut<br><br>Claire McCaskill of Missouri<br><br>Ben Nelson of Nebraska<br><br>Bill Nelson of Florida<br><br>Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire<br><br>Mark Warner of Virginia.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:08:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sepia", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 22, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323347": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "The ratings agencies are HUGE culprits here. They were the gate keepers, the regulator folks who could have crashed this house of card before it was ever built. The magnitude of their betrayal of public trust is beyond reprehensible. Without ratings none of those derivatives/swaps or hedge funds were viable...they would have been viewed as toxic or very high risk by investors...especially Chinese investors along with other global banking entitties in London and Mumbai as well as Dubai.<br><br>That is what made this a global crisis...not only did WallStreet create toxic securiities they sold them globally to our bankers, which is why the biggest counterparties, that AIG is paying this money to are overseas banks.<br><br>The taxpayers are paying global banking entities to clean up the shyt WallStreet crapped around the globe selling fraudulent financial instruments ginned up with HIGH ratings from Standard & Poor and Moody's.<br><br>The ratings agencies are big time culprits and they need to be stripped and cattleproded for their derilection of the public trust.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:29:26", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320520, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7325396": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I am sure that he read it.  The provision was put in by the republicans as part of their \"compromise\"  of that I am sure.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:39:02", "killed": false, "user_key": "rorysmomma", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320532, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327574": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "The Black Woman is the most beautifulist woman on this planet everything you woman do is copied and stolen but damn it never looks or is styled the same!<br><br>Love yall fo real", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:09:06", "killed": false, "user_key": "wawtu", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7325840, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327969": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I am glad NY Attorney General stayed right where he is.....<br><br><br>Judge Says Cuomo May Name Merrill Bonus Recipients (Update4)<br><br>By Karen Freifeld<br><br>March 18 (Bloomberg) -- Merrill Lynch & Co. employees who received $3.6 billion in bonuses in December may be publicly identified as part of New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo\u2019s probe of the company, a New York judge ruled. ..<br><br>New York Attorney State Supreme Court Justice Bernard Fried in Manhattan today rejected an argument by Charlotte, North Carolina- based Bank of America Corp. that compensation information was a trade secret. He also said employees can have no reasonable expectation of privacy in the information when they are free to share it.<br><br>\u201cThe Martin Act vests in the Attorney General the discretion to decide whether to keep the information that he gathers in the course of his investigation secret or public,\u201d Fried wrote in a 16- page decision, referring to a New York securities law. Bank of America, he said, has no \u201cprivacy interest that undermines that statutory discretion.\u201d<br><br>Cuomo has sought the information for his probe of the bonuses, which were granted in late December, before the company was acquired by Bank of America on Jan. 1. Merrill accumulated a $15.8 billion loss in the fourth quarter.<br><br>\u201cWe will of course comply with the order of the court and turn over the information requested,\u201d said Scott Silvestri, a spokesman for Bank of America. \u201cWe will continue to cooperate with the AG\u2019s investigation.\u201d<br><br>Cuomo Statement<br><br>\u201cToday\u2019s decision in the Bank of America case is a victory for taxpayers,\u201d Cuomo said in a statement. \u201cLet the sun shine in. Justice Fried\u2019s decision will now lift the shroud of secrecy surrounding the $3.6 billion in premature bonuses Merrill Lynch rushed out in early December. Taxpayers demand and deserve transparency and now they will finally get it. Bank of America chose litigation over transparency and we are gratified that this tactic has failed.\u201d<br><br>The statement added that American International Group Inc., the insurance company that has also resisted making public the names of its bonus recipients, should turn them over.<br><br>\u201cAIG should take heed and immediately turn over the list of bonus recipients we have subpoenaed,\u201d according to the statement. \u201cMore litigation is not the answer -- it is time for AIG to come clean.\u201d <br><br><a href=\"http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aBsQrfgmHj2c&refer=home\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:26:20", "killed": false, "user_key": "Monie", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320290": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "My personal favorite is blaming us for the \"evil\" unions......that one is particularly funny to me.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:53:14", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7319947, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323363": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Taht would be eclectbrotha", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:30:00", "killed": false, "user_key": "spirit_55z", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7321561, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327460": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "RAOTFLMAOOOOOO <br><br>ya'll something else on JJP", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:04:10", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320012, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324392": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Hey einstein, its the DEMOCRATIC party.  You need to kick the wizard of oz' azz for giving you a \"made in Taiwan\" brain.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:05:35", "killed": false, "user_key": "Junglecat09", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323112, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7319273": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "If WallStreet wants Geithner to go..it is a sure bet that he is doing his job correctly.<br><br>Conservative economic philosophy has caused the current financial crisis. It is not \u201cthe market.\u201d It is not miscalculation. It\u2019s not even greed. Financial corporations are failing because conservatives created the conditions where greed would inevitably lead to economic chaos. [New York Times primer on the crisis]<br><br>Conservative \u201cfree market\u201d fundamentalists dismantled New Deal protections. Finance is too important to be left to bankers. We learned that in the Great Depression. To curb irresponsible speculation and secure banks, Franklin Roosevelt and Congress reformed the financial industry with tighter controls on banks, mortgage lenders and other creditors, and stock exchanges. These reforms worked for more than fifty years. But starting in the 1980s, heeding Ronald Reagan\u2019s call to shrink the federal government and leave the economy in the care of the market\u2019s \u201cinvisible hand,\u201d conservatives systematically dismantled economic safeguards. [Robert Kuttner\u2019s American Prospect article and his congressional testimony]<br><br>Conservatives weakened and eventually repealed of the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933. Glass-Steagall separated investment banks and commercial banks, to prevent a single institution from making risky loans, repackaging them as securities, and selling them to investors\u2014a major part of the current crisis. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which eliminated the Glass-Steagall limits, was authored by then-Senator Phil Gramm who is now John McCain\u2019s chief financial advisor. [Newsweek]<br><br>Conservative regulators opposed using the powers that they had. The Federal Reserve, led by conservative Alan Greenspan, had the power and responsibility to police the mortgage market. A Democratic Congress gave him that job as part of the Homeownership Opportunity and Equity Protection Act of 1994. But based on the conservative anti-regulation philosophy, he never implemented the law. The Bush Administration subsequently encouraged Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to increase sub-prime lending. [New York Times]<br><br>Conservatives cheered on the creation of a largely unregulated shadow banking system. Hedge funds and private-equity firms have been allowed to operate without limits, even though they create risky securities, buy and sell companies, and borrow at spectacular levels to speculate on the market. Bankers made millions by taking on ever more exotic risks. They turned home mortgages into speculative packages, and then pushed hard to lower standards of lending. Thanks to the conservative economic philosophy, these corporations have turned much of the market into nothing more than a gigantic gambling casino. [Paul Krugman]", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:17:13", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 18, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7319110, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327978": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "we all knew that would never happen.  <br><br>good find allamr", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:26:36", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7327900, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7329071": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "He recused himself once he was tapped to be Sec. of Treasury.  He was head of the New York Federal Reserve and oversaw the $85B loan to AIG from the NY Federal Reserve in Sept. '08.  He was still head of the NY Federal Reserve when they gave AIG the next $37B loan in Oct. '08.  There were no conditions placed on this money re bonuses even though it was known that the bonuses existed.  AIG also put this info in its SEC filing.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_19:12:57", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mothsmoke", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7328737, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320814": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Maybe you should have a hot cup of STFU?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:09:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sepia", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320532, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320303": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "(clapping) Her-cu-les! Her-cu-les!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:53:44", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sepia", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7319943, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327472": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "major co-sign!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:04:23", "killed": false, "user_key": "wawtu", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7324820, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323377": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "*Ashes to ashes, Dust to dust!*", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:30:16", "killed": false, "user_key": "Justice58", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7322552, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323378": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "On the offense?? The Republicans have no leg to stand on with this issue. <br><br><b>Republicans Who Opposed Wall Street Salary Caps Last Month Now Condemning \u2018Outrageous\u2019 AIG Bonuses</b><br><a href=\"http://thinkprogress.org/2009/03/17/republicans-opposed-paycaps/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://thinkprogress.org/2009/03/17/republicans...</a><br><br>When Congress debated limiting executive pay last month, Republican lawmakers stood firm in opposing such caps. Mitch McConnell argued against the \u201ctemptation\u201d to \u201cdictate\u201d business practices when it comes to salaries and bonuses:<br><br><b> McConnell:</b> \u201cI really don\u2019t want the government to take over these businesses and start telling them everything about what they can do. [\u2026] We have to resist the temptation to basically dictate to these businesses how to run every aspect of their operation.\u201d <br>[ABC News, 2/4/09]<br><br>Republican Richard Shelby demanded a laissez-faire approach to executive compensation.<br><br><b>Shelby:</b> \u201cIt should be up to the board of directors of a private corporation to set the compensation of an executive; it shouldn\u2019t be Congress\u2019s role.\u201d [Washington Post, 9/23/08]<br><br><b>Update New Quotes </b><br> McConnell and Shelby are not the only Republican lawmakers pushing this deception. Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO), and Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) also are hypocritically altering their views:<br><br>Only a month ago, King argued against strong provisions to ensure executive salaries were capped:<br><br><b> King:</b> \u201cNo, I will say, I agree there should have been some caps. I think this went too far, and I think it can be counterproductive.\u201d<br> [ABC News, 2/15/09]<br><br>Last month, Bond sharply criticized a bill offered by Sen. Claire McCaskill to limit the salary of executives at companies receiving federal bailout money to no more than what the president of the United States makes \u2014 $400,000 a-year:<br><br><b> Bond:</b> \u201cThe worst thing we can do is tell businesses how to run themselves. Congress has a pretty bad track record. If you you look at our collective judgment, all 535 of us in our wisdom can\u2019t run government very well. (We) sure can\u2019t run business.\u201d [STL Today, 2/2/09] <br><br>While Inhofe today demands \u201cstrings attached\u201d to federal bailout money, he expressed the opposite in February:<br><br><b>Inhofe:</b> \u201cI thought, is this still America? Do we really tell people how to run [a business], and who to pay and how much to pay?\u201d [Huffington Post, 2/6/09]<br><br>Former Speaker Newt Gingrich today penned an op-ed venting his \u201coutrage\u201d at the \u201cfat bonuses\u201d paid to staffers at AIG. However in November, while speaking with Fox News\u2019 Sean Hannity, he attacked Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) for having the audacity to send \u201coff letters to every bank demanding to know all of their executive compensation policy.\u201d Gingrich then scoffed at the idea of capping salaries specifically at AIG:<br><br><b>Gingrich:</b>  \u201cYou have a level of micromanagement of AIG and others. You can\u2019t apply Washington bureaucratic rules to a free market company without ultimately destroying the company.\u201d <br>[Fox News, 11/12/08]<br><br>When will these idiots realize with google and youtube they cannot simply lie about their positions on issues. It reminds me of the non stop YOutube clips of Mitt Romney flip flopping on so many different issues. <br><br>It should also be noted that in October, Obama stated that AIG executives should be fired for their excesses.<br><br><b>Obama: AIG execs should be fired</b><br><a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-oREoJ9FTM\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-oREoJ9FTM</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:30:12", "killed": false, "user_key": "Suprk", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7322909, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323891": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Excellent outstanding post.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:47:59", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7321658, "depth": 7, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322356": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "In 2001, Spitzer investigated subprime-mortgage giant Household International for misrepresenting the terms of loans. Household paid $484 million\u2014at the time, the largest settlement for victims of predatory lending ever. Later, he found that Ameriquest Mortgage Company had engaged in deceptive and predatory practices; it paid the victims $295 million. (During the recent crisis, it went out of business.) \u201cFor far too long, the subprime market has been a feeding ground for unscrupulous lenders looking to gouge the most vulnerable consumers,\u201d Spitzer told a then-adoring press.<br><br>But in 2003, the Bush administration stepped in. Regulating national banks is the federal government\u2019s job, it said, invoking the 1863 National Bank Act. All 50 state attorneys general howled in protest, but the Supreme Court upheld the administration\u2019s view in Watters v. Wachovia. Its power affirmed, the administration then did little; it believed financial institutions were their own best regulators. This year Wachovia, crippled by $42 billion in risky loans on its books, sold itself to avoid bankruptcy.<br><br><a href=\"http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/51831/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/51831/</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:57:54", "killed": false, "user_key": "Monie", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320949, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324917": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Kltpzyxm", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:22:14", "killed": false, "user_key": "Admiral_Komack", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320451, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320310": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "LMAO!!!!!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:53:48", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320012, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7317240": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "It's a good thread over there.  Some of the comments are really on point.  Ya'll should check it out.<br><br><a href=\"http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/rahm-obama-believes-aig-mess-is-a-distraction/#comments\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-med...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_12:04:22", "killed": false, "user_key": "lamh", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7317151, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323899": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": ".......Poor Thangs!!!!!!!!!! lol", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:47:59", "killed": false, "user_key": "Justice58", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323664, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323391": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "This needs to be mentioned again, and all who haven't read it already, please do. This type of smackdown should be required reading<br><br>Brown Man Thnking Hard<br><a href=\"http://simplifythepositive.blogspot.com/2009/03/aig-dream-team-holds-white-house.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://simplifythepositive.blogspot.com/2009/03...</a><br><br>Excerpt:<br>The ideological terrorists who crashed those planes into the World Trade Center have had much less impact on our economy and our national psyche than our own homegrown financial terrorists who are reporting to work today at AIG, these Americans of ours who feel so strongly about deserving bonuses for being smart and wrong that they are willing to hold the country hostage in order to get it.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:30:40", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320320": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I definitely co-sign this part of the statement:<br><br>President Obama will lose if they allow the media to continue making everything about Geitner.\"", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:54:25", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mythe", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7317151, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322888": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;crickets&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:15:27", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7321221, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7325965": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "...and they still are...<br><br>the penal colony is called Wall Street and \"white-collar\" crime and the virtually snow white propangandist MSM...Jim Cramer already proved, amongst others, the MSM will lie for the liars.<br><br>and well, you know the religious zealots....can the people say Focus on the Family\"  and John Hagee as just 2 examples out of many...parading as  \"religious\" leaders while being political zealots using Christianity as an excuse", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:59:36", "killed": false, "user_key": "Monie", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7325313, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7326479": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Ok, I see your point. Yes, they would.  But the media is just always going to be contentious...they live on polarization of issues. It is so sad. We can't govern cause the media is more interested in ratings than good governance.<br><br>It's just a damn shame.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_17:19:30", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7324665, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7326993": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Good for you NMP.  Bravo Bravo", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_17:42:16", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7317624, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7319939": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Maybe its my tv, but edward liddy looks awfully \"red\"???", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:41:48", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mythe", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322390": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<a href=\"http://leftwingconspiracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/motivator4699699.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://leftwingconspiracy.com/wp-content/upload...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:58:35", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320949, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320855": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "What are you sniffing today? glue? a marker? banana peels? what? LOL.... burnt beetle dung? ammonia? clorox? What is it? Your shit is fried...that's for damn sure....LOL.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:10:55", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 4, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320532, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7318297": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I'd just like to point out that Angela Davis had one helluva fierce FRO.....niiiiiiiiiice.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_12:42:28", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7326767": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "The \"Fed\" is the Federal Reserve (Bernake).  Geithner, as head of the NY Fed Reserve, also sat in on those meetings with AIG.  He recused himself when he was tapped to be Sec. of Treasury.  Liddy had no idea why they didn't tell the WH about this, but these folks were aware.  So it's not like AIG was hiding the ball.  Liddy also acknowledged that there was much consternation about the bonuses in these meetings - so clearly somebody had an inkling that this would not play well.<br><br>These folks are all playing CYA - making sure that they can get a cushy job on the Street when their term is up.  If I were POTUS, I'd sleep with one eye open - these folks don't have his back.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_17:31:36", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mothsmoke", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 6, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7326234, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322909": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Analysis: White House, Dems backpedaling on AIG<br>Analysis: AIG bonuses have Democrats reeling, unable to blame Bush; Republicans go on offense<br><br><a href=\"http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Analysis-White-House-Dems-apf-14677357.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Analysis-White-Ho...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:15:59", "killed": false, "user_key": "Conserv1", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 4, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323184": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "This is a very interesting group of characters. Hmmmm, wonder what the real story here is?  Anyone checked to see who is donating to this group in the financial industry. Shaheen and Caskill and Warner are biiiig surprises. Kohl seems to be a conflict of interest given he owns the Bucks. He is just personally pissed about paying more in taxes is all. Udall, Landrieu and Lincoln ...???  What is driving this group.  <br><br>somethin's up!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:23:51", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320786, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7363874": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Mark Warner is one of my senators. I am very disappointed. He held on tightly to Obama's coattails and we get this.Me to Mark Warner: We voted for you for a reason we wanted a Democrat in office to vote with the Democratic party. If we wanted a Republican we would have elected the Republican.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-19_22:03:10", "killed": false, "user_key": "malletgirl02", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320786, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323431": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "You said that we were blaming whit people, let me go back and get your damn quote.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:31:38", "killed": false, "user_key": "rorysmomma", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320110, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7321899": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "<b>Obama Would Crush Sarah Palin In 2012: Poll</b><br><br><a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/obama-would-crush-sarah-p_n_176392.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/obama-...</a><br><br><b>A poll releasedby Public Policy Polling found that President Obama would crush Sarah Palin in a hypothetical, head-to-head presidential election for 2012.</b><br><br><b>Polling suggests that such a contest would result in the largest popular vote blowout since George McGovern ran against Richard Nixon in 1972. </b><br><br><b>Obama leads Palin 55-35 in the hypothetical contest. He has an 89-7 advantage among Democrats. Among Republican he trails 66-17. Last year exit polls showed Obama </b><br><b>winning only 9% of the Republican vote, so it appears Palin would lose a lot more voters </b><br><b>within her party than McCain did.</b>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:43:34", "killed": false, "user_key": "Justice58", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7331381": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I see.<br>I did see that one threat he made over on HuffPo..where he smacked that congressman back in the mouth and told them he was too big to let go down with all the money they had already poured him...it was a helluva backhand...I was like OMG..this man is ARROGANT and unrepetant.<br><br>He was like phuck with me if you want...it's your money that will be sunk.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_21:06:06", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7328330, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322927": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "True!", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:16:24", "killed": false, "user_key": "Justice58", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7322787, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7328561": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "From what I've read, it was much a-do about nothing in the first place. <br><br>From a commentor at HuffPo:<br><br><i>The proposal does not require a veteran who has service-related injuries to buy private health insurance.<br><br>Anybody who claims that is lying.<br><br>The proposal does not allow the VA to deny treatment to a veteran who has both private health insurance and a service-related disability.<br><br>Anybody who claims that is lying.<br><br>The proposal would require a private insurer - they never give discounts to veterans who have service-related injuries - tp pay the VA for providing treatment for the service-related injury.<br><br>That's it.<br><br>The proposal is not disgusting. The proposal does not disrespect veterans like my father:<br><br>5 battle Stars<br>Navy Unit Commendation<br>Presidential Unit Citation<br>Silver Star<br>Purple Heart<br><br>In any way, shape, or form.<br><br>All the proposal does is require my father's shiftless private insurer to help the United States of America pay to treat my fathers combat wounds in instead of just making an obscene profit on the $13,000 a year he pays the worthless bums for his private insurance.</i>", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:48:44", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sepia", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7327900, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323956": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "lol", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:49:53", "killed": false, "user_key": "Monie", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323614, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324983": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Kltpzyxm", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:24:30", "killed": false, "user_key": "Admiral_Komack", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320949, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320378": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "And while everyone is focusing on AIG, Bayh announces his rogue group. He ain't slick!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:56:20", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sepia", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7318000, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7328060": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "DoD Addressing Military Suicides<br>Today<br><br>Chairman Ben Nelson (D-NE) is holding a Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcmte. hearing examining suicide prevention programs in each of the armed services. Defense Dept. representatives are discussing areas for improvement of access to mental health care and other initiatives that might help reduce military suicides. <br><br><a href=\"http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=53378\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.asp...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:29:23", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323967": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "<b>The Real Cause of the Meltdown</b><br><a href=\"http://www.theyoungturks.com/story/2008/10/11/181535/41/Diary/The-Real-Cause-of-the-Meltdown-with-out-the-Spin-or-Racism-\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.theyoungturks.com/story/2008/10/11/1...</a><br><br>Contrary to spin and racially tinged hysteria, the meltdown is actually a complex story.<br><br>That's why \" everyday\"  Republicans rather scream \"terrorist \"at McCain rallies than actually try and comprehend the magnitude of the crisis) involving:<br><br>   1. Subprime borrowers,<br>   2. Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS),<br>   3. Collateralized Debt Obligations<br>   4. (CDOs), investment bankers, hedge funds,<br>   5. Credit Default Swap (CDS),<br>   6. Synthetic CDOs,<br>   7. Institutional investors<br>   8. Statistical Deception by the Bush Administration<br><br><br>The new spin is Freddy and Fanny were the culprits, in a desperate attempt to somehow link Obama to the crisis through  a few contributions from the Freddy and Fanny CEOs.<br><br>Unfortunately for the spin-meisters almost none of the $1.5 trillion of cratering subprime mortgages were backed by Fannie or Freddie. Fannie and Freddie, which wouldn't accept crazy floating rate loans, which required income verification and minimum down payments. <br> (Aaron Pressman , Bussiness Week September 26 2008)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:50:08", "killed": false, "user_key": "Suprk", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320949, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320384": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "you ain't right........ROFLMAO!!!!!!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:56:34", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320303, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7318338": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "At first I thought that was Jim Kelly. Angela was a lot sexier than that pic lets on.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_12:43:41", "killed": false, "user_key": "eclecticbrotha", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7319364": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Maybe we are not talking about the DOW becasue it was ALWAYS 'the distraction'. The DOW is not a barometer of the financial crisis. It was nothing but a surrogate marker.<br>I did not hold Obama's success to the DOW from the beginning as it is super fickle. It is nothing but a barometer for the greed of wall street investors, scam artists, and shysters who have legal authority to use money as a tool in any way they choose including fraudulent means to 'create' wealth.<br><br>If we want to judge Obama's success...check out the lagging unemployment rates.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:21:02", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7317624, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327713": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "The only person I know that wants to get lighter is Michael Jackson.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:15:34", "killed": false, "user_key": "Admiral_Komack", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7327333, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7330615": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Force Majeure. Gets rid of  CDS. saves alot of taxpayer money. You'll close down AIG London and sell the insurance comapnies to the public.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_20:26:06", "killed": false, "user_key": "RobM", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323347, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324386": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "That's how we roll!   <b>;)</b>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:05:25", "killed": false, "user_key": "Justice58", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323762, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324341": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I'm not even watching, but your comment has me giggling uncontrollably.....I can picture him.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:03:58", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7324041, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7326947": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Craig - I turned it off 2 days ago when my comrades on JJP started going off the chain.  I also tuned out yesterday on my favorite blog to allow things to calm down here and am now checking in.<br><br>That said -- what did I miss?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_17:39:58", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7326304, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7321942": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Today on ThisBlksistasPage:<br><br><a href=\"http://thisblksistaspage.wordpress.com/2009/03/18/eliot-spitzers-take-on-aig/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Eliot Spitzer's take on AIG</a><br><br>Better read the Slate article linked, too.  It's a humdinger.<br><br>Did any of those questions get answered that only a prosecutor would get to the bottom of?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:44:50", "killed": false, "user_key": "blksista", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 7, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7321432": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I sure hope so. Senator McCaskill always seemed to have the President's back!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:28:37", "killed": false, "user_key": "Justice58", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320966, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7325017": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Kltpzyxm", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:25:32", "killed": false, "user_key": "Admiral_Komack", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323031, "depth": 8, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7328095": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "not political but . . .<br>Bolivian girl stirs to life at own funeral; mother, stepfather charged with attempted murder <br>Mar 18, 2009 15:08 -0400 <br><br>LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) \u2014 A prosecutor says a 3-year-old girl escaped being buried alive after a neighbor noticed her body move at her funeral.<br><br><a href=\"http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-lt-bolivia-almost-buried%2C0%2C2231058.story\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sn...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:31:17", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7317856": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "As you said yesterday, we have to keep a sense of perspective.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_12:27:40", "killed": false, "user_key": "Plantsmantx", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7317624, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7325840": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "LOL...<br><br>and a big butt and a smile only became popular once they whitewashed and became obsessed with JLO and KIM Kardashian......honey, POC been having fat asses and our men been loving them for eternity... shit BBD made a song about that a LOOOOONG time ago.<br><br>We don't thave to pay for ASS implants...our lips are naturally full and our skin is beautiful all year long...we don't pay to be crisp...and Thank goodness BLACK DON\"T CRACK!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:54:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "Monie", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 6, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7325629, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324517": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Oh, I guess we should just blame the poor people.  Maybe that will get the bug out of conserve1's ass.  <br><br>Oh yeah, if I have money and I lend it to a person that I know can't pay it back.... whose fault is it?<br><br>And, Last time I checked the banks handed out those crappy ass loans, and for future reference.<br><br>I will blame the white man anytime I damn well please.<br><br>He brought my ancestors from  Africa, stole from the indians, and everything we invent he takes credit for it.  He lies, steals, and cheats, but it is poor people's fault that he worked hard to get ahead.<br><br>Whateva,<br>Whateva,<br>Whateva", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:09:22", "killed": false, "user_key": "rorysmomma", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 15, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323501": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I loved O'Neil's quote when asked what was it like to serve in Bush's cabinet and how did Bush's decision making process and executive skills , he replied:<br><br>Bush is a blind man among  a room full of deaf people.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:34:24", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7321221, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7319784": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Black folks have been blamed for everything in this country. We know that. Same story/", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:36:18", "killed": false, "user_key": "rikyrah", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": true, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7318391, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324531": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "OK!!", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:09:46", "killed": false, "user_key": "spirit_55z", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7324180, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320949": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "But what policies led to the creation of sub-prime mortgages?<br><br>How HUD Mortgage Policy Fed The Crisis<br>Subprime Loans Labeled 'Affordable'<br><br><a href=\"http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/09/AR2008060902626.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...</a><br><br>\"Congress and HUD policy folks were trying to do a good thing,\" he said, \"and it worked.\"<br><br>Since HUD became their regulator in 1992, Fannie and Freddie each year are supposed to buy a portion of \"affordable\" mortgages made to underserved borrowers. Every four years, HUD reviews the goals to adapt to market changes.<br><br>In 1995, President Bill Clinton's HUD agreed to let Fannie and Freddie get affordable-housing credit for buying subprime securities that included loans to low-income borrowers. The idea was that subprime lending benefited many borrowers who did not qualify for conventional loans. HUD expected that Freddie and Fannie would impose their high lending standards on subprime lenders.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:13:48", "killed": false, "user_key": "Conserv1", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 12, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320722, "depth": 5, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7318391": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I just got through reading the blame the black folks meme on the other thread.<br><br>For those like conserve one, I am going to keep it really simple.  Blame us all you want.  You guys don't want to give us credit for helping to build this country, <br><br>Last time I checked.  We were trying to stick it to the rich and successful white guys.  Well if they can make the bad decisions... you know like the poor people, then they should also take the blame when they and their big corporations run the country in the ground.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_12:45:19", "killed": false, "user_key": "rorysmomma", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 22, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323001": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "*Game Over*", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:18:20", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sepia", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 4, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7322552, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327610": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "found it -- <a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/obama-on-aig-the-buck-sto_n_176423.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/obama-...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:10:23", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7327420, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7325051": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Kltpzyxm", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:26:57", "killed": false, "user_key": "Admiral_Komack", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320110, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7328638": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "President Obama is on - live coverage on MSNBC Town hall meeting in California<br><br>Everybody in Washington is running around pointing fingers trying to figure out who to blame.  Blame me.  Talk to me.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:52:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327637": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Here's a heads-up to the \"cut-and pasting\" that those like Conserv1 will engage in, in the near future...because we all know one thing Republicans can do better than no other...stay on the same lying-ass message<br><br><br> Over at Daily Kos:<br><br>Via The Plum Line, here are the official Republican talking points on President Obama and the Democrats:<br><br>A Republican sends over a new set of GOP talking points for House conservatives \u2014 privately circulated this week to scores of GOP press secretaries on the Hill \u2014 that blasts the Obama administration as \u201cradical\u201d and \u201creckless\u201d and the \u201cmost politically obsessed White House in history.\u201d<br><br>        * \"The budget is a radical proposal that will change the character of our nation, trampling on freedom and liberty.\"<br><br>        * \"The only approach that has not been tried is the conservative approach \u2013 limited bureaucracy, lower taxes, and responsible regulatory structures.\"<br><br>        * \"The administration is disingenuous, unfocused, and reckless.\"<br><br>These were sent out to House Republican, and were designed to:<br><br>    ... represent the first major move this cycle by House conservatives to create united conservative messaging front.<br><br>So, the GOP's \"major move\" is to embrace the furthest extremes of their base, pretend like the last eight years didn't happen, and call names. Apparently solutions to the problems the country faces didn't make the list.<br><br>The Party of No is aptly named.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:12:20", "killed": false, "user_key": "Monie", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324032": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "LoL, now if we could actually get some of those backwoods peckerwoods to read some more books besides listening to their ass-backwards preachers, this state might advance itself...but I doubt it.<br><br>Let RURAL GA BURN!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:52:15", "killed": false, "user_key": "Webb", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7322761, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322498": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "yeah....but that was a WHOLE 6 months ago!!!! You can't hold them to that....That was like....a LIFETIME ago!! That was like 6,000 lifetimes ago!!!<br><br>If you're a caterpillar.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:02:23", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7322094, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320451": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Smart regulations require smart regulators; a big question in this crisis was whether anyone at Treasury was \"minding the store,\" so to speak. At this point, it appears no one in government bothered to object to the bonuses until it was too late. The president's argument amounts to calling for additional power in the hands of those who dropped the ball on this matter.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:58:44", "killed": false, "user_key": "Conserv1", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 17, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7319273, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320964": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Lying mofos!  They have to resort to deception and making up sh%t! Pitiful.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:14:21", "killed": false, "user_key": "Justice58", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7318389, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320966": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I'm so disappointed to see Senator McCaskill's name.....hopefully she's the \"plant\" for Rahm.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:14:19", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 16, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320786, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7319943": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Oh, I just loved Obama's response to the reporter, about 'whether he was going to quell the public anger'<br><br>Obama said, he does not want to quell it, he wants to channel it into public reforms!<br><br>I just love his strategic brilliance, he knows how to utilize and capitalize off the populist angry to fuel the reforms the country need.<br><br>Just exceptional.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:41:57", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 16, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7325676": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "These clowns make me SICK! Damn I can't stand these mofos.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:48:50", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7324032, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7319947": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "lol the funniest blame the black folks had to be either We caused the housing crisis or we voted against Prop 8 or whatever.Its nothing new", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:41:57", "killed": false, "user_key": "allamr18", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7318391, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7321484": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "and who was in the majority in Congress.....think real hard.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:30:16", "killed": false, "user_key": "Monie", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 5, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7321017, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7321485": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Its not that simple when the Treasury is planning on enticing private firms to invest in toxic assets with government money to stabilize the banking sector and recover taxpayer dollars. These companies will be very reluctant to let the government have a hand in running their business while they are sending mixed signals and demonizing Wall Street.<br><br>Once the toxic assets are purchased off the books of AIG, the profitable parts of the company can be sold off and used to repay the taxpayers.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:30:18", "killed": false, "user_key": "Conserv1", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320520, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324559": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Mxyzptlk", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:10:25", "killed": false, "user_key": "Admiral_Komack", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7322909, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324050": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Here's how US policies on guns and drugs are destroying inner city and the third world<br><a href=\"http://newsone.blackplanet.com/world/guns-and-drugs-how-us-policies-destroying-inner-cities-and-the-third-world/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://newsone.blackplanet.com/world/guns-and-d...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:52:56", "killed": false, "user_key": "BarackMarley", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324616": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Simply politics and selfishness to get reelected in 2010.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:12:11", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mythe", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323184, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322094": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "6 months ago Repubs were against Executive Compensation Caps<br><br><a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/flashback-it-was-bush-gop_n_176442.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/flashb...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:50:46", "killed": false, "user_key": "allamr18", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323031": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Fannie Mae, Freddie `House of Cards' Prompts Takeover<br><br><a href=\"http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&refer=us&sid=aYidZnvS7ykg\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:19:09", "killed": false, "user_key": "Conserv1", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7321658, "depth": 7, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7329176": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I work for you.  If you don't like how I'm doing it, vote me out!<br><br>I'd rather be a good president for four years and accomplish what I said I would, than be mediocre for eight.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_19:18:50", "killed": false, "user_key": "vulcan_girl", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7328638, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7325083": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Kltpzyxm", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:28:01", "killed": false, "user_key": "Admiral_Komack", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7321017, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7318429": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Thanks - you're right...really good points being made.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_12:47:18", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7317240, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7319458": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Myth, in the words of my late grandmother \" He makes me sick in my ass.\"", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:24:25", "killed": false, "user_key": "rorysmomma", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7319140, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7321329": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "i dont know if im really all too upset with this mainly because barack won damn near 10 or 11 of those states and he flipped NC as well as FLA, VA Colorado and came close in Missouri. Those Senators came from very republican states so naturally they have to be careful. but 4 years from now those states might be more liberal than they are now.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:25:27", "killed": false, "user_key": "allamr18", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320786, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327900": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Ok quit your bellyachin<br>Barack scraps plan to charge military for health care benefits.<br><a href=\"http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/03/pelosi-obama-has-promised-not-to-charge-veterans-for-service-related-health-care.php\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/03/pelo...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:23:42", "killed": false, "user_key": "allamr18", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7326122": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "You better tell it!   <b>;)</b>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_17:05:32", "killed": false, "user_key": "Justice58", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7325840, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7328583": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Remember Sepia...nobody cared that $3.6 BILLION was given out in DECEMBER when GWBush was still a lame duck....<br><br>Week before last, the plummeting DOW was all Pres. Obama's fault.....now that it is rebounding somewhat, a convenient new scandal has erupted....<br><br>you know how it works...we've been here before...and yes, it will be a long freaking 4 years", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:49:50", "killed": false, "user_key": "Monie", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7328347, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7326638": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Well Craig, enlighten us...what did Liddy saaay?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_17:26:20", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7326304, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323549": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "You're dishonest, Conserv1! You very well know the truth but won't admit it, scumbag!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:35:47", "killed": false, "user_key": "Justice58", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323112, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323058": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Yes. yes. yes...it was all just too 'fishy' that supposedly the feds were suspicious about a man with millions moving around less than 1% of his own money.  What really stank was them charging him with 'solicitation' after learning there was no illicit reason for the money transfers? Since when do the feds proscute solicitation charges vs. the state.<br><br><br>it was all just a little too pat for me.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:19:39", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7322831, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322552": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Well we know its not to early to declare death of the GOP....I think time of death was....oh...around 11pm EST on 11/4/2008.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:03:59", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 9, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7321159, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7321017": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "This started well before that. Under Clinton.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:16:15", "killed": false, "user_key": "Conserv1", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 8, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320770, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7325629": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "And Michael Bolton created SOUL!!!<br><br>LMAO!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:47:02", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 7, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7324820, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7326142": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Slap it UP, FLIP IT, RUB-IT-DOWN__, OH NO___!<br><br>Certified Assaholic right here.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_17:06:16", "killed": false, "user_key": "Webb", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7325840, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7325119": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "He aint nothin but a hound dog.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:29:14", "killed": false, "user_key": "spirit_55z", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7324820, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7328704": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I'm still trying to figure out why Bernake didn't speak up.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:56:19", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mothsmoke", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7328294, "depth": 7, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7318977": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "As this reader says, no one is asking is the investment paying off? We only want to know the bad, not the good!<br><br>Today's media only thrives on a \"Chicken Little\" concept of journalism...the sky is always faliing.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:06:53", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7317624, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7328194": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "AIG bonuses: Some repaid, Congress to vote on tax <br><br>WASHINGTON (AP) -- Under intense pressure from the Obama administration and Congress, the head of bailed-out insurance giant AIG declared Wednesday that some of the firm's executives have begun returning all or part of bonuses totaling $165 million.<br><br>Edward Liddy offered no details, and lawmakers were in no mood to wait. He was still fielding their questions when House Democratic leaders announced plans for a vote Thursday on legislation to tax away 90 percent of the extra pay for executives at AIG and many other bailed-out firms<br><br><a href=\"http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AIG_OUTRAGE?SITE=NCKIN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AIG_OUTR...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:35:47", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323588": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "\"Since when do the feds proscute solicitation charges vs. the state.\"....hmph....interesting how the feds found that to be a worthwhile cause,huh? <br><br>Look at the list of notable accounting scandals<br><a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accounting_scandals\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accounting_scandals</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:37:11", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mirandalynn", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323058, "depth": 5, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324613": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "You mean the handkerchief head, Stepinfetch, skinnin & grinnin, coon, slave-catcher, lazy-eyed Knee-grow.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:12:14", "killed": false, "user_key": "spirit_55z", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7324041, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320520": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Liddy just told Bernie Frank that his priority is to pay down the federal reserve dollars first so that the rating agencies would remain relaxed BEFORE paying the TARP money back.  What?  Are not the American people more outraged about the TARP money moreso that the rating agencies.<br><br>Liddy just said he had reservations about releasing the names of the people who got the money because they got death threats. Give the money back and the threats go away, its just that simple.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:00:52", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mythe", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 4, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7328203": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I just posted below this about Merril Lynch bonus recipients being named...<br><br>if they don't return it...Cuomo will make sure to publish and identify their asses...the heat is on", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:36:10", "killed": false, "user_key": "Monie", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7328015, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320012": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Guess you gotta \"fart\" him on outta here.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_13:44:23", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mythe", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7319458, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324111": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Ya' think!?  Some heads are also about to roll over at the Federal Reserve.  According to Liddy's testimony, the Fed was advised of the bonuses months ago.  For some reason this info didn't get to Treasury and the WH until recently - a week or two ago.  Our government at work. Sheesh!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:55:15", "killed": false, "user_key": "Mothsmoke", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 8, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323853, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7322787": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I know, I know...but we also know he was set up and taken down for precisely this reason. WallStreet had it out for Spitzer and they hit it where they could.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:12:23", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 5, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7322196, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7320532": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Maybe Obama should have read the entire bill before signing it?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:01:18", "killed": false, "user_key": "Conserv1", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 8, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7320210, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327701": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "You better say that.<br><br>Though I wouldn't call these policies conservative, even though they were put forth by \"conservatives.\"", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:15:03", "killed": false, "user_key": "CraigHickman", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7324162, "depth": 5, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7328244": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "hah", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:38:08", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7327983, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7321561": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I hope ya'll are right. A JJPer pointed out that McCaskill has been straddling the fence lately.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_14:32:30", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sepia", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7321432, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323614": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Cannot.....compute.......talking point......", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:38:38", "killed": false, "user_key": "CarolinagirlinGA", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7321221, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7328737": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I read that he recused himself from the AIG stuff, so how could he have been in on the meetings?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:57:22", "killed": false, "user_key": "Sepia", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7326767, "depth": 5, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7326180": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Yipee!!", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_17:07:32", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7324334, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7328743": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "EVENING THREAD IS UP!!!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:57:27", "killed": false, "user_key": "rikyrah", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": true, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323112": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "This is a failure of government (Democrat and Republican) and the private sector.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:21:24", "killed": false, "user_key": "Conserv1", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 4, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7321484, "depth": 5, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327108": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I done told ya'll although Geithner had the personality of a pet rock he knew what he was doing.  I trust President Obama that Geithner has what it takes to reverse this financial crisis.  I don't have to like the guy . . . I just want to know can he do this.   <br>I say yes he can.  Now, folks need to back off and allow time for these efforts to work and stop with the sec ond by second updates.  You will only end up stressing yourself out.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_17:48:05", "killed": false, "user_key": "Val2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7318701, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324652": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Kltpzyxm", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:14:09", "killed": false, "user_key": "Admiral_Komack", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7321159, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7323630": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Incredible.<br><br>nothing but fraud...'creation of wealth' fraud", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_15:39:23", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7323588, "depth": 6, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7345135": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Perfect analogy.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-19_10:08:16", "killed": false, "user_key": "CraigHickman", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7331407, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7318000": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Co-signing.  What's up with the \"shadow group\" of 15 Democrats who basically set up shop to oppose the president's agenda.  If Joey Scarface is salivating over the idea, you know it aint good.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_12:32:03", "killed": false, "user_key": "spirit_55z", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7317624, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7325169": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Y'all know I've got to show some love for Angela Davis - Today's Women's History Month Honoree.  What a life she has led...and is leading.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:31:02", "killed": false, "user_key": "Webb", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7326195": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "What did Paul Mooney say?<br><br>Errrything blacks folks have...", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_17:08:08", "killed": false, "user_key": "Justice58", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7324820, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7327732": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Here you go, Val!<br><br><a href=\"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/obama-on-aig-the-buck-sto_n_176423.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/obama-...</a><br><br><br><br><i>WASHINGTON \u2014 President Barack Obama said Wednesday no one in his administration created the mess at insurance giant AIG, including the much-maligned executive bonuses, but that \"the buck stops with me\" to fix it.</i><br><br><i>\"I don't want to quell anger. I think people are right to be angry. I'm angry,\" the president said. \"What I want us to do, though, is channel our anger in a constructive way.\"</i>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_18:16:42", "killed": false, "user_key": "Justice58", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7327420, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7324665": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I agree that the DOW is not a barometer of the health of the economy, as I have stated here repeatedly.  I'm just pointing out the indisputable fact the media was fixated on the DOW last week because they were using it as a barometer for the health of the economy and a gauge of the President's economic plans, accusing him of sinking the DOW and declaring class ware fare on the business community.  Now that the Dow is suddenly on the up tick, how would they reconcile last week's coverage?  if not for this AIG DISTRACTION, they would either have to give the Presiden credit or have a hard time explaining why the DOW was  no longer important since the arrow turned green, now wouldn't they?", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_16:14:26", "killed": false, "user_key": "NMP", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7319364, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7326203": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Monie, you mean this nonsense<br><br><a href=\"http://www.butt-implants-before-and-after.com/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.butt-implants-before-and-after.com/</a><br><br>And collagen lip injections.  We Sistas don't need our lips pumped up.  Honey Pleeazzzzz!  You know Black  don't crack!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_17:08:25", "killed": false, "user_key": "spirit_55z", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7325840, "depth": 4, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "7331324": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Um, sorry Moth, I was trying to see if we knew identities at the Fed, I wasn't clear.<br><br>So was Bernanke and Geithner who Liddy was referring to you think?<br><br>There is a whole lot of CYA going on.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-18_21:02:25", "killed": false, "user_key": "predacious", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "8 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 7326767, "depth": 5, "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": "13918157", "user_id": "anonymous", "forum_id": "21630", "hash": -2025338390648414025}, "thread": {"days_alive": 0, "slug": "women8217s_history_month_daily_thread_498", "paginate": false, "num_pages": 1, "num_posts": 229, "per_page": 0, "total_posts": 0, "realtime_paused": true, "id": 13918157, "queued": false}, "reactions_limit": 10, "context": {"show_reply": true, "use_fb_connect": true, "forum_facebook_key": "bd6a8bc56f8eb204984f34b6fefe228d", "use_yahoo": false, "subscribed": false, "use_twitter_signin": true, "use_openid": false, "realtime_speed": 5000}, "reactions_start": 0, "settings": {"debug": false, "disqus_url": "http://disqus.com", "media_url": "http://media.disqus.com"}, "media_url": "http://media.disqus.com"};
	/* */ this.jsonData.cookie_messages = {"user_created": null, "post_has_profile": null, "post_twitter": null, "post_not_approved": null}; this.jsonData.session = {"url": null, "name": null, "email": null}; /* */

	
	this.curPageId = 'dsq-comments';

	this.frames = {};
};

var disqus_popup_reference = null;

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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





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



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

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

	this._lastHash = null;

	this._accumMsg = '';

	this._lastSeqno = 0;

	this.MAX_DATA_LEN	= 1024;

	this.WAIT_TIME		= 10;

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

};

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

FragmentPacket.prototype.log = function(msg) {



};

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

		hash = this.reader.name;
	} else {

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

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

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

		this._lastSeqno = seqno;

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

				this._accumMsg = '';

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

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

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

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

};

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

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

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

	if (packetNum === 0) {

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

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

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

	if (num_packets === packetNum) {

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

	this._lastSeqno++;

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

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

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

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

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

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


	this.receiverId = receiverId;
};

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

	var listener = function(e) {

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


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

		that.receiveCallback(data);
	};

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

PostMessagePacket.prototype.send = function(msg) {



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


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

	var packet;
	if (!msg) {

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

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

var JsonRpc = function() {

	this.ids = {};

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

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

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

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

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

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

				json = 'null';
				break;
		}

		return json;
	};

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

		send_func(this.objectToJSON(request));

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

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


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



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


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


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

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

	this.packetHandler = null;


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


	var _createReceiverForFragmentPacket = function() {

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

			that._ready = true;
		};

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

		that.receiver.onload = receiver_onload;







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

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

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

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


	var _createReceiverForPostMessage = function() {

		var receiver_onload = function() {

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

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


		ParentMessenger['_receiver_onload_' + receiverId] = receiver_onload;

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

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

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

};

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

	var sendFunc = function(msg) {

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


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


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

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

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

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

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

		if (msg.username) {

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

	this.url = Dsq.Urls.REPLY +
		'?' + (new Date()).getTime() +
		'&f=jackandjillpolitics' +
		'&t=women8217s_history_month_daily_thread_498' +
		'&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/women8217s_history_month_daily_thread_498/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='	+ 'women8217s_history_month_daily_thread_498'
			+ '&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/women8217s_history_month_daily_thread_498/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">229</span> Comments\
	 &nbsp;\
	 <span class="dsq-item-feed">\
	 <a href="http://jackandjillpolitics.disqus.com/women8217s_history_month_daily_thread_498/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/women8217s_history_month_daily_thread_498/">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:13918157" 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/women8217s_history_month_daily_thread_498/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:13918157" 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:13918157" 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'				: 'women8217s_history_month_daily_thread_498',
			// 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/women8217s_history_month_daily_thread_498/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='	+ 'women8217s_history_month_daily_thread_498'
			+ '&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='	+ 'women8217s_history_month_daily_thread_498'
			+ '&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='		+ 'women8217s_history_month_daily_thread_498'
				+ '&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/13918157/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() {
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Dsq.container.className = "clearfix";
Dsq.container.innerHTML = ' \
<ul id="dsq-comments">\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324180">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324180" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324180" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324180">Suprk</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324180" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324180" class="dsq-comment-message">I wish I could take credit for this, but I came across this on Democratic Underground and I thought I would share for those times we come across never ending trolls and others along the way.<br><br><b> I\'m Sorry to Announce....</b><br>Posted by FrenchieCat <br><a href="http://journals.democraticunderground.com/FrenchieCat/464" rel="nofollow">http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Frenc...</a><br><br>He never said that he was perfect, in fact he always said that he wasn\'t.<br>His supporters also never said that he was perfect,<br>although they were accused of it.<br><br>He never said he was the Messiah.<br>His supporters also never said he was the Messiah,<br>those were his distractors and his enemies who called him that.<br><br>He never was an empty suit,<br>although he was accused of it.<br><br>He never said that he was left, right, center...<br>He said he was a pragmatic progressive who would use common sense.<br><br>He never said that he was going to be everything to everybody,<br>and he said that he wouldn\'t always tell us what we wanted to hear.<br><br>He never said that he wasn\'t going to make mistakes,<br>in fact, he said he was sure he\'d make a few,<br>and he always said that he would listen to all sides in order to find common ground,<br>without compromising his own beliefs.<br><br>He always said that he supported teacher merit pay (just not in the traditional sense),<br>that he would wind down the Iraq war (after speaking to the generals on the ground),<br>that he would take the fight to Afghanistan (but review the objectives and make a review),<br><br>He said that he would fix our economy (but that it would take time),<br>and provide us with universal health care (but he didn\'t run on single payer),<br>and make the government more transparent, and reverse the tax cuts to the rich.<br><br><br>It is a fact that he ran on Change,<br>But I\'m sorry to announce,<br>that he will need more than 60 motherfucking days.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324531">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324531" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324531" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324531">spirit_55z</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324531" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324531" class="dsq-comment-message">OK!!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7321899">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7321899" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7321899" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7321899">Justice58</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7321899" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7321899" class="dsq-comment-message"><b>Obama Would Crush Sarah Palin In 2012: Poll</b><br><br><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/obama-would-crush-sarah-p_n_176392.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/obama-...</a><br><br><b>A poll releasedby Public Policy Polling found that President Obama would crush Sarah Palin in a hypothetical, head-to-head presidential election for 2012.</b><br><br><b>Polling suggests that such a contest would result in the largest popular vote blowout since George McGovern ran against Richard Nixon in 1972. </b><br><br><b>Obama leads Palin 55-35 in the hypothetical contest. He has an 89-7 advantage among Democrats. Among Republican he trails 66-17. Last year exit polls showed Obama </b><br><b>winning only 9% of the Republican vote, so it appears Palin would lose a lot more voters </b><br><b>within her party than McCain did.</b></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327334">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327334" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327334" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327334">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327334" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327334" class="dsq-comment-message">Please Justice -- don\'t . . . don\'t mention that "woman" in the same breath as our President Obama.  no contest.<br><br>Just the thought makes me want to . . . umphh uuumphh . . . I think I just threw up in my mouth.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7317151">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7317151" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7317151" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7317151">lamh32</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7317151" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7317151" class="dsq-comment-message">Type your comment here. Saw this comment about Geithner on Greg Sargent\'s blog over at Wash Post, it articulates my feeling better than I could:<br><br>"sgwhiteinfla | March 18th, 2009 at 08:44 am <br>I personally feel like the criticism of Geitner is overheated. For all of the complaints I haven’t exactly seen anybody come up with a different/better plan to handle the financial crisis. Having said that I believe that he has handled the executive compensation question very poorly. The truth is its all kabuki theater. The money paid out in bonuses is a drop in the bucket when you are talking about the truck loads of money delivered to bail out AIG. But the optics are bad and just like with earmarks the media is prone to blowing this up to crisis proportions. Still more and more banks are saying that they are back to being profitable now so evidently SOMETHING is working. I don’t really care if Geitner is a great speaker, I just want him to get the financial sector stabilized. Honestly I don’t remember ever even seeing Hank Paulson before last fall and if the banks get stabilized I am pretty sure we won’t see much more of Geitner either. However maybe for now they should just keep putting Summers out for speaking purposes and let Geitner work behind the scenes. The media has made a caricature out of him at this point without any real reason for doing so. I saw him testifying before Congress and I thought he did a good job and knew what the hell he was talking about but President Obama will lose if they allow the media to continue making everything about Geitner. Nobody even noticed that the Dow went up like 100 pts yesterday. This after weeks of saying the market was falling because nobody had confidence in Geitner. They are going to keep tailoring stories to make every problem Geitner’s problem and every success will go underreported. Thats the way the world is now and the White House better recognize that and soon."<br><br><a href="http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/rahm-obama-believes-aig-mess-is-a-distraction/#comment-6014" rel="nofollow">http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-med...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7317240">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7317240" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7317240" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7317240">lamh32</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7317240" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7317240" class="dsq-comment-message">It\'s a good thread over there.  Some of the comments are really on point.  Ya\'ll should check it out.<br><br><a href="http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/rahm-obama-believes-aig-mess-is-a-distraction/#comments" rel="nofollow">http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-med...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7318429">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7318429" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7318429" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7318429">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7318429" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7318429" class="dsq-comment-message">Thanks - you\'re right...really good points being made.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7317624">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7317624" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7317624" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7317624">NMP</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7317624" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7317624" class="dsq-comment-message">"Nobody even noticed that the Dow went up like 100 pts yesterday."  Oh they noticed, which is why they came up with this distraction, and that\'s ALL it is a distraction.  And damned if we\'re not falling for it!  <br><br>This is an open question to everyone who frequents this blog and beyond, what they hell did we work so hard and invest so much into getting Obama elected?  Was it just to make history or are we truly committed to bringing about the change we say we want?  Will President Obama be the latest in a long line of Black "firsts" who accomplished much of nothing or will he be the next great President?  It\'s really up to us.  Are we going to stay on Democratic congressman and Senators to stick with the President\'s agenda or allow them to use this an excuse to do nothing.  We have to decide is this our moment for real progress or will we continue to be just a bunch of complaining mother fuckers?!<br><br>I admit, of late I\'m been crtical of the President for being off message and giving his opponents and critics too much to exploit, but I\'m damn sure committed to his agenda!  And I\'m not going to allow myself to be distracted by drop in the bucket, relative to the amount we\'ve invested.  <br><br>As this reader says, no one is asking is the investment paying off?  We only want to know the bad, not the good!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7317856">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7317856" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7317856" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7317856">Plantsmantx</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7317856" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7317856" class="dsq-comment-message">As you said yesterday, we have to keep a sense of perspective.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7318000">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7318000" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7318000" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7318000">spirit_55z</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7318000" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7318000" class="dsq-comment-message">Co-signing.  What\'s up with the "shadow group" of 15 Democrats who basically set up shop to oppose the president\'s agenda.  If Joey Scarface is salivating over the idea, you know it aint good.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7319749">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7319749" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7319749" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7319749">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7319749" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7319749" class="dsq-comment-message">we all knew Bayh couldn\'t be trusted. he\'s just revealing what we already knew.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7325210">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7325210" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7325210" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7325210">Admiral_Komack</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7325210" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7325210" class="dsq-comment-message">He is what we thought he was.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320378">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320378" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320378" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320378">Sepia</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320378" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320378" class="dsq-comment-message">And while everyone is focusing on AIG, Bayh announces his rogue group. He ain\'t slick!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7318977">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7318977" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7318977" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7318977">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7318977" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7318977" class="dsq-comment-message">As this reader says, no one is asking is the investment paying off? We only want to know the bad, not the good!<br><br>Today\'s media only thrives on a "Chicken Little" concept of journalism...the sky is always faliing.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7319198">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7319198" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7319198" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7319198">spirit_55z</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7319198" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7319198" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://disney-clipart.com/Chicken-Little/Disney-Chicken-Little.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://disney-clipart.com/Chicken-Little/Disney...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7319364">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7319364" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7319364" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7319364">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7319364" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7319364" class="dsq-comment-message">Maybe we are not talking about the DOW becasue it was ALWAYS \'the distraction\'. The DOW is not a barometer of the financial crisis. It was nothing but a surrogate marker.<br>I did not hold Obama\'s success to the DOW from the beginning as it is super fickle. It is nothing but a barometer for the greed of wall street investors, scam artists, and shysters who have legal authority to use money as a tool in any way they choose including fraudulent means to \'create\' wealth.<br><br>If we want to judge Obama\'s success...check out the lagging unemployment rates.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324665">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324665" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324665" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324665">NMP</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324665" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324665" class="dsq-comment-message">I agree that the DOW is not a barometer of the health of the economy, as I have stated here repeatedly.  I\'m just pointing out the indisputable fact the media was fixated on the DOW last week because they were using it as a barometer for the health of the economy and a gauge of the President\'s economic plans, accusing him of sinking the DOW and declaring class ware fare on the business community.  Now that the Dow is suddenly on the up tick, how would they reconcile last week\'s coverage?  if not for this AIG DISTRACTION, they would either have to give the Presiden credit or have a hard time explaining why the DOW was  no longer important since the arrow turned green, now wouldn\'t they?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7326479">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7326479" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7326479" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7326479">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7326479" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7326479" class="dsq-comment-message">Ok, I see your point. Yes, they would.  But the media is just always going to be contentious...they live on polarization of issues. It is so sad. We can\'t govern cause the media is more interested in ratings than good governance.<br><br>It\'s just a damn shame.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7326993">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7326993" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7326993" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7326993">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7326993" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7326993" class="dsq-comment-message">Good for you NMP.  Bravo Bravo</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320320">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320320" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320320" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320320">Myth</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320320" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320320" class="dsq-comment-message">I definitely co-sign this part of the statement:<br><br>President Obama will lose if they allow the media to continue making everything about Geitner."</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7318297">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7318297" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7318297" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7318297">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7318297" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7318297" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'d just like to point out that Angela Davis had one helluva fierce FRO.....niiiiiiiiiice.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7319144">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7319144" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7319144" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7319144">spirit_55z</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7319144" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7319144" class="dsq-comment-message">The FRO is slammin!  Mine is getting bigger and I\'m lovin it!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7318338">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7318338" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7318338" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7318338">eclecticbrotha</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7318338" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7318338" class="dsq-comment-message">At first I thought that was Jim Kelly. Angela was a lot sexier than that pic lets on.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7318389">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7318389" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7318389" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7318389">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7318389" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7318389" class="dsq-comment-message">Lyin mofos - just lyin for no reason...just liars...lying liars and the knucklehead liars that watch them:<br><br>Faux News apologizes for LYING<br><br>Martha MacCallum, co-anchor of the Fox News program "The Live Desk," apologized today after Fox News "inadvertently" used a six-month-old clip of Joe Biden talking about the economy.<br><br>The misleading segment featured splices of recent interviews with Obama administration officials discussing the state of the economy. One clip showed Joe Biden saying that the "fundamentals of the economy are strong." The Huffington Post reported yesterday that the clip of Biden was taken from a much earlier stump speech, and that he was repeating a statement John McCain made on the campaign <br><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/17/fox-news-apologizes-for-m_n_175906.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/17/fox-ne...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320964">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320964" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320964" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320964">Justice58</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320964" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320964" class="dsq-comment-message">Lying mofos!  They have to resort to deception and making up sh%t! Pitiful.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7318391">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7318391" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7318391" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7318391">rorysmomma</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7318391" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7318391" class="dsq-comment-message">I just got through reading the blame the black folks meme on the other thread.<br><br>For those like conserve one, I am going to keep it really simple.  Blame us all you want.  You guys don\'t want to give us credit for helping to build this country, <br><br>Last time I checked.  We were trying to stick it to the rich and successful white guys.  Well if they can make the bad decisions... you know like the poor people, then they should also take the blame when they and their big corporations run the country in the ground.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7319140">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7319140" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7319140" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7319140">Myth</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7319140" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7319140" class="dsq-comment-message">Please, please don\'t invite him over here, please.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7319458">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7319458" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7319458" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7319458">rorysmomma</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7319458" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7319458" class="dsq-comment-message">Myth, in the words of my late grandmother " He makes me sick in my ass."</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320012">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320012" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320012" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320012">Myth</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320012" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320012" class="dsq-comment-message">Guess you gotta "fart" him on outta here.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320310">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320310" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320310" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320310">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320310" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320310" class="dsq-comment-message">LMAO!!!!!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327460">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327460" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327460" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327460">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327460" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327460" class="dsq-comment-message">RAOTFLMAOOOOOO <br><br>ya\'ll something else on JJP</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7319784">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7319784" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7319784" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7319784">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7319784" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7319784" class="dsq-comment-message">Black folks have been blamed for everything in this country. We know that. Same story/</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7319947">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7319947" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7319947" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7319947">allamr18</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7319947" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7319947" class="dsq-comment-message">lol the funniest blame the black folks had to be either We caused the housing crisis or we voted against Prop 8 or whatever.Its nothing new</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320290">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320290" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320290" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320290">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320290" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320290" class="dsq-comment-message">My personal favorite is blaming us for the "evil" unions......that one is particularly funny to me.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320110">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320110" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320110" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320110">Conserv1</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320110" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320110" class="dsq-comment-message">No one is blaming black folks. This is not a black vs. white issue. <br><br>My point is government and business share the blame. <br><br>Government trying to engineer \'affordable housing\'  set the snow ball rolling.<br><br>predacious wants to lay the blame entirely on conservatives but I can tell you that just as many Dems have their hands in banking, private-equity and hedge funds as well as the Banking and Finance Committees of Congress.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320770">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320770" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320770" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320770">Nardwilly</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320770" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320770" class="dsq-comment-message">The gop was in complete charge for 6 years.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7321017">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7321017" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7321017" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7321017">Conserv1</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7321017" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7321017" class="dsq-comment-message">This started well before that. Under Clinton.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7321484">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7321484" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7321484" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7321484">Monie</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7321484" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7321484" class="dsq-comment-message">and who was in the majority in Congress.....think real hard.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323112">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323112" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323112" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323112">Conserv1</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323112" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323112" class="dsq-comment-message">This is a failure of government (Democrat and Republican) and the private sector.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323549">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323549" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323549" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323549">Justice58</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323549" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323549" class="dsq-comment-message">You\'re dishonest, Conserv1! You very well know the truth but won\'t admit it, scumbag!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324849">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324849" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324849" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324849">Myth</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324849" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324849" class="dsq-comment-message">Justice, Conserv1 is achieving its goal;  to keep you distracted.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324392">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324392" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324392" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324392">Junglecat09</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324392" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324392" class="dsq-comment-message">Hey einstein, its the DEMOCRATIC party.  You need to kick the wizard of oz\' azz for giving you a "made in Taiwan" brain.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7325113">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7325113" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7325113" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7325113">Admiral_Komack</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7325113" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7325113" class="dsq-comment-message">Kltpzyxm</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324258">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324258" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324258" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324258">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324258" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324258" class="dsq-comment-message">It started under Reagan</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7325083">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7325083" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7325083" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7325083">Admiral_Komack</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7325083" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7325083" class="dsq-comment-message">Kltpzyxm</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323431">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323431" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323431" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323431">rorysmomma</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323431" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323431" class="dsq-comment-message">You said that we were blaming whit people, let me go back and get your damn quote.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324323">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324323" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324323" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324323">rorysmomma</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324323" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324323" class="dsq-comment-message">Are we back to blaming rich white men for the world\'s ills?  Wasn\'t that at the beginning of your damn post?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7325051">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7325051" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7325051" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7325051">Admiral_Komack</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7325051" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7325051" class="dsq-comment-message">Kltpzyxm</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7318701">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7318701" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7318701" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7318701">lamh32</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7318701" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7318701" class="dsq-comment-message">Obama Shoulders AIG Blame, Stands Behind Geithner<br><a href="http://thepage.time.com/2009/03/18/obama-keeps-pressure-on-aig/" rel="nofollow">http://thepage.time.com/2009/03/18/obama-keeps-...</a><br><br>The president defends his Treasury Secretary amid widespread criticism over his handling of AIG in remarks on the South Lawn Wednesday.<br><br>"Nobody\'s working harder than this guy. He\'s making all the right moves in terms of playing a bad hand."<br><br>"Ultimately, I\'m responsible. I\'m the president of the United States... the buck stops with me."</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7319110">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7319110" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7319110" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7319110">Myth</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7319110" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7319110" class="dsq-comment-message">Eljah Cummings just defended Geithner. He\'s gotta be a keeper at this point.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7319273">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7319273" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7319273" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7319273">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7319273" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7319273" class="dsq-comment-message">If WallStreet wants Geithner to go..it is a sure bet that he is doing his job correctly.<br><br>Conservative economic philosophy has caused the current financial crisis. It is not “the market.” It is not miscalculation. It’s not even greed. Financial corporations are failing because conservatives created the conditions where greed would inevitably lead to economic chaos. [New York Times primer on the crisis]<br><br>Conservative “free market” fundamentalists dismantled New Deal protections. Finance is too important to be left to bankers. We learned that in the Great Depression. To curb irresponsible speculation and secure banks, Franklin Roosevelt and Congress reformed the financial industry with tighter controls on banks, mortgage lenders and other creditors, and stock exchanges. These reforms worked for more than fifty years. But starting in the 1980s, heeding Ronald Reagan’s call to shrink the federal government and leave the economy in the care of the market’s “invisible hand,” conservatives systematically dismantled economic safeguards. [Robert Kuttner’s American Prospect article and his congressional testimony]<br><br>Conservatives weakened and eventually repealed of the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933. Glass-Steagall separated investment banks and commercial banks, to prevent a single institution from making risky loans, repackaging them as securities, and selling them to investors—a major part of the current crisis. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which eliminated the Glass-Steagall limits, was authored by then-Senator Phil Gramm who is now John McCain’s chief financial advisor. [Newsweek]<br><br>Conservative regulators opposed using the powers that they had. The Federal Reserve, led by conservative Alan Greenspan, had the power and responsibility to police the mortgage market. A Democratic Congress gave him that job as part of the Homeownership Opportunity and Equity Protection Act of 1994. But based on the conservative anti-regulation philosophy, he never implemented the law. The Bush Administration subsequently encouraged Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to increase sub-prime lending. [New York Times]<br><br>Conservatives cheered on the creation of a largely unregulated shadow banking system. Hedge funds and private-equity firms have been allowed to operate without limits, even though they create risky securities, buy and sell companies, and borrow at spectacular levels to speculate on the market. Bankers made millions by taking on ever more exotic risks. They turned home mortgages into speculative packages, and then pushed hard to lower standards of lending. Thanks to the conservative economic philosophy, these corporations have turned much of the market into nothing more than a gigantic gambling casino. [Paul Krugman]</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320451">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320451" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320451" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320451">Conserv1</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320451" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320451" class="dsq-comment-message">Smart regulations require smart regulators; a big question in this crisis was whether anyone at Treasury was "minding the store," so to speak. At this point, it appears no one in government bothered to object to the bonuses until it was too late. The president\'s argument amounts to calling for additional power in the hands of those who dropped the ball on this matter.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320722">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320722" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320722" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320722">Nardwilly</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320722" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320722" class="dsq-comment-message">Pres Bush admin dropped the ball if anybody did.  There is also the possibility and I would say liklehood that the laws and the enforcers are inadequate.  AIG broke no laws.  Sub prime mortagages weren\'t illegal.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320949">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320949" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320949" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320949">Conserv1</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320949" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320949" class="dsq-comment-message">But what policies led to the creation of sub-prime mortgages?<br><br>How HUD Mortgage Policy Fed The Crisis<br>Subprime Loans Labeled \'Affordable\'<br><br><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/09/AR2008060902626.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...</a><br><br>"Congress and HUD policy folks were trying to do a good thing," he said, "and it worked."<br><br>Since HUD became their regulator in 1992, Fannie and Freddie each year are supposed to buy a portion of "affordable" mortgages made to underserved borrowers. Every four years, HUD reviews the goals to adapt to market changes.<br><br>In 1995, President Bill Clinton\'s HUD agreed to let Fannie and Freddie get affordable-housing credit for buying subprime securities that included loans to low-income borrowers. The idea was that subprime lending benefited many borrowers who did not qualify for conventional loans. HUD expected that Freddie and Fannie would impose their high lending standards on subprime lenders.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7321658">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7321658" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7321658" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7321658">Plantsmantx</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7321658" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7321658" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/53802.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/53802.html</a><br><br>As the economy worsens and Election Day approaches, a conservative campaign that blames the global financial crisis on a government push to make housing more affordable to lower-class Americans has taken off on talk radio and e-mail. <br><br>Commentators say that\'s what triggered the stock market meltdown and the freeze on credit. They\'ve specifically targeted the mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which the federal government seized on Sept. 6, contending that lending to poor and minority Americans caused Fannie\'s and Freddie\'s financial problems.<br><br>Federal housing data reveal that the charges aren\'t true, and that the private sector, not the government or government-backed companies, was behind the soaring subprime lending at the core of the crisis. <br><br>Subprime lending offered high-cost loans to the weakest borrowers during the housing boom that lasted from 2001 to 2007. Subprime lending was at its height from 2004 to 2006.<br><br>Federal Reserve Board data show that: <br><br>More than 84 percent of the subprime mortgages in 2006 were issued by private lending institutions.<br><br><br>Private firms made nearly 83 percent of the subprime loans to low- and moderate-income borrowers that year.<br><br><br>Only one of the top 25 subprime lenders in 2006 was directly subject to the housing law that\'s being lambasted by conservative critics. <br><br>The "turmoil in financial markets clearly was triggered by a dramatic weakening of underwriting standards for U.S. subprime mortgages, beginning in late 2004 and extending into 2007," the President\'s Working Group on Financial Markets reported Friday.<br><br>Conservative critics claim that the Clinton administration pushed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to make home ownership more available to riskier borrowers with little concern for their ability to pay the mortgages.<br><br>"I don\'t remember a clarion call that said Fannie and Freddie are a disaster. Loaning to minorities and risky folks is a disaster," said Neil Cavuto of Fox News.<br><br>Fannie, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and Freddie, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., don\'t lend money, to minorities or anyone else, however. They purchase loans from the private lenders who actually underwrite the loans.<br><br>It\'s a process called securitization, and by passing on the loans, banks have more capital on hand so they can lend even more.<br><br>This much is true. In an effort to promote affordable home ownership for minorities and rural whites, the Department of Housing and Urban Development set targets for Fannie and Freddie in 1992 to purchase low-income loans for sale into the secondary market that eventually reached this number: 52 percent of loans given to low-to moderate-income families.<br><br>To be sure, encouraging lower-income Americans to become homeowners gave unsophisticated borrowers and unscrupulous lenders and mortgage brokers more chances to turn dreams of homeownership in nightmares.<br><br>But these loans, and those to low- and moderate-income families represent a small portion of overall lending. And at the height of the housing boom in 2005 and 2006, Republicans and their party\'s standard bearer, President Bush, didn\'t criticize any sort of lending, frequently boasting that they were presiding over the highest-ever rates of U.S. homeownership.<br><br>Between 2004 and 2006, when subprime lending was exploding, Fannie and Freddie went from holding a high of 48 percent of the subprime loans that were sold into the secondary market to holding about 24 percent, according to data from Inside Mortgage Finance, a specialty publication. One reason is that Fannie and Freddie were subject to tougher standards than many of the unregulated players in the private sector who weakened lending standards, most of whom have gone bankrupt or are now in deep trouble.<br><br>During those same explosive three years, private investment banks — not Fannie and Freddie — dominated the mortgage loans that were packaged and sold into the secondary mortgage market. In 2005 and 2006, the private sector securitized almost two thirds of all U.S. mortgages, supplanting Fannie and Freddie, according to a number of specialty publications that track this data.<br><br>In 1999, the year many critics charge that the Clinton administration pressured Fannie and Freddie, the private sector sold into the secondary market just 18 percent of all mortgages.<br><br>Fueled by low interest rates and cheap credit, home prices between 2001 and 2007 galloped beyond anything ever seen, and that fueled demand for mortgage-backed securities, the technical term for mortgages that are sold to a company, usually an investment bank, which then pools and sells them into the secondary mortgage market.<br><br>About 70 percent of all U.S. mortgages are in this secondary mortgage market, according to the Federal Reserve.<br><br>Conservative critics also blame the subprime lending mess on the Community Reinvestment Act, a 31-year-old law aimed at freeing credit for underserved neighborhoods.<br><br>Congress created the CRA in 1977 to reverse years of redlining and other restrictive banking practices that locked the poor, and especially minorities, out of homeownership and the tax breaks and wealth creation it affords. The CRA requires federally regulated and insured financial institutions to show that they\'re lending and investing in their communities.<br><br>Conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer wrote recently that while the goal of the CRA was admirable, "it led to tremendous pressure on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — who in turn pressured banks and other lenders — to extend mortgages to people who were borrowing over their heads. That\'s called subprime lending. It lies at the root of our current calamity."<br><br>Fannie and Freddie, however, didn\'t pressure lenders to sell them more loans; they struggled to keep pace with their private sector competitors. In fact, their regulator, the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, imposed new restrictions in 2006 that led to Fannie and Freddie losing even more market share in the booming subprime market.<br><br>What\'s more, only commercial banks and thrifts must follow CRA rules. The investment banks don\'t, nor did the now-bankrupt non-bank lenders such as New Century Financial Corp. and Ameriquest that underwrote most of the subprime loans.<br><br>These private non-bank lenders enjoyed a regulatory gap, allowing them to be regulated by 50 different state banking supervisors instead of the federal government. And mortgage brokers, who also weren\'t subject to federal regulation or the CRA, originated most of the subprime loans.<br><br>In a speech last March, Janet Yellen, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, debunked the notion that the push for affordable housing created today\'s problems.<br><br>"Most of the loans made by depository institutions examined under the CRA have not been higher-priced loans," she said. "The CRA has increased the volume of responsible lending to low- and moderate-income households."<br><br>In a book on the sub-prime lending collapse published in June 2007, the late Federal Reserve Governor Ed Gramlich wrote that only one-third of all CRA loans had interest rates high enough to be considered sub-prime and that to the pleasant surprise of commercial banks there were low default rates. Banks that participated in CRA lending had found, he wrote, "that this new lending is good business."</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323891">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323891" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323891" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323891">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323891" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323891" class="dsq-comment-message">Excellent outstanding post.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323031">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323031" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323031" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323031">Conserv1</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323031" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323031" class="dsq-comment-message">Fannie Mae, Freddie `House of Cards\' Prompts Takeover<br><br><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&refer=us&sid=aYidZnvS7ykg" rel="nofollow">http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323297">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323297" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323297" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323297">Monie</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323297" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323297" class="dsq-comment-message">Fannie this, Freddie that....<br><br>So please explain the downfall of Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns, AIG, and others...that ain\'t got shit to do with Fannie and Freddie....<br><br>EXPLAIN.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324242">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324242" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324242" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324242">spirit_55z</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324242" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324242" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://soundboard.com/sb/crickets_sounds_audio.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://soundboard.com/sb/crickets_sounds_audio....</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7325017">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7325017" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7325017" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7325017">Admiral_Komack</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7325017" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7325017" class="dsq-comment-message">Kltpzyxm</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322356">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322356" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322356" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322356">Monie</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322356" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322356" class="dsq-comment-message">In 2001, Spitzer investigated subprime-mortgage giant Household International for misrepresenting the terms of loans. Household paid $484 million—at the time, the largest settlement for victims of predatory lending ever. Later, he found that Ameriquest Mortgage Company had engaged in deceptive and predatory practices; it paid the victims $295 million. (During the recent crisis, it went out of business.) “For far too long, the subprime market has been a feeding ground for unscrupulous lenders looking to gouge the most vulnerable consumers,” Spitzer told a then-adoring press.<br><br>But in 2003, the Bush administration stepped in. Regulating national banks is the federal government’s job, it said, invoking the 1863 National Bank Act. All 50 state attorneys general howled in protest, but the Supreme Court upheld the administration’s view in Watters v. Wachovia. Its power affirmed, the administration then did little; it believed financial institutions were their own best regulators. This year Wachovia, crippled by $42 billion in risky loans on its books, sold itself to avoid bankruptcy.<br><br><a href="http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/51831/" rel="nofollow">http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/51831/</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323818">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323818" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323818" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323818">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323818" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323818" class="dsq-comment-message">Thank you!!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322390">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322390" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322390" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322390">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322390" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322390" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://leftwingconspiracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/motivator4699699.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://leftwingconspiracy.com/wp-content/upload...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323774">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323774" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323774" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323774">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323774" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323774" class="dsq-comment-message">There were no \'policies\' that led to subprime mortgages.<br><br>It was unmitigaged greed and avarice nothing but a rapacious appetite for money and to defraud everyone who was not in on the 3 card monty.<br><br>That greed had been held in check by the GlassStengall Act and bankers being unwilling to take risk on investments which they had no money to cover....credit default swaps changed that and the ratings agencies GINNEd the entire game.<br><br>policies my ass<br><br>Clinton was not the proponent of this ..he was a lame duck President...with an overwhelming GOP majority Congress. The GOP had more than enough votes to override a veto from Clinton. The majority of Democrats voted against the bill.<br><br>Your focus is on the wrong issue.  And you keep repeatingit as if that will make it right. It doesn\'t.  Fannie and Freddie were not the problem.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323967">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323967" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323967" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323967">Suprk</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323967" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323967" class="dsq-comment-message"><b>The Real Cause of the Meltdown</b><br><a href="http://www.theyoungturks.com/story/2008/10/11/181535/41/Diary/The-Real-Cause-of-the-Meltdown-with-out-the-Spin-or-Racism-" rel="nofollow">http://www.theyoungturks.com/story/2008/10/11/1...</a><br><br>Contrary to spin and racially tinged hysteria, the meltdown is actually a complex story.<br><br>That\'s why " everyday"  Republicans rather scream "terrorist "at McCain rallies than actually try and comprehend the magnitude of the crisis) involving:<br><br>   1. Subprime borrowers,<br>   2. Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS),<br>   3. Collateralized Debt Obligations<br>   4. (CDOs), investment bankers, hedge funds,<br>   5. Credit Default Swap (CDS),<br>   6. Synthetic CDOs,<br>   7. Institutional investors<br>   8. Statistical Deception by the Bush Administration<br><br><br>The new spin is Freddy and Fanny were the culprits, in a desperate attempt to somehow link Obama to the crisis through  a few contributions from the Freddy and Fanny CEOs.<br><br>Unfortunately for the spin-meisters almost none of the $1.5 trillion of cratering subprime mortgages were backed by Fannie or Freddie. Fannie and Freddie, which wouldn\'t accept crazy floating rate loans, which required income verification and minimum down payments. <br> (Aaron Pressman , Bussiness Week September 26 2008)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324983">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324983" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324983" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324983">Admiral_Komack</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324983" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324983" class="dsq-comment-message">Kltpzyxm</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324162">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324162" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324162" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324162">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324162" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324162" class="dsq-comment-message">The post you replied to said not one word about bonuses. Rather, it was focused on how conservatives who controlled congress were the driving force behind the current financial crises. It was conservatives who deregulated the markets, It was conservatives who refused to enforce regulations on the books. And it was conservatives who incentivivized the market for banking  fraud,  investor speculation and unparalled financial market leveraging resulting in the current GLOBAL financial meltdown.<br><br>Nothing but \'free market\' conservatism is at the bottom of this scam. They gambled the bank away and now they want to point fingers at everyone but themselves and their own greed, and plundering.<br><br>Conservatives are the worse thing that has happened to America. They respect no laws, have no values and constantly run around like hypocrites talking about morals when they are the most amoral group of people in the country. The banks and investment crooks were so corrupt they even sold their worthless \'money products\' to the only people who own most of America\'s debt. The greedy SOB\'s didn\'t give a shyt.<br><br>Conservatives are the downfall of capitalism...conservatives are the jerks and assholes who are unpatriotic and would sell their own mother and unborn child just to make a buck.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327701">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327701" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327701" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-7327701" href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CraigHickman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327701" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327701" class="dsq-comment-message">You better say that.<br><br>Though I wouldn\'t call these policies conservative, even though they were put forth by "conservatives."</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324917">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324917" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324917" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324917">Admiral_Komack</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324917" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324917" class="dsq-comment-message">Kltpzyxm</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327108">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327108" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327108" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327108">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327108" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327108" class="dsq-comment-message">I done told ya\'ll although Geithner had the personality of a pet rock he knew what he was doing.  I trust President Obama that Geithner has what it takes to reverse this financial crisis.  I don\'t have to like the guy . . . I just want to know can he do this.   <br>I say yes he can.  Now, folks need to back off and allow time for these efforts to work and stop with the sec ond by second updates.  You will only end up stressing yourself out.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7319939">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7319939" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7319939" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7319939">Myth</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7319939" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7319939" class="dsq-comment-message">Maybe its my tv, but edward liddy looks awfully "red"???</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7319943">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7319943" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7319943" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7319943">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7319943" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7319943" class="dsq-comment-message">Oh, I just loved Obama\'s response to the reporter, about \'whether he was going to quell the public anger\'<br><br>Obama said, he does not want to quell it, he wants to channel it into public reforms!<br><br>I just love his strategic brilliance, he knows how to utilize and capitalize off the populist angry to fuel the reforms the country need.<br><br>Just exceptional.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320088">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320088" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320088" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320088">Myth</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320088" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320088" class="dsq-comment-message">Looking forward to his Town Hall tonight in California.  He really doesnt shy away from a good fight.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320111">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320111" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320111" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320111">MsKitty</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320111" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320111" class="dsq-comment-message">The press just needs to quit while they\'re ahead.  The administration is making them look more and more like chumps.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320303">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320303" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320303" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320303">Sepia</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320303" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320303" class="dsq-comment-message">(clapping) Her-cu-les! Her-cu-les!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320384">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320384" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320384" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320384">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320384" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320384" class="dsq-comment-message">you ain\'t right........ROFLMAO!!!!!!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327420">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327420" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327420" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327420">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327420" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327420" class="dsq-comment-message">Hey predacious - do you have a link to that interview?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327610">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327610" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327610" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327610">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327610" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327610" class="dsq-comment-message">found it -- <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/obama-on-aig-the-buck-sto_n_176423.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/obama-...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327732">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327732" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327732" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327732">Justice58</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327732" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327732" class="dsq-comment-message">Here you go, Val!<br><br><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/obama-on-aig-the-buck-sto_n_176423.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/obama-...</a><br><br><br><br><i>WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama said Wednesday no one in his administration created the mess at insurance giant AIG, including the much-maligned executive bonuses, but that "the buck stops with me" to fix it.</i><br><br><i>"I don\'t want to quell anger. I think people are right to be angry. I\'m angry," the president said. "What I want us to do, though, is channel our anger in a constructive way."</i></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320680">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320680" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320680" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320680">Conserv1</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320680" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320680" class="dsq-comment-message">I see so we should give more power to regulators but smart regulations require smart regulators; a big question in this crisis was whether anyone at Treasury was "minding the store," so to speak. At this point, it appears no one in government bothered to object to the bonuses until it was too late. The president\'s argument amounts to calling for additional power in the hands of those who dropped the ball on this matter.<br><br>Also, how can Obama hope to entice private equity firms to use government money to buy toxic assets while he demonizes Wall Street?<br><br><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/17/AR2009031703565.html?wprss=rss_politics" rel="nofollow">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...</a><br><br>Treasury is going to have to negotiate with private investors who are going to want to be rewarded with profit (gasp!) in exchange for the risk they will shoulder in an effort to recoup taxpayer dollars.<br><br>Shareholders should revolt against CEOs who reward failure, but merit bonuses for execs who successfully manage profitable companies is not immoral.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7321221">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7321221" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7321221" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7321221">Monie</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7321221" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7321221" class="dsq-comment-message">See there you go again....<br><br>Let me remind you of a name that Bush cartel tried to SILENCE when he spoke the truth about the incompetence of the administration, his first Treasury Secretary Paul O\'Neill...even he was taken aback.<br><br>From 2004, take notes:<br><br>"O\'Neill had been preaching that a fiscal crisis was looming and more tax cuts would exacerbate it. But others in the White House saw a chance to capitalize on the historic Republican congressional gains in the 2002 elections. Surely, Cheney would not be so smug. He would hear O\'Neill out. In an economic meeting in the Vice President\'s office, O\'Neill started pitching, describing how the numbers showed that growing budget deficits threatened the economy. Cheney cut him off. "Reagan proved deficits don\'t matter," he said. O\'Neill was too dumbfounded to respond. Cheney continued: "We won the midterms. This is our due."<br><br>"A month later, Paul O\'Neill was fired, ending the rocky two-year tenure of Bush\'s first Treasury Secretary, who became known for his candid statements and the controversies that followed them. Rarely had a person who spoke so freely been embedded so high in an Administration that valued frank public remarks so little. "<br><br><br>Now O\'Neill is speaking with the same bracing style in a book written by Pulitzer prizewinning journalist Ron Suskind. The Price of Loyalty: George W. Bush, the White House and the Education of Paul O\'Neill  traces the former Alcoa CEO\'s rise and fall through the Administration: from his return to Washington to work for his third President, whom he believed would govern from the sensible center, through O\'Neill\'s disillusionment, to his firing, executed in a surreal conversation with Cheney, a man he once considered a fellow traveler. Suskind had access not only to O\'Neill but also to the saddlebags he took with him when he left town, which included a minute-by-minute accounting of his 23 months in office and 19,000 pages of documents on CD-ROM.<br><br>So, what does O\'Neill reveal? According to the book, ideology and electoral politics so dominated the domestic-policy process during his tenure that it was often impossible to have a rational exchange of ideas. The incurious President was so opaque on some important issues that top Cabinet officials were left guessing his mind even after face-to-face meetings. Cheney is portrayed as an unstoppable force, unbowed by inconvenient facts as he drives Administration policy toward his goals."<br><br>"When the corporate scandals rocked Wall Street, O\'Neill and Greenspan devised a plan to make CEOs accountable. Bush went with a more modest plan because "the corporate crowd," as O\'Neill calls it in the book, complained loudly and Bush could not buck that constituency. "The biggest difference between then and now," O\'Neill tells Suskind about his two previous tours in Washington, "is that our group was mostly about evidence and analysis, and Karl (Rove), Dick (Cheney), Karen (Hughes) and the gang seemed to be mostly about politics. It\'s a huge distinction." <br><br> <br><a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C1101040119-574809%2C00.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,917...</a><br><br>PRESIDENT OBAMA is cleaning up the shitpile that was left for him with all its complexities and intricacies.....a pile that was years in the making from stubborn ass REPUBLICAN ideologues.  PERIOD.<br><br>And the President already told us it won\'t going to be easy.  The wolves had guarded the hen house for far to long</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322888">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322888" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322888" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322888">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322888" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322888" class="dsq-comment-message">&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;crickets&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323501">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323501" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323501" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323501">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323501" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323501" class="dsq-comment-message">I loved O\'Neil\'s quote when asked what was it like to serve in Bush\'s cabinet and how did Bush\'s decision making process and executive skills , he replied:<br><br>Bush is a blind man among  a room full of deaf people.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323804">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323804" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323804" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323804">Monie</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323804" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323804" class="dsq-comment-message">Exactly.  HE was saying what we all know is the truth.<br><br>Mind you, Paul O\'Neill was arguably  very much an insider...even recommending Cheney as Defense Secretary when he was offered the position   by George HW Bush.<br><br>From Wikipedia:<br><br>Bush Administration<br><br>O\'Neill was appointed Secretary of the Treasury by George W. Bush. O\'Neill was a somewhat outspoken member of the administration, often saying things to the press that went against the administration\'s party line, and doing unusual things like taking a tour of Africa with singer Bono.<br><br>A report commissioned in 2002 by O\'Neill, while he was Treasury Secretary, suggested the United States faced future federal budget deficits of more than US$ 500 billion. The report also suggested that sharp tax increases, massive spending cuts, or both would be unavoidable if the United States were to meet benefit promises to its future generations. The study estimated that closing the budget gap would require the equivalent of an immediate and permanent 66 percent across-the-board income tax increase. The Bush administration left the findings out of the 2004 annual budget report published in February 2003.<br><br>O\'Neill\'s private feuds with Bush\'s tax cut policies and his push to further investigate alleged al-Qaeda funding from some American-allied countries, as well as his objection to the invasion of Iraq in the name of the war on terror — that he considered as nothing but a simple excuse for a war decided long before by neoconservative elements of the first Bush Administration — led to his resignation in 2002 and replacement with John W. Snow.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323614">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323614" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323614" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323614">carolinagirl</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323614" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323614" class="dsq-comment-message">Cannot.....compute.......talking point......</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323956">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323956" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323956" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323956">Monie</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323956" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323956" class="dsq-comment-message">lol</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7326368">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7326368" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7326368" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7326368">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7326368" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7326368" class="dsq-comment-message">ROFLMAO</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324864">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324864" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324864" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324864">Admiral_Komack</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324864" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324864" class="dsq-comment-message">Kltpzyxm</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320150">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320150" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320150" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320150">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320150" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320150" class="dsq-comment-message">Thanks djchefron!!<br>Bet we didn’t hear a DAMN THING about this in the mainstream press did we?? NOPE! <br><br>The Urgency in the Sudan <br>Two weeks ago, the President launched a "high-level, urgent review" of US policy toward Sudan that will among other things consider whether the US should re-examine joining the International Criminal Court (ICC). Today, the President will name Maj. Gen. J. Scott Gration, a Swahili-speaking retired Air Force officer who grew up in Africa, to be the US special envoy to Sudan according to the New York Times. It is a decent start but if we are to avert a major humanitarian crisis in the Sudan, more is required.<br> <br>President Obama is no stranger to the urgency of the Sudan. As a senator, he visited Darfurian refugee camps in Tchad in 2006 and identified the issue as a priority, speaking eloquently and vociferously on the subject frequently. While Darfur remains a flash point, the situation in the Sudan is growing ever more critical now as a major humanitarian crisis is beginning to unfold in Juba and the southern Sudan.<br><br><a href="http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/3/18/378/82423" rel="nofollow">http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/3/18/378/82423</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320269">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320269" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320269" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320269">Sepia</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320269" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320269" class="dsq-comment-message">Of course the MSM didn\'t report this. First off, they don\'t care about black people and second, it was something positive that PBO did and they\'re too busy running the "See! I told you so!" meme.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7321136">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7321136" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7321136" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7321136">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7321136" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7321136" class="dsq-comment-message">So true. I honestly come here to find out the obscure columns and articles about all of the works the Obama Administration is doing - I rely upon y\'all to scour thru and find positive news because clearly the mainstream press has an agenda to the contrary.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320210">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320210" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320210" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320210">Sepia</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320210" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320210" class="dsq-comment-message">Did anyone hear Chris Matthews on Mrs. Greenspan\'s show? They were talking about a provision that was removed from the stimulus bill that would have prevented bonuses from being handed out. Tweety was insinuating that PBO had it pulled because he received "a lot" of campaign contributions from AIG. He added that Clinton only received "a little". WTF? They are trying their best to paint PBO with the shady brush. Funny, they said NOTHING when AIG handed out $55M in bonuses back in Dec.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320532">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320532" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320532" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320532">Conserv1</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320532" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320532" class="dsq-comment-message">Maybe Obama should have read the entire bill before signing it?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320814">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320814" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320814" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320814">Sepia</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320814" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320814" class="dsq-comment-message">Maybe you should have a hot cup of STFU?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320855">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320855" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320855" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320855">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320855" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320855" class="dsq-comment-message">What are you sniffing today? glue? a marker? banana peels? what? LOL.... burnt beetle dung? ammonia? clorox? What is it? Your shit is fried...that\'s for damn sure....LOL.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7321108">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7321108" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7321108" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7321108">Conserv1</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7321108" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7321108" class="dsq-comment-message">Was there or was there not a provision in the stimulus bill that exempted the AIG bonuses? THERE WAS.<br><br>There\'s a FireDogLake post claiming that Dodd actually wanted to severely restrict the bonuses, and only consented to put in the bonus grandfather clause because Geithner and Summers insisted on it.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323415">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323415" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323415" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323415">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323415" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323415" class="dsq-comment-message">That Dodd was involved has been debunked.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324748">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324748" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324748" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324748">Admiral_Komack</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324748" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324748" class="dsq-comment-message">Kltpzyxm</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327407">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327407" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327407" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327407">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327407" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327407" class="dsq-comment-message">lolol Go Admiral!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324725">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324725" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324725" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324725">Admiral_Komack</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324725" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324725" class="dsq-comment-message">Kltpzyxm</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7325396">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7325396" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7325396" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7325396">rorysmomma</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7325396" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7325396" class="dsq-comment-message">I am sure that he read it.  The provision was put in by the republicans as part of their "compromise"  of that I am sure.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320520">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320520" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320520" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320520">Myth</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320520" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320520" class="dsq-comment-message">Liddy just told Bernie Frank that his priority is to pay down the federal reserve dollars first so that the rating agencies would remain relaxed BEFORE paying the TARP money back.  What?  Are not the American people more outraged about the TARP money moreso that the rating agencies.<br><br>Liddy just said he had reservations about releasing the names of the people who got the money because they got death threats. Give the money back and the threats go away, its just that simple.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323347">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323347" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323347" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323347">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323347" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323347" class="dsq-comment-message">The ratings agencies are HUGE culprits here. They were the gate keepers, the regulator folks who could have crashed this house of card before it was ever built. The magnitude of their betrayal of public trust is beyond reprehensible. Without ratings none of those derivatives/swaps or hedge funds were viable...they would have been viewed as toxic or very high risk by investors...especially Chinese investors along with other global banking entitties in London and Mumbai as well as Dubai.<br><br>That is what made this a global crisis...not only did WallStreet create toxic securiities they sold them globally to our bankers, which is why the biggest counterparties, that AIG is paying this money to are overseas banks.<br><br>The taxpayers are paying global banking entities to clean up the shyt WallStreet crapped around the globe selling fraudulent financial instruments ginned up with HIGH ratings from Standard & Poor and Moody\'s.<br><br>The ratings agencies are big time culprits and they need to be stripped and cattleproded for their derilection of the public trust.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7330615">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7330615" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7330615" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7330615">RobM</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7330615" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7330615" class="dsq-comment-message">Force Majeure. Gets rid of  CDS. saves alot of taxpayer money. You\'ll close down AIG London and sell the insurance comapnies to the public.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7321485">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7321485" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7321485" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7321485">Conserv1</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7321485" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7321485" class="dsq-comment-message">Its not that simple when the Treasury is planning on enticing private firms to invest in toxic assets with government money to stabilize the banking sector and recover taxpayer dollars. These companies will be very reluctant to let the government have a hand in running their business while they are sending mixed signals and demonizing Wall Street.<br><br>Once the toxic assets are purchased off the books of AIG, the profitable parts of the company can be sold off and used to repay the taxpayers.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324704">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324704" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324704" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324704">Admiral_Komack</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324704" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324704" class="dsq-comment-message">Kltpzyxm</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320786">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320786" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320786" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320786">Sepia</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320786" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320786" class="dsq-comment-message">Here are the members of Evan Bayh\'s Rogue Group of Dems Against Progress (my title :-P). Claire McCaskill sold us out! :<br><br>Evan Bayh<br><br>Tom Carper of Delaware<br><br>Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas<br><br>Mark Udall of Colorado<br><br>Michael Bennet of Colorado<br><br>Mark Begich of Alaska<br><br>Kay Hagan of North Carolina<br><br>Herb Kohl of Wisconsin<br><br>Mary Landrieu of Louisiana<br><br>Joe Lieberman of Connecticut<br><br>Claire McCaskill of Missouri<br><br>Ben Nelson of Nebraska<br><br>Bill Nelson of Florida<br><br>Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire<br><br>Mark Warner of Virginia.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7320966">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7320966" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7320966" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7320966">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7320966" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7320966" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'m so disappointed to see Senator McCaskill\'s name.....hopefully she\'s the "plant" for Rahm.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7321432">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7321432" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7321432" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7321432">Justice58</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7321432" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7321432" class="dsq-comment-message">I sure hope so. Senator McCaskill always seemed to have the President\'s back!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7321561">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7321561" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7321561" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7321561">Sepia</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7321561" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7321561" class="dsq-comment-message">I hope ya\'ll are right. A JJPer pointed out that McCaskill has been straddling the fence lately.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323363">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323363" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323363" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323363">spirit_55z</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323363" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323363" class="dsq-comment-message">Taht would be eclectbrotha</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323822">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323822" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323822" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323822">Justice58</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323822" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323822" class="dsq-comment-message">Yup, he did!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7321159">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7321159" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7321159" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7321159">Conserv1</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7321159" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7321159" class="dsq-comment-message">Were progressives to early in declaring the death of the DLC?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322552">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322552" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322552" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322552">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322552" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322552" class="dsq-comment-message">Well we know its not to early to declare death of the GOP....I think time of death was....oh...around 11pm EST on 11/4/2008.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323001">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323001" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323001" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323001">Sepia</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323001" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323001" class="dsq-comment-message">*Game Over*</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323762">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323762" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323762" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323762">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323762" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323762" class="dsq-comment-message">I heard that First Lady Michelle Obama sent a very nice tasteful peace lily.....you know how we do it.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324386">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324386" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324386" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324386">Justice58</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324386" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324386" class="dsq-comment-message">That\'s how we roll!   <b>;)</b></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7325223">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7325223" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7325223" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7325223">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7325223" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7325223" class="dsq-comment-message">Mama Robinson cooked up some fried chicken and a buttermilk pound cake...secret service took it over.<br><br>LOL</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7325286">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7325286" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7325286" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7325286">spirit_55z</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7325286" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7325286" class="dsq-comment-message">This is how we do it.  Don\'t hate the PLAYER, hate the game, baby!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323377">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323377" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323377" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323377">Justice58</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323377" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323377" class="dsq-comment-message">*Ashes to ashes, Dust to dust!*</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323664">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323664" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323664" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323664">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323664" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323664" class="dsq-comment-message">It was a closed casket service......the funeral home just couldn\'t make that presentable for viewing...too mangled.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323899">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323899" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323899" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323899">Justice58</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323899" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323899" class="dsq-comment-message">.......Poor Thangs!!!!!!!!!! lol</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323400">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323400" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323400" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323400">spirit_55z</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323400" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323400" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5vvZNKy0hk" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5vvZNKy0hk</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324652">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324652" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324652" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324652">Admiral_Komack</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324652" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324652" class="dsq-comment-message">Kltpzyxm</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7321329">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7321329" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7321329" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7321329">allamr18</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7321329" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7321329" class="dsq-comment-message">i dont know if im really all too upset with this mainly because barack won damn near 10 or 11 of those states and he flipped NC as well as FLA, VA Colorado and came close in Missouri. Those Senators came from very republican states so naturally they have to be careful. but 4 years from now those states might be more liberal than they are now.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323184">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323184" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323184" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323184">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323184" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323184" class="dsq-comment-message">This is a very interesting group of characters. Hmmmm, wonder what the real story here is?  Anyone checked to see who is donating to this group in the financial industry. Shaheen and Caskill and Warner are biiiig surprises. Kohl seems to be a conflict of interest given he owns the Bucks. He is just personally pissed about paying more in taxes is all. Udall, Landrieu and Lincoln ...???  What is driving this group.  <br><br>somethin\'s up!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324616">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324616" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324616" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324616">Myth</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324616" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324616" class="dsq-comment-message">Simply politics and selfishness to get reelected in 2010.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7363874">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7363874" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7363874" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7363874">malletgirl02</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7363874" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7363874" class="dsq-comment-message">Mark Warner is one of my senators. I am very disappointed. He held on tightly to Obama\'s coattails and we get this.Me to Mark Warner: We voted for you for a reason we wanted a Democrat in office to vote with the Democratic party. If we wanted a Republican we would have elected the Republican.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7364250">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7364250" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7364250" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-7364250" href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CraigHickman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7364250" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7364250" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'m playing wait and see. I don\'t think these are obstructionists. We\'ll find out.<br><br>This is politics. These people are posturing for their constituents. What\'s wrong with that?<br><br>The DLC has no power. These folks are trying to capitalize on the success of the Democrats. So what.<br><br>If they vote against the president\'s agenda, I\'ll know better. So far they haven\'t.<br><br>But Claire McCaskill is gold. She\'s not going to stab Obama in the back.<br><br>Let\'s not assume anything until we know the facts.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7321942">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7321942" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7321942" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-7321942" href="http://thisblksistaspage.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blksista</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7321942" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7321942" class="dsq-comment-message">Today on ThisBlksistasPage:<br><br><a href="http://thisblksistaspage.wordpress.com/2009/03/18/eliot-spitzers-take-on-aig/" rel="nofollow">Eliot Spitzer\'s take on AIG</a><br><br>Better read the Slate article linked, too.  It\'s a humdinger.<br><br>Did any of those questions get answered that only a prosecutor would get to the bottom of?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322196">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322196" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322196" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322196">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322196" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322196" class="dsq-comment-message">If only he hadn\'t gotten caught up with the call girl.....if only............</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322787">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322787" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322787" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322787">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322787" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322787" class="dsq-comment-message">I know, I know...but we also know he was set up and taken down for precisely this reason. WallStreet had it out for Spitzer and they hit it where they could.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322831">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322831" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322831" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322831">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322831" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322831" class="dsq-comment-message">You are so right....damn Damn DAMN!!!!!!!!!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323058">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323058" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323058" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323058">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323058" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323058" class="dsq-comment-message">Yes. yes. yes...it was all just too \'fishy\' that supposedly the feds were suspicious about a man with millions moving around less than 1% of his own money.  What really stank was them charging him with \'solicitation\' after learning there was no illicit reason for the money transfers? Since when do the feds proscute solicitation charges vs. the state.<br><br><br>it was all just a little too pat for me.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323588">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323588" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323588" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323588">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323588" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323588" class="dsq-comment-message">"Since when do the feds proscute solicitation charges vs. the state."....hmph....interesting how the feds found that to be a worthwhile cause,huh? <br><br>Look at the list of notable accounting scandals<br><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accounting_scandals" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accounting_scandals</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323630">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323630" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323630" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323630">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323630" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323630" class="dsq-comment-message">Incredible.<br><br>nothing but fraud...\'creation of wealth\' fraud</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322927">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322927" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322927" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322927">Justice58</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322927" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322927" class="dsq-comment-message">True!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322094">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322094" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322094" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322094">allamr18</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322094" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322094" class="dsq-comment-message">6 months ago Repubs were against Executive Compensation Caps<br><br><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/flashback-it-was-bush-gop_n_176442.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/flashb...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322498">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322498" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322498" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322498">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322498" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322498" class="dsq-comment-message">yeah....but that was a WHOLE 6 months ago!!!! You can\'t hold them to that....That was like....a LIFETIME ago!! That was like 6,000 lifetimes ago!!!<br><br>If you\'re a caterpillar.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322768">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322768" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322768" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322768">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322768" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322768" class="dsq-comment-message">lmao</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327295">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327295" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327295" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327295">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327295" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327295" class="dsq-comment-message">Hold it down Miranda.  lol</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322340">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322340" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322340" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322340">Justice58</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322340" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322340" class="dsq-comment-message"><b>Felipe Sixto, Bush Aide, Gets Thirty Months In Jail</b><br><br><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/felipe-sixto-bush-aide-ge_n_176352.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/felipe...</a><br><br><i>WASHINGTON — A former Bush White House aide was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison on Wednesday for stealing nearly $600,000 from a government-funded program that promotes democracy in Cuba.</i><br><br><i>Felipe Sixto apologized for stealing from the Center for a Free Cuba, telling U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton that in addition to his own greed and selfishness, he "wanted to provide a lifestyle for my family I could not afford."</i><br><br><i>That argument from Sixto did not sway Walton, who compared him to Bernie Madoff, who has pleaded guilty to ripping off thousands of investors of billions of dollars.</i><br><br><i>While the situations are different, Walton said Sixto, like Madoff, wanted a lifestyle "far above" what he deserved.</i><br><br><i>"The mentality that brings you before this court is the same," Walton said.</i><br><br><i>Walton sentenced him to 30 months in prison, three years supervised release and fined him $10,000. Sixto had asked for home confinement or probation.</i><br><br><i>Sixto pleaded guilty Dec. 19 to theft. He acknowledged overcharging the organization more than $579,000 when purchasing radios and flashlights with federal funds. His lawyer said 90 percent of the money had been paid back to the center, with some of it coming from a mortgage that Sixto\'s parents took out on their house.</i><br><br><i>Walton also criticized Sixto for accepting a job in the White House, knowing that he had been stealing from the center, an independent institution that receives millions of dollars in USAID funds for rent, travel and equipment such as shortwave radios and laptops.</i><br><br><i>Sixto quit his job as a special assistant to President George W. Bush for intergovernmental affairs almost a year ago after learning that the center was beginning legal action against him.</i><br><br><i>Walton said having employees like Sixto inside the White House makes people question the honesty and integrity of government officials.</i><br><br><br><br>Get them all!  Let investigations begin...</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322629">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322629" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322629" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322629">Justice58</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322629" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322629" class="dsq-comment-message"><b> HuffPost Livechat With CNN\'s Jack Cafferty</b><br><br><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/livechat-with-cnns-jack-c_n_176285.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/livech...</a><br><br><i>Since 2005, Jack Cafferty has stalked CNN\'s Situation Room during "The Cafferty File," giving voice to the emails of CNN viewers, articulating his own outrages, and generally making Wolf Blitzer sweat. Along the way, he\'s racked up some impressive accomplishments in an almost five decade long career, including an Emmy, an Edward R. Murrow Award, and a New York Associated Press State Broadcasters Award. </i><br><br><i>Cafferty is also the author of two books, including the brand new Now or Never: Getting Down to the Business of Saving Our American Dream, in which he challenges the Obama administration to deliver some "change we will believe in when we see it." But a copy HERE!</i><br><br><i>Today, we are very pleased that the award-winning newsman will be joining the Huffington Post community for a live chat. This will be different from a "Twitterview," in that it will be "comprehensible." Also, it will be you, the Huff Post reader, that will get to ask Cafferty questions!</i><br><br><i>Join us by clicking play on module below (and when we\'re done, read Jack\'s blog at CNN.com)!</i></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322679">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322679" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322679" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322679">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322679" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322679" class="dsq-comment-message">Dang, I wish I could participate!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322656">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322656" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322656" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322656">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322656" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322656" class="dsq-comment-message">Is this wiki page wrong? Please tell me this is incorrect:<br><br>Joseph J. "Joe" Cassano (age 53 in 2008) is an American insurance executive who was an officer at AIG Financial Products from the division\'s founding in 1987 until his resignation in February 2008.[1] Cassano is considered a key figure in the Global financial crisis of 2008–2009.[2]<br><br>Life and career<br>Cassano grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where his father was a policeman. He earned a political science degree from Brooklyn College in 1977. He worked at investment bank Drexel Burnham Lambert during their junk bond phase.<br>In 1987, AIG hired Cassano as one of the first ten people in the Financial Products unit, as Chief Financial Officer.[3] In 1994, Thomas R. Savage appointed Cassano as head of the Transaction Development Group. Cassano rejected the 1998 proposal by J.P. Morgan to package credit-default swaps on Broad Index Secured Trust Offering (nicknamed Bistros). Cassano considered these collateralized debt obligations a key event: "It was a watershed event in 1998 when J.P. Morgan came to us, who were somebody we worked with a great deal, and asked us to participate."[4]<br><br>Before he retired in March 2009, Cassano received $315 million: $280 million in cash and an additional $34 million in bonuses.[5] An initial $1 million-a-month consulting fee was later canceled.[6]<br><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Cassano" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Cassano</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322761">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322761" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322761" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322761">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322761" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322761" class="dsq-comment-message">Where is Webb and Parker?? These idiots in the GA General Assembly are at it again<br><br>Library Money Based On Politics<br><br>When Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue recommended which communities would get money for new libraries, there was little political distinction in his choices.<br>He reviewed a list recommended by state library officials. Money went to communities represented by Republicans at the statehouse, and money went to cities represented by Democrats.<br>General Assembly politics changed all that.<br>Rest of story:<br><a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/gold-dome-live/2009/03/18/politics-decide-which-cities-get-library-money/" rel="nofollow">http://blogs.ajc.com/gold-dome-live/2009/03/18/...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324032">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324032" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324032" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-7324032" href="http://www.WEESeeYou.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Webb</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324032" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324032" class="dsq-comment-message">LoL, now if we could actually get some of those backwoods peckerwoods to read some more books besides listening to their ass-backwards preachers, this state might advance itself...but I doubt it.<br><br>Let RURAL GA BURN!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7325676">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7325676" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7325676" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7325676">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7325676" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7325676" class="dsq-comment-message">These clowns make me SICK! Damn I can\'t stand these mofos.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322791">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322791" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322791" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322791">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322791" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322791" class="dsq-comment-message">CNN BREAKING NEWS<br><br>Defense secretary: U.S. military in most cases to phase out stop-loss practice of holding troops past end of enlistments.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322969">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322969" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322969" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322969">Sepia</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322969" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322969" class="dsq-comment-message">(clapping) Her-cu-leez! Her-cu-leez!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323391">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323391" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323391" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323391">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323391" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323391" class="dsq-comment-message">This needs to be mentioned again, and all who haven\'t read it already, please do. This type of smackdown should be required reading<br><br>Brown Man Thnking Hard<br><a href="http://simplifythepositive.blogspot.com/2009/03/aig-dream-team-holds-white-house.html" rel="nofollow">http://simplifythepositive.blogspot.com/2009/03...</a><br><br>Excerpt:<br>The ideological terrorists who crashed those planes into the World Trade Center have had much less impact on our economy and our national psyche than our own homegrown financial terrorists who are reporting to work today at AIG, these Americans of ours who feel so strongly about deserving bonuses for being smart and wrong that they are willing to hold the country hostage in order to get it.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323829">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323829" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323829" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323829">Mothsmoke</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323829" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323829" class="dsq-comment-message">Someone\'s Got Some Explaining to do ASAP!<br><br><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/congress-white-house-poin_n_176412.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/congre...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323853">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323853" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323853" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-7323853" href="http://www.WEESeeYou.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Webb</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323853" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323853" class="dsq-comment-message">Me thinks somebody is in DEEP Shyt.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324111">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324111" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324111" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324111">Mothsmoke</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324111" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324111" class="dsq-comment-message">Ya\' think!?  Some heads are also about to roll over at the Federal Reserve.  According to Liddy\'s testimony, the Fed was advised of the bonuses months ago.  For some reason this info didn\'t get to Treasury and the WH until recently - a week or two ago.  Our government at work. Sheesh!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7326234">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7326234" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7326234" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7326234">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7326234" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7326234" class="dsq-comment-message">Who or whom is \'the fed\' that was advised months ago...was that prior to the new administration?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7326767">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7326767" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7326767" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7326767">Mothsmoke</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7326767" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7326767" class="dsq-comment-message">The "Fed" is the Federal Reserve (Bernake).  Geithner, as head of the NY Fed Reserve, also sat in on those meetings with AIG.  He recused himself when he was tapped to be Sec. of Treasury.  Liddy had no idea why they didn\'t tell the WH about this, but these folks were aware.  So it\'s not like AIG was hiding the ball.  Liddy also acknowledged that there was much consternation about the bonuses in these meetings - so clearly somebody had an inkling that this would not play well.<br><br>These folks are all playing CYA - making sure that they can get a cushy job on the Street when their term is up.  If I were POTUS, I\'d sleep with one eye open - these folks don\'t have his back.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327765">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327765" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327765" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327765">BIGGIE_4_OBAMA</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327765" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327765" class="dsq-comment-message">me thinks that Timmy\'s days might be numbered once the smoke clears</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7328294">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7328294" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7328294" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7328294">Micheline</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7328294" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7328294" class="dsq-comment-message">Supposedly these meeting took place when Geithner recused himself.  I still think that the Obama administration handled this poorly but I also think there has been some sabotage going on.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7328704">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7328704" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7328704" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7328704">Mothsmoke</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7328704" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7328704" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'m still trying to figure out why Bernake didn\'t speak up.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7328737">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7328737" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7328737" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7328737">Sepia</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7328737" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7328737" class="dsq-comment-message">I read that he recused himself from the AIG stuff, so how could he have been in on the meetings?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7329071">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7329071" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7329071" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7329071">Mothsmoke</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7329071" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7329071" class="dsq-comment-message">He recused himself once he was tapped to be Sec. of Treasury.  He was head of the New York Federal Reserve and oversaw the $85B loan to AIG from the NY Federal Reserve in Sept. \'08.  He was still head of the NY Federal Reserve when they gave AIG the next $37B loan in Oct. \'08.  There were no conditions placed on this money re bonuses even though it was known that the bonuses existed.  AIG also put this info in its SEC filing.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7331324">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7331324" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7331324" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7331324">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7331324" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7331324" class="dsq-comment-message">Um, sorry Moth, I was trying to see if we knew identities at the Fed, I wasn\'t clear.<br><br>So was Bernanke and Geithner who Liddy was referring to you think?<br><br>There is a whole lot of CYA going on.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324041">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324041" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324041" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324041">Myth</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324041" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324041" class="dsq-comment-message">Ron Christie is on MSNBC. He is trying to make a living as best he can</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324341">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324341" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324341" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324341">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324341" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324341" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'m not even watching, but your comment has me giggling uncontrollably.....I can picture him.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324613">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324613" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324613" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324613">spirit_55z</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324613" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324613" class="dsq-comment-message">You mean the handkerchief head, Stepinfetch, skinnin & grinnin, coon, slave-catcher, lazy-eyed Knee-grow.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327243">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327243" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327243" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327243">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327243" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327243" class="dsq-comment-message">RAOTFL</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324050">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324050" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324050" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324050">BarackMarley</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324050" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324050" class="dsq-comment-message">Here\'s how US policies on guns and drugs are destroying inner city and the third world<br><a href="http://newsone.blackplanet.com/world/guns-and-drugs-how-us-policies-destroying-inner-cities-and-the-third-world/" rel="nofollow">http://newsone.blackplanet.com/world/guns-and-d...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324334">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324334" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324334" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324334">Mothsmoke</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324334" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324334" class="dsq-comment-message">RON KIRK CONFIRMED<br><br><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/18/AR2009031802206.html?hpid=moreheadlines" rel="nofollow">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7326180">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7326180" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7326180" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7326180">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7326180" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7326180" class="dsq-comment-message">Yipee!!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324517">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324517" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324517" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324517">rorysmomma</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324517" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324517" class="dsq-comment-message">Oh, I guess we should just blame the poor people.  Maybe that will get the bug out of conserve1\'s ass.  <br><br>Oh yeah, if I have money and I lend it to a person that I know can\'t pay it back.... whose fault is it?<br><br>And, Last time I checked the banks handed out those crappy ass loans, and for future reference.<br><br>I will blame the white man anytime I damn well please.<br><br>He brought my ancestors from  Africa, stole from the indians, and everything we invent he takes credit for it.  He lies, steals, and cheats, but it is poor people\'s fault that he worked hard to get ahead.<br><br>Whateva,<br>Whateva,<br>Whateva</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324820">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324820" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324820" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324820">Monie</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324820" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324820" class="dsq-comment-message">You know Conserv! thinks white folks created rock and roll....<br><br>and their greatest performer of all time Elvis Presley learned how to move his body and sing like that all on his own..........he really didn\'t study,  admire, and COPY the styles of black folks &lt;snark&gt;</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7325119">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7325119" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7325119" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7325119">spirit_55z</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7325119" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7325119" class="dsq-comment-message">He aint nothin but a hound dog.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7325629">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7325629" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7325629" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7325629">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7325629" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7325629" class="dsq-comment-message">And Michael Bolton created SOUL!!!<br><br>LMAO!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7325840">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7325840" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7325840" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7325840">Monie</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7325840" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7325840" class="dsq-comment-message">LOL...<br><br>and a big butt and a smile only became popular once they whitewashed and became obsessed with JLO and KIM Kardashian......honey, POC been having fat asses and our men been loving them for eternity... shit BBD made a song about that a LOOOOONG time ago.<br><br>We don\'t thave to pay for ASS implants...our lips are naturally full and our skin is beautiful all year long...we don\'t pay to be crisp...and Thank goodness BLACK DON"T CRACK!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7326122">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7326122" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7326122" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7326122">Justice58</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7326122" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7326122" class="dsq-comment-message">You better tell it!   <b>;)</b></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7326142">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7326142" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7326142" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-7326142" href="http://www.WEESeeYou.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Webb</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7326142" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7326142" class="dsq-comment-message">Slap it UP, FLIP IT, RUB-IT-DOWN__, OH NO___!<br><br>Certified Assaholic right here.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7326203">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7326203" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7326203" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7326203">spirit_55z</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7326203" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7326203" class="dsq-comment-message">Monie, you mean this nonsense<br><br><a href="http://www.butt-implants-before-and-after.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.butt-implants-before-and-after.com/</a><br><br>And collagen lip injections.  We Sistas don\'t need our lips pumped up.  Honey Pleeazzzzz!  You know Black  don\'t crack!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327333">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327333" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327333" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-7327333" href="http://www.WEESeeYou.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Webb</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327333" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327333" class="dsq-comment-message">"Black Don\'t Crack!" - Dayum Skippy!<br><br>And to think that they have...TANNING SALONS.  They are literally trying to look BLACKER.<br><br>Do we have BLEACHING SALONS on our corners???<br>HEEEEEEEELLLL No!  <br>Do we want BLEACHING SALONS?  HEEELLLLL No!<br><br>And now I\'m about to betray myself for real: I can taste the difference between when I kiss (Self-Censorship...ain\'t ready to say that yet).</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327713">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327713" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327713" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327713">Admiral_Komack</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327713" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327713" class="dsq-comment-message">The only person I know that wants to get lighter is Michael Jackson.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327574">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327574" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327574" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327574">BIGGIE_4_OBAMA</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327574" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327574" class="dsq-comment-message">The Black Woman is the most beautifulist woman on this planet everything you woman do is copied and stolen but damn it never looks or is styled the same!<br><br>Love yall fo real</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7326195">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7326195" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7326195" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7326195">Justice58</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7326195" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7326195" class="dsq-comment-message">What did Paul Mooney say?<br><br>Errrything blacks folks have...</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327472">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327472" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327472" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327472">BIGGIE_4_OBAMA</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327472" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327472" class="dsq-comment-message">major co-sign!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324857">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324857" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324857" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324857">Justice58</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324857" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324857" class="dsq-comment-message">The got d#mn nerve of these mofos. They love to accuse blacks of being lazy when infact they\'re the laZy mofos enslaving an entire race so they can get labor for free. They stand accusing the black man of not taking care of his own ...but since slavery the white man has inpregnated the black woman...only to ignore his own offspring and sold them off for MONEY....to the highest bidder!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7325313">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7325313" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7325313" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7325313">rorysmomma</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7325313" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7325313" class="dsq-comment-message">Blame us for everydamn thing, and the whole damn white population that came over here were either part of a penal colony or damn religous zealots.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7325965">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7325965" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7325965" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7325965">Monie</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7325965" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7325965" class="dsq-comment-message">...and they still are...<br><br>the penal colony is called Wall Street and "white-collar" crime and the virtually snow white propangandist MSM...Jim Cramer already proved, amongst others, the MSM will lie for the liars.<br><br>and well, you know the religious zealots....can the people say Focus on the Family"  and John Hagee as just 2 examples out of many...parading as  "religious" leaders while being political zealots using Christianity as an excuse</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324847">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324847" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324847" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-7324847" href="http://www.thebottomofheaven.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">claudia_m</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324847" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324847" class="dsq-comment-message">So I responded to Color of Change\'s request to make a call to Gov. Mark Sanford about accepting the stimulus money for our schools here in South Carolina. I have to say, President Obama - you really are pushing me out of my comfort zone... I was nervous since I\'ve never done anything like this before. (I usually express my outrage through petition signatures and comments on JJP - smile.)<br><br>In any case, a representative from the governor\'s office explained to me that the discretionary part of the stimulus funds that Sanford wanted to use would go towards paying down the debt for school construction. Basically, that even though he wanted to use the money for something different, it would still be going to schools. Does this make sense? It is some kind of bait and switch?<br><br>I\'d really appreciate anyone out there (who knows something about how the states are being asked to use the stimulus funding) to help me understand what Sanford is trying to do. I just want to get my facts straight.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7325169">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7325169" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7325169" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-7325169" href="http://www.WEESeeYou.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Webb</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7325169" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7325169" class="dsq-comment-message">Y\'all know I\'ve got to show some love for Angela Davis - Today\'s Women\'s History Month Honoree.  What a life she has led...and is leading.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7325331">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7325331" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7325331" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7325331">djchefron</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7325331" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7325331" class="dsq-comment-message">I may be late on this but this little sister rocked it !!!!!!<br>So what if i am a Black woman<br><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfteAvSqqBc" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfteAvSqqBc</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7326304">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7326304" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7326304" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-7326304" href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CraigHickman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7326304" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7326304" class="dsq-comment-message">So this bonus thingy is turning out to be pure politics after all. Liddy\'s testimony shed full light on the situation. What a fraud he is. And the talking heads are trying to turn this into a murder mystery.<br><br>What a fraud they are.<br><br>I guess I\'m going to take my own advice and turn off the fucking television.<br><br>It\'s becoming even more clear why the president is standing by his administration, whether we like the members of it or not.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7326638">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7326638" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7326638" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7326638">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7326638" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7326638" class="dsq-comment-message">Well Craig, enlighten us...what did Liddy saaay?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7326947">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7326947" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7326947" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7326947">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7326947" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7326947" class="dsq-comment-message">Craig - I turned it off 2 days ago when my comrades on JJP started going off the chain.  I also tuned out yesterday on my favorite blog to allow things to calm down here and am now checking in.<br><br>That said -- what did I miss?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7331407">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7331407" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7331407" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7331407">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7331407" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7331407" class="dsq-comment-message">I have not been watching the TV for a month and I have begun to take 2-3 days off from political blogs.<br><br>I am finding it is just like the day time soaps...no matter when you tune back in..it takes less than 2 days to catch up on the entire shyt and gaboodle.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7345135">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7345135" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7345135" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-7345135" href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CraigHickman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7345135" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7345135" class="dsq-comment-message">Perfect analogy.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7328330">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7328330" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7328330" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-7328330" href="http://craighickman.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CraigHickman</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7328330" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7328330" class="dsq-comment-message">LIddy just showed his hand, is all. He\'s clearly a fraud interested in protecting his employees, playing the victim (you should have heard the threats he read), and casting aspersions on the administration.<br><br>He didn\'t have to pay out the hush money. He could have told his employees to sue him under the same contract law the administration cited. But he paid out the hush money anyway, and now, he\'s parsing words and playing stupid.<br><br>It\'s all a distraction.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7331381">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7331381" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7331381" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7331381">predacious</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7331381" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7331381" class="dsq-comment-message">I see.<br>I did see that one threat he made over on HuffPo..where he smacked that congressman back in the mouth and told them he was too big to let go down with all the money they had already poured him...it was a helluva backhand...I was like OMG..this man is ARROGANT and unrepetant.<br><br>He was like phuck with me if you want...it\'s your money that will be sunk.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327366">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327366" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327366" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327366">Monie</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327366" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327366" class="dsq-comment-message">Is there an Antidote to the Republican Amnesia?<br><br>Rep. Barney Frank<br><br><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-barney-frank/is-there-an-antidote-to-t_b_176538.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-barney-frank/...</a><br><br>Ironically, Barney Frank is dispelling and addressing every damn lie Conserv1 was floating on JJP today<br><br>and HE IS PREACHING!!!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327400">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327400" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327400" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-7327400" href="http://www.WEESeeYou.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Webb</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327400" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327400" class="dsq-comment-message">Oooh, Chris Matthews called Rush Limbaugh and Dick Cheney a racial epithet.  He called them fireCRACKERS!  Ha, ha, ha, Chris got jokes.  I like Chris.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327398">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327398" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327398" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327398">BIGGIE_4_OBAMA</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327398" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327398" class="dsq-comment-message">Angela Davis smacked the doctor the day she was born.......the original bad mofo of all these mofos. bow down</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327637">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327637" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327637" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327637">Monie</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327637" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327637" class="dsq-comment-message">Here\'s a heads-up to the "cut-and pasting" that those like Conserv1 will engage in, in the near future...because we all know one thing Republicans can do better than no other...stay on the same lying-ass message<br><br><br> Over at Daily Kos:<br><br>Via The Plum Line, here are the official Republican talking points on President Obama and the Democrats:<br><br>A Republican sends over a new set of GOP talking points for House conservatives — privately circulated this week to scores of GOP press secretaries on the Hill — that blasts the Obama administration as “radical” and “reckless” and the “most politically obsessed White House in history.”<br><br>        * "The budget is a radical proposal that will change the character of our nation, trampling on freedom and liberty."<br><br>        * "The only approach that has not been tried is the conservative approach – limited bureaucracy, lower taxes, and responsible regulatory structures."<br><br>        * "The administration is disingenuous, unfocused, and reckless."<br><br>These were sent out to House Republican, and were designed to:<br><br>    ... represent the first major move this cycle by House conservatives to create united conservative messaging front.<br><br>So, the GOP\'s "major move" is to embrace the furthest extremes of their base, pretend like the last eight years didn\'t happen, and call names. Apparently solutions to the problems the country faces didn\'t make the list.<br><br>The Party of No is aptly named.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327844">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327844" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327844" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327844">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327844" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327844" class="dsq-comment-message">Obama tickets sold out in 30 minutes <br>@ 3:36 pm by Hill Staff <br>Tickets for the first fundraiser featuring President Obama are making hotcake sales look slow by comparison.<br><br>A source at the Democratic National Committee tells The Hill that $100 tickets for the March 25 event at the Warner Theater in Washington sold out in just 30 minutes, a pace so fast that the DNC is considering boosting the number of $1,000 tickets available to the public.<br><br>Tickets for the event, which will benefit the cash-strapped DNC, range from $100 to $2,500. The 700 tickets at the cheapest level sold faster than the party expected, the source said.<br><br>It\'s not the first time tickets to something Obama-related have sold out fast. During his inauguration, $25 tickets for the 5,000 bleacher seats made available for Obama\'s parade route sold out in under one minute, according to TicketMaster, which sold the tickets.<br><br>Tickets to the fundraiser are selling so quickly that even some congressional staffers, who had hoped to get into the event for free given their association with their bosses, are being turned away.<br><br><a href="http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2009/03/18/obama-tickets-sold-out-in-30-minutes/" rel="nofollow">http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2009/03/18/obam...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327983">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327983" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327983" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327983">allamr18</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327983" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327983" class="dsq-comment-message">man he might have more star power than Michael Jackson in his prime</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7328244">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7328244" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7328244" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7328244">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7328244" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7328244" class="dsq-comment-message">hah</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327884">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327884" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327884" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327884">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327884" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327884" class="dsq-comment-message">Sanchez unveils bill to prevent bullying <br>@ 6:21 pm by Jeremy P. Jacobs <br>Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) introduced legislation on Wednesday that seeks to prevent bullying in schools.<br><br>The "Bullying and Gang Reduction for Improved Education Act," co-sponsored by Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.), would provide additional federal funding to schools for counseling and emergency intervention programs to address bullying and gang related violence.<br><br>“Bullying and harassment are problems that will only get bigger if we don’t put a stop to it,” Sanchez said in a statement. “Three-quarters of all school shooting incidents have been linked to bullying and harassment, and victims of bullying and harassment are more likely to be depressed or suicidal. This is a need we can address to help keep our kids safe and in school.”<br><br>Sanchez noted in her release that the No Child Left Behind Act contains some provisions that are intended to reduce school violence but none focus specifically on bullying or harassment. Sanchez and Ehlers\' legislation would amend part of No Child Left Behind to secure funds dedicated to that end.<br><br><a href="mailto:jeremy.jacobs@thehill.com" rel="nofollow">jeremy.jacobs@thehill.com</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327900">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327900" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327900" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327900">allamr18</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327900" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327900" class="dsq-comment-message">Ok quit your bellyachin<br>Barack scraps plan to charge military for health care benefits.<br><a href="http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/03/pelosi-obama-has-promised-not-to-charge-veterans-for-service-related-health-care.php" rel="nofollow">http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/03/pelo...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327978">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327978" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327978" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327978">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327978" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327978" class="dsq-comment-message">we all knew that would never happen.  <br><br>good find allamr</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7328561">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7328561" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7328561" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7328561">Sepia</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7328561" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7328561" class="dsq-comment-message">From what I\'ve read, it was much a-do about nothing in the first place. <br><br>From a commentor at HuffPo:<br><br><i>The proposal does not require a veteran who has service-related injuries to buy private health insurance.<br><br>Anybody who claims that is lying.<br><br>The proposal does not allow the VA to deny treatment to a veteran who has both private health insurance and a service-related disability.<br><br>Anybody who claims that is lying.<br><br>The proposal would require a private insurer - they never give discounts to veterans who have service-related injuries - tp pay the VA for providing treatment for the service-related injury.<br><br>That\'s it.<br><br>The proposal is not disgusting. The proposal does not disrespect veterans like my father:<br><br>5 battle Stars<br>Navy Unit Commendation<br>Presidential Unit Citation<br>Silver Star<br>Purple Heart<br><br>In any way, shape, or form.<br><br>All the proposal does is require my father\'s shiftless private insurer to help the United States of America pay to treat my fathers combat wounds in instead of just making an obscene profit on the $13,000 a year he pays the worthless bums for his private insurance.</i></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327899">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327899" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327899" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327899">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327899" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327899" class="dsq-comment-message">Tedisco: I\'m an American, not a Republican <br>@ 3:43 pm by Jeremy P. Jacobs <br>Republican Assemblyman Jim Tedisco is up with a new ad in his race for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand\'s (D-N.Y.) former House seat that sheds his partisan ties.<br><br>“In these difficult times, we’re not Republicans or Democrats," Tedisco says. "We’re Americans, and that’s the team I’m on.”<br><br>The ad comes less than a week after Tedisco railed against national Republicans for being too negative. It also comes as Democrat Scott Murphy appears to have closed the gap on the Republican.<br><br>The special election for the upstate New York seat is set for March 31.<br><br><a href="http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2009/03/18/tedisco-im-an-american-not-a-republican/" rel="nofollow">http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2009/03/18/tedi...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7327969">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7327969" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7327969" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7327969">Monie</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7327969" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7327969" class="dsq-comment-message">I am glad NY Attorney General stayed right where he is.....<br><br><br>Judge Says Cuomo May Name Merrill Bonus Recipients (Update4)<br><br>By Karen Freifeld<br><br>March 18 (Bloomberg) -- Merrill Lynch & Co. employees who received $3.6 billion in bonuses in December may be publicly identified as part of New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s probe of the company, a New York judge ruled. ..<br><br>New York Attorney State Supreme Court Justice Bernard Fried in Manhattan today rejected an argument by Charlotte, North Carolina- based Bank of America Corp. that compensation information was a trade secret. He also said employees can have no reasonable expectation of privacy in the information when they are free to share it.<br><br>“The Martin Act vests in the Attorney General the discretion to decide whether to keep the information that he gathers in the course of his investigation secret or public,” Fried wrote in a 16- page decision, referring to a New York securities law. Bank of America, he said, has no “privacy interest that undermines that statutory discretion.”<br><br>Cuomo has sought the information for his probe of the bonuses, which were granted in late December, before the company was acquired by Bank of America on Jan. 1. Merrill accumulated a $15.8 billion loss in the fourth quarter.<br><br>“We will of course comply with the order of the court and turn over the information requested,” said Scott Silvestri, a spokesman for Bank of America. “We will continue to cooperate with the AG’s investigation.”<br><br>Cuomo Statement<br><br>“Today’s decision in the Bank of America case is a victory for taxpayers,” Cuomo said in a statement. “Let the sun shine in. Justice Fried’s decision will now lift the shroud of secrecy surrounding the $3.6 billion in premature bonuses Merrill Lynch rushed out in early December. Taxpayers demand and deserve transparency and now they will finally get it. Bank of America chose litigation over transparency and we are gratified that this tactic has failed.”<br><br>The statement added that American International Group Inc., the insurance company that has also resisted making public the names of its bonus recipients, should turn them over.<br><br>“AIG should take heed and immediately turn over the list of bonus recipients we have subpoenaed,” according to the statement. “More litigation is not the answer -- it is time for AIG to come clean.” <br><br><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aBsQrfgmHj2c&refer=home" rel="nofollow">http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7328347">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7328347" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7328347" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7328347">Sepia</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7328347" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7328347" class="dsq-comment-message">Let me get this straight. Merrill Lynch gave out $3.6M in bonuses in Dec., but the media is harping about $165M in bonuses from AIG. <br><br>Uh-huh.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7328583">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7328583" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7328583" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7328583">Monie</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7328583" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7328583" class="dsq-comment-message">Remember Sepia...nobody cared that $3.6 BILLION was given out in DECEMBER when GWBush was still a lame duck....<br><br>Week before last, the plummeting DOW was all Pres. Obama\'s fault.....now that it is rebounding somewhat, a convenient new scandal has erupted....<br><br>you know how it works...we\'ve been here before...and yes, it will be a long freaking 4 years</div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7328015">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7328015" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7328015" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7328015">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7328015" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7328015" class="dsq-comment-message">AIG CEO tells staff to return bonus money<br>Today<br><br>Edward Liddy, AIG Chairman & CEO, appearing before congress, stated that he has asked AIG employees who received bonus money to return some of the money. He also said that "in reviewing how AIG had been run in prior years, I have ... seen evidence of its bad side." <br><br><a href="http://www.c-span.org/" rel="nofollow">http://www.c-span.org/</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7328203">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7328203" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7328203" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7328203">Monie</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7328203" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7328203" class="dsq-comment-message">I just posted below this about Merril Lynch bonus recipients being named...<br><br>if they don\'t return it...Cuomo will make sure to publish and identify their asses...the heat is on</div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7328060">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7328060" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7328060" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7328060">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7328060" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7328060" class="dsq-comment-message">DoD Addressing Military Suicides<br>Today<br><br>Chairman Ben Nelson (D-NE) is holding a Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcmte. hearing examining suicide prevention programs in each of the armed services. Defense Dept. representatives are discussing areas for improvement of access to mental health care and other initiatives that might help reduce military suicides. <br><br><a href="http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=53378" rel="nofollow">http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.asp...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7328095">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7328095" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7328095" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7328095">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7328095" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7328095" class="dsq-comment-message">not political but . . .<br>Bolivian girl stirs to life at own funeral; mother, stepfather charged with attempted murder <br>Mar 18, 2009 15:08 -0400 <br><br>LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — A prosecutor says a 3-year-old girl escaped being buried alive after a neighbor noticed her body move at her funeral.<br><br><a href="http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-lt-bolivia-almost-buried%2C0%2C2231058.story" rel="nofollow">http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sn...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7328194">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7328194" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7328194" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7328194">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7328194" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7328194" class="dsq-comment-message">AIG bonuses: Some repaid, Congress to vote on tax <br><br>WASHINGTON (AP) -- Under intense pressure from the Obama administration and Congress, the head of bailed-out insurance giant AIG declared Wednesday that some of the firm\'s executives have begun returning all or part of bonuses totaling $165 million.<br><br>Edward Liddy offered no details, and lawmakers were in no mood to wait. He was still fielding their questions when House Democratic leaders announced plans for a vote Thursday on legislation to tax away 90 percent of the extra pay for executives at AIG and many other bailed-out firms<br><br><a href="http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AIG_OUTRAGE?SITE=NCKIN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT" rel="nofollow">http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AIG_OUTR...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7328317">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7328317" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7328317" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7328317">allamr18</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7328317" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7328317" class="dsq-comment-message">More of Baracks Afghanistan Plan. More diplomacy in the region.<br><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/18/AR2009031802313_2.html?hpid=topnews?ref=fp4" rel="nofollow">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7328367">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7328367" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7328367" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7328367">Shazza</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7328367" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7328367" class="dsq-comment-message">There were some very cool older guys on my block that used to call me \'Angela Davis\' when I was a kid-  I wore that moniker proudly. :)<br><br><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/dodd-treasury-officials-i_n_176609.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/dodd-t...</a><br><br>Wow, can you imagine if Dodd had been VP?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7328638">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7328638" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7328638" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7328638">Val</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7328638" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7328638" class="dsq-comment-message">President Obama is on - live coverage on MSNBC Town hall meeting in California<br><br>Everybody in Washington is running around pointing fingers trying to figure out who to blame.  Blame me.  Talk to me.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7328904">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7328904" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7328904" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7328904">Justice58</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7328904" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7328904" class="dsq-comment-message">He\'s calling bullsh%t on that "doing too much" meme! BAM!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7329176">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7329176" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7329176" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7329176">vulcan_girl</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7329176" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7329176" class="dsq-comment-message">I work for you.  If you don\'t like how I\'m doing it, vote me out!<br><br>I\'d rather be a good president for four years and accomplish what I said I would, than be mediocre for eight.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7328743">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7328743" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7328743" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7328743">rikyrah</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7328743" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7328743" class="dsq-comment-message">EVENING THREAD IS UP!!!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322243">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322243" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322243" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322243">Conserv1</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322243" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322243" class="dsq-comment-message">WASHINGTON (AP) — Fannie Mae is planning to pay retention bonuses of as much as $611,000 each to several top executives of the government-controlled mortgage finance titan. Sibling company Freddie Mac is planning similar awards.<br><br>Fannie Mae disclosed in a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it\'s planning bonuses of $470,000 to $611,000 for four top executives, on top of their base salaries this year.<br><br>And federal regulators are defending the plan.<br><br>"I think it\'s a reasonable and well-thought out plan," James Lockhart, the director for the Federal Housing Finance Agency told reporters at a housing symposium. "The most important thing in those companies are the human assets," he said.<br><br>Do you suppose President Obama has an opinion on this?</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322439">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322439" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322439" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322439">Miranda</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322439" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322439" class="dsq-comment-message"><a href="http://leftwingconspiracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/motivator4699699.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://leftwingconspiracy.com/wp-content/upload...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324619">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324619" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324619" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324619">Admiral_Komack</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324619" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324619" class="dsq-comment-message">Kltpzyxm</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7322909">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7322909" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7322909" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7322909">Conserv1</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7322909" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7322909" class="dsq-comment-message">Analysis: White House, Dems backpedaling on AIG<br>Analysis: AIG bonuses have Democrats reeling, unable to blame Bush; Republicans go on offense<br><br><a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Analysis-White-House-Dems-apf-14677357.html" rel="nofollow">http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Analysis-White-Ho...</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323378">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323378" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323378" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323378">Suprk</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323378" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323378" class="dsq-comment-message">On the offense?? The Republicans have no leg to stand on with this issue. <br><br><b>Republicans Who Opposed Wall Street Salary Caps Last Month Now Condemning ‘Outrageous’ AIG Bonuses</b><br><a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2009/03/17/republicans-opposed-paycaps/" rel="nofollow">http://thinkprogress.org/2009/03/17/republicans...</a><br><br>When Congress debated limiting executive pay last month, Republican lawmakers stood firm in opposing such caps. Mitch McConnell argued against the “temptation” to “dictate” business practices when it comes to salaries and bonuses:<br><br><b> McConnell:</b> “I really don’t want the government to take over these businesses and start telling them everything about what they can do. […] We have to resist the temptation to basically dictate to these businesses how to run every aspect of their operation.” <br>[ABC News, 2/4/09]<br><br>Republican Richard Shelby demanded a laissez-faire approach to executive compensation.<br><br><b>Shelby:</b> “It should be up to the board of directors of a private corporation to set the compensation of an executive; it shouldn’t be Congress’s role.” [Washington Post, 9/23/08]<br><br><b>Update New Quotes </b><br> McConnell and Shelby are not the only Republican lawmakers pushing this deception. Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO), and Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) also are hypocritically altering their views:<br><br>Only a month ago, King argued against strong provisions to ensure executive salaries were capped:<br><br><b> King:</b> “No, I will say, I agree there should have been some caps. I think this went too far, and I think it can be counterproductive.”<br> [ABC News, 2/15/09]<br><br>Last month, Bond sharply criticized a bill offered by Sen. Claire McCaskill to limit the salary of executives at companies receiving federal bailout money to no more than what the president of the United States makes — $400,000 a-year:<br><br><b> Bond:</b> “The worst thing we can do is tell businesses how to run themselves. Congress has a pretty bad track record. If you you look at our collective judgment, all 535 of us in our wisdom can’t run government very well. (We) sure can’t run business.” [STL Today, 2/2/09] <br><br>While Inhofe today demands “strings attached” to federal bailout money, he expressed the opposite in February:<br><br><b>Inhofe:</b> “I thought, is this still America? Do we really tell people how to run [a business], and who to pay and how much to pay?” [Huffington Post, 2/6/09]<br><br>Former Speaker Newt Gingrich today penned an op-ed venting his “outrage” at the “fat bonuses” paid to staffers at AIG. However in November, while speaking with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, he attacked Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) for having the audacity to send “off letters to every bank demanding to know all of their executive compensation policy.” Gingrich then scoffed at the idea of capping salaries specifically at AIG:<br><br><b>Gingrich:</b>  “You have a level of micromanagement of AIG and others. You can’t apply Washington bureaucratic rules to a free market company without ultimately destroying the company.” <br>[Fox News, 11/12/08]<br><br>When will these idiots realize with google and youtube they cannot simply lie about their positions on issues. It reminds me of the non stop YOutube clips of Mitt Romney flip flopping on so many different issues. <br><br>It should also be noted that in October, Obama stated that AIG executives should be fired for their excesses.<br><br><b>Obama: AIG execs should be fired</b><br><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-oREoJ9FTM" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-oREoJ9FTM</a></div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7323696">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7323696" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7323696" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7323696">Justice58</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7323696" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7323696" class="dsq-comment-message">Liar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br><br>Read Suprk\'s post below!</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7324559">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7324559" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7324559" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7324559">Admiral_Komack</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7324559" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7324559" class="dsq-comment-message">Mxyzptlk</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-7328344">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-7328344" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-7328344" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-7328344">Micheline</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-7328344" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-7328344" class="dsq-comment-message">Oh really when Richard Shelby tried to kill Dodd\'s provision. Yeah right.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 </ul>\
';

(function() {
	
	





Dsq.Debug.profile(function() {
	if(Dsq.jsonData.request.page == 1 && Dsq.jsonData.request.is_initial_load) {
		Dsq.container.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.header() + Dsq.container.innerHTML + Dsq.Templates.footer();
	}
	Dsq.$(Dsq.curPageId).innerHTML = Dsq.$(Dsq.curPageId).innerHTML.replace(Dsq.COMMENTS_RE, Dsq.CommentsHandler);
}); // Dsq.Debug.Profile

// HACK: Resetting cache because we're done with.
Dsq.Utils.gebiFromElementCollectionCache = null;


	
	
	var dsq_styleEl = document.getElementById(disqus_container_id);
	var dsq_anchorEl = document.getElementsByTagName('a')[0];
	
	Dsq.Thread.fc = Dsq.Utils.getStyle(dsq_styleEl, 'color');
	if(dsq_anchorEl) { Dsq.Thread.ac = Dsq.Utils.getStyle(dsq_anchorEl, 'color'); }
	Dsq.Thread.ff = Dsq.Utils.getStyle(dsq_styleEl, (Dsq.Utils.ie || window.opera ? 'fontFamily' : 'font-family'));
	// For Safari / Opera: strip quotes.
	Dsq.Thread.ff = Dsq.Thread.ff.replace(/['"]/g, '');
	Dsq.Thread.fc = encodeURIComponent(Dsq.Thread.fc);
	Dsq.Thread.ac = encodeURIComponent(Dsq.Thread.ac);
	Dsq.Thread.ff = encodeURIComponent(Dsq.Thread.ff);

	
	
	
	if(Dsq.$(Dsq.Templates.addPostContainer)) {
		// TODO: Check to see if theme uses postmessage.
		if (window.disqus_use_postmessage) {
			Dsq.frames['reply_0'] = new Dsq.ReplyFrame(Dsq.$(Dsq.Templates.textareaContainer));
			Dsq.frames['reply_0'].init(function() {
				// Use fallback iframe
				Dsq.$(Dsq.Templates.addPostContainer).innerHTML = '';
				var theme = (typeof disqus_frame_theme == 'undefined') ? 'default' : disqus_frame_theme;
				Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainer(Dsq.$(Dsq.Templates.addPostContainer), null, {theme: theme});
				// if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(); }
			});
		} else {
			// DEPRECATED
			Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainer(Dsq.$('dsq-post-add'));
		}
	}

	
	

	
	if(document.location.hash != '') {
		document.location.hash = document.location.hash.substring(1);
	}

	Dsq.Popup.showCookieMsgs();

	
	if(document.location.search != '' && location.hash != '#disqus_thread') {
		var reply_id = Dsq.Utils.getRequestParams().dsq;
		if(reply_id) { document.location.hash = 'comment-' + reply_id; }
	}

	
	if((typeof OB_Script != 'undefined') && (typeof OB_versionNum != 'undefined')) {
		if(navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Firefox") != -1) {
			if(window.frames['dsq-reply-frame']) {
				window.frames['dsq-reply-frame'].location = Dsq.Urls.REPLY + (new Date()).getTime() + '&f=jackandjillpolitics&t=women8217s_history_month_daily_thread_498&to_redirect=' + encodeURIComponent(window.location) + '&ifrs=' + encodeURIComponent(disqus_iframe_css);
			}
		}
	}

	if (Dsq.jsonData.integration.theme == 4) {
		if (Dsq.jsonData.realtime_enabled) {
			Dsq.Realtime.initialize();
		}
	}

	



	window.ExecuteWhen = (function () {
	var obj = {}
	
	// Private
	var running = false;
	var timer = null;
	var pending = [];
	var startTimer = function() {
		running = true;
		timer = setInterval(obj.heartBeat, 100);
	};
	var stopTimer = function() {
		running = false;
		clearInterval(timer);
	};
	
	// Public
	obj.add = function (condition, code) {
		pending.push([condition,code]);
		this.heartBeat(); //!
		if (!running) {
			startTimer();
		}
	};
	obj.heartBeat = function() {
		if (!pending.length) {
			stopTimer();
		}
		var newPending = [];
		for (var i=0; i<pending.length; i++) {
			var cond = pending[i][0];
			var code = pending[i][1];
			// FIXME: if cond or code throw an error, they never get removed from pending
			if (cond()){
				code();
			}
			else {
				newPending.push([cond, code]);
			}
		}
		pending = newPending;
	};
	return obj;
})();

// also used in embed_thread.js:
window.fbIsReady = function () {return window.FB && FB.init;};
// NOTE: This script gets executed again without threadEl
//       set when we are loaded again as the fbc_receiver.
//       In this case, we don't need the hidden container.

if(!window.FB || !FB.init) {
	if(window.Dsq && Dsq.container) {
		// container is not present when init.js is loaded from an xd-receiver iframe; in this case,
		// we don't need the FB_HiddenContainer anyway.
		var fbDiv = document.createElement('div');
		fbDiv.id = "FB_HiddenContainer";	// Required or else FeatureLoader will execute a document.write.
		fbDiv.style.position = 'absolute';	// This is intentionally not setting display to none as this breaks
		fbDiv.style.top = '-10000px';		// Flash in Safari.
		fbDiv.style.left = '-10000px';
		fbDiv.style.width = '0px';
		fbDiv.style.height = '0px';
		Dsq.container.appendChild(fbDiv);
	}
	var fbJS = document.createElement('script');
	fbJS.type = "text/javascript";
	fbJS.src = "http://static.ak.connect.facebook.com/js/api_lib/v0.4/FeatureLoader.js.php";
	document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(fbJS);

	ExecuteWhen.add(window.fbIsReady,
		function () {
			// HACK: This is a workaround FBC's single domain limitation by
			//		 allowing sites to create multiple forums with different
			//		 Facebook API keys.  This must be used in conjunction with
			//		 disqus_facebook_forum (see authenticateFacebook).
			var facebook_api_key = 'bd6a8bc56f8eb204984f34b6fefe228d';
			if (typeof disqus_facebook_api_key != 'undefined') {
				facebook_api_key = disqus_facebook_api_key;
			}

			FB.init(facebook_api_key, window.facebookXdReceiverPath || null,
				{fetchSignedPublicSessionData: true});
		});
}


	


if(typeof(disqus_callback) == 'function') {
	var callback_params = Dsq.Utils.getRequestParams()['dsq_cbp'] || null;

	// We don't care about any errors in third-party code
	try {
		disqus_callback(callback_params);
	} catch (x) {
		if (typeof(console) != 'undefined' && typeof(console.log) == 'function') {
			// But it would be nice to let developers know about them
			console.log(x);
		}
		// pass
	}

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

})();




