Examining Rick Santorum

Hidan

Amazing how in 2008 moderate was the place to be and in 2012 moderate is now the new dirty word.

Let say an Republican does win the White House how is he going to govern or get the country back on track when being Moderate is now seen like being Liberal?

nj

Obama, on the whole, is somewhat to the right of Nixon, and the Cons seem to come from some other universe, detached from known reality, pandering to ignorance and bigotry to garner the electoral support they need to serve the plutocracy.

Sad state of affairs.
- Tina
  
  So well said! Thank you!

Joe in Boston

To quote Jon Stewart, his name is synonymous with “ass juice.” Electable? Only in America.

notafeminista

That didn’t take long.
- still just cory
  
  Bravo to On Point for disposing of that comment. Doesn’t advance the conversation and is just vulgar. Pretty good for a supposed liberal bastion, ey?

Zero

“Examining Rick Santorum” and not one psychoanalyst on the panel…?

I couldn’t resist.

Tom

I hope you will discuss his past as a lobbyist for the WWE. Which cabinet position will Vince McMahon get? Mr. Hulkster Goes to Washington?

U.S. Vet.

Mr. Ashbrook,

Would you please ask your guests if Rick Santorum’s;
�
- health records
- school records
- passport records

are all completely sealed and unavailable to the public like Barack Obama’s are.

http://www.facebook.com/people/John-M-Kane/1400530733 John M Kane

I host the only Native radio talk show in Western, Central and Northern New York. “Let’s Talk Native…with John Kane”changed the entire tone of the media coverage of a New York State Senator who claimed to be “attacked” by Indians at the Seneca Niagara Casino last Friday night. I know you have done a series on “race”. I contacted you when you first started that series to have you look at racism and Native people. Senator Grisanti’s altercation and the way the media ran with his claim without verification is and example of how Native issues are covered. Please consider looking at our issues through the lens of racial bias. it is not a stretch, I can assure you. My shows, including the one that exposed the Grisanti altercation, are posted on my blog at http://www.letstalknative.blogspot.com.

Tina

Thought you’d like to know that your link doesn’t work.

Ironman

It was difficult to do, but I read Santorum’s book. It is so detached from reality,
it is scary. The man is mentally unstable. Normal minds do not bring dead babies home and dress them up
for family pics. He’s nuts, really.

Gregg

What is the “normal” way to cope with the death of your child? Is there a book on it?
- Modavations
  
  General G,I think taken a dead baby home is friggin whacky.My opinion
  - Modavations
    
    taking
  - Gregg
    
    I don’t know and I don’t care. Some friends of mine lost a child almost 20 years ago. When you walk into their house the first thing you see in a giant portrait of the infant. That seems creepy to me. Catholic wakes seem creepy to me. But that’s just my gut reaction, I make no judgments because I don’t know the pain.
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      Thankfully, I do NOT know that pain, either!�
      Without further info, I would NOT find fault with him and/or his wife, on this issue.
Modavations

You are a brave man
notafeminista

Way to marginalize the other there, big guy.
kelty

That would be the result of a late-term pregnancy termination that he & his wife choose to proceed with as it was threatening her life. The same procedure that is villified by Republican/Conservatives and that he would like to be completly banned, even for these circumstances, for everyone else. He is a 1st class Hypocrite.

Captain Augustus

Yes, this what our country needs to be talking about? (examining a Senator who couldn’t get re-elected). If you need ideas for future shows, perhaps listeners can suggest a few since this subject isn’t one of them.

still just cory

I can’t honestly hold that against him. Russ Feingold was defeated by a ding-dong millionaire plastics factory owner named Ron Johnson who rode into office on a conservative wave. Sometimes it is not in your control.

AC

meh. he seems like such a ninny. i hope i learn something new about him, such as – anything other than him being catholic…..why is he suddenly so popular?

Gregg

He is the most consistently conservative left but he was that from the very beginning. He has real credibility with the base. I would suggest his Wiki page. You may not agree with his legislation but he has a long record of leadership on several issues.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Santorum

aj

” I do not want to make black people’s lives better. ” -Rick Santorum“I’m not concerned about the very poor” -Mitt Romney
�
” Obama has FAILED Blacks and the Poor. ” -Dr. Cornel West

Gregg

Regurgitating sound bytes out of context is sooooo shallow. Is that really the extent of your research?
- nj
  
  Ha, ha! It’s a dirty, rotten job defending all the Rethuglicon whackadoodles, but someone’s got to do it. Greggg steps in where mere mortals dare not tread.
  - Gregg
    
    It’s not too difficult to to understand the context if one is ever so slightly curious. It takes willful blindness to read these quotes and infer the conclusions concluded. That’s much harder. So thanks but I’m not special, I just have a lick of sense. You and AJ are the special ones.
    - nj
      
      Are you wearing your special, “Defender of the GOP Crazies” superhero suit when you post? I’ll bet you look stunning in Spandex™.
    - Gregg
      
      Please don’t remind me of my big hair spandex days.
  - Modavations
    
    Unloosen your panties.The blood is not reaching the noodle.How does one reach such hysterical rage at 8:00 AM
    - nj
      
      Moda-troll makes yet another “intellectual point.”
    - still just cory
      
      “Moda-Troll” sounds like a super villain fom a spider man comic book!
    - Brett
      
      He’s a kind of hipper, more urbane Louise…I, for one, like having him around, for comic relief if nothing else.
    - Modavations
      
      i LIKE EXAMINING lEFTY’S.i’M A PART TIME ANTHROPOLOGIST AND HAVE THEORIES ON THE “mISSING lINK”
    - still just cory
      
      Wouldn’t “unloosening” one’s panties tighten them?
    - Gregg
      
      I love that word! It’s right up there with “Strategery” and “Misunderestimated”.
- still just cory
  
  But… someone smart enough to be president should know better than to say something like “I don’t want to help the poor”, no?
  - Gregg
    
    Sure, it’s bad politics. Someone smart enough to be President shouldn’t say there are 57 states or an Austrian language or that Hawaii is in Asia. It happens.
    - Ray in VT
      
      It does. That’s part of the problem with 24 hour news. They have to fill time with something, so they’ll find some verbal gaff and beat it to death.
      
      Some of these are just silly, and some are real comedy. I’m still waiting for Romney to serenade another African-American group with Who Let the Dogs Out. That was a great one from 2008.
    - Gregg
      
      I can sort through it and am smart enough to understand the context. I think most are, how ’bout you?
    - Ray in VT
      
      Yup.
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      AGREED!

Anonymous

What skeletons does Rick have waiting to be paraded across the national stage now that he’s the flavor of the week in this fantastic fringe freekshow called the Republican Presidential Primary?

Gregg

He will be the focus of the new media invention that Republicans want to ban contraception. There will be a meticulous examination of his religious beliefs contrasting dramatically with the lack of curiosity over Rev. wright. And some stuff will get made up. Romney may jump on that bandwagon. It will be relentless.
- still just cory
  
  Admittedly Double G, reverend Wright never ran for president…
  - Gregg
    
    Obama’s religious beliefs were not examined Santorum’s will be.
    - still just cory
      
      You don’t remember the questions about Islam and… wait for it… Reverend Wright?!
    - Hidan
      
      Dude Gregg in an previous thread believes that since obama’s dad was a Muslim so is obama according to an law he can’t cite than also believes obama is an black christian theologian, Has made hints about his birth Cert in the past and parroted Newts false claims against obama.
    - Gregg
      
      What? None of that has any basis in reality.
      I said Obama’s dad was a Muslim. That’s true. I said according to Islamic law the son of a Muslim is a Muslim. That’s true. They don’t care about the mother who was Christian. Obama is a Christian as I’ve said. Christians believe it is about what is in your heart not who your father is. Black liberation theology is a racist America hating form of Christianity and Obama has stewed himself in it. It’s undeniable.
    - Anonymous
      
      Obama didn’t use his religious beliefs to tell the rest of us what’s wrong with America. And the coverage of Wright was endless. You can’t just make baseless statements and expect the rest of us to lose our collective memories.
    - Modavations
      
      oPRAH LEFT HIS CHURCH BECAUSE OF THE HATE SPEECH
- Anonymous
  
  Republicans don’t want to ban contraception. Just Rick. For weeks during the 2008 presidential primaries I heard the name Reverend Wright over and over on a daily basis. I must have seen that video of his angry sermon every day for a month. How did that represent a lack of curiosity. Besides, Reverend Wright is exactly that, a Reverend. Santorum wants to be President, and he wears his religion on his sleeve more than any politician in recent times. Too much of what he believes is proper is rooted in his Catholicism, and his desire to impose that belief system on the rest of us is plain to see. As for stuff being made up, how surprising. Reminds one of Birthers and Swiftboaters.
  - Gregg
    
    So Santorum wants to impose his beliefs on everyone and the distinguished servicemen are liars. Wow.
    - Anonymous
      
      Yes. The distinguished servicemen were liars and Rick wants to impose his religious beliefs on everyone. Wow.
    - Gregg
      
      Alrighty then.
  - Terry Tree Tree
    
    The religion of Child-Molesting, and Child-Abuse?
    - Modavations
      
      Bleat # 2
      The Pervert,homo priests did it.Terry someone who goes on and on about the Priests who raped or molested you,often rape and molest their own kids.Same with volunteer fireman,who tell us about it daily.tHEY OFTEN SET FIRES
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      I have said before, the ‘fire-fighters’, that set illegal fires, are criminals, and should be prosecuted!�
         I think Child-Molesting and Child-Abusing priests, and the clergy that protect them, should be prosecuted!
         What IS your problem with that?
         It seems like you want to take the heat off the pedophile priests! Why?

Chris B

Check this one out: http://freegovinfo.info/node/61
Ricky wanted us all to pay for weather reports that we’ve already paid for. This is when this jerk first came to my attention and I’ll never forgive or forget.

Ray in VT

I remember that. I had a conservative boss at the time who was a weather bug, and she just about blew her top over the issue. That wasn’t the first that I had heard of him, but it did more or less solidify my opinion of him.
Gregg

That is a stunning misrepresentation of a common sense idea.
- Chris B
  
  Accurate weather forecasting is as essential a service as there is for virtually every sector of the population and the economy. Commerce, agriculture and defense. You want to contract that out? You think the US Navy and Air Force should blithely depend on Accuweather for their operations? That work needs to be done, and it can be done more effectively and cheaply by NOAA and the armed forces using assets already in place, already paid for. They shouldn’t then provide that information to the public at large, who has already paid for it?
  
  “Common sense”, indeed.
  - Gregg
    
    “You think the US Navy and Air Force should blithely depend on Accuweather for their operations?”
    
    There’s another. Santorum’s proposal would not have imposed that.
    - Chris B
      
      The fact is that the work was and is already being done and we’ve paid for it. why should we pay for it a second time? No one forced Accuweather to go into business. The NWS and armed forces were filling the role long before they ever appeared. By your logic we should disband the army because it forces Blackwater to compete with it!
TFRX

The Weather Channel is a hometown industry–based in Penna–don’tcha know?

And if you want all that info without the blah-blah, Weather.GOV is a great site.
- Chris B
  
  Absolutely! The National Weather Service has an incredibly well thought out, informative website. One of the best on the net.

aj

” I do not want to make black people’s lives better. ”
-Rick Santorum
Jan 4 2012 Iowa

” I’m not concerned about the very poor”
-Mitt Romney Feb 1 2012 Florida

” Obama has FAILED Blacks and the Poor. ”
-Dr. Cornel West

So when the working poor and disenfranchised accept that help is -not- on the way, and decide to HELP THEMSELVES; for example the Black Panther’s FREE breakfast program in 1968, what happens?

The magnitude and powerful impact of this program was such that the federal government was pressed and SHAMED into adopting a similar program for public schools across the country.

In 1968 Chicago, Fred Hampton led 5 FREE breakfast programs, created a FREE medical center, and FREE door to door health services testing for sickle cell anemia, and blood drives. The Chicago party reached out to local gangs to clean up their acts, & get them away from crime. The Party’s efforts met wide success, and Hampton’s audiences and organized contingent grew by the day.

So naturally, what does pulling your oppressed and systematically impoverished community up by the bootstraps, WITHOUT GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE??? Where does that get you??? Better yet, where did that get Fred Hampton in the good old U.S.A.???

On December4 1969 at 4:45am, the FBI stormed in Hampton’s apartment bedroom where he and his PREGNANT girlfriend slept slept, unable to wake up as a result of the barbiturates that an FBI infiltrator had slipped into his drink earlier, Hampton was promptly shot 2 times POINT BLANK in the head. His body was dragged into the doorway of the bedroom and left in a pool of blood.

“We expected about twenty Panthers to be in the apartment when the police raided the place. ONLY two of those niggers were killed, Fred Hampton and Mark Clark.”
—FBI Special Agent Gregg York 1969

” The Black Panther’s FREE Breakfast Program is the greatest threat to the internal security of the United States”
-head of FBI, J Edgar Hoover 1968

Uncle Sam, Shame On YOU.

Modavations

You’re as bad as Hidan.We’ve all heard it ten times
- aj
  
  Jesus of Nazarath, the radical Palestinean Jewish prophet, was lynched just like Fred Hampton.
  
  -Hey, Hey! Barry-A!
  
  How many Afghan children have you killed today!
  
  Hey, Hey! Barry-A!-
  - Modavations
    
    Someone translate please.
    - Gregg
      
      I tried, can’t do it.
- nj
  
  Almost as many times as we’ve heard many of Modavation’s inanities.
  - Hidan
    
    seems the moda-troll has competition
    
    http://games.adultswim.com/my-lil-bastard-puzzle-online-game.html
    
    How will moda fit in blacks, ghetto,prison and vouchers today?
    
    The shows on Santorum so i’m guessing 3 or 4 times? any takers?
    
    Sad the republican party failed so miserably with blacks that the only party to turn to are democrats. This will be the case for Latinos, Asians, and just about any other group as the years go on.
    - Modavations
      
      Shame that you didn’t listen to Farakan.You let the white Dems.and their Black Capos take your gonads.Farakhan said,we’re not chumps,we don’t need your stinking Welfare.
- Hidan
  
  We already knows your views on blacks. It’s the same as your views on other things which are absurd.
  - Modavations
    
    My views are the same for all people.We don’t need your paternalistic welfare state.Or do you????Listen to Farakan not the Capos Rev.Al and and Rev Jesse.Where do you think they live,where do you think they educate their kids(sorry Jesse I forgot your kid turned out to be a snitch,he needs more schooling)

aj

Research that Chief.

nj

What does it say about the state of the country that bigoted fruitcakes like the current crop of GOP clowns represents what “conservatism” has become?

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/santorum-visiting-olympia-calls-constitutional-ban/nHb9p/

Santorum, visiting Olympia, calls for constitutional ban on same-sex marriagehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/post/rick-santorum-is-the-conservative-alternative-to-reality/2012/02/10/gIQAbykY4Q_blog.html?tid=pm_opinions_popRick Santorum is the conservative alternative to realityhttp://thinkprogress.org/green/2012/02/10/422979/santorum-froths-at-cpac-facade-of-man-made-global-warming/?mobile=ncSantorum Froths At CPAC About ‘Facade Of Man-Made Global Warming’

mary elizabeth

As one who knows relatively little about Santorum, I welcome this show. My impression thus far is of a rigid, narrowminded ideologue who hopes to convert a large diverse nation to his Catholicism, isolationism, and disdain for safety nets.

Gregg

I appreciate your willingness to be open. Your first impression is exactly what you are supposed to think. Dig deeper which may mean more than listening to NPR.
Modavations

It’s safety hammocks we reject
Anonymous

Yes, dig deeper and you may find that he is is just pretending to be a narrow-minded ideologue pandering to his supporters and is really a sociopathic narcissist who has even darker designs envisioned for Amerika (sic), but that’s just my paranoia speaking ;^)
Anonymous

That pretty much sums him up.
If he wins the GOP nomination, it will be a huge uphill battle for him to win the White House.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1816544 Dan Trindade

According to recent polls President Obama seems to have at least some appeal among independent/undecided voters. Mr. Santorum however seems to be having trouble making in roads beyond the conservative core of his party. If Mr. Santorum wins the Republican nomination, what are his chances of winning over independent voters and giving President Obama a real race?

Ray in VT

It is hard to see how Mr. Santorum could make a mass appeal to the large portion of the moderate electorate given some of his positions.
- Gregg
  
  He was elected twice in Liberal Pennsylvania. One has to go back to Dukakis to cite a Democrat Presidential candidate who has lost there.
  - Ray in VT
    
    I wouldn’t call Pennsylvania liberal. Kerry barely won in 2004, and they did elect Pat Toomey to the Senate. I would say that the state leans Democratic, but that’s about as strong as you could put it. My general understanding is that large parts of the rural and western parts of the state are fairly conservative.
    - Gregg
      
      Pat Toomey rode the 2010 wave which was unprecedented in recent history and devastating. Usually it was the Spector type of “Republican” who won there.
    - Ray in VT
      
      That is true. I wonder how he will do in 2016.
      
      I find it interesting that you put Republican in quotation marks. Specter was the sort of moderate that used to dominate the northeastern Republicans throughout the mid to late 20th century. They have, by and large, been marginalized in, or drive out of, then GOP. Vermont was a solid Republican state for 100 years when the GOP was the party of the north, but the sort of Republican that we used to elect to Congress, like George Aiken and Margaret Chase Smith, were almost nothing like the current type of conservative that dominates the GOP.
    - Gregg
      
      I used quotation marks because he is now a Democrat… as he used to be before he was a Republican. I don’t think it would be accurate to refer to him as a Republican even if he was elected as one and defeated as a Democrat. The quotes seemed appropriate, maybe I should have gone with italics.
      
      He did great work in the Clarence Thomas nomination and on the Judiciary committee in general. I’ll give him that but he could always be counted on (with Collins and Snowe) to side with the liberals when push came to shove, i.e. the “stimulus” bill. BTW, I always use the quotation marks for that bill but that’s an old discussion.
  - Brett
    
    Well, the state is kind of divided into two parts, but he did ride in on a conservative wave and rode out on a liberal one. Those shifts happen in Pa. But you are right about “Democrat”[ic] presidential candidates…

still just cory

It all says so much about Romney. He is such a phoney baloney that conservatives are DESPERATE for somebody, ANYBODY, to displace him and take the nomination.

Santorum is orders of magnitude more genuine than Romney, in his religion and most other issues. Romney is a doppleganger who has been running for president for seven years. Throughout this time he has proven that he will say anything or take any position to advance himself politically. Even conservatives find this kind of shiftiness distasteful.

However… If Santorum and the others can’t step up, I am fully comfident that conservatives will line up behind Romney lock-step to get the hated anti-colonial, closet muslim, socialist president Obama out of office.

Ray in VT

Don’t forget Kenyan-born.
- Terry Tree Tree
  
  Even though born to a U.S. Citizen, which NEGATES that silly ‘birthrighteousness?
- Modavations
  
  I’d vote for a Martian if he were Laissez Faire(no Terry,not Layzee Fairy)
  - Terry Tree Tree
    
    Barney Frank jilted you for Valentine’s Day?
    My sympathy to you, at your heartbreak.

nj

Should have just given both hours to Mr. Olusola. I’ll wait to tune in until hour 2.

Yar

How do we have a conversation? It doesn’t start by making a slur out of one’s name or with “take back our country”.The presidency is no longer a personality, it has become a brand. If you live in rural America it is hard to believe that 10 percent of the population is gay, or why Christianity is objectionable to some. Why is a candidate like Rick Santorum popular? It isn’t about the individual, it’s about the mood of the electorate. We are two Americas (maybe more than two), and some seem willing to destroy our democracy to stop the other America from winning. Walk through Greenwich Village and it is difficult to believe only ten percent of Americans are gay.

Modavations

Yes you’re right.We’re here to disassemble the heinous welfare state.One where Dems.think the black man is inferior and in need of their paternalism
- still just cory
  
  Disassemble the welfare state. What does that mean exactly? Food Stamps, Social Security, Corporate welfare, medicare? Just wonder which ones you are putting on the chopping block?
  - notafeminista
    
    Yes.
    - Corythatcher
      
      Then I hope you and like minded people never gain sufficient power to accomplish your goals.
    - notafeminista
      
      I wish you and like minded people would stop saying “Oh but I can’t” and figure out what it is you CAN do.
    - Modavations
      
      We’ve liberated Europe.We’ve liberated Canada.We’ve liberated Mexico.Only the US Coasts remain occupied territory
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      Canada, and most of Europe, have Universal Health Care, and MORE vacation time, and days off work!
      THANK YOU!
  - Modavations
    
    Yes,yes,yes.A welfare net si,a welfare hammock no.Look up Clairabel Ventura.30 of her extended family(intergenerational)all on Welfare and all on the same Housing Complex
- Hidan
  
  30 years of Reaganomics helped destroy the black community and the war on drug and crime help destroy the family. All promoted and flaunted by the Right. Reagan Ran on racism against blacks.
  
  No one believes you care about blacks just like no one believes most of the other stuff you spew. Fake crocodile tears
  
  Again Republicans are sooooo bad that the only party to turn to are the democrats. Mostly due to the inherent racism in the republican party’s base.
  
  P.S.
  
  there’s more whites that use Welfare than blacks yet like most racist you seem to leave out this and as Conservative like to point out more americans are consertive leading to the belief that more Republicans/Conservative are on welfare than liberal/democats
  - Modavations
    
    I don’t care about blacks,per se.I care that everyone becomes a free,non dependent human.A person with testicles(no offense Terry and NJ),not a eunuched dependency case
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      Moda whines about name-calling?
- Brett
  
  Presuming that’s true, then let it be said that the Repubs think the Black man just needs an opportunity to work. The job creatorers can provide all sorts of work for the Black man: chauffeur, maid, gardener, cook, and so on…
  - Modavations
    
    Give the guys back their daddies and a School Voucher.Things will correct.The state is not a replacement of the Nuclear Family.If you want a chuckle ask a Jamaican(any islander) what they think of American Welfare Blacks
- Anonymous
  
  You do realize that the majority of benefits are going to the elderly and disabled. I would post more info but you’re the guy who wont read anything more than a paragraph. You’re wrong about everything you post, do realize that. You make up comments and I’m sure you’ll come back with “calm down son”, which is pretty patronizing. The way you talk about African Americans is a good example of this patronizing, almost parenteral mind set reminiscent of the Jim Crow South.
  - Modavations
    
    You’re sweating pissant
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      Moda whines about name-calling?
  - notafeminista
    
    Hehe..nice dogwhistle you did there. Impressive.
  - Terry Tree Tree
    
    jeffe, As much as he disgusts me at times, and he has said that I am wrong 100% of the time, I have to say that even Moda has been right, between 0.5% to 1.0% of the time.
still just cory

Great comment, Yar. Ever notice how President Obama is just referred to as “Obama”? How about conservatives adopting the Limbaugh doctrine of referring to the Democrats of Democratic party as the “Democrat” party?
It does go both ways to some extent. Civility certainly seems in decline in our public discourse. I wonder how far it will go?
- Modavations
  
  There’s nothing Democratic about the Democrat party
notafeminista

I live in rural America and I find neither of those things difficult to believe. But hey, we out here in the hinterlands appreciate your complete marginalization of us based on nothing but geography.

What most of us DO believe (and even those outside the uneducated, unwashed, barely have running water rural Americans) is how 10% of the population can command so much attention. There are more Christians (even those of the gay variety) than there are homosexuals in this country and it is the Christians who are vilified. I cannot possibly imagine what a gay Christian might make of your statement.
- Brett
  
  Oh yeah, rural America is known for its embrace of diversity…gays, atheists, Liberals…
  
  Christians are not villified; many of their ideas for the parameters of morality, now those are condemned.
  
  BTW, did you say that there are more gay Christians than non-Christian gays in this country?
  - notafeminista
    
    No. I said there are more Christians than gays.
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      Your statement can EASILY be read to get Brett’s reading of it!
  - Terry Tree Tree
    
    GOOD QUESTION!!
- Anonymous
  
  The gay population commands so much attention because the sanctimonious “Holy Rollers” can’t shut up about them. Gayness in America is an issue only because silly religious folks insist on making it an issue. If they’d simply shut up and leave people alone, maybe they wouldn’t be vilified as a bunch of holier than thou idiots.
  - Modavations
    
    Au contraire.Gayness is pushed in our faces.The schools are such failures because they’ve replaced Readin,writin and rithmetics with Daveys’ got two daddies
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      That’s not a reading assignment?
- Yar
  
  I also live in rural America, it is my hometown that I am talking about, I don’t see that I have marginalized anyone. Gays did not ask to be the subject of a conversation, only for equal rights. Including the right to be left alone. When candidates divide one group against another our country suffers. God does not call anyone to persecute others. So why is so much persecution done in the name of God? I am Christian, I don’t feel vilified. This should not be a conversation about us and them. Christians can practice their faith in a country that accepts the fact that some individuals are gay, and that everyone deserves respect and acceptance.
  - notafeminista
    
    To both Yar and Feet – Two things:
    1)Assuming the 10% figure is correct, then what happened to democracy, will of the people and all that? Instead of respecting and accepting that a majority of the population (who may also happen to be Christian) doesn’t accept the notion of same-sex marriage, a minority of the population instead forces acceptance through the court system. Forced acceptance isn’t acceptance at all.
    2)By asking for those equal rights the gays made themselves the subject of a conversation. Whatever religious implications there may be aside, there are specific economic implications for introducing a whole pool of people into an insurance situation who were not there before (as in same sex spouse benefits etc)
    - Ray in VT
      
      Regarding your first point, then do you think that a majority vote can justify discrimination against a minority group? We have majority rule and minority rights. The First Amendment was not written to protect popular opinions.
      
      If my community holds a vote and decides to kick all of the minorities out of town, then how dare any court trump the will of our people
    - Modavations
      
      Only Dems.voted for slavery.Republican Lincoln liberated the chattel.Ancient Greece,the height of Civilization ,had the Quorum.Free men voted and that was that.I’ll side with the free men,warts and all.
    - Ray in VT
      
      Town Meeting is coming up, and I plan on participating in Vermont’s direct democracy, as is our tradition.
      
      Southern conservatives supported slavery. They just happened to be called Democrats. Remember, like you said salesmen do, that the GOP was then the liberal party of the north. Lincoln also said this:
      
      “Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the
      fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first
      existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher
      consideration.”
      
      That doesn’t sound like a guy that you would support.
    - Modavations
      
      Raymundo,you know I don’t believe any of that crap.
    - Yar
      
      How dare Oliver Twist ask for more. Blaming the persecuted for raising their voice to ask for equal rights as being at fault is hypocritical from my (Christian) point of view.
    - notafeminista
      
      Make up your mind. If you bring up the subject, then you are a subject of conversation.
    - Anonymous
      
      Oh, those terrible Gay thugs. Asking for equal rights. Just who do they think they are, American citizens? Democracy is not “Majority Rule.” The majority does not get to impose it’s beliefs on the minority without those beliefs passing constitutional muster. True democratic process is how Jim Crow laws in the south were abolished. It’s how women got the vote. It’s why people of different races can marry without landing in jail. At the time these changes took place a majority of the population fully supported the restrictive policies they replaced. Maybe slavery should have been allowed to continue because a majority in the slave states thought it was a majority right. And if you advocate the restriction of personal rights on the basis of economic implications, you have no business discussing democracy with anyone.
    - notafeminista
      
      I’m assuming you are aware that if a number of non-contributing participants are dumped into an insurance pool it will cause premiums to go up for those who do pay. Like that 99% people keep carrying on about. Those poor folks who are living paycheck to paycheck, just one medical disaster from utter catastrophe.
      
      Want to try again?
    - Yar
      
      As if we are not already paying for their care in hospitals when they show up without resources. A more costly solution.
    - Modavations
      
      Keep spinning
    - Anonymous
      
      I’d like to try again, but I didn’t realize that all homosexuals were a bunch of non-contributing participants. And I still don’t understand what anything you just wrote has anything to do with the individual rights of American citizens.
    - bellavida
      
      Non-contributing participants? Are you referring to same-sex couples (and also opposite sex unmarried partners)? To my knowledge, I think those folks pay premiums to be covered by said insurance policies. I work for an insurance company…albeit not a health insurer, we don’t give squat away for free.
    - Yar
      
      Well said, thank you.
  - Anonymous
    
    Your’s are truly kind and reasonable sentiments. The problem lies entirely in the final sentence of your comment above. Too many God fearin’ Christians refuse to practice their faith WITHOUT disrespecting Gay people and others who don’t fall neatly into their doctrinaire image of decency. They insist on beating the anti-everything-gay drum over and over, and then complain about all the attention given to gay issues. How stupid.
- Anonymous
  
  We don’t hate the Christians. We just hate their sins. Especially those they commit in the name of their religion.
  - notafeminista
    
    Christians don’t answer to you though, they answer to God. And that just drives non-Christians right up the wall.
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      Christians preach HYPOCRICY?
    - Zero
      
      But we have to live with Christians, God does not.
- Terry Tree Tree
  
  I DO like to point out their HYPOCRICY!�
  If that is vilifying them, I guess I am guilty?
Modavations

Lad,your as big an offender as anyone,in my opinion.A nasty bit,though no where near NJ,or Trfx,or Jeffee68.TTT has cult status, as an understudy of Ultrax
- Yar
  
  This is why we don’t communicate, what have I said that is so offensive? I feel attacked personality for my point of view. That doesn’t move the conversation forward. I believe when one side vilifies the other, we move closer to civil war. If I have done that in any of my comments, I am sorry.
  - Modavations
    
    You seem to have forgotten all your nasty posts.I’m a salesman,I remember everything
    - Yar
      
      Modavations “(unregistered)”
      
      I am a registered user, my posts are searchable. Look at the whole of my posts, do they attack individuals? I want this country to work, I fear that vitriol leads toward Civil War. My question to you is: would you rather have war than to pay taxes to take better care of the poor, the sick and the elderly? I am human, I may have fanned the flames of partisanship from time to time, but that is not the basis for my arguments.
    - Modavations
      
      Bring it.I’ll never relinquish my freedom nor my light bulbs.I take care of my own
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      Your OBSESSION about inefficient, wasteful, antequated light bulbs, AGAIN?
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      YOU can’t even remember how to spell, punctuate, or that you have said ALL the things about yourself, that I just repeat, when you make false assumptions, and comments about me, and others?
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      Mr. “I remember everything”, forgot something about Yar! Mercury Memory?
- Terry Tree Tree
  
  Moda whines about name-calling?

still just cory

Somebody really blew it with that lighting in the photo of Santorum above. Makes him look creepy. I wonder who controls that sort of thing?

Brett

There was a story about the lighting thing yesterday on one of leftist rags I indulge in on a daily basis. Santorum doesn’t have much money, so he goes low-tech presentation on many of his events.
- notafeminista
  
  I thought not having much money was good. Makes him one of the 99% does it not?
  - Brett
    
    I said nothing about it being bad or good…it just is
Chris B

No, accidentally or otherwise they got the lighting exactly right. He is genuinely creepy!

Newton Whale

Rick Santorum is the American Taliban. He would turn us into a theocracy.
He thinks that contraception is wrong EVEN FOR MARRIED COUPLES because it allows people to have sex without making babies:“Many of the Christian faith have said, well, that’s okay, contraception is okay. It’s not okay. It’s a license to do things in a sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be.” http://www.salon.com/2012/01/04/rick_santorum_is_coming_for_your_birth_control/ He thinks women who are raped should “make the best of a bad situation”:“I believe and I think that the right approach is to accept this horribly created, in the sense of rape, but nevertheless, in a very broken way, a gift of human life, and accept what God is giving to you. As you know, in lots of different aspects of our life we have horrible things happening. I can’t think of anything more horrible, but nevertheless we have to make the best out of a bad situation. And that is making the best of a bad situation.”http://www.care2.com/causes/santorum-to-rape-survivors-make-the-best-of-it-by-having-that-baby.html#ixzz1mSUNcsk9 Lafayette warned us about people like Santorum:

“If the liberties of the American people are ever destroyed, they will fall by the hands of the clergy.”

Alan

Thanks NW. Well said and cited.
And so outrageous. Does Santorum have daughters? A wife? So Rape is a gift from God? What kind of God is that? Working in strange ways again, I see.
Gregg

“Rick Santorum is the American Taliban. He would turn us into a theocracy.”

I see you got the memo. It’s very obedient of you to spread the hate. Do you think you may be overstating things a wee bit. It’s not helpful.

Brett

I was just looking at the photo above…didn’t Hitler have rallies at night with weird, eerie lighting focused on him? (Sorry, Gregg, I couldn’t resist; I just wanted to win today’s Godwin’s Law Award!)

Anywho, it’s amazing how much traction Senator Santorum has been getting lately. I’m inclined to agree with Cory on the “anybody but Romney” vibe that has been going on in the GOP field for what has seemed like a long time now.

Whatever anybody thinks of Santorum, he’s not afraid to stand for something; and, as politics go, he’s about as “real deal” as they come. I, personally, think he’s rather creepy, but I think that of religious conservatives in general.

Hidan

Amazing how diverse the crowd is. It’s an clear picture of what America is today.
- notafeminista
  
  To what crowd do you refer? In the shot on the website?
Terry Tree Tree

Since you want the Godwin’s award this bad, I’ll give you my vote.
- Brett
  
  Thanks, Tripple T! You gotta admit, though, at least he’s not quite the GREEDY RICH brain that Hitler was!…of course, there’s that Catholic thing—oops, sorry…
  - Brett
    
    I meant to add “j”
    - Modavations
      
      hE WOULDN’T GET IT
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      At least you remembered it, QUICKLY!
      You didn’t eat lead, play with mercury, and sneak into asbestos mines?
  - Modavations
    
    Bro,B the Greeeeeedy,Greeeeedy rich did, it is Bleat # 2
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      Guppy’s goat has figured it out! Maybe guppy and the goat can educate Moda?
  - Terry Tree Tree
    
    I laughed at this one, BEFORE I saw the “J” below!!

Jason Spitalnik

How can Santorum say that Obama is imposing his own moral views on Americans, when Mr. Santorum himself want to outlaw contraceptives all together. Clearly his Christian view. One is keeping religion out of the government, the other is trying to infuse it. Santorum a ‘Constitutionalist’? I think not!

William

Did he say outlaw contraceptives? I think he said states could do that if they wanted too.
- Anonymous
  
  …and you would support that?
  
  Time to wake up, people have sex.
  - Swisth
    
    Judging by the anger displayed on this board, not enough
    - notafeminista
      
      Hehe..ok that was funny.
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      I second that emotion!
      FUNNY!�
      How much is enough?
  - Modavations
    
    Wake up Free Men.The Welfare Dependency Party is planning a Putsch
- Modavations
  
  Jason votes with his Vagina
  - Terry Tree Tree
    
    Moda whines about name-calling?
Modavations

They’re setting up a Putsch(a Race War led by Union Storm Troopers).On guard Free men
Gregg

That’s exactly what the message is. You are supposed to think that. The White house thought it up, Stephanopolis planted the seed (out of the blue) in a debate months ago. Media Matters instructs the press as has been discovered and voila, you snap right in line. Dick Morris is all over it.

Santorum does not want to outlaw contraception, no one does. It’s silly.
- Anonymous
  
  No one wants to outlaw contraception. They only want to give states the right to outlaw contraception. That makes perfect sense to all so-called conservatives.

Modavations

C-span is running a show on community colleges right now.They’re discussing how so many need remedial training.They can’t read!!!.No wonder there’s such disparity in income.The Dem.Schools(the teacher union gives 0% donations to Reps.)produce a product that McDonalds doesn’t want

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1816544 Dan Trindade

What type of foreign policy would we be looking at under President Santorum? Would it be a retread of the cowboy Team America foreign policy of the Bush administration, something more restrained yet still proactive like that of the Obama administration, or something more hawkish than either?

Brett

If the GOP wants their nominee to be as much in contrast with Pres. Obama as is possible, they certainly have that in Sen. Santorum.

Modavations

It’ll be Romney.It was always going to be Romney.Santorium is the type of guy we used to shut in our school lockers,way back when

Alan in NH

Rick Santorum represents the worst aspects of the religious right’s fear of science and reliance on faith as the sole explanation of everything that happens. Behind his 21st century appearance is the intolerance of the medieval church for all but its prescribed teachings. More than a political disaster, Rick Santorum’s candidacy, and that of all the others who think their mission comes from God, is a cultural disaster. As one journalist put it, “Santorum’s a great candidate for the 13th century.”

Lucretia591

If elected President, Santorum could issue an executive order to only say the Latin rite Mass at the National Cathedral. How would the Vatican react? On a lighter note, when he abolishes all forms of birth control, maybe our population would gradually become more intelligent as I’ve noticed a decline in rational thought and critical thinking skills among our population since the invention of the birth control pill. Perhaps when well educated people have more children (even against their will) we might again enjoy more enlightened discourse in our politics.
- Ellen Dibble
  
  You think education goes straight to the genes? When ova are present in a girlchild at birth, and so it would be the education of the grandmother that matters? Interesting concept.
Terry Tree Tree

Was that Inquisition Time? When Catholic church burned people for their property, and called them ‘witch’, or ‘heretic’?

Ellen Dibble

I can’t imagine anyone objecting to Faith and Family on principle. It’s like Mom and Apple Pie. No-brainers. Is Ron Paul opposed? Down with those who collude on the basis of conscience (religions)? Down with nuclear units of people bound by law and love to support one another and probably propagate (families)? Find me one country on the face of the earth that tries to squelch those institutions. Oh. Dictatorships. They want all cohesion to be of, by, and for the administration. �
So I’m more interested in the Santorum alternative to Romney’s version of economic Valhalla, the plutocrats not only buying the candidates, buying the elections, buying legislative influence — but also electing one of their own. I call that the “used car economy”; been there, tried that, want something new and different. So what is Santorum envisioning? How would he leash or unleash the banks? How would he leash or unleash the semi-monopolies, the uber-corporations? In agriculture, for instance. In pharmaceuticals, for instance. How would he bring back manufacturing jobs for those who have lost those jobs in the last decades? Does he have an economically viable plan for infrastructure supporting 21st century energy, in housing and industry? Does he have a plan for education, from pre-K when moms are trying to work nine to five — for higher levels?

Anonymous

He has a warped view of faith and family and seeks to impose it on others.
Alan

All good and relevant questions, Ellen. Which is why “Faith and Family” says nothing useful. It’s a non-starter. It has, or should have, nothing to do with the questions you raise. Whose faith? What version of family? What version of sexuality? Contraception? Women’s Rights? What justification for rape – on grounds that God is working in mysterious ways once again?

Thanks for bringing the discussion back to the issues that matter. Will we get any answers on such when there is this smoke screen of religiosity?
Terry Tree Tree

GOOD QUESTIONS!! Ellen.

Sean

Rick Santorum

One word:

DANGEROUS

Two words:

American Taliban

Gregg

“American Taliban” is surfacing all over the place regarding Santorum. Who thought that one up and fed it to you?
- Anonymous
  
  If the sweater vest fits . . .
  - Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…
    
    The shallow critics and American cynics sharpen their knives.
- miro
  
  The analogy between the rabid religious right (aka Moral Majority) and the Taliban is an old one that has been around at least 2 decades, i.e. since the Taliban came onto our radar screens.
  
  The hidden agenda of the religious fascists like Santorum is that they want to take power by making the US a ‘Christian Nation”.
  
  They don’t have a libertarian bone in their bodies — all their talk about freedom is simply a Big Lie.
- Fredlinskip
  
  Santorum:
  American goofball
  (That one may have started with me.)
Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

If that’s true, Obama is American Stalin.

Too bad the Constitution conservatives claim to defend would prevent the kind of hyperbolic reality people fear from them.

Nice try though.

Anonymous

santorum is just a measure that Republicans don’t like Romney and have run out of candidates. He can’t win.

Brand

I agree Romney can’t win, we need a conservative to differentiate ourselves

Patrik

Santorum is scary, that photo captures it perfectly. The last person we need in the chair is a religious zealot whose policies are driven by his theocratic puppeteers. The organizations backing him know how to use the political levers in Washington to pass whatever archaic polices they want, they’ve been doing it for centuries. I envision burning non-belivers, like myself, at the stake in the public square. ( Ok, a little exaggerated I admit…or is it?)

Judy

The strength of the Santorum campaign is a reflection of the weakness of the Republican field. They are grasping at straws now.

Brandstadisbad

The strength of the Santorum campaign is a reflection of the fact that Obama wants to run against Mitt Romney since they are so similar. Obamacare based on Romney Care!

Anonymous

Isn’t the sweater vest combined with cowboy boots a bit of a mixed message? Mitt’s man of the people jeans are more convincing than santorum as a cowboy.

Modavations

I would never vote for anyone with a sweater like that,.Reminds me of a Poof.No offense Mr.Trees,no offense NJ
- Anonymous
  
  This guy has really screwed things up for those of us who like sweater vests. Now when I go out in public with one on I get mistaken for someone who “thinks” like him.
  - Terry Tree Tree
    
    Ha Ha, Mr. Rogers wore his, inside!
    - Anonymous
      
      Mr Rogers did not wear them.
  - Terry Tree Tree
    
    Sorry, I guess you’ll have to store yours for a while? Or endure?

Atomicdesign

As a gay man, I can’t tell you how disturbing I find this resurgence of Santorum’s appeal. It only shows how polarized the country has become.

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

Too bad people don’t go for Ron Paul, or someone else who speaks to Constitutional Conservatism, or that Democrats have lost their respect for Limited, Rule of Law Government, such that anybody not for Democratic Socialism has essentially no choice but to support Santorum.

Sadly, his superhawk militaristic views are a distortion of real Constitutional rule as Paul points out, but so many in the electorate get excited about being a tough guy.
notafeminista

“Anec” is not a sufficient prefix for “data”.

By the way, as a compassionate person, I can’t tell you how disturbing I find the enthusiastic embrace of a person who founded an organization specifically to serve gay teens in crisis, by setting such a poor example of how an adult should behave.
- Terry Tree Tree
  
  I wish I could unravel this? I agree with the compassionate part!

Matthew

Santorum claims to represent Jesus, but he is farther from Jesus than any person could possibly be.

Matthew 25: 35-40 “‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ “

Ellen Dibble

The panelist Foster Friess, above, if you click his site, the first thing you see is: “In the spirit of Galatians 6:2: ‘Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.’” Read further, and this is a private responsibility, and the falling down of the citizenry is not a government issue. Nor is there any nod to the principles of accountability that undergird pretty much any religion worthy of the name. But it’s a private site… Muslims, for instance, should be posting all over the place about the principles of Islam. There are plenty of Muslims here, as well as worldwide.
- Ian
  
  Nothing you ever write on this site is coherent. Are you quite sure you’re sane?
  - Ellen Dibble
    
    Loose cannon, but no screws loose in the actual mechanism.
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      It doesn’t seem like Ian has read you for long?
Terry Tree Tree

This concept is part of why I am a Volunteer Fire-Fighter, Volunteer Rescue Squad member, and donate blood!
I HELP people, and get a LOT of crap, for it?

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

Replace “god-given rights” with “natural” or “inherent” rights, and what exactly do you disagree with?

Are you anti-Constitutional Rights? Pro Government central control, doling out what is sees “fit”?

TFRX

Disagree with?

How about: Today’s right-wing political leaders who mean “my particular God”? The group who couldn’t say in public “our Founding fathers wanted the Creator’s rights and rebelled against the Divine Right of Kings” if their lives depended on it?
- Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…
  
  Who care’s about his “particular God”. Show us how he will codify that upon us.
  
  Are you for the Divine right of Kings now?
  
  Call is God given, call it Nature given, its been given and most won’t let go.
  - TFRX
    
    What Libertarian training did you go to to seamlessly adapt every right-wing frame on every issue?
    
    Cos it’s messing you up. You can’t be the Libertarian’s best voice available, can you?

Ben

hahahahah
I haven’t heard that clip yet, about the French Revolution.
This guy has no idea what he is talking about.

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

What about revolution against a monarchy (elite, tyranny, etc) as a last resort to maintain liberty is so confounding?

jada

Rick Santorum and his ilk are worried about liberals controlling us, but they want to restrict our right to marry? Does. Not. Compute.

Erin in Iowa

Republicans wouldn’t know the difference between a paper cut and a decapitation! This is NOT revolutionary France. There IS NO war on the church. Fear is the only thing that resonates with conservatives – they knew they couldn’t win on the economy.

Brand

How can any republican loose on the economy when Obama has done the worst on the economy since the Great Depression.
- TFRX
  
  Looks like it’s time to drag out the chart again.
  
  http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7062/6855433929_84f0bc5a94.jpg
  
  More where that came from, on (for example) private sector job growth.
  - Gregg
    
    Ah, the ol’ woulda’, coulda’, shoulda’, in a bubble, fantasy graph, nice! When did they predict all that and where is 9/11 or the Clinton recession factored into the algorithm?
  - Modavations
    
    Add 12,divide by 6 turn graph upside down and viola,my point is made
    - Anonymous
      
      You’re as bad at math as you are at history. Try home ec. Or basket weaving. Perhaps gem polishing. Less taxing, which you should like.
- Erin in Iowa
  
  Let’s see… THEY’RE the ones that put it in the toilet in the first place. THEY’RE the ones that cried at the podium thinking about what would happen if we didn’t pass TARP. They’re the ones that can’t get it straight that the government has SHRUNK under this president. THEY’RE the ones that want to do the same thing that the UK are doing – how’s that going? THEY’RE the ones that say the government CAN’T create jobs, but somehow ran on a platform of CREATING jobs, and now since they AREN’T creating jobs, they’d rather INCREASE the size of government by regulating the use and misuse of WOMEN’S OVARIES. Give me a break. Obama INHERITED the worst economy since the depression.
  
  When I cook dinner, it takes less time to make it than it takes to clean it up. If you spend 8 years screwing something up how long should it take to fix it?

Melanie

I’ll just say Santorum scares the daylights out of me!

Ellen Dibble

It would scare me more if we the people elected him. I generally like people of Santorum’s ilk quite a bit. They are confident, dependable, friendly. There is an “however,” however. And you’d have to know the person pretty well to sleuth that out. I think it tends to be along the lines of, “Everybody is more or less like me (to the extent they reveal themselves to him, which says a lot), and everybody SHOULD be more or less like me, able to make the tough decisions I have made, to be gratified by the things that gratify me, tough in the ways I am tough,” etc., etc. People who have been through the wringer and seem kind of wrung-out by reality — they don’t want to look at it. Some are losers, period.
Brand

Why!

Barry

What’s behind the rise of Rick Santorum? The ignorance, racism, and religious intolerance of a significant portion of the American populace. Nothing more and nothing less.

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

B.S.

Since all Democrats, and most Republicans excluding Paul supported the Bailouts, and are not Constitutional Conservatives, ANYBODY who does not believe in our march toward Democratic Socialism, is left with only Santorum (since sadly we have too many armchair hawks in our country to support Paul).

So its Conservative (hoping they stay Constitutional) vs radical move toward Democratic Socialism.

No more, no less.

Its not about Rick, and honest people know regardless of his personal/religious views, he could never codify them in law.

Its not about social issues this cycle.

Maybe if Obama or other Repubs were against the Bailouts, or if Ron Paul was fairly and intelligently represented in the media it would be different.

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

Democratic Socialist bankruptcy is essentially an apocalypse for America.

Is that so difficult to understand?

Anonymous

What does this have to do with santorum? Not every show needs to have you shoehorn Ron Paul propaganda into it.

Gregorclark

Here’s the answer to the question you posed at 10:20, Tom:

Santorum is BOTH things.

Too conservative for the country at large.

Exactly what the Republican base is looking for.

In short, the base of the Republican party has swung so far right, it’s COMPLETELY out of touch with the rest of the country.

Tina

I would like to know the PERCENTAGE OF REGISTERED REPUBLICANS (and registered Independents in States that allow them to cross over and vote during primaries) HAVE ACTUALLY VOTED FOR THE WINNERS IN EACH OF THE STATES that have already had their primaries.

Just how many people have voted, in this season’s primaries, in support of any of these individuals? I’d love to hear a list with: the name of the State; the percentage of the TOTAL population of that state that voted for EACH of the Republican candidates.

In some instances, are so few people voting that these discussions are really making mountains out of molehills; are these discussions actually “making” the news?

Thanks very much!

Terry Tree Tree

Certainly in the states that have had Caucuses!

Scott B, Jamestown NY

If Santorum is elected I cam easily see him trying to erase the separation of church and state, separation which our founding fathers clearly wanted.

He speaks of “God-given rights”. What are those? The ten commandments? How do you legislate honoring thy mother and father? Do we outlaw bacon? Do we start stoning adulters or pouring molten lead down the throats of anyone who’s taken the Lord’s name in vain? Do we go back to 1950? 1850? 1750? 50?

We will have legalized second-class citizenry with gays having to pay taxes, vote, and obey the laws, but without the rights of everyone else, to serve their country, have children, or marry.

Do we want the Ryan plans that cuts off much needed social aid help to millions of people that most need it, and will cost the average elderly person an additional $6500 per year?

We will see a lot of outrage when the people that were enjoying the benefits of the Health Care Act suddenly are refuse insurance policies or have them revoked, whose children won’t be uninsured until they’re 26, that can’t afford insurance, costs of medications rise as he supports fan unhindered free market (this is the same guy that compared spending $900 on an iPad to a mom that had to lay out $600 per month just for one medication for her son).

The wealth gap widens, and the debt and deficit go up because tax breaks for the rich virtually, if not actually, disappear.

Terry Tree Tree

Before they realize it, will it be too late?
Like a lot of ‘compassionate’ ‘conservatives’ with ‘W’?

MarkVII88

Santorum’s “basis” is totally reliant on his socially conservative point-of-view. Notwithstanding the importance of faith and family values, how can anyone truly believe that this narrow focus translates into the ability to handle all that is required to govern the USA?

Edith

The thing is, these people with every other breath, talk about how much they dislike government. I suppose that if someone like this were to come to power, maybe they wouldn’t govern anything. Maybe that’s the idea?
- Terry Tree Tree
  
  Like the party of ‘NO’, is doing now?

Brand

Obama has raised gas prices 83% since entering office!

Rick

buy a hybrid then
Yar

He did? How did he do that? I don’t think the president has that much power, at least I hope the President of a democracy doesn’t have that kind of power.
- Brand
  
  Prior to the EPA’s emergence in 1970, environmental air quality improved while other values of wellbeing were balanced. Between the 1940s and the 1970s the United States achieved higher standards of living and eliminated parasitic diseases while air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide plummeted. Society was bettered by the market’s integration of new technology that reduced emissions; regulators did not exist.
  Yet the EPA continues to narrowly focus upon environmental quality as a complete measure of human wellbeing rather than incorporating the true costs of the economic damage caused by it regulatory prerogatives. Certain economic growth is foregone in the form of less disposable income among consumers and reduced production under restrictive environmental regulation. For example, the ozone standard is expected to destroy an additional $677 billion in wealth in 2020 in addition to the trillion dollars of attainment costs. No measure of foregone economic growth is typically provided by EPA estimations; betraying, perhaps, the nature of the EPA’s true agenda.
  - Terry Tree Tree
    
    Tell this to the people of L.A., who lived in perpetual SMOG, prior to EPA!
    NO U.S. city that I visited prior to 1975, has HIGHER rates, and concentrations of smog, when I have re-visited them, after 1985, when EPA standards had time to start taking effect!
  - Roy Mac
    
    I remember 1970, when the EPA emerged full-grown from Richard Nixon’s forehead. At the time, I thought, “Damn! That Obama’s going to make a hash out of everthing good.”
    
    And sure enough–just look: He caused the Exxon Valdez problem, the Santa Barbara channel oil spill, and the BP Gulf disaster.
    
    Not that the Iowa governor really cares…
Ben

Because the president can raise the price of a single commodity that the government doesn’t control…..
- Brand
  
  January 2008 interview with the San Francisco Chronicle in which Barack Obama promised to bankrupt anyone foolish enough to build coal-burning power plants, he also made an interesting admission about his entire energy plan. Obama told the editors that his policies would make energy prices “skyrocket” as the energy industry passed along the exorbitant costs of his cap-and-trade policy:
Rick in Ohio

Yeah, I heard the kicking and screaming of the oil companies…
TFRX

Really? In what alternate universe did gas not cost ~$4 a gallon in 2008 in the USA? I guess Obama time-traveled to do that.
- notafeminista
  
  Apparently the US.
  
  http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/16/news/economy/gas_prices_sunday/index.htm
  - TFRX
    
    Peak was $4.114 in July. Right there in the link, chump.
    - TFRX
      
      Oh, and yes, people at gas stations everywhere were contemplative about it and said “It’ll go down, don’t worry.”
    - notafeminista
      
      Which it did, as evidenced by the link right there …..chump.
      
      Read the whole thing and not just the parts you like.
    - Modavations
      
      Excuse me Not A,if you find this condescending.Don’t call a lady a chump you pissant
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      Evidence that Nota is a lady?
      Moda whines about name-calling?

MJ

As I understand it, Mitt Romney DIDN’T run for reelection for governor in MA because he wouldn’t win and was down 20 points. It would have been detrimental to his future plans to run for president.

So, if it is discussed that Santorum is disadvantaged by his huge point loss, then we MUST ALSO discuss Romney’s lack of popularity in MA, too – by a huge margin.

Markus

I vote republican much more than democrat. But I believe in what some of the left believes – environmental issues, stop wasting money on defense, even single payer healthcare (a government run mess that should be marginally less of a mess than what we have today).

But could my party be run by a dumber bunch of people? McCain was a lousy candidate (who I couldn’t vote for) and he drove the party off a cliff. Now we get a chance to repeat it with an unelectable Santorum. Not to mention these moronic positions on taxes (don’t touch those making over a million), conservation, Iran, etc.

Looks like I may be sitting out this one as well. Dopes.

TFRX

But could my party be run by a dumber bunch of people?

Markus, I’ve been watching teevee since Reagan corralled “Reagan Democrats”, and I’ve never seen a single Republican say “I didn’t leave the party, the party left me!”

Are you sure you exist?

(For some other people: This is a joke about the media’s handwaving away the radicalization of the GOP in my lifetime. I’d rather not have to explain it is a joke is not my wish, but there we are.)
Terry Tree Tree

None of the other parties have good ideas and candidates?
H.W. Bush convinced me that I wasn’t really a Republican, and ‘W’ Bush convinced me that the Republican party was too stupid, or too corrupt for me to consider anymore!

Rick in Ohio

To what extent does the classic American underdog narrative contribute to Santorum’s recent surge? It seemed to serve Gingrich for a while.

Anonymous

His 12th Imam scenerio for Iran sounds like the right wing Christians who are supporting Isreal to speed up Jesus’s return.

Alexfrom PA

I just want to respond to one of the clips from Rick Santorum played earlier in this show. He claims that Barack Obama is out to tell you “who you are, what you’ll do and when you’ll do it”. I’m not sure Rick’s capable of appreciating irony, but it strikes me that this is precisely what Rick’s campaign is actually about. If you aren’t a white, christian, heterosexual male, he wants to tell you how to behave, and what to believe. The best argument against a Rick Santorum Presidency is Rick Santorum’s own campaign speeched.

Anonymous

Rick Santorum is too conservative even to lad the Vatican. That slogan ‘Faith and Family” (no no more Fs) sound exactly as those that General Petain and his rightwing followers loved to throw around in the Vichy regime that the Nazi occupaiers allowed. By the way, listening Santorum to talk about France, we may think that Paris is some sort of concentration camp when the fact is that French people in ant city or town can enjoy life and freedom in more satisfactory fashion than anyone who in the name of keeping the government out of telling us what to believe and do is for banning the legal use of contraceptives. Give me a break, big brother is here waiting in the wings.

Scott B, Jamestown

What’s the fear of Santorum, and the Right in general, that they fear gays?

First, I want to hear Santorum and everyone on the Right tell me when they decided to be straight? So why do they think that being gay is a decision? How do they think that you can be gay, but not act on being gay? Could Santorum not act on being sexual with his wife after he decided to be straight?

Second, I’ve listened to quite a few anti-gay rights people and when I ask them if they know any gay people, or if they like an gay performers, they all say the same thing: “Oh, yes. So-and-so is alright.” So, if this person knows okay gay people, and that person thinks that gay person is ok, why do they wish so much ill on them as a group?

Ellen Dibble

I heard on Fresh Air yesterday, in an interview about a book on the FBI by Tim Weiner, Enemies, a history of the FBI, about J. Edgar Hoover, that Hoover considered it a given that homosexuals were Communists, and that this was a common view, in fact, because gays had to meet surreptitiously and live in the shadows. It seems like a self-fulfilling prophecy; if you make homosexuality illegal, such people will meet in secret. But that was the situation, and Americans were practically pathologically opposed to anything Red, and “Communist” meant “enemy,” and so homosexual meant Communist enemy. �
This was a new one to me. �
By the way, it seems to me that anyone who thinks being homosexual is a choice is de facto per se revealing that they are somewhat bisexual. We hear that in fact there is a continuum, and probably those with any choice do choose to be heterosexual. Those toward the end of the spectrum, with almost no choice, could be straight gays, I mean almost totally attracted to same sex. Apparently it’s hard to imagine being “other” — think of little children and how bewildered they are by adult attractions. Ewww! Kissing!!
- Terry Tree Tree
  
  GREAT! JUST GREAT! LADY.
  Exposing HYPOCRICY, and IGNORANCE!

Rex

That’s great that your guest thinks that all Americans are good people and don’t need anyone looking over our shoulders. Unfortunately, there’s some bad people who like to take advantage of things and need regulation.

Anonymous

Yeah, such a Goldman Sacs, Morgan Stanly, Bank of America, Citi corp, the Oil and Gas industry, the chemical industry, to name a few.

People forget what it was like in the 60′s and 70′s before there was an EPA, (Nixon signed off on that) and how so many of our rivers, lakes and streams were so polluted that they would ignite. How the guilty of air was so bad that in some cities it was common for there to be warnings to stay inside due the pollution.

I think if anyone wants to see what a deregulated USA would be like, look no further than China.
- Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…
  
  Good thing we can count on most Republicans and all Democrats to bail out those Bankers who populate the Fed and White House of both parties.
  
  Ron Paul and R. Santorum were against the bailouts.
  
  Americans who give a sh!t are essentially cornered.
  
  Our fear of the mideast and reliance on oil, makes the Iran mongering effective, and sadly pushes many to Santorum over Paul.
  
  Democrats, you only have yourselves to blame for cozying up to Wall St Bankers even more than Republicans.

TFRX

Regarding Mr. Friess: Why does every right-wing guest on this show sound like a Frank Luntz wind-up doll who’s taken breathing exercises?

And “when the government should be active in supporint religious values”, how many religions get to weigh in on this?

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

Its an empty question, unless we throw out the Constitution as many naive lefties would have us do.
- TFRX
  
  Oh, look: Dave, the bubble-world Libertarian, has a new handle.
  
  Please continue your compelling argument for all the gays, lesbians, and women of childbearing age about how Rick Santorum bears absolutely no threat to their rights and human dignity.
  
  And while you’re at it, go to a few Fox nation or Redstate message boards and try telling that to them. Warning: Your feefees will be hurt.
  - Modavations
    
    Hey pathetic one you’re arguing leftism on NPR.Home of America’s Socialist Communist Party.How pathetic
    - TFRX
      
      “Pathetic”, twice in 15 words?
      
      Take a deep breath before blotzing all over us next time, hm?
    - Modavations
      
      You vile little man
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      Moda whines about name-calling?
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      Moda whines about name-calling?
  - Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…
    
    FYI, Libertarians are anti-bubble world.
- Modavations
  
  But,but,but,you don’t understand.It’s an evolving document
  - Ray in VT
    
    So do you believe that the Constitution means today only what it was thought to mean in 1789? If so, then how do you deal with something like the Second Amendment. What is a well regulated militia and what are arms? Arms then were pistols, muskets and swords maybe, cannon too I guess. To paraphrase Jon Stewart, I believe that people should be able to own as many black powder muskets as they want. Is putting a tracking device on someone’s car without a warrant an unreasonable search? The founders would probably call it magic.
    
    Like it or not, things have an will continue to change. A document wholly locked in the late 18th century cannot serve us well in the 21st with all of the changes that technology hath wrought.
    
    I await the insults that are sure to follow.
    - Modavations
      
      Built from the Magna Carta,which was built from the Hamurabi Code.You bet!!!!!!!!!!!
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      I’ll leave this one for the goat to figure out, if it can?
Anonymous

Not to mention it sounded to me as if Mr. Friess is into scraping a lot of what the Constitution is about.

Santroum loves all people? Really? So all that language about how bad gays are is just a load of pandering.

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

If people were more supportive of the Constitution they wouldn’t fear the personal beliefs of someone like Santorum.

The issue is Free America as envisioned vs. Democratic Socialism plain and simple.

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

Reagan broke down the Goldwater barrier. Desperate argument.

Brooklyn listener

When Santorum was asked about government assistance for the disabled, he said that they should depend on “family and neighbors” – not the government. (In other words, become “crippled beggers,” just like in the good ol’ days!)

As someone who has a disabled sister – who still managed to work her entire life until she was laid off and only then reluctantly went on disability (due to a combination of employer discrimination and deterioration of her condition) – I am utterly outraged that someone could be so callous! This from a man with a severely disabled daughter. Of course, being a wealthy man, Santorum could easily take care of his child – not so, for regular people.

Modavations

Safety net si,safety hammock no

BHA in Vermont

If Obama DOESN’T get re-elected, the America we USED to know and love, destroyed by the monetary policies of Reagan, Bush I & II, will be gone. We are running shy of money to trickle up to the rich.

Of course, the rich like Foster Friess care only about their money. To he11 with the poor and middle class. They don’t need health care. They should be happy living day to day in the “safety net”.

TFRX

Wait a second: We have a National Review guy, Santorum’s primary benefactor, and two journos.

Time to play public radio’s favorite panel game: Where is the liberal?

Ca_brit

Tom, Can you ask your guests about Mr Rick Santorum’s hypocracy about medical tort reform? Apparently during the 90′s Senator Santorum championed limiting medical compensation to 250K, yet when Mr Santorum’s wife was injured during a medical procedure she was seeking twice the the 250k limit.

Hypocracy at it’s worst.

“W”

yo, Tom, you just let that right wing wacko go on and on about how “the gov’t will tell us what to do” but you cut off the caller who has a REALLY GOOD POINT: Santorum’s gonna tell us ALL who we can marry, keep us from getting birth control, tell us who and when we can partner with–how is this in any way gov’t NOT telling us what to do. Santorum’s conservatism would be government encroachment in women’s lives, no question about it.

Sean

Friess is just as much a FREAK as Santorium!

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

“when the government should be active in supporint religious values?”

Its an empty question, unless we throw out the Constitution as many naive lefties would have us do.
Nice electoral distraction.

Alexfrom PA

Please stop having Reihan Salam on the program, the amount of contempt he espouses for both Tom and the guests on the show is difficult to listen to.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Tim-Brown/1227104716 Tim Brown

lol, well better then all the Cato Institute folks. I time them on how long they can discuss data and facts in a coherent matter before degenerating into shouting GOP slogans on repeat for the rest of the show.

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

Tom are you serious?

How under the Constitution is Santorum going to “impose” his religious views?

You are carrying DNC water.

Anonymous

He can appoint more extreme conservatives to the Supreme Court.
- Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…
  
  And they are going to rewrite the Constitution? We’d have a Revolution for real before the protection of and from religion from the state is removed.
  
  Keep up the fear mongering though, avoiding the Bailout friendly, Democratic Socialism VS. free-market, anti-bailout, Rule of Law model.
  - Anonymous
    
    Interpretation matters and he would be appointing the justices who would be interpreting it. The text of the second amendment haven’t changed, yet the Court has completely changed its interpretation of it.
- Modavations
  
  Your extreme is anyone to the right of Stalin.To me those guys are Moderates
Modavations

He says the Tea Party is responsible for Gabby.Mr.A the shooter was a lefty, hippy loon.The assasins of the Kennedy’s were lefty loons.
K8te

RS will impose his religious views by trying to outlaw all forms of birth control. He’s firmly stated this opinion so Tom is right.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1439572620 Joe Lee

Why is it that people believe stories more than data?

All the GOP candidates tells stories of how this or that are bad for the people, but in so many cases, the data shows otherwise. “We need to balance the budget and a democrat can’t do that.” but the last time we had a budget surplus was under the Clinton administration. “Obama will take away your guns!” But he hasn’t touched gun regulations. Instead he let the assault weapons ban expire.

C’mon people. Look at the data and not what sounds good.

TFRX

It’s okay to believe stories.

But public radio’s politeness is doomed when it’s up against “antidotal data”, or “stories that conclude something directly counterindicated by facts”.

Tina

Fine then! I’m coming right up to the front door of the man who spoke about the Good Samaritan! I sort of got from his statement that he is perfectly willing to stand in for the Good Samaritan and pay for my cancer treatments! Geesh! If I misunderstood him, I KNOW that I could pay slightly higher taxes to pay for my health insurance on my own thru a government program (the one he calls “Obamacare”) that at least lets me obtain health insurance with no cries of “pre-existing condition; life-time limits, from profit-making corporations! Without health insurance, I’ll be both bankrupt AND dead within less than a year. With health insurance, which I still have, thank goodness, I’ve been in Stage 4 status for eight whole years! But, hey, I guess I don’t have to worry now: this guy is so committed to the Good Samaritan concept that I KNOW I’ll have no worries! Thanks, mister!

Modavations

Claire McKaskill received a solicitation from the Welfare Hammock Agency.They offered her a free cell phone and 250 minutes per month.She’s pissed.So you get free housing,free food,free medical,free cable,free,free,free and all you have to do is vote Democrat
Terry Tree Tree

So many of the rich ‘Good Samaritans’ have stepped forward, that NO ONE needs health insurance, the social safety net, NOR to worry about ANY health care payments?
- Terry Tree Tree
  
  Or are they just GREEDY rich HYPOCRITES?

Gallogarden

With the enormous problems the country faces the fact that Santorum is focusing on things like family values, gays, birth control etc. is frightening.
He is not the type of person we need to lead the country today. He seems better suited to be a missionary, or lead a religious group.

Terry Tree Tree

Leading a Catholic Inquisition?

Mr. Trees

The comment on Santorum regarding how “he loves everyone the same” almost made my eyes roll out of my head. How wholly sanctimonious. This is a politician we’re talking about, not the second coming.

Modavations

Mr Trees.That’s just so sick.He’s an Indian like Ward Churchill is an Indian.What a hoot

Newton Whale

Tom:

What is happening to On Point?

It’s bad enough that Foster Friess gets to run his own pet candidate thanks to Citizens United.

Now you give him an extended time on air to spew his invective and lies.

Let’s be clear about this: he is only on air because he has a lot of money.

Is that now the standard for booking guests?

notafeminista

I do so prefer the pet candidate of the AFL-CIO. $35 million in the last election, or so I hear.

Discrete Valour

No one wants to talk about Santorum’s google problem? Really? Remember why he has this problem: he said that homosexuality was morally equivalent to pedophilia and bestiality. Logically, unless he pushes to make homosexual sex illegal, he must push to make bestiality and pedophilia legal.

notafeminista

Um….they aren’t already?
- Terry Tree Tree
  
  In the Catholic church! Oh, right, Santorum is Catholic. No wonder he sees it all the same?

WL

I am independent and find Rick Santorum too radical. One thing that sticks out (for me) was his speech about how Obama was wrong to encourage more American to go to college. In these age of global competitiveness, it is so important for our country to bettereducate our young and even general citizen. If not, we will simply be left behind. It is very disheartening to hear a presidential candidate to make such short-sighted comment.

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

If the fear of Santorum builds (unfounded thanks to Constitution), it would play well for Paul to be the real Constitutional Conservative anti-Romney. Finally.

But alas the Iran build up is going according to plan, and the fear play will prevent the real Constitutionalist won’t get a chance to pursue peace and prosperity.

http://profile.yahoo.com/QMDZ3LH5U2B4GAT7J2HS4TCP6E Jim

I would love to see a Santorum/Gingrich ticket. Anyone would be MUCH MUCH better than Mitt Romney.

Rick in Ohio

Agree enthusiastically! THAT would be reality TV worth watching!

Scott B, Jamestown NY

The caller that mentioned the “Good Samaritan” was SOOOO far off base in his interpretation of the moral.

The point of the Samaritan was that Samaritans were known for being a selfish people, not just money-wise, but mostly social consciousness. If you weren’t family, or directly known to them, they pretty much didn’t care.

The main morals are that: One shouldn’t demonize those that you think they know to be of bad reputation, be they looking at it form the point of the Samaritan or the injured man; that one should look out for their fellow man as a matter of kindness and spirit, regardless of affiliation (religion, politics, sex, sexuality, et al).

Gregor Clark, Middlebury, VT

Foster Freeze’s comments about public vs. private health care are completely out of touch.

The whole reason we need public support of health care is because the private sector has been doing such an abysmal job of caring for our health. The idea that Republicans and the private insurance industry are somehow the Good Samaritans is absurd. The Santorum-Freeze vision involves letting the profit motive dictate who gets health care (those who have money) and who is left by the side of the road to suffer (the working poor and those with pre-existing conditions. Universal health care would be FAR more humane and religiously defensible, in my opinion.

Gregor Clark
Middlebury, VT

Modavations

tHE uNIONS KILLED eASTERn aIRLINE(RUN BY A REAL COMMUNISTUnion guy)they killed American Airline,they killed Gm,they killed the Post Office,they killed…..These companies should have gone into legitimate bankruptcy.Only a clairvoyent would know if GM would have been better off following the laws of bankruptcy,or a bailout.

Anonymous

So the management had nothing to do with these companies. You’re very consistent in on view, you are anti-communist. On all other points, you simplify the facts down to points that fit your agenda.

GM failed due to the management. Eastern Airlines failed because of the management. The working guy, the mechanics had no say in how the company was run.
They were looking out for themselves, but that’s pretty much how most people are.
- Modavations
  
  No.Union pensions killed the companies
- TFRX
  
  It always makes me chuckle that the laborers are the ones who always and singularly get charged with “destroying the company in the long run”.
  
  Executives? When it comes to management, it’s all “Creative destruction! They’re smart, that’s why they get more! Invisible hand! Sometimes bankruptcy happens!”
  
  No. The rich take what they can while they can. Everyone else should do the same. Any “attaboy, unions, for breaking your contract, giving up something you negotiated for, and prolonging the life of this particular iteration of a corporation (until it decides to go strategically bankrupt)” will not pay the rent, last I looked.
Terry Tree Tree

Management, with pay in the $MILLIONS, is supposed to know how to MANAGE!�
ALL the ‘management’ of those companies managed to do was get their pay and perqs, use their Golden Parachute, and watch the company go into bankruptcy!

BEEZ

Obama looks to do what benefits the country as a whole in a pragmatic fashion. He has proven this time and time again.
In no way does he try to infringe on anyone’s freedoms…in any way.
Social conservatives such as Santorum look to persue THEIR personal belief and agenda at the EXPENSE of the freedom of anyone who does not share their beliefs.
How can you legislative via morality? We all hold morality in a different context.
This is exactly the opposite of what the U.S. supposedly stands for.

PING1

1+1=2, WHO’LL HAVE THE MOST MONEY COME ELECTION DAY?
OBAMA…ITS SIMPLE MATH, HE’LL GET 4 MORE YEARS…

Ehdoss

No one I know is appologizing for Obama.�
Santorum is another conservative zealot trying to hide his true belifes long enogh to get elected.

PD

I appreciate that NPR is finally avoiding using the term “Obamacare,” but I wish that when guests use it, you would say “And by ‘Obamacare’ you mean the Affordable Care Act.” Even that is an abbreviation. Many people have been misled to into thinking “Obamacare” is socialized medicine- doctors paid by the government and government-run hospitals.

Anonymous

or call it Romneycare.
Gregg

I think that’s a fair point but the Constitutionality, the misrepresentations of the cost and implications are so dire that he needs to own it. Like it or not this is a sea change to the core of our system. Obama with this act has made good on his promise to “fundamentally transform America”.

Obamacare.
- BHA in Vermont
  
  No, fundamental change would be proper Single Payer. THAT would give people the freedom (current word of the day apparently) to not be tied to a job because it is the only way they can afford health insurance.
  
  Friess is as blinkered as all the other rich who think that because the ER *LEGALLY MUST* treat whoever comes in, they have good health care. Perhaps all the collections people going for what they can get from the uninsured should pick up some of the 1% first. I’m sure they would enjoy seeing the process. Watch the “little guy” squirm trying to pay as much as they can.
Anonymous

Thanks PD… this term is a perfect for the Republicans that are so good at finding phrases or words to demonize. No facts… just the perception that creeps into the minds of the uninformed!
Ellen Dibble

I heard Obama specifically state that he’s fine with calling the Affordable Care Act ObamaCare. I consider it a form of caving to the private insurance industry and the pharmaceutical industry and various other lobbies, but I do believe Obama was determined to pass whatever he felt he could get, at a time in his presidency before the next election began to bite into any decision-making, and in fact, before ObamaCare was passed, Ted Kennedy died, and Massachusetts sent Scott Brown, Republican, to the Senate, and at that point, if he hadn’t seen the light before, Obama “got religion,” and passed what he could get. That’s my recollection. �
In my opinion, Obama was pretty green at that point, which is to say, I would have been pretty green in his shoes, and how to stand up to the pushing and pulling of monied interests was a lesson yet to be learned. But we have what we have, and Obama is convinced it is better than what we had, whereby once you got sick, you lost your insurance. You got dumped. Just for instance. So.

Bill Fischer5

You do not need to hate gay people to kill then. All you need to do is validate those people who do hate them. They willo do the killing weather you want them to or not.

Ellen Dibble

Everybody in Congress brings their values with them? Hahahaha.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Tim-Brown/1227104716 Tim Brown

Maybe he meant their “net worth” values. Which they then double, triple, and double again while in office.

Sean

It’s not surprising Santorum hates so many people…

He’s an IDIOT and so has probably been called an idiot all his life!

Now every one who called the bucket a bucket is “elite.”

K8te

Love OP but this show needed a balance of men and women speaking about the extremist Rick Santorum.

RS scares me but I hope he is the GOP candidate so I can rally all of my female neighbors, friends and relatives who believe in the right to a woman’s control of her body/destiny through access to birth control to vote against him. Women vote and they will not let the radical RS into the White House.

Anonymous

Exactly K8te! I’m right with you!

Plutorising

Good luck getting the majority of American women to vote for the American Mullah Little Ricky Santorum. I had twelve years of catholic school and quite enough of the church telling me how to manage my lady parts.

Tina

This is not a Christian nation! We have separation of church and state.

notafeminista

Which article specifically states that?
- TFRX
  
  Want some help moving those goalposts?
  - notafeminista
    
    I adjust them for the Lefties. Their standards are lowers.
    - TFRX
      
      Two hundred years of case law says you’re wrong.
    - notafeminista
      
      Constitution says I’m right.
      
      I can’t help bad law.
    - TFRX
      
      Ah, an originalist! Stop voting, then, you hack.
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      “Their standards are lowers.” ??
Modavations

1st amendment says no state sponsored religion.No church of England
- notafeminista
  
  Well done!
  - Modavations
    
    My Valkyrie

JAMESDTHOMPSON

As a Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus(as is Rick Santorum) and a resident of very Republican South Carolina I can tell you Rick Santorum will NEVER be elected President.
The fact that he thinks that gays and lesbian citizens are dangerous, his words, to America and marriage equality is a threat to heterosexual marriage …well it is just rididculous. His failure to challenge the woman at his Flroida rally saying President Obama was an “avowed Muslim” and not born in this country shows a lack of leadership and clearly a lack of testicular fortitude.

His recent comments regarding women in combat being a no no because of emotional issues and concerns, then having to come back and correct himself saying he meant men. Hello?! People don’t use terms like emotional issues and concerns when talking about men.

His silly talk aboout letting states invoke the 10th amendment and DENY citizens birth control contraceptives is just so, well 11th century. Get real…2012 and a Presidential candidate is talking about birth control and contraceptives being denied and indeed sinful. oodbye and goodnight Senator. It’s things like this that cost him re-election and will prevent his election to office again. Rightfully so.

K8te

Much like the rabid fallen preachers (Haggard,etc) I keep waiting for sordid information to pop up about RS. How can anyone be so focused on the sex lives of other people (gays, women) and not be a bit twisted behind the glossy facade he puts forth?
- Scott B, Jamestown NY
  
  Anytime you see some that rigid in their ideology I always see that the same rules that govern physical object also apply to morals. An ideology doesn’t bend. You have to bend other things to meet it, and you can only bend those so much before they break. But, and worse, when something is that rigid, it tends to be brittle; and when that rigid goes, it snaps.
  - notafeminista
    
    So true! Like….”the science on global warming is settled.”
BHA in Vermont

“Goodbye and goodnight Senator. ”

That would be FORMER Senator. The voters of Pennsylvania dumped him for good reason I’m sure.

And with a ‘mere’ $970K in income in 2011, the man is not exactly like “you and me”, though he wants the voters to think he is because he isn’t nearly as rich as Romney.

Scott B, Jamestown NY

How does Santorum call those on the Left “elite snobs”, when he himself seems to be just such a thing by demonizing those that gay, non-religious, liberal, etc.?

When I was very young my parents told me that every time I have a finger pointed at someone I have three more pointed back at me.

Ellen Dibble

Friess — what does he think of the law that requires hospitals to care for anyone who comes there, and the 20% of our GNP that therefore goes to health “care” — picking up the pieces. And those with insurance end up paying for the care for those without it. And profit drives everything. The more expensive, the more likely a lobby has insinuated it into required coverage (required that the insured pay for it, want it or not).

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1439572620 Joe Lee

Religion in Government is constitutionally illegal. Everyone who has any kind of faith should be terrified of any candidate regardless of faith who espouses that he will pursue a faith base agenda in government because:

1) it’s unconstitutional
2) It’s a slippery slope to regulating all beliefs, which means that no matter what you believe in, your freedom to worship will be affected.

It doesn’t matter if you happen to agree with the person who wants to open the doors of government to religion. At some point, someone who you don’t agree with will wall through that door if you open it.

notafeminista

No….the government demanding that you worship a certain faith is constitutionally illegal. It is freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion…a rather important distinction.
- Terry Tree Tree
  
  If your religion IS freedom FROM religion?

Ehdoss

King George ruled England with values instead of laws. I think that’s why we fought to form a new country here.

Laws are the written rules, not as flexible as situational values.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Ed-Henrique/100001444848962 Ed Henrique

Rick Santorum reminds me of Ahmadinejad, remember when he said there are no gays in Iran? How about women’s rights in Iran? He’s a radical and will never beat Obama.

Anonymous

Santorum– against healthcare reform, against global warming facts, against gay rights and wants to go back to “don’t ask, don’t tell”, against protection of natural resources and the environment, against contraception for women, ready to attack Iran… supported by the uninformed voter!

Modavations

And your thoughts on Kennedy’s rape of the intern was?
- Terry Tree Tree
  
  It was history, when revealed, and JFK conviently cannot defend himself?
  - Terry Tree Tree
    
    Rape is a terrible thing!�
    Nearly 50 years to reveal it?
    MANY of the Child-RAPES of Catholic priests are current?�
    You castigate me for mentioning the priests, and repeat this?

BHA in Vermont

I DO NOT want anyone being president who thinks they will run the country based on THEIR personal religious beliefs. Believe what YOU like but keep it to YOURSELF. MOST of the people in the world are NOT Christian. The last thing we need is a president who thinks he needs to ‘save’ the non Christians, the atheists and non heterosexual people.

Lindalewis

Mr. Santorum is an embarrassment to Catholics. He fixates on hot button issues to stir up emotion, while completely ignoring the Church’s actual positions – against war, for health care for all, for an increase in the minimum wage, workers rights, decent treatment of immigrants, and extending help to the poor.

Terry Tree Tree

FOR Child-Rape, FOR Child-Abuse!

AndyF

Amazing!!! Yes, amazing how idiotic Republicans are…

First, we get G. Bush, along with Cheney, who lie outright to drag us into an unfunded war costing Trillions and producing NO result, and what do Republicans say about this now? “Thats the past…” Yeah, right, the past until we do it all again because the dopes never learn and just ignore their own mistakes…

Now we get the likes of Santorum who would like a “religious” based government as long as its the religions HE chooses. Not to mention, these boneheads, Santorum included, constantly walk across their own words – they are into “Freedom” except for those they dont want to be free – like Women, Muslims of any kind, and people they dont like.

Sure, go ahead America, vote Republican – youve just lived through four years of them doing NOTHING, whats another four years….

America burns while the Republicans fiddle!

Ayn Marx 666

Let’s be fair: many of them are not at all “idiotic”: they are simply wrong, many of them because they reason well from bad premises that were given to them by the same people who taught them what was o.k. to eat and that fire is dangerous.

miro

It is relatively hard to fear and loathe Romney, because of his calm persona, but because of his demagogic stands, regardless of his persona, Santorum comes across as a loathsome, despicable, demonic cretin.

Religious fascism appeals to about 20% of the electorate — that wellspring of authoritarian self-righteousness and scapegoating of those on the margins (gays, immigrants, minorities, poor people) is the persistent political problem. This radical right wing political segment prevents our government from dealing rationally with the national problems that we face.

Oh yes, Santorum “loves all people” — NOT! I’m sure he loves homosexuals so much that he would contemplate setting up special government-run camps for them to reform their ways. It would be part of his campaign to defend marriage. He loves women so much that he would deny them reproductive freedom in order to “save” them. The man is a Know Nothing creationist.

How can anyone in their right mind want this ignorant, self-righteous jerk as their leader?

Hippo Augustine

Well, what are the minor inconveniences of camps and re-education when measured against the eternal torment that awaits us otherwise.

Really, you can flay me alive if it keeps me out of the Hell my Loving Father prepared for those of us who don’t jump through the right hoops, or are just damned unlucky…..
- Terry Tree Tree
  
  Can a Child-Raping, and/or Child-Abusing clergy lead you to Heaven? Guide you to Heaven? Lead you to Hell?

Chris

Rick Santorum and his wife sued for 500,000 in a medical malpratice lawsuit. By the time of the lawsuit, then-Sen. Santorum had taken up the cause of tort reform, twice sponsoring or co-sponsoring bills limiting the non-economic awards for pain and suffering that a plaintiff could seek to $250,000.

Typical Washington hypocrite.

Anonymous

santorum is Pat Buchanan without the wit and intelligence.

Scott B, Jamestown NY

Friess is his own worst argument. He’s basically calling for the individual mandate, the same one that he’s rejected. Worse, he’s basing it on the comparatively small number of illegal aliens that end up in ERs.

troll doll

Foster Friess is showing us what it looks like when Super Pacs buy our government from under us. Thank your activist Supreme Court.

WW_ph15

JFK told the country that the Pope wouldn’t dictate to him. Santorum is swearing that his faith will be his guide and he will rule the country by the Catholic laws. A theocracy is Santorum’s delusion of what this country was founded as.He is just swapping the right wing fear of government control for the control by their version of Christian control. They have the freedom to live as Christians, let us live by our beliefs.

Terry Tree Tree

The laws of the Child-Raping, Child-Abusing church?

Rick Mcgirr

Santorum has disqualified himself by refusing to accommodate any religion except his narrow, inaccurate, misogynistic version of Christianity. I am non-religious. Are my rights and views any less sanctified?

cnb

Santorum’s appeal seems to be his sincerity.

I abhor his politics, but I respect him more than I do Romney, because Santorum seems to believe what he says, however vitriolic or provincial or vile.

Ellen Dibble

If you want to conflate conservatism with nostalgia, you’ve got Santorum. I don’t really like it that GOP is conservative and Democrat is “liberal,” because I think we need different approaches, not gridlock, which seems to be the upshot when you have the parties as currently defined up against each other. Debbie Wassermann Schultz, listen up…

BHA in Vermont

Republican fiscal conservatism is “cut taxes and spend”.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Tim-Brown/1227104716 Tim Brown

I think the only reason Santorum is up is because he only became the conservative candidate of choice in Iowa right at the end. Then he was ignored with all the media attention on Romney and Gingrich. Once people get a taste of his quite radical views I can’t see him going far even in GOP primaries.

Plus, fiscal conservatism =/= 1 trillion a year in tax cuts, proposing 0 cuts in defense if not increasing defense spending, and then making some vague reference to slashing the federal budget. Where? Journalists need to ask for details because frankly this is a joke that they are allowed to throw out these numbers and not be called on it each and every time they open their mouths.

BHA in Vermont

Yep, cut the budget, reduce the deficit! Just don’t touch anything they care about like low taxes for the rich and a big defense department

Doubting Thomas

Will President Santorum continue the war on low-income women, waged by religious conservatives like himself who think women who avail themselves of birth control and abortion are disobeying God’s will, even after rape or incest?

Sicvitas

This is not a Christian Nation, as one of your guests so nicely put it. There are many christians who live here, but if he persists in thinking of our nation as Christian then he is pushing us into becoming yet another place just like those Muslim nations in the middle east.

D-gann

When Santorum warns against things such as the loss of our God given rights, he’s echoing the founders of this nation.
Santorum is absolutely right about the arrogance of the leftwing elite.
Obama is the perfect example. He is attempting to rule via Presidential Executive Order, with absolutely no regard for the Constitution.
Obama’s mandate for abortion provided by religious organizations last week absolutely flew in the face of the First Amendment.�
The left in this country has been waging war on people of faith for years through the courts. If Obama is reelected I firmly believe the assault on free speech by the left will accelerate.
That’s what liberals do; they make up rights based on their views with no regard for the beliefs of others, and certainly no basis in the Constitution.
They teach hatred by convincing people that they have a right to demand someone else pay for their choices.
But it doesn’t stop there with the left; Liberals have no tolerance of dissenting opinions, they attempt to restrict the freedoms of anyone who would voice a dissenting belief, by calling it hatred, and attempting to pass so called hate laws.
It’s got to end; we have got to get back to the founding principles that made this country great.
Free speech and freedom of religious expression, being central.

K8te

“Obama’s mandate for abortion provided by religious organizations last week absolutely flew in the face of the First Amendment.”
He granted women access to birth control not abortion. Unless you’re like RS and think that the pill or any artificial means of birth control is an abortifacient.
How about letting the rest of us live our lives? Isn’t that just as important as free speech and freedom of religious expression?
- D-gann
  
  I have no problem with you living your life any way you want, just don’t demand that I pay for it! Because my choice on that is NO!
  - TFRX
    
    Employess PAY FOR THEIR HEALTHCARE! It is part of their total benefits.
    
    I’d love to have a job like yours where my employer says “We’re throwing in this paid parking, kicking in sick days, and helping cover your health insurance because we’re just that nice. It’s not coming out of the pool of money we set aside for employees.”
  - Roy Mac
    
    Even though one of “founding principles” was to provide for the common welfare? Except, of course, for any people other than landed white men whose ancestors stole land from the natives, kidnaped others and enslaved them in chains, and refused to allow any rights before the law to women? You and Santorum should take your time machine ride back to the 13th century.

Chris

My family in PA who are Republicans wouldn’t vote for Rick Santorum.

How is he going to win the Republican nomination?

This just tells me that the elite want Obama to win.

After all, he is the best Republican president they ever had.

Chris

Santorum = Christian sharia law. If it is bad for religious wingnuts in the Middle East to mandate social norms, it’s just as bad in the U.S. Keep religion out of politics.

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

Guess you should have supported those bans on Sharia law after all!

What Constitutionally-impossible malarky.

Santorum will be a smashing success if he makes Constitutionalists out of all the Rule of Men lefties.
notafeminista

But…but…Islam is the religion of peace!

EJK

I am a catholic. Rick Santorum is not. He is a neo conservative catholic. He goes to a latin mass to try to recapture the old catholic days which bread the chuch that allowed child molestation. Foster Frieze said that obama went against 200 years of law for Chrysler. What about the bailout of the big banks that George W Bush enabled. Same damn thing. Not to mention that the Republicans hid their deficits for the war by keeping those costs off books.

Scott B, Jamestown NY

Gotta love the Rights “selective memory”. Also, don’t forget that Dubya gave the banks unfettered money and they’re still doing business as usual. Obama put strings on the auto bailouts and things changed and US automakers are profitable again for the first time in well over a decade.
Terry Tree Tree

It is REFRESHING to see a Catholic speaking out against the pedophile priest attrocities!! Thank you. I was wondering if ALL Catholics CONDONED that?

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

Since all Democrats, and most Republicans excluding Paul supported the Bailouts, and are not Constitutional Conservatives, ANYBODY who does not believe in our march toward Democratic Socialism, is left with only Santorum (since sadly we have too many armchair hawks in our country to support Paul).

So its Conservative (hoping they stay Constitutional) vs radical move toward Democratic Socialism.

No more, no less.

Its not about Rick, and honest people know regardless of his personal/religious views, he could never codify them in law.

Its not about social issues this cycle.

Maybe if Obama or other Repubs were against the Bailouts, or if Ron Paul was fairly and intelligently represented in the media it would be different.

Our coddling of Bankers and Finance has brought us to this odd position of swallowing a Bible thumper over a International Banking elite friendly Democrat.

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

Santorum opposed the bailouts.
- EJK
  
  One good choice does not win my vote.
EJK

I’ll vote for Paul way before Santorum
- Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…
  
  me too. Better get the rest of the GOP primary on board or it ain’t gonna happen and we’ll have to swallow the bible thumping.

Scott B, Jamestown NY

How much did that last trip to the hospital for his daughter cost? Much be nice to afford the insurance. Would he be able to find that insurance if the Health Care Act was repealed, or even afford it of he was working at a minimum wage job and trying to afford just the basics for his large family?

He talks about his grandfather working in the mines. Ok, Rick, go work at McDonalds or Walmart and see how well you do.

datadev1

Why is it anti-christian to ensure everyone has health care. Did I miss the passage in the bible that say, Thou shalt NOT heal the poor and helpless!
- Doubting Thomas
  
  Please stop using the “bible” as an appeal to authority. The “god” of the “bible” praises his servants for bashing out childrens’ brains, commands torture and approves of slavery. We should care for each other because it is a HUMAN impulse, not a “godly” one.
BHA in Vermont

“Would he be able to find that insurance if the Health Care Act was repealed”

Sure, because his income and net worth are well above the middle class.

Ellen Dibble

It seems to me family is getting lost in the midst of an multi-decade economic squashing of the middle class down to the bottom. Ask the social workers. Ask the lawyers.

Anonymous

Don’t Super PAC donors already have a disporportionate impact on the public discourse? Other than giving money, what are his credentials to be on this show?

paul

The real story here is the end of the conservative movement. Santorum can’t even win in his own party, and would get slaughtered when the election moved to the general public. Some republicans are talking about moving to the left to attract voters from the center. The split might happen now if conservatives run someone as a third party candidate, or in four years when the republican party finds a candidate that will appeal to all of America.

Donna

very scary. Santorum may not check his faith at the door but he certainly will ask the rest of us to…is he not aware that his is not the only religious perspective…that most faith practices do not oppose birth control? That many faith practices, including several mainstream Protestant faiths embraces people who practice a homosexual lifestyle? That there is a reason for separation of church an state?

It always amazes me that no one will respond to the issue to the government staying out of our lives unless they don’t want to…abortion. and it further amazes me that our predominantly male lawmakers have no conversation about holding the fathers accountable for babies born to women who did not intend to get pregnant if abortion is not an option. If they’re going to insist that every pregnancy result in a birth, there need to be equally intrusive laws that require the sperm donor to be fully 50% present throughout the entire life of that child…financially, physically…all of it. And guess what? That will never happen.

Tribalguitars

I still have no idea why so many men, especially men in power (church, gov’t) treat women like they don’t understand their own bodies and minds, or the ramifications of things like birth control and abortion.

Let’s face one fact – As a man, I get to take my toy and go home.
- notafeminista
  
  Well Scott, when you hear stories of the anecdotal variety or otherwise that say…”I didn’t know I would get pregnant the first time…” or as our very own 3T has said on this board any number of times..women who slept with men who promised to love them (with no real legal obligation)…you kind of have to wonder or that despite the amount of safe sex education in the school we still have teen pregnancies and unwanted pregnancies (what? a million abortions a year? Someone feel free to correct me on that)…you kind of have to wonder.
  - TFRX
    
    That despite the amount of safe sex education in the school we still have teen pregnancies and unwanted pregnancies
    
    Don’t you mean “Despite the amount of abstinence-only sex-ed, which works perfectly right up until it fails completely”?
    
    You kinda have to wonder where you get your “facts”. (And the slight delay in onset of sexual activity is not worth the not-prepared-for-it byproducts that abst-only teens get.)
    - notafeminista
      
      I think I mean when demonstrations of proper condom usage are utilized. Does that count as abstinence only?
    - TFRX
      
      Pfft.
      
      Public health studies have shown that abstinence only sex ed is a failure. And it’s hilarious that RealAmerica(TM) is the proving ground for it, except for all the lives ruined.
    - notafeminista
      
      Doesn’t ALL birth control work up until the point it fails?
      
      Judas priest.
    - TFRX
      
      There’s “fails”, then “fails completely”.
      
      Abst-only doesn’t prepare kids to do anything but abstain. The moment two teenagers stops abstaining they are horribly unprepared to have safe sex. And since they’re “good kids” the chances of them planning ahead is very, very low.
      
      That means a much higher pregnancy rate. Unless (say) one of the two teens is sterile.
      
      And, from your side, emergency contraception is a no-no. The right wing pretty much owns the “fails completely and disastrously” issue.
      
      Except, of course, for the hypocrites who have the means to spend “a month in Switzerland” for a doctor-performed abortion, in safety and sanitary circumstances. While telling everyone else that abortion is a sin.
    - notafeminista
      
      If someone uses a condom and gets pregnant anyway, I’d say that’s a complete fail, no?
    - TFRX
      
      Your denial is showing.
      Every broken condom doesn’t mean pregnancy, and is realized immediately. In comparison, every Church-approved failure of the rhythm method, who knows? And you’re really saying the rhythm method and the Pill have the same failure rate, do you? And there is the Plan B pill, and safe and legal abortion. You can thank real scientists, and liberals, for that, not your side.
      If you’re hetero and having relations, I hope you’re not left to your own devices for contraception.
  - Terry Tree Tree
    
    TTT also had surgery to prevent unwanted pregnancy!!
    The reference was to guys that LIED to ladies, or forgot to tell them ‘Forever’ and tomorrow are the same.
datadev1 Myrtle Beach

@b4c2ce692e51d35b8d73907e24d4d74c:disqus�
You should check out Jon Stewart’s take on the issue athttp://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-february-13-2012/the-vagina-ideologues—sean-hannity-s-holy-sausage-fest
BHA in Vermont

“.that most faith practices do not oppose birth control? ”
Except that the second largest religion in the world – Islam, is also generally against birth control. Contraceptive drugs and sterilization (unless medically necessary) are forbidden.
Like Catholics, they figure their god will decide how many children they have regardless of their ability to raise them.

So, would those opposed to birth control vote for a Muslim over a Christian who supports practical/reliable contraception?
William

If the goverment gives a person free birth control that is a good thing. But if the same government determines in the future that the free birth control will only be abortions would that be a good thing too?
- TFRX
  
  What part of “government gives a person free birth control” are you pulling out of your Foxhole?
  
  I was told this is about religious liberty, and the freedom from religion Americans are supposed to enjoy as employees whose health insurance is something they have earned as part of their compensation.
  
  Or, do you want help moving those goalposts?
  - notafeminista
    
    ‘t’ain’t freedom FROM. It’s freedom OF. Please get it right. Just once.
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      If your religion is ‘freedom FROM religion’?
    - TFRX
      
      Another right-wing fantasist thinking “Nobody will force something on me in the name of God, even if mine is another, because I’ve agreed with them all along.”
      
      They’re so cute when they’re at this intellectual age.

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

The media hates to talk about the Bailouts, since their 2-party stooges support it.

But the fact that Santorum was against the bailouts, shared only by Paul, is likely a huge issue behind his support, and the rejection of Romney.

His populist streak and anti-bailout record is what gives broader support.

EJK

Then why don’t you support Ron Paul. He is the only real option.
- Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…
  
  Because if you say “Ron Paul” around here, all the important and obvious issues get thrown out with the bathwater.

Cathysmith

Are we looking at the Oliver Cromwell of our times? The similarities between the 2 blur the lines.

JusttheFacts

I have been fading in and out of the program this morning. Can someone tell me if the Republicans have admitted that the basis of there economic policy is incorrect? At long last!
�
This is really why they are running these truly marginal people. Rush and Hannity cheered on the conservatives with laissez-faire economic mantras. Now that it is obvious that it doesn’t work, they are all trying to pretend that the reason why the ship is sinking is because of liberals. At least Greenspan had the testicles to admit it (read http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ah5qh9Up4rIg).
�
If the Republicans would come clean, then they could run some real candidates instead these models, goofs and would-be televangelists. I remember back when the Republicans ran “the old stable guys”. Now, it looks like a reality show casting call.

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

Where was the laissez-faire?

Classic red-herring of the status quo. Or you don’t know what it means.

http://www.capitalismwithoutfailure.com/

Recent history of US Economics:�
1. Rampant fraud and reckless mismanagement in the financial sector,�
2. Bailouts of the worst actors in the financial sector,�
3. Overwhelming debt and liability imposed on taxpayers,�
4. Hair-of-the-dog monetary policy aimed at recapitalizing insolvent banks,�
5. Promotion of business leaders and policy-makers who are chronically compromised,�
6. Conglomeration of Systemically Dangerous Institutions into a more empowered menace.

That’s not laissez-faire.

Its crony capitalism, government overreach, corruption and lack of classical Rule of Law.

But keep parroting the simple version so we can ensure more of the same.
- Anonymous
  
  crony capitalism, government overreach, corruption and lack of classical Rule of Law.
  
  Which was very much the status quo during the Bush years. Talk about red herring.
- JusttheFacts
  
  So are you saying that Greenspan doesn’t know the definition of laissez-faire economics?
  
  This is a little like arguing against communism with someone who says communism is good; it was just Stalin, Mao and Castro that were bad.
  
  Be a little objective, pal.
  - Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…
    
    Yes, I am. While Greenspan was once a sound money libertarian, he left his principles at the door and became a Fed Chairman. He was the direct fueler for the type of malfeasance that unsound money breeds. Look it up.
    
    But while it is convenient to use his past, which was antithetical to his Fed career, to smear sound money positions, it is a complete oxymoron.
    
    Get your facts straight and then when you are objective, it makes sense.
    
    Manipulating the money-supply and driving bubbles in conjunction with Government, ie Fannie/Freddie Mandates, is about as fair from laissez-faire as you can get.
    
    I’ve pointed that out for… years.. now, but facts don’t matter in this echo chamber.
- William
  
  You left out the greed of the citizens lying to banks and themselves to get loans that they can’t pay back.
JusttheFacts

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ah5qh9Up4rIg

This is the link. Maybe we can’t post links? the article is “Greenspan Concedes to `Flaw’ in His Market Ideology”
- Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…
  
  Let’s not let facts get in the way of a man grasping for excuses (late Greenspan).
  
  “Panderer to Power: The Untold Story of How Alan Greenspan Enriched Wall Street and Left a Legacy of Recession”
  
  http://www.lewrockwell.com/mcmaken/mcmaken132.html
William

Was does not work about laissez-faire economics? We don’t have that so that is pretty much the problem.

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

If you, as an American, have some populist feelings these days,�
where do you turn?

Obama banker friendly bail-out perpetuator?

Santorum anti-bailout record, manufacturing tilt to economic policy.

I think most will swallow the Bible-thumping and rightly trust the Constitution to protect them from that.

Anonymous

It often takes a long time for the Constitution to step in and protect us. The courts take a while and are also not perfect. Judges are human and not some imaginary never wrong justice robot able to perfectly apply the Constitution in every instance. Electing people who won’t seek to destroy individual liberties by subjecting others to their religious beliefs is as essential to our freedom as are constitutional safeguards.
- Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…
  
  Am I hearing a benevolent dictators charge of “We can’t wait!” stirring?
  
  BTW, threat of Santorum personal beliefs to you, is proportional to your disdain for the Constitution and Rule of Law.
EJK

Ron Paul

carl christian

Foster Friess and Rick Santorum speak of an arrogant Washington elite led by Democrats but what of the arrogance of Wall Street and the professional class of financial capitalists who are dictating to America and much of the rest of the world their myopic and egotistical set of values where money is the only arbiter of value. How ironic that Foster Friess should bring up the Golden Rule — as if Jesus would have anything to do with the current crop of moneylenders encroaching upon temples of every stripe. God has nothing to do with the intolerance and “say anything” behavior of Rick Santorum, or for that matter, any of the Republican Presidential candidates.

Scott B, Jamestown NY

Jesus wasn’t pissed that there were money-changers in the temple. By Roman law the temples were the only places that they could do business.

What he made him overturn the tables, and chase them out, was that they were ripping the people off with bad rates of exchange and interest. Sound familiar?
Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

“an arrogant Washington elite led by Democrats but what of the arrogance of Wall Street and the professional class of financial capitalists who are dictating to America and much of the rest of the world their myopic and egotistical set of values where money is the only arbiter of value”

Ummmm…… one and the same?

Rubin, Summers, Geithner, Bernanke, all the Revolving door cronies, Fannie/Freddie execs, etc, etc.

Since the D’s are in the driver’s seat, protecting the banksters as they do when it’s their turn, the R’s get to make the claim.

Since the establishment D’s and R’s don’t really want accountability or to dismantle the political/banking elite, they will just switch roles next time around.

Banking elite and our monetary system need to stay front and center or all is lost regardless of party.

Kent in Texas

Barack Hussein Obama doesn’t check his Moslem “faith” at the door, why should Senator Santorum have to leave his love of Christ behind?

Thank God for Santorum, the other two choices for President are a Moslem and a cult member.

Scott B, Jamestown NY

Wow. That’s some kinda koolaid you’ve been drinking.
Ray in VT

I hope that this is all tongue in cheek. If not, then I just don’t know where to begin.
WW_ph15

Santorum is the “cult” member. Go fight the “holy war” somewhere else. This country is living by true Christian values and not the faux ones of hate.
Mr. Trees

I don’t think that using falsehoods to rally support for a purely ignorant and naive stance is a very good way to make your point. /shakes head
Anonymous

Your deliberate ignorance is showing.
Anonymous

Spoken like a true Christian Taliban. God is great!
Corythatcher

I hope you are being sarcastic, otherwise you are an ignorant Texan. This is NOT an ad hominem attack. Obama is not a Muslim, and what the hell is “Moslem faith”?
Anonymous

It’s spelled Muslim, not Moslem.

Look up the separation of Church and state.
Better yet, read up on Thomas Jefferson.
TFRX

You forgot to say “Kenyanusurper”, and are being dunned 100 Foxbucks for the omission.
- Cheradine Zakalwe
  
  But he gained 75 Foxbucks on general truculence alone, so he’s not that far behind on the deal.
EJK

You are one of the crazies. I hope you get another 4 years of obama just to give you a reason for life
- Kent in Texas
  
  The “crazies” are the Moslems and their liberal dupes. Oh how the libs will rue the day when Sharia is imposed on America they are forced to convert or become slaves.
  - Ray in VT
    
    I think that the Mohammadians and their religious law is far less of a threat to us than our home grown religious fundamentalists who want to push their interpretation of Christianity upon us.
    - Kent in Texas
      
      You’ll enjoy life as a dhimmi, with your wife and daughters draped under burquas. If the Moslems let you live, that is.
    - Ray in VT
      
      Do you also believe in other conspiracies like the fake moon landing or the Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion? I fear Christian dominionists far more than radical Muslims. We have far more of the former here already.
    - Kent in Texas
      
      They see me trollin’, they hatin’
    - Ray in VT
      
      Whatevs man, whatevs.
    - TFRX
      
      Ah the internet: For the likes of you who are tired of being avoided in real life, taking advantage of the thought that “if they don’t answer me, I’ve socred a point!”
      
      This page needs an “ignore” button in the worst way.
    - Modavations
      
      Nederlands(Amsterdam)banned the headgear as of Jan 1,.All immigrants are required to learn the lingua franca
BHA in Vermont

What an idiot. I’m sure you are also big into the ‘birther’ movement. Educate yourself.
mary elizabeth

How has this President’s supposed “Moslem” faith impacted the nation? Wanting health care for all?
Saving a large part of the auto industry? DADT repeal?
Lowering taxes on the middle class? for starters.�
I suspect Jesus would not be supporter of Santorum with his cruel rhetoric about fellow human beings he cannot abide.
Jesus Christ

Don’t ever change.
Crow T Robot

Obvious troll is—

…never mind, you say it, I’m bitter.

Rick Mcgirr

I have not liked any president since Kennedy, who died when I was ten years old, and I don’t like the current president either. But at least he speaks of finding ways for people of all faiths and, explicitly, no faith, to live together under the same set of rules.

Adks12020

Foster Friess is absolutely ridiculous. He hasn’t said anything that makes any sense whatsoever.

Ellen Dibble

People who make monster amounts of money, turn to the Bible, and say what can I do “good” with my money. “Don’t give it to the government if there are any tax loopholes that can keep it in my money bank; I know better how to deploy it to the deserving poor. Much better than the government. I am fairer. I am wiser. I am more all-seeing.”
I wonder if Romney takes the same approach? Or Bill Gates? Well, he does a combination; give the government more if you can persuade them to take more, and also try to plan out and foster a globe that is more enabling, in general.

Scott B, Jamestown NY

Friess – I have a HS diploma, as well as being a few credits shy of a college degree.

Our kid was born after marriage.

I worked until the economy tanked.

Even when we had two jobs in the home we were borderline poverty. We did just barely ok for here, but put us in a bigger city and we’re very much in poverty.

D-gann

Scott, hasn’t all this has happened under the Obama watch?
- JusttheFacts
  
  No. Genius. He is talking about a problem that spans an “era”. Do you all see? We get Earl Scheib every time!
- BHA in Vermont
  
  No, it crashed down around GWB. It was also GWB who started the bailouts that people claim were free money given by Obama.
JusttheFacts

Thank you. You are one of the few who are actually writing something that matters. Now get a candidate to talk about it (without him/her sounding like Earl Scheib).

D-gann

Tom, are you, and the left wing elite, claiming that abortion should be viewed as a form of contraception?

Anonymous

Many on the right wing consider many forms of contraception to be abortion. santorum does.
- D-gann
  
  Yeah and he’s against it! As are many others. Espcially if we are forced to pay for it.
  - Ray in VT
    
    Abortion, contraception or both?
    - BHA in Vermont
      
      Both. Perhaps he will volunteer to pay for the support of all children conceived because there was no birth control.
    - Ray in VT
      
      Nah, those lazy kids should just go get jobs or go hungry. We don’t need the nanny state telling kids that they can’t work in the mills down in Winooski anymore.
    - Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…
      
      So it’s welfare or life in the mills?
    - notafeminista
      
      When all your world-view will accept is a zero-sum game….yes.
  - TFRX
    
    First, nice way to conflate two things at once.
    
    Are you ready to tell right-wing males they have to give up E.D. meds the way they want women to give up contraception?
    - Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…
      
      That’s a red and pulsing herring.
    - TFRX
      
      You’ve talked to tubby sixty-something RealAmericans and said “You’ll have to give up E.D. or you have no reason to object to insurance coverage of B.C.?”
      
      Yeah, that happened.
- Frustrated
  
  You forgot to use a denigrating as D-gann did. “Radical right wing idiots” would be more in the language of D-gann

Steve in Mass

Regarding Santorum and sex, gay sex, and the beasts: let’s be honest. The trouble starts with heterosexual sex. Heterosexual sex is the “gateway drug” to gay sex, and things get worse from there. It has to stop. Santorum should stop wimping and stand up for the only real anwer: a ban on sex. Such a ban will solve many things. For example, it will obviate the need for the ban on birth control that Santorum kinda favors. Outstanding!

frustrated

Doesn’t RS in his belief consider sex for anything other than procreation a sin therefore against the law?

Lstevo2

relocated to the slow state, as far as intellect, sc, and i find it so shocking that youre having a one sided broadcast.!mr. freeze, you appear to be a well educated man but the refence to parables are incorrect we have also moved passed jew and a-rab.
as i become long in the tooth , i learned america is inflienced by the package. ex. kennedy and johnsom debate.
groom santara. flee deep whatever, then he will have a shot.

http://www.facebook.com/kkpppayne Kenneth Payne

the real danger to democracy is when some church dictates what the govenment does. That is one of the big reasons this country was started.

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

Talk to the Quakers, Shakers, Puritans, Mormons, etc etc lately?

Just because they all believe in the spaghetti monster doesn’t let the government shut them down or coerce them to do things the S.M. tells them not to do.

Cost of freedom. Lots of freedom hating building up.
- Modavations
  
  The Dems.kept screwing with that Quaker Farmer and his Natural Milk,so he closed down his farm.Friggin NAZI’s.Happened yesterday
- TFRX
  
  You using the term “spaghetti monster” is enough to give athiesm a bad name.
  
  And you need to go to RealAmerica(TM). What’s the most religiously-based politicking you’ve ever had to fight in person?
  - Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…
    
    My neighbor inviting me to their prayer group when I’m a scientist and atheist?
    
    The former soldier dad at kid’s swim class who thinks atheists are nuts?
    
    Live and let live. Nobody wants anybodies self-righteousness.
    - TFRX
      
      Why is it every Libertarian I’ve heard of thinks religious liberty means “Catholics get to cram their religion down my throat”?
      
      That’s nobody’s idea of “live and let live”, Bubble-boy.
Modavations

No church of England.Obviously you are unfamilar with the document

Anonymous

Rick Santorum is the Man of the century. The 12th century that is.

“When you believe in things you don’t understand, you suffer.” Stevie Wonder in “Superstitious”.

Just Thinking

So let me make sure I heard this correct. Obama is pushing his beliefs by saying that everyone can get contraceptives, and they shouldn’t be provided because they are cheap, and for those who can’t afford cheap, there is welfare to provide them…. Does anyone else see the hypocrisy in that? What have they been screaming about welfare….this is so 360 logic…and the circle game goes round and around, and the painted ponies go up and down…

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

Sidestepping the Constitution to do what Obama or other “liberals” believe is right (as far as forcing all to go along with provision), is very much a radical thing in America.

You like the anti-constitutional power game when the pendulum swings in your favor. It will swing again.

Screw Men, embrace the Constitution.
BHA in Vermont

Sounds about right. Claim everyone on welfare is a lazy bum having babies so they can get more money from those who work or are rich. Then tell the poor that they should use welfare if they can’t afford birth control and end up pregnant.
- Modavations
  
  End Welfare,cut the govt. in half.
  - Emma Goldman
    
    …because who needs budget numbers when you’ve got The Truth?
TomK in Boston

Interesting. Giving purchasers of insurance the choice to use or not use contraception is “pushing” something. Anything goes in righty the alt universe.

TomK in Boston

Santorum is simply an indicator of the deterioration of the GoP into the crazy TeaOP. With the TeaOP primaries and caucuses dominated by dwellers in the alt reality, he can do well, and meanwhile make it impossible for his party to win a general election. I’m happy about that. I also enjoy the way he tweaks the mitt-bot.

William

So the OWS people are the pride and joy of Obama’s failed economic ideas?

Anonymous

Rick Santorum is the personification of the heart of the modern GOP — and show’s exactly why that party is headed for permanent minority status. America is a more vibrant, multicultural melting pot than ever before. White religious extremists just aren’t going to capture the popular imagination anymore. Tea Party flare ups aside, I don’t see how the Republican Party is going to survive in the 21st century when the best they can come up with are people obsessed with abortion, birth control, and homosexuality — issues most people have come to terms with 30 years ago.
Obama wins by a landslide in 2012, and with a party made up of do-nothing members of Congress and Governors who are bankrupting their states, it makes me wonder what kind of candidates the Republicans are going to be able to field in 2016. I mean, after the 1920s and now the Bush years, it’s pretty clear that when Republicans run the Congress and the White House, the economy crashes. Even Karl Rove is running out of ways to spin that.

BHA in Vermont

It won’t be a landslide. A vast majority of those who register as Republicans would vote for a worm if it were their nominee. Party first, country last.
- Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…
  
  I think you’ve got it backwards. Obama is trying to transform the country. Everyone else is trying to keep it true to its roots, which need alot of work these days for sure.
  
  Rule of Law, Accountability, Liberty both personally and free-market wise.
  
  People want that to work, to be tried (are you kidding, are you going to say we had Rule of Law and Accountability leading up to our crisis?)
  - Anonymous
    
    Obama is indeed trying to transform the country…from a nation in 2008 that was neck deep in two wars, couldn’t find Osama bin Laden, and was losing millions of jobs per month…All brought to you by 8+ years of Republican controlled House, Senate, and White House.
    
    You want to talk about Liberty? GOP passed the Patriot Act. You want to talk about Rule of Law? Republicans outed CIA agents and fired federal officials for their personal political beliefs. Accountability? Ask Goldman Sachs about that bailout that the Bush Treasury put together for them…
    
    The spin just doesn’t work anymore. The GOP is toast, a black man is president, and the Christian right is foaming at the mouth with disbelief. Democratic foreign policy dismantled Al Queda…GOP policy took us to Iraq…Democratic financial policy put limits on Wall Street and is adding jobs…GOP policy fleeced the country…twice. It’s over, conservatives. You blew it.
    - Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…
      
      Why was the Tea Party started against Bush’s administration?
      
      Inconvenient facts.
      
      People are sick of both parties being beholden to bankers and our corrupt/bankrupt monetary system.
      
      You are making half the argument quite well.
    - Anonymous
      
      Glad you brought up the Tea Party — it’s dead as a door nail and a perfect microcosm of the core of the GOP. White rage can only take you so far before it just wears itself out, sort of like a petulant toddler. The Tea Party didn’t start making headlines until a black dude became president, and no matter how many three-cornered hats are worn or colonial flags flown, racists can’t hide their true colors for long. The American people eventually came to see that the Tea Party was made up of creepy guys who buy Corn Nuts at Circle K and rant about the United Nations — not the civic movement we need to move the country forward.
    - Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…
      
      “The Tea Party didn’t start making headlines until a black dude became president,”
      
      Nice try, Sir Hatred.
      
      You mean noticed by the left. People who cared about the lawless bankers and political cover runners, were immediately outraged.
      
      Too bad your hatred gets in the way of joining forces agains our real enemies in the status quo.
    - TFRX
      
      You’re stuck in time.
      
      Go on, peddle your “civil liberties, womens’ autonomy, civil right for all races and orientations and creeds” line to the next CPACker in a powdered wig. Tell them every political solution to social ails is wrongheaded or unConstitutional. But make sure you do this while you’re near an emergency exit.
      
      You really live in a bubble, don’t you?
    - Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…
      
      You have a chip on your shoulder.Sorry.
    - TFRX
      
      I pity you, bubble-boy. THe rieal world will shock you.
    - William
      
      Really? Obama kept Gitmo open despite his promise to close it. He embraced the Patriot Act. He sold guns to Mexican mafia. He declared war on Libya. His biggest donar was Goldman Sachs which was richly rewarded with TARP funds. His latest attack on Religion will not improve his failed legacy.
  - TomK in Boston
    
    The far right is trying to accelerate its time machine taking the USA back to the oligarch/sweatshop days of the late 19′th and early 20′th century, and center right Obama, who is one of the last old-style republicans standing, it trying to take some baby steps back to the policies we had when the middle class was thriving. LOL, take your pick. There are no liberals in the picture.
    - notafeminista
      
      Which will fit in nicely with the environmentalists who would have us living by candlelight and using outhouses again.
    - TomK in Boston
      
      I don’t see any evidence of that. Maybe it can be found only in special places, like faux news and righty blogs.
    - notafeminista
      
      Missed the low-flush toilets and assault on the light bulb manufacturers did you?
  - Anonymous
    
    “Obama is trying to transform the country. Everyone else is trying to keep it true to its roots”
    
    You have never posted a more ignorant claim, and that’s saying something.
- Modavations
  
  Democrats would vote for Hitler(and did)if you put “D” next to his name
  - Ray in VT
    
    But racist, xenophobic, warmongering let’s take it all back in time is sooo GOP.
    - Modavations
      
      lincoln freed the democrats slaves
Frustrated

I wish I could believe the “landslide” but I am afraid that statements being made about the “war against religion” really is code for the the justification for attack by the christian Taliban in this country on all rational thinking and separation of church and state.
William

Is not the danger greater for the Liberals? Hispanics are the growing majority and they are not Liberals or pro-abortion. Most are very religious and after Obama’s attack on the Catholic church won’t be too quick to vote for him.
- Anonymous
  
  I love how holding organizations that receive public funds accountable to the law translates into “attacking the Catholic church.” All churches are exempt. The birth control thing is regarding Catholic institutions like hospitals and universities. Those entities take PUBLIC money. So here’s an idea: If you value your Catholic ideals so much, why not put your money where your mouth is and fully support “Catholic” institutions like Boston University and not take public money. If you don’t want to adhere to the law, then pay your own way. Simple as that.
- TFRX
  
  First, the show by the Catholic hierarchy is for fundie Protestatnts. Lay Catholics have stopped self-damning on the word of the hierarchy.
  —
  http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/despite-birth-control-controversy-obama-suffers-no-erosion-among-catholics/2012/02/14/gIQAK71SDR_blog.html
  
  “Our article will show that we can detect little change in Catholic approval so far.”
  —
  Obama’s latest accommodation has actually won approval from some Catholic groups.
  
  But you’d never hear about it from the usual suspects. New data casts doubt on the political efficacy of the continuing GOP and conservative attack on the White House stance.
  
  Second, the GOP gets to fight the anti-immigrant rabidness enacted into law in places like AZ and AL (just two examples). That is such a winner.

Bobhirsch

Rank and file Republicans and independents must realize that when Foster Friess and his cohort advance an agenda of “personal freedom” they are disuising their sole agenda which is simply to remove every conceivable barrier that exists before the wealthiest of our nation to acquire and retain wealth. People must stop and think how exactly their lives and liberties are diminished by educucated children, a clean environment and access to healthcare.

TFRX

“Obama is trying to enforce his beliefs,” says Friess, equivocating President Obama’s being the leader of the free world (while not letting the opposition write all his speeches and appoint all his judges) with some sort of his particular religious overbearing.

This hour can’t end soon enough, Tom.

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

Democratic Socialism against the majority’s will, is as much and enforcement of beliefs as trying to ban fellatio against our will.
- Anonymous
  
  For one who reveres the constitution as much as you, and rightly so, it’s surprising to see that you believe the idea of majority rule is such a defining trait of democracy. The constitution establishes a branch of government, the Judicial Branch, the primary purpose of which is to protect us from the tyranny of majority will. As to a ban on fellatio, I’m sure that’s somewhere on Rick’s list.
  - Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…
    
    It is a fine line. But it’s true what you say, and all the more reason not to fear Santorums followers are going to impose the fellatio ban and have it stick.
    
    I don’t want Santorum. I want Paul.
    - Modavations
      
      not a prayer lad,give it up
    - Anonymous
      
      We all know that what candidates say they will do rarely has anything to do with what they CAN do. But, if we’re not to base our opinion of them on what they say and on what they at least pretend to believe, then on what do we base our vote? I think Santorum’s stance on the bailout was reasonable, even principled. But his insistence on bringing his Catholic dogma into the White House says more about his misunderstanding of our constitutional system than I can bear, and at least for me, immediately disqualifies him for consideration.
    - TFRX
      
      I’m with you on this one. People who want a theocracy always imagine their religion as the winner.
  - Anonymous
    
    He just worships it. He doesn’t understand it.
- TFRX
  
  Nice false equivalency. No wonder Libertarians are such a compelling force in interpersonal polticking.
- Scott B, Jamestown NY
  
  Your forget (deliberately or on purpose) that the framers of the Constitution went out of their way to fight “the tyranny of the majority”. That’s why we have the both the three branches of government and the vote.

http://www.facebook.com/kkpppayne Kenneth Payne

You mean there are still folks out there who believe Obama is a Muslim? Those folks are the real danger they can be sold any bill of goods as long as someone butters them up.

Frustrated

Not only is it ridiculous but we should be asking what would it matter if he was? Isn’t that what the country is founded upon.
- Scott B, Jamestown NY
  
  McCain wasn’t born in America, either. When Obama was born in Hawaii, Hawaii was a state for years. Panama was only a territory when McCain was born there.
  
  Technically, yes it would matter, because the Constitution says that only a person that is a natural citizen of the US (born to US citizens, or born in a US state or territory) can be President. They were worried that somehow someone of the European aristocracy could be foisted into the Presidency.
  - TFRX
    
    Remember when the right had a collective stiffy about how we should reconsider the Constitutional article specifying “natural born citizen”?
    
    Back when Ahnuld’s approval ratings were good?
    - notafeminista
      
      Remember when the Left had a collective stiffy about a candidate that had no military experience(despite the fact that there is no Constitutional requirement for it)?
      
      I love irony.
    - TFRX
      
      Who are you talking about, that AWOL dry drunk who never completed his training?
Anonymous

I have seen no proof that Rick Santorum is American. Why is he keeping this secret?
Scott B, Jamestown NY

I was no fan of last election’s version of McCain, but when the woman that took the mic and called Obama and “Arab”, I will give a world for credit to McCain for objecting. He didn’t just lower his eyes and shrug, he told her, “No ma’am. He’s a decent family man, citizen, that I
just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues.”

I’d have a LOT more respect for the Right if they’d shut down the nonsense Frum warns them about, like Obama being Muslim or not an American. But, unfortunately we have things and people like Fox News, Trump, Santorum, Rush… that will not only not put the kibosh on it, but encourage it, tacitly or blatantly.

TFRX

“Contraception is so inexpensive”, per Friess.

—
Below are the out of pocket prices women are paying now for contraceptives, with the 2009 price in parenthesis and the % increase:
Yasmin: $85.99 ($76.99) — 12%Ocella (Yasmin generic): $71.99 ($59.34) — 21%Yaz: $92.99 ($85.60) — 9%Nuvaring: $86.99 ($77.35) — 12%Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo: $94.99 ($67.99) — 40%Tri-Lo Sprintec (OTCLo generic): No longer available ($55.99)Plan B One-Step: $47.99 ($47.99)

The price of every method, other than Plan B One-Step, has gone up significantly. Perhaps this explains the buzz I’ve been hearing about Depo-Provera, the 3-month progestin only shot, which seemed to have gone out of popular use after 2000. One syringe costs just $100.78 on drugstore.com, by far the cheapest of the hormonal methods.
—

(From a site called howtohaves-xintexas, which is probably NSFW.)

notafeminista

So let’s put the onus on men. Fellas? What do you say?
- BHA in Vermont
  
  Hey, I got fixed
  Easier (and cheaper) on the guy than the gal.
  - notafeminista
    
    Encourage your fellow brethren to do the same. In large numbers.
  - Modavations
    
    eunuchs
    - Emmanuel Goldstein
      
      You’re so _cute_! You’re _exactly_ the sort of opponent for whom I might wish. Keep it up.
- EJK
  
  Sure. All you have to do is only date guys who will take the responsibility.
- Modavations
  
  The Dems are Eunuchs they have no need.
- Anonymous
  
  I’d like to see the reaction to a candidate that makes that his or her primary method of preventing unwanted pregnancies. Seriously, what is the Catholic church position on vasectomies?
  - notafeminista
    
    Interesting thought you bring up. Why haven’t women demanded more responsibility from men in the baby-making department? All the research, funding, scientific efforts have been focused on the ability of women to ovulate (or prevention thereof) – presumably under the umbrella of reproductive rights and women’s health care. Little to no attention focused on the men’s half of the equation. Interesting.
    - Scott B, Jamestown NY
      
      Let’s face facts – Men get to take their toy and go home.
      
      I wonder how many men would stay in a relationship if they had carried a fetus for even part of 9 months? Far too many just want to move on and don’t feel that bond to their children.
    - notafeminista
      
      And women want the same thing. Dang biology.
  - Tribalguitars
    
    The Daily Show had it right last night with “The Vagina Ideologues”.
    - Modavations
      
      He stole my line.Last week I told some chick,quit voting with your vagina.No Vagina no Justice
- TFRX
  
  “Fellas”?
  
  What does that mean?
  
  Do you have the same problem with the same insurance coverage for E.D. drugs as birth control?
  - notafeminista
    
    Yup. Fellas…as in the male of the species. How come it is that men who purport to support equal rights never want to alter THEIR biological workings?
    - TFRX
      
      Dunno. We started with the bullflop from our propagandist guest about “Contraception is so inexpensive”.
      
      Why not ask Foster Friess?
      
      Or why not ask women who have to navigate through a pharmacist with a “belief system” to get what her doctor prescribed?
      
      There are many more cogent questions on this. None of them come up winners for you.
      
      Chances are you’ll find a lot more people, Catholics included, who use birth control and don’t care for the ease and cost of getting it to be whitewashed so much.
      
      But your attempt to blame left-wing males is cute.
    - notafeminista
      
      No, no I blame all males. After all, they are the ones impregnating strong righteous women with these unwanted babies. When are you going to step up fellas?
    - TFRX
      
      For the B.C. which exists, one side’s males want to put as many hurdles–including someone else’s God, in the name of “religious liberty for mine but not for thine”–between you and your doctor as possible.
      
      No point reasoning with you.
    - notafeminista
      
      I like your catchphrases..they’re sort of endearing. Ready to have a vasectomy yet? Don’t talk to me about equality until you are.
    - TFRX
      
      No lie I could make up ridicules you like your own words.
      
      I hope you’re not holding your breath for some right-wing “Christian scientists” to make the next breakthrough.
      
      And I hope you’re never raped and brought unconscious to a Santorium. You will have lost control over your own body.

BEEZ

These are not the major issues facing our country.
These Repub’s have no leg to stand on…Obama will wioe them out in a debate if he says what he means and does not try and tread the line!
In fact, Romney et al actually make NO SENSE

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

It would be great having the Bail-Out-Banker-Buddies debate between Obama and Santorum or Paul.

The gig is up. Americans aren’t naive enough to swallow the DNC crap anymore. Let alone RNC. So it’s about the people vs. the elite.

When Obama protects bankers, and just thinks raising taxes is all it will take to convince voters……. don’t think its gonna pass muster this time.

We have bigger systemic problems than tax policy or that confiscating everyone’s wealth can solve.

Maybe Santorum will speak to it, Paul sure would, but coming from Obama it will be laughable, just as it would from Mitt or Gingrich.

guest

tom: you are letting foster friess buy this program “on point”. you do not honor his ideas; instead, you honor his money! better what out or you will appeal to whole different group of listeners.

Alex L

Jesus was a liberal community activist.

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

Thanks Moses.
- Alex L
  
  You are welcome
Anonymous

He was also Jewish. There were no Christians in his lifetime.
- http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/3ETFGMQ3B7VD4AAMILBBEVMCWE JasonA
  
  Do not confuse the “religious” people with facts. Their belief system is based on myth and ignornace.
  - Modavations
    
    stone em.no trial,just stone em.
    - http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/3ETFGMQ3B7VD4AAMILBBEVMCWE JasonA
      
      Grow up fool.
Modavations

Jesus walked by the Social Workers and said to assembled peeps,let me teach you to fish.When you make some bucks come visit me at Jesus”Haberdasher and Sandal Shop”.Jesus hated eunuchs
- Anonymous
  
  He miraculously produced unlimited bread and fish, for free, not plows and fishing poles. What Bible do you read?
- Alan in NH
  
  a misreading of gospel, I believe, although the Church early on did condemn certain versions of the gospel teachings that it found disfavor with. Perhaps your version is one of them.
Scott B, Jamestown NY

Maybe if they had had health care back then so many people wouldn’t have been following a long haired, heretical, community organizer who was handing out free health care?

Anonymous

I find it interesting that when John Kennedy ran for president in 1960 he had huge problems with him being a Catholic and it was a common theme from those who opposed him that he would be answering to the Vatican. Somehow in 2012 this idea is now OK.
Santroum is a devout Catholic who is telling us that he will take his faith into the White House and it seems to me that he is more into the idea of listening to the Vatican than the Constitution.
At least this is my impression when I here what he stands for.

About 24% of the population is Catholic. That means that when people say they like that Santorum will bring his faith to bare into the forefront of his politics, he’s not representing all the American people if I’m to take him for his word on his faith and his devoutness.

That’s a minority in terms of how we define ourselves in terms of religious beliefs. 51% are Protestants and the numbers fall off from there as we move down the other religions.
I’m not sure how this all plays out, but I’m sure of one thing. The Founders were pretty clear on the idea of the Separation of Church and State. This was put there for a reason.
They came of age in a time when Europe had endured 500 years of religious wars. They were trying to find a way forward, away from the destructive forces of religion and differences that religious dogma manifested in Europe. They did not want a nation beholden to the Vatican or any other Church.

Brand

If our founders were non-religious, why did they right so much about religion? Why were so many ordained in various churches? Why did they hold church service in the US Senate for so many years on Sunday?

Have you ever read any US history?
- Alan in NH
  
  I think the point is not that the founders were non-religious, although some were, but that they understood the abuses to which a church-dominated society could succumb. They had ample evidence, both current and time-honored; in the hundreds of years of religious wars over what? Some point of doctrine? They saw readily the abuses of privilege within France by its clergy. They understood that people will believe what they will believe, and should have the right to do so without interference by a state, but that a properly functioning state must separate itself from such doctrinal disputes, and not use such as the basis for public policy.
  - Anonymous
    
    Yours and the prior two comments make excellent points, but the not-so-subtle nuances of your comments are simply beyond the comprehension of people who think like Brand. They can’t fathom someone who isn’t religious or doesn’t live according to some “good book” being just as moral as they are for totally non-religious reasons.
- Anonymous
  
  Where did I say that the Founders were not religious? I merely stated that they were influenced by what they saw in Europe. Jefferson was very critical of religion but spent a lot of time studying it and attended church.
  I also think it’s fair to say people had different idea about religion in the 18th and early 19th centuries. For Jefferson, separation of church and state was a necessary reform of the religious “tyranny” whereby a religion received state endorsement, and those not of that religion were denied rights, and even punished.
  
  Do you get the ideas put forth in the paragraph posted below? Or do you just let blind faith guide you. I fear that it is you sir, who needs to read history and redress this issue.
  
  Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition
  the Government for a redress of grievances.
  
  My interpretation of the above paragraph from the 1st Amendment is that Santroum’s religious beliefs are all well and good. That he also has the right to practice his religion without fear of persecution, and he has the right to say what he wants in this regard. What he does not have the right to do is to impose his religious ideology on me or my daughter.
  - Modavations
    
    Do you really think anyone reads this tripe.I’m going to start give your Bleats a #
- Scott B, Jamestown NY
  
  The things most wrote (by the way it’s “write”, not “right”) about religion was that it shouldn’t be part of government. There were some that fought vehemently for outright theocracy, but relented when it came down to it, and no small part because Jefferson, Franklin, and many others made their case.
  
  These people were not far removed from when the Church and Royalty were damned near the same thing.
  
  Few were ordained. Most were Freemasons, however,and quite a few were avowed deists, atheists, and agnostics. Many didn’t even attend church, including Washington, who did take is oath of office on a Bible, a bible that was significant to him.
  
  Saying something is so, doesn’t make it so; and just because you don’t believe it, doesn’t make it not true.
  
  I hereby sentence you to watching more History Channel and less, I don’t know, Fox News and The 700 Club…

Ed Siefker

Isn’t it fascinating that those who are the most opposed to Sharia law will argue for Christian law in the US without a trace of irony? The Christian right in the US and the “Islamists” in the middle east are manifestations of the same phenomenon in different cultures. Santorum has more in common with the leaders of the Taliban than he does with any freedom loving American.

Ray in VT

I have to say that I mostly agree with your comment, although the last sentence goes too far for me.
http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/3ETFGMQ3B7VD4AAMILBBEVMCWE JasonA

Agree, and BOTH are equally dangerous.
Pierre Kropotkin

I think both are reactions against modern life, and the pace of change. People no longer ensconced in their smaller villages that more reasonably approximate the maximum size for a primate band, living in a world where all that is solid melts into air, suddenly decide that supposedly unchanging words derived for voices in shepherds’ (or a merchant’s) heads are the way to go.

We don’t like acknowledging that technical progress can affect our morals, but notice how the rise of machinery seems to coincide with the West’s suddenly deciding that slavery is a very bad thing…before that, if we’d free the slaves, some of our owners might have had to get sweaty themselves, and not in a fun way.

Anonymous

This is sad… contraception prevents abortions, unwanted birth, ill prepared youg adults from having kids they are not ready to raise and pills are used for hormone therapy to treat some pretty serious conditions. Contraception saves money so these Republican politicians now want to restrict access to something which actually helps achieve their stated goals: get government costs under control, reduce the incidence of unwed motherhood and prevent abortion… have they all gone mad?

http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/3ETFGMQ3B7VD4AAMILBBEVMCWE JasonA

Yes, that have gone mad.
Modavations

black fang
Judy

I think you are confusing logic with politics.
Scott B, Jamestown NY

Conservatives on this issue want their cake and eat it, too. They don’t want to support, or pay for, the things that would reduce a vast amount of issues that complain about, from unwed mothers, to paying for medicaid and welfare

They want people to just say “No” to sex, like that’s ever worked in the history of, well, ever. But so many also don’t want teens given free condoms because they see it as some tacit permission, if not encouragement. They don’t want teens to have sex, but they also don’t want the kid to have sex education, when it’s been proven the more eduction people get (sexual and educational) the more responsibility they take in their lives, and have better lives both sexually and non-sexually.

They talk about the cost to society, and actual monetary cost of abortion, but not what it costs to society to have unwanted and uncared for children, as well as the parents that get stuck in a rut with poor education and poor job prospects.

Anonymous

True thinking conservatives, in which category I place Reihan Salam, are more frightened of Santorum than those on the left, because they are revolted by the fact that this guy might be their leading spokesman and figurehead. But this is the blind alley into which their so-called conservative movement has been forced by the ignorance that its leaders have used as a integral tool in advancing their cause.

nj

Even Pat Gay-People-Are-Responsible-For-Hurricanes Robertson thought the GOP clown posse candidates have been going rhetorically over the edge.
Scott B, Jamestown NY

David Frum wrote in an op-ed piece that the Republicans, the Right in gerenal,and the Tea Party in particular, need to walk themselves back from crazytown on a host of issues like: no taxes, climate change, and history (like that Reagan raised taxes 4 times). He said that the tail wagging the dog keeps getting further and further away from reality and that instead of trying to reel it back in, the next person tried to be even more to the right in a display of “I’m more conservative” [wackjob (my words)] one-upmanship that is wrecking the Republican party.

Not that the Right shouldn’t have its disagreements with the Left, that makes for good discussion and, in theory, better laws, and true compromise.
- William
  
  David Frum? A moderate? Is he not the individual that dreamed up the “axis of evil” phrase for President Bush?

nj

Tom Toles, pitch perfect, as ever…

nj

(Click image to enlarge.)
TFRX

Hey, why are you ignoring all the right-wing editorial rapier wits out there?

I mean, that Ramirez fellow is still “keeping it real” at Investors’ Business Daily, izznthe?

http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/3ETFGMQ3B7VD4AAMILBBEVMCWE JasonA

Santorum is a dangerous right wing reactionary. The fact that he is in the running at all shows how completely out of touch the Repuclican party is. He stands NO CHANCE to win in a general. The man is a dirty bigot and complete fool. I reject everything he stands for.

Modavations

hang em.no trial,just hang em
- Ray in VT
  
  That doesn’t sound very rule of law.
  - Modavations
    
    You miss the joke.He used to pop in and say of any righty he didn’t like, that they should be hanged.I asked him hypothetically, if his target was in front of the firing squad and his victim wanted a cig,would he allow it.The Fascist never gave me a reply
    - Ray in VT
      
      Before my time I guess.
- Brett
  
  MO-D, how was your Valentine’s rendezvous?
  - Modavations
    
    righteous.Swedish chick,I’ve been her sex slave for years.She hates socialists too
Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

Too bad there is nowhere else to turn if you were against the Bailouts and think that is the biggest issue we face. Political-Financial corruption.

If people won’t put Paul at the top, they are left with Santorum.

I’ll take Bible Thumping and Constitutional protection from it going too far over Bank Coddling any day.
- Roymerritt19
  
  You have to be completely off your rocker. Just what do you think would have happened if the banks hadn’t been bailed out? I’ll tell you what. We would have had another depression and one far exceeding “THE GREAT DEPRESSION”!. Maybe you were hoping to lose every last thing you have, but the rest of us weren’t. The FDIC may have given you part of your money back, but eventually the treasury would have run out of money and the ability to give you anything, and then what? You’d have to put up with a crazed Bible thumper as well have a government without any treasury whatsoever. Talk about dysfunctional, how dysfunctional would the country be in that situation not forgetting that at the same time the rest of the world would be in the same situation for as we all know the Europeans as well as many other nations followed our lead in their financial dealings. And just as in the Great Depression the entire world was on the edge of collapse. What did that lead to? It led to horrendous dictators and a world war and afterward a polarized world that engaged in a cold war for over four decades. Constitutional protection has nothing to do with it. The nation would be in such turmoil it wouldn’t matter what the constitution says. And pray tell where in the constitution does it even mention bailouts or anything concerning it whatsoever?
  - Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…
    
    Heaven forbid all the big banks and trading houses go under, and the rest of us have to operate in a real, organic economy of tangible goods, supply, demand and prices.
    
    Excuses, excuses, the banking and political establishment class always comes out on top.
    
    I thought the Federal Reserve was created to PREVENT financial crises, not CREATE them.
    
    Nobody has an answer for that.
    
    They are essential to prevent what they cause?
    
    Apologists. And you talk about dumb Republicans voting against their interests…..
  - Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…
    
    The wars are cover for the banks in the wake of their predictable crises.
    
    We’ll have ours.
    
    Can’t have everyone concentrating on the fact that our social contract to “work” and “save” and wake up every morning is all based on a currency sham, that was never meant to be sustainable and real. Then the masses lose, and the bankers and elite political puppets take the spoils.
    
    It’s great work if you can get it. All you need is to privatize the printing press and get the government to protect you.
    
    And to be so far above and beyond the Rule of Law, that you will NEVER be held accountable for the horrors you wage upon the masses, for their own good of course.
- Scott B, Jamestown NY
  
  Again you forget- DUBYA bailed out the banks with no strings attached. They came hat in hant to Obama for more when they kept doing biz as usual with all that free money and ran into the same issues.
William

Then is Obama a very dangerous left wing reactionary?

http://profile.yahoo.com/ZKVGHQ37XCJSMYIL6RNK76FAUI cravencorvid

As a woman, an Air Force veteran of Desert Storm and a registered Independent voter of PA who votes GOP 60% of the time I FEAR Santorum for these reasons:
1- Santorum is a National Security threat. His fundamentalist Catholic agenda will cause jehid against the US…Radical Muslims base doctorine on “Infidel” oppression (Catholic Crusades)
2- Most women work because no one person making under $100,000/year can support a family in a home with medical and educational costs paid…WOMEN MUST WORK
3- Santorum lives in a $M mansion in VA; how does he know anything about the plight of the “average worker”? His money comes from bribes and scurolous dealings as a K Street lobbyist
4- I am an Anglican Catholic because what I feel is TRULY IMMORAL is not recognising children born in a divorced marraige as legitimate, preditory pedifile priests whose behavior goes unpunished, the subjugation of women. I do not believe in Roman Catholicism.
5- Jesus did not have a family, so where does Santorum get the idea the family is vital to be saved. Actually Jesus broke from his family and remained single to concentrate on spreading the word. Making babies in essence is making women into baby factories to perpetuate the myths of faith!
6- Women train with men in the military, there is no different training…If Santorum served he would know women must undergo more scrutiny and harder training than men because 90% of the training officers are men
7- Did Santorum ever think what would happen if one of his daughters was raped and became pregnant, not to him, but to his daughter????? So what if he and Karen would take care of the child, his daughter would have to look at it every day!
I am sick of Santorum’s two faced lies and arrogance; Santorum doesn’t have a clue what real life is about!

notafeminista

Ok…so what makes your position more or less valid than his? As TRFX would say, “anec” is not a sufficient prefix for “data”.
- TFRX
  
  All I know is what I see on the teevee. That said:
  
  Does the media show us a lot of usetabee-Republican voters?
  
  Does the media really call out “Civil liberties for mine, but my religion for thine” hypocrites on the right?
  
  Why does the media love narrativizing what RealAmerica(TM) folk prefer and do, right up until the point (for example) Catholic leaders say otherwise on contraception?
  
  Tough questions. Tuuuuuuuufff questions.
- Anonymous
  
  If you can’t see her validity over a self serving ideologue like Santorum I feel sorry for you.
  Well, no I don’t feel sorry. I feel contempt.
  - notafeminista
    
    At least you’re honest about it. Finally.
  - Modavations
    
    The first thing you feel every morning iss contempt for everyting.I’ll bet you two to one my Valkyrie will beat you in a hand wrestle
CrowLady

Amen, sister.

Bruce

Santorum, just one more right wing nut -case to pick up where Bush left off. More wars, tax breaks for the rich, and give outs to the “Faith Base” Hypocrites (Religious freedom as long as it’s Christian).

Roymerritt19

Anyone who supports this self righteous religious fanatic who thinks he can win the presidency is spitting in the wind. This man would never win the presidency, not even if he were running against the worse candidate the Democratic Party could envision. The fact the GOP may give him their nomination
is indicative of just how out of touch and out of the mainstream the vast majority of the Republican Party is. They seemingly don’t care about the citizenry of the country beyond the matter of their perverse idea of what Christianity is. And it also shows just how ignorant the rank and file of that party is, that these gullible fools would willingly support people whose greatest desire is to destroy their future and financial status with little regard for the misery this would wrought means to me they care about nothing but the president’s race. The Tea Party members of this totalitarian mindset are the worse. The behavior they have engaged in since Rick Santelli inspired them with his anti-Obama tirade has shown me they would better demonstrate their ideal country by donning robes, and hoods and burning crosses. It is the child of such as Jim Demint and other southern politicians who still burn with the racism of their ancestors and the sting of losing the Civil War. They appeal to the resentment of many southerners who are as cursed with
self doubt and self loathing as any marginal group has ever shown itself to possess. Having been born and lived in the south most of my life I know whereof I speak. I know what they mean when they besmirch the president as a socialist, Muslim, communist, etc. They know I know they are unenlightened racists, but are to cowardly to make that declaration. The worse thing the GOP would ever sustain would be if the working class stiffs in the south and their fellow travelers in other parts of the nation should ever realize that the parasites who run their party and at heart have naught but contempt for them are so inclined. Once these fools come to that conclusion, that their party leaders are only interested in further enriching themselves and the corrupt business interests who financially support them and could care less what their fate would be in the kind of nation they desire that will mean the end of the GOP for all time. It will become irrelevant to the country until they decide that they should represent all Americans and not the greedy rich and the selfish corporations who evidently don’t have even the slightest hint of patriotism about them. Perhaps the symbol of the GOP would better be represented by a swastika rather than robes or hoods or even a lumbering pachyderm. Santorum would and will be beaten by a landslide by the president because thankfully the whole country is not as stupid and naive as the boobs who watch Fox News or listen to a tub of guts like Rush Limbaugh.

notafeminista

Right. We don’t like their position, so therefore they must be hateful or ignorant or crazy …or all three. Definitely a way to win points for your side.
- Roymerritt19
  
  Correct on all three assumptions. If you deny these three facts then you are delusional or haven’t been listening to what Rick Santorum has been saying on the political stage. Santorum is just as adept at throwing out code words for his perverse followers as any of the other malefactors who are seeking the GOP nomination. I’m not making a charge against Santorum that many who are far more astute than myself haven’t made. Another point I must make is that he has spent his entire career on the government payroll, but has done his utmost to slander federal and public workers such as myself because we expect a reasonable wage and the benefits that come with it. My career in government service began with the threat of being conscripted into the military to go to a war I was opposed to. Upon my discharge I didn’t immediately jump on the government payroll which Santorum did almost immediately after college. I also don’t have the arrogance to dismiss a woman’s health concerns simply because I don’t think a person should engage in sexual congress beyond matrimony. As far as trying to win people over to my side you are wrong. I could care less if you vote for this twerp or not. You can vote for whomever you desire no matter how stupid it is. Your choice of a moniker indicates just what a boorish individual you must be. I simply do what an umpire in a ball game does. I calls ‘em as I sees ‘em. That goes for you as well as Santorum. You may want a president who would knell at the feet of an ex-Nazi soldier and determine his edicts for our nation are the best order of the day no matter what our constitution says. They may well come to the point wherein they endorse pedophilia as being good for children considering how many of Pope Bendict’s colleagues are child molesters. So yeah I consider Santorum all of those things and will happily vote for Obama against him. �
  - notafeminista
    
    Code words? Such as? I’ll need a Captain Midnight Decoder ring if you have an extra lying about so that I can find all these hidden perverse messages.
- Anonymous
  
  Sometimes positions are hateful. Sometimes they’re ignorant. Sometimes they’re crazy. Are we not allowed to acknowledge this and form our opinions accordingly?
  - notafeminista
    
    I’m guessing its liberal only. After all, it is the progressives who present themselves as the educated,enlightened tolerant crew. As long as you agree with them. “Here you poor,crazy,stupid, hateful people…let us show you a better way…we know better than you do.”
    - Anonymous
      
      Apparently, you read with only your RIGHT eye.
    - Modavations
      
      You think with your left hemisphere
    - Anonymous
      
      Yesterday, you replied to one of my comments with the words, “Right on, dude.” Again, welcome to the club, from a fellow lefty.
    - notafeminista
      
      Don’t happen to know the French word for left do you?
Meerabai

wow! wonderful eloquence in describing GOP hypocrisy….I transplanted to the South over a decade ago and also know first hand of what you speak….thank you!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1203634673 Sam Adams

I really like the comment from the guy who supports Santorum and slams “intellectual states.” I think that’s pretty telling.

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

Larry Summers 2012

Intellectual Elites to the rescue!
- TFRX
  
  Another Libertarian who loves the right’s version of “RealAmerica(TM)”, and has never had to sell his politics there, chimes in.
Scott B, Jamestown NY

I like how the so much of the Right, slams “East Coast liberals” while holding up what they preach their [wrongly held] perceptions of what our country’s founding fathers intended. These would be the same founding fathers that were flaming East Coast liberals. Most of them were not church-going guys and were Freemasons, many grew and smoked hemp, based many of the Constitution’s ideas on Iroquois and French ideas of government and society, didn’t believe in the tyranny of the majority, and believed in separation of church and state – not just freedom of religion, but FROM religion. Just to name a few things…
- notafeminista
  
  Surely you don’t refer to the women-oppressing,land-stealing, slave-owning founding fathers? It was NEVER freedom from.
  - Ray in VT
    
    It was the freedom from having to contribute financially to or be held to the religious dictates of a church to which you did not belong. In that sense there was a freedom from, although I think that the Congregational Church was the established church of the state of Massachusetts until the 1830s or so.
    - notafeminista
      
      As I said. It is not freedom from religion. All the first amendment means (in part) is that the state can’t force you to worship a given religion. It doesn’t mean that religion will cease to exist.
    - Ray in VT
      
      So, I’m an atheist. I don’t have a religion. The First Amendment guarantees me the right not to have one. That is a freedom from religion. It is not a freedom to have religion kept away from me. Religion is everywhere in public life and popular culture, and I’m fine with that, just as long as someone isn’t trying to force their religious dogma upon me, and the protection of having no established church enables me to have that measure of freedom from religion.

Judy

It is bad enough that we have Super PACs having such an immense influence on our elections. But when someone is invited on to talk about Santorum, simply because he is a large donor to that Super PAC, it is a step too far. I listen to NPR so I don’t have to hear these biased perspectives of the Super PAC ads. Now we are giving those same people free air time. Ludicrous.

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

Holy echo-chamber Bat Man!

How dare you corrupt our minds Mr. Ashbrook!
Anonymous

I listen to NPR so I CAN hear from multiple sides. And no mainstream Republican insider is going to come on and defend Santorum. He’s their worst fear.

Modavations

The dark clouds of Mordor thickened, lightening flashed and thunder roared.Free Men descended into the valleys,warriors preparing to fend off the Socialist Putsch.Stand Up

Alan in NH

More likely an army of evangelical maniacs armed to the teeth chanting about 2nd amendment rights.
- Scott B, Jamestown NY
  
  “When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.” – Unknown author, largely attributed to CS Lewis.
  
  No truer words have been spoken.
  - TFRX
    
    The quote is spot on, but the given name is wrong. (I get to correct you for once.)
    
    That’s Sinclair Lewis, the man who gave us Babbitt.
    - Scott B, Jamestown NY
      
      I stand corrected. I did see CS listed, as well as Sinclair, and a slew of other names and date , some that predated anyone with the last name of “Lewis”. LOL
      
      Good catch!
      
      I’d make such a bad Republican – I can’t admit when I’m wrong, and I can’t line up like a duck for the life of me.
Ray in VT

I’m pretty sure that Sauron was a Republican. It think that it’s buried somewhere in the Silmarillion.

Tony

I was a bit
disappointed when the fellow from Pittsburgh who kept referring to Eddie Haskell
was played off and the woman who said that Santorum was sincere was picked
up. The fellow from Pittsburgh was
trying to say that Mr. Santorum has proven himself to the people of that region
that he is not sincere and in fact has acted in what many see as a hypocritical
and dishonest way. The example that he
was giving was that Mr. Santorum had made quite a deal when his opponent moved
from the state and still claimed state residence then turned around and did the
same when he was in office. Mr. Santorum
then claimed out of state residence which exempted him from school taxes and
then turned around and tried to draw on tax based funding to enroll his
children in the local school district’s cyber school. The issue is personal integrity. I just left the Pittsburgh area after 25
years and lived through all of Mr. Santorum’s tenure there. The media called him “Slick Rick” when he was
in office. I think that there is a huge
personal integrity gap that will be brought to light by the voters from PA either in the
primary or general election. And so, I
am a bit disappointed that Tom missed not one, but two opportunities to discuss
this during the show.

RChicago

Forget Right Wing or Left Wing. This guy will knock us back centuries. We will all be living in caves and the women will be wearing chastity belts.

Jeez let’s just divide the country already like we should have done in 1861. These people can have their own land, guns and ridiculous laws. I just want my freedom and to not be imposed on by their archaic rules and way of thinking. I’m not going to be forced into their beliefs and they aren’t going to be forced into mine so let’s just part ways and call it a day.

TFRX

If someone drills down:

Does the North get back all the tax money that largely-urban, largely-blue “donor states” have been shifting to the South’s “receiver states”?

Does the South realize that flood of money will be cut off?
- notafeminista
  
  Should have thought of that when you wouldn’t let them count the slaves in the population.
  - TFRX
    
    Really? You’re gonna go there without saying “and letting the slaves vote”?
    
    I want to see the panel show or comedy club that’s the ideal audience for your brand of (for wont of a better word) humor.
    
    I hope you’ve left a trail of crumbs to find your way back to reality.
    - notafeminista
      
      Tsk…let’s start with the fact that the North didn’t want slaves counted period. …we can go from there.
    - Fredlinskip
      
      Those dang Yankees- holding down the black vote.
      
      (Sorta like Jeb & friends did in Florida in 2000?)
  - Fredlinskip
    
    To TRFX: you make some pretty cogent comments for a 230 year old.
    I’m impressed.
    
    TO Moda: As if the slaves would have voted for slavery to continue.
Alan

Maybe you’ve got a point. I’ve always felt the North lost the Civil War when it took the South and Southwest back into the Union. There’s too much cultural difference to find a common ground. Let South Carolina have its theocracy. Let Mississippi have its Jim Crow. Let Texas reconsider slavery. Has there ever been a successful democracy of 310 million + people? How possible is it for the average citizen to influence what this enormous government does or doesn’t do, especially one so wed to international corporate interests? Maybe a smaller scale is an answer.
- notafeminista
  
  Too late now, you reap what you sow. The North raped and pillaged and burned the South then offered the South all the government help it could possibly stand…and then wonders why circumstances are the way they are.
  
  Gotta love the hindsight.
  - Alan in NH
    
    Not exactly sure what you’re getting at. I would have voted to let the South go, or earlier, when the 3/5th compromise was afoot, decided to let them form their own country rather than make that a very bad deal. As to the horrors of war, is it possible to say with certainty which side was more “gallant” and what would be the point? A kinder, gentler war? And by no means do I excuse the northern bankers who made some fine profits off of the south’s free labor supply. They have almost as much to regret.
    - TomK in Boston
      
      I don’t have a lot of sympathy for the perps of mass treason.
    - Fredlinskip
      
      Jefferson was nicknamed “the Negro President”, because Adams would have won that election except for the 3/5 clause.
  - Anonymous
    
    I’m sure there are whole lot African Americans who would disagree with your comments. Mind you the North did just as you said, except after the 1870′s they let the South do what they wanted. They kept people in bondage up to the 40′s. That’s 1940′s.
    - RChicago
      
      Slavery is horrible and I don’t want my comment being seen as pro slavery. However, the North trying to force their beliefs on the South hasn’t worked out so well. Like Alan stated – the divide is too great to find common ground. Better to divide the ground and each group stay on their own side with their own government. It wouldn’t be a perfect solution, but it might be better than what we have now.
    - Anonymous
      
      Do you know the history of the South from about 1870 through the early 20th century?
      
      There was an excellent show on this subject on PBS the other day: Slavery by Another Name
      http://video.pbs.org/program/slavery-another-name
    - Fredlinskip
      
      Where does the 38th parallel cross the states? We need set up a real clear line and then defend it- hopefully a lot better than we do with Mexico
    - notafeminista
      
      And I’m sure there are a whole lot who would agree. I’m fond of “Travels of a T-Shirt in a Global Society.” I especially enjoy the chapter in which she discusses helpful government forms sent to a sharecropper who couldn’t read.
      
      Outstanding.
TomK in Boston

Dam right! The red states are basically the reincarnation of the disloyal states of 1860. We should have just let them go then, and I’m sick of them now. They can have their superstitions, medieval science, and religious laws. They can be a low tech, low wage, agrarian and mineral extracting nation with a hereditary aristocracy. I don’t want any of that c**p, let them keep it in the “confederacy”.
Matthew Carlton

WTH? Are you all actually talking about dividing America? The politicos have truly won when they can have supposedly rational citizens talking regional claptrap and rehashing the conflict that nearly stopped this nation from being the power and symbol of liberty that it is. Wake up, this is the kind of empty simple rhetoric that the true ememies of our country want us to spew. Start being Americans first and work to fix our problems. Don’t perpetuate stereotypes and ignorance.
- RChicago
  
  Last time I checked we aren’t the powerhouse we once were.
  
  Secondly – living under oppressive rules that endanger people’s lives like having all these freakin’ guns when we have the highest murder rates of any western nation – no thanks. And denying health care to people is monstrous. Why don’t we just start wrapping the mentally ill in cold wet sheets again? The death penalty – don’t like that barbaric one either. Denying women control over their body – no thanks to that one too. I’d rather divide.
  �
  If we had moderate Republicans representing the right then I would be all for staying together, but the divide is widening as they reign in the religious zealots to plump up their numbers and they try to legislate morality.
  
  Other countries have divided or merged throughout history. Everything changes eventually.

Julia

Pardon me, I may not be enthralled with Obama today, but I’m certainly not going to vote FOR someone who presumes to tell me what I can and can not do with my body. NO WAY.

Brand

You can do what you want. YOU just have to pay for it!
- Julia
  
  Thank you, I do. Thank goodness my Mother insisted on a post doc. education so that I can earn a living for myself and my family. I’m the breadwinner during the course of this recession, NOT my husband!! Santorum is out of touch with reality; I’m living it!
- TFRX
  
  Money that my employer paid directly to me for working for him is not my employer’s money, it is mine.
  
  It is part of my total benefits package. They budget for it and I negotiate for it. When I ask “Why don’t I get a bigger raise?” they say “The cost of your benefits went up, and that is part of your earned compensation.”
  - notafeminista
    
    Greedy and selfish.
    - TFRX
      
      Yes, I should just go into a negotiation with one hand tied behind my back, like you imagine all proles do.

Julia

“These elite snobs.” Really? What about “Christain snobs”?

ALBERT MELKONIAN

The thrust of the remarks by Mr. Friess put me in mind of how I think certain wealthy German industrialists would have viewed Adolf Hitler’s “sincerity” in the 1920-1930 period.

Linda

Framed within the widespread attack on women’s reproductive and health rights, I, being a woman, would like some answers. Just how would these rules about opting out of providing health care on moral grounds be promulgated? How would they work? Who would get to rule on the legality of each of these rules? Would the “boss” be in charge? What kind of “government” would have to exist in order to deny someone birth control or a transfusion or drugs on moral grounds? Who gets to make the list? Would each health care provider submit to a prospective customer the moral “no-no” list? Would the state that allows these private insurers to function initially judge on the legality of the moral “no-no”s? And where would I go if I disagreed with the claims? Would I have a list of the hospitals and doctors who are morally opposed to a person like me?What happens if the denial takes place in an emergency room and my child dies as a result?

Brandstadisbad

Linda,

I don’t know what you are talking about. Who is trying to deny someone birth control? The government is not.

you can buy any birth control product you want! Can’t you?
- TFRX
  
  Someone wanna read the court-upheld decisions and US law which underpin Linda’s thoughts to Brand?
  - Brand
    
    Why don’t you! Please list the court cases you speak of!
    - TFRX
      
      In December 2000, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled that companies that provided prescription drugs to their employees but didn’t provide birth control were in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prevents discrimination on the basis of sex.
      
      That opinion, which the George W. Bush administration did nothing to alter or withdraw when it took office the next month, is still in effect today—and because it relies on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, it applies to all employers with 15 or more employees.
      
      Employers that don’t offer prescription coverage or don’t offer insurance at all are exempt, because they treat men and women equally—but under the EEOC’s interpretation of the law, you can’t offer other preventative care coverage without offering birth control coverage, too.
    - Brand
      
      TFRX”Someone wanna read the court-upheld decisions and US law which underpin Linda’s thoughts to Brand?”
      
      I thought you said a court!�
      Please tell me what court you are talking about.
    - TFRX
      
      EEOC, not court. My slip.
      
      The most hack-filled, partisan DofJ in a century had their shot to do something about it. And they passed.
      
      Says something, doesn’t it? Why did the Catholic big boys get their knickers in a twist over this when Bush was in the White House?
notafeminista

How about holding men accountable instead.

Jack3page

Will someone please stop this theocratic talk? Mr. Friess has the freedom to say what he wishes. But I’m beginning to feel like I’m in church listening to a priest from when I was younger (like 40 years ago). The government cannot run by religious belief, even though its policies may reflect them.�
And by the way, without the new healthcare, (when is a journalist going to stop people saying Obamacare?) pre-existing conditions will not be a reason to deny. We know how difficult this issue can be as our son was denied several years ago. Does he even know how much insurance for the average person costs a month?

Modavations

When Pres.Obama ran against Hilary he said the health care mandate was unconstitutional(he’s soon to plead in front of the Supreme Court,that it is.The prevarications are boggling.When he was a senator,raising the Debt Ceiling was a heinous,traitorous act
- Brand
  
  The biggest problem with our government today is that Obama doesn’t care about the constitution
  - Modavations
    
    Dems. are Socialist communists.They steal men’s souls.They’re hardly worried about a friggin constitution.
    - Anonymous
      
      Do you wear clown shoes?
      You should, if you don’t.
    - Modavations
      
      That’s the best you got.Careful the sweat drops will stain your Birkenstocks
    - Alan in NH
      
      I think you forgot to add that they also turn christian babies into Passover loaves.

Brand

Here’s The Presentation Where Jeff Gundlach Dares To Compare The US To The Roman EmpireRead more: http://www.businessinsider.com/doubleline-jeff-gundlach-us-decline-fall-roman-empire-2012-2#-2#ixzz1mTwRqmBc

Mark P

Rick Santorum lost his last re-election to the Senate by the largest margin in the history of the state of Pennsylvania.

What makes him so electable nationally when he gets murdered
in Pennsylvania?

Brand

You seem to be living in your parents basement without cable news. FYI : Pennsylvania is a liberal progressive dominated state!
- Modavations
  
  And it was a landslide Dem.year.I wouldn’t vote for Santorum,however

Melster1723

While I’m all about freedom of religion, I’m having a difficult time understanding how people are not terrified by these candidates that seem to display a blatant disregard for separation of church and state. how can it possibly be viewed as a good thing that santorum brings up his faith so much during his campaign when it clearly goes against one of the principles that this country was founded on?

Brandstadisbad

The same thing was said about JFK back in his time!
- Anonymous
  
  JFK didn’t wear his religion on his sleeve, as Santorum does, he kept it to himself, as Jesus Christ instructed. Kennedy vowed never to let his religious beliefs hold sway over policy, and he stuck to his word. Santorum believes his religion SHOULD be a consideration in presidential decision making. Frightening.
- TFRX
  
  Someone wanna get Brand a history book? Or at least show him the anti-Kennedy billboard of JFK drawn kneeling and kissing the Pope’s ring?
  
  He made an entire speech about it. Try looking it up. Pretty basic stuff actually.
Steve

I believe that…

Seperation of Church and State does not demand that our representatives be devoid of religion or that they hide their beliefs in a closet(Christian/Muslim/Jewish/Agnostic/Atheist)

Their beliefs can also inform their policy decisions.

However, their beliefs cannot be sanctioned or instituted into law.

We are also free not to support a person(s) based on our beliefs.

I welcome contradictory views.
- Scott B, Jamestown NY
  
  Now see, Steve, you just prevented yourself from ever running for President by being reasonable!
William

FDR was religious and in his four freedoms speech religion was item number two.
notafeminista

I’m having a difficult time understanding why people keep thinking there IS a separation of church and state. Nothing in the Constitution about it.
- Ray in VT
  
  “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. Will you argue that that does not constitute the separation of church and state by prohibiting the establishment of a state religion?
  - notafeminista
    
    Yup. I will.
    - Ray in VT
      
      Well, with all due respect, I think that you’re wrong. Government doesn’t run the churches and they don’t run the government. Both get protected. Separation.
    - notafeminista
      
      The government doesn’t tell you to worship Allah. Or God. Or believe in Nirvana. That’s all it means.
    - Ray in VT
      
      So how is that not separation in the sense that the government does not pick any church or faith to which we must show allegiance. Are government is faithless is the sense that it does not promote a particular faith. The holders of office mostly adhere to a particular religion, but they can’t use their office to push their religious edicts on the public.

Modavations

On Jan.30 Dem.Gestapo were at the W.Hoke Elementary school in N.Carolina.They were in a preschool class asking all the tykes to open their lunch boxes.A four year old had her mum’s meal confiscated because it wasn’t nutritious.Her lunch box had a turkey-cheese sandwich,banana,p.chips and Apple Juice.The Gestapo Agent told the kid,”put your hands up and step away from that lunch box”.Is this the stuff you’re defended Raymundo?

Warriors Stand Up

TFRX

Isn’t it about time your attendant wheeled you away from the keyboard?

Really, whatever you’re taking, take more of it. Or less of it. I can’t tell.
- Modavations
  
  I donate to NPR,I’ll bet you don’t.Just another Dem.Free Loader.
  - TFRX
    
    Bet away. And keep making an ass our of you and you, Foghorn.
Matthewcarlton

This story is making the rounds. I recieved it earlier today but it was said to be in S.C. not N. C. Already, this is becoming another game of “telephone” where the facts and truth get garbled with each telling. If you look into it , I beleive you will find that it’s nothing more than a four year old not eating her prepared lunch and someone trying to make sure she had something to eat.
- Modavations
  
  Take your hands from your lunch box and step away.What was the Gestapo doing there in the first place.It was on Drudge
Anonymous

You need to spend more time with that Swedish woman, or get out more.
- Modavations
  
  refute the story pissant
  - Anonymous
    
    Pissant, well now showing your true colors.
    You are a sad specimen of a human being.
    - Modavations
      
      You guys have taught me well.There’s no sense in being Mr Nice Guy.Don’t worry though,in the real world I remain a gentleman(I hope).While you guys have corsened me,I only hope I don’t have a drop in IQ.Osmosis
Scott B, Jamerstown NY

That didn’t happen, not like that. “Selective” reporting on the details does a disservice for your issue. Sins of omission.

The “Gestapo” comment doesn’t help your case. If you have to resort to name-calling, then you automatically lose 99% of your argument. Do you know who was the Gestapo? The actual Gestapo.

What I have seen is Jamie Oliver’s show on ABC where, when the school was offering healthier meals. Parents were sending their kids to school with baggies of nothing but candy and snack foods like Twinkies. Literally, the WHOLE lunch would nothing but sugar, proceeded “food”, and chemicals you can’t pronounce without a PhD in chemistry.
- Modavations
  
  The kid had a Turkey cheese sammy,bananas,potato chips and apple juice.The Gestapo said unhand the lunch box and step away

Brand

‘WE ARE ALL CATHOLICS NOW’ – STAND UP FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

TFRX

Ninety-eight percent of them do, by using real birth control.
Roymerritt19

This issue has nothing whatsoever to do with religious freedom or even Catholicism. It’s just a bunch of politicians trying to make political hay against an opponent they detest. I am of the same mind as the late Christopher Hitchens who as we all know wrote “GOD IS NOT GREAT” wherein he succinctly states that religion ruins everything. I am always amazed at people who will take the word of some ancient person as to how to maintain their mortal soul but would never practice the same things as far as hygene or dietary needs. Why oh why would you be so stupid as to take as gospel what these people had to say without considering they may have had an agenda is beyond me. These people had no idea what a germ is, but you’re willing to take their word on matters of thought and philosophy. Martin Luther who began the Protestant movement said this about women. “Let them have babies until they die, that is all they are good for!” A real role model he was huh? None in the Bible endorsed freedom or constitutional government, but were more interested in the destruction of those they considered their enemies political and otherwise. Those in the GOP today would no doubt be right at home in those times regardless the fact they would have to forgo having any Barbecue or anything containing pork. That I would not tolerate despite my heart problems.
TFRX

When did “religious liberty” get redefined as “Protestant hardcores fleckspittling over the Catholic hierarchy not getting to rescind others’ religious liberty while still taking the gummint’s dollars”?

Why doesn’t my religious freedom keep my Medicaid and Medicare dollars from going to Catholic hospitals?

http://www.balloon-juice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/freedumb.jpg
- notafeminista
  
  You got your “word of the day” toilet paper didn’t you!

Anonymous

Pity the poor Republicans, saddled with two front runners so unremarkable, they make George W. look enticing. On one hand we have Romney, Mr. “I believe whatever the audience of the moment want’s me to believe.” The man who was my governor for four years, yet, other than his wonderfully liberal “ROMNEYCARE” achievement, remains utterly unmemorable. On the other hand we have Rick Sanc(timonius)torum, God’s messenger and Catholic extraordinaire. Anyone who believes a majority of Americans will ever accept his brand of religious garbage needs to take a hard look at America as a whole, not just a bunch of desperate Republicans. It’s hard to imagine how miserably President Obama would have to fail for one of these dullards to win a general election.

William

How much more failure from Obama can the country stand?
- Anonymous
  
  More than either of these two clowns can benefit from.
  - William
    
    So “Great Depression II” is better than people that pray once a week and don’t belive becoming the next Greece?
    - Anonymous
      
      You have my PERSONAL guarantee that “Great Depression II” is nothing more than than your own hyperbole.
    - William
      
      The economic situation we are faced with indicates you are wrong.
    - Anonymous
      
      I’ve been listening to all the frightened Republicans predict the demise of “America as We Know It” for three years. While our situation certainly could be much better, all you doomsayers have yet to see the destruction of America you so fervently desire. When you compare the conditions of today to those of the Great Depression you betray your ideological mania. Try talking to someone who lived through the depression. Try telling them that things are as bad today. They’d probably slap you in the face just for being so stupid.
    - William
      
      When you compare the failure of FDR to pull us out of the depression and Obama failure to pull us out of recession the mirror each other.
    - Anonymous
      
      The recession ended in the summer of 2009. I know that you wish it was still here, but I guess things can’t always be as bad as you want them to be.
    - William
      
      That is not what Obama said.

Matthewcarlton

Santorum and his supporters keep referring to America as a “Christian nation” and we are, in as much as we design our laws along the core beliefs of justice and decency, but we have never embraced denominational dogma as the law of the land. In fact, we fight wars against those systems of theocratic or “ism”-based governance. It seems blatantly unamerican to place a peculiar religious belief above another and unthinkable that such an inequitable idea would be deemed patriotic.

Brand

America as a “Christian Nation” that was founded on Christian values and morals
- Anonymous
  
  Not the son of God, savior-type parts.
- Alan in NH
  
  Less than a hundred years before that “Christian nation” was baptized, we were burning witches, expelling heretics and engaging on other such tolerant acts. In the 19th century, the bible was commonly cited in some quarters of this “Christian Nation” as supporting slavery. It doesn’t help us find where we’re going if we don’t acknowledge where we’ve been.
  - Modavations
    
    75 years ago Southern Dems.were lynching blacks.Remember RobertyByrd.He was driving around in a hood and robe
    - Anonymous
      
      And your point is that bad people are Democrats as well, who would have known.
    - Modavations
      
      Here to pick a fight pissant?
    - Anonymous
      
      What’s that smell?
      Why it’s the smell of mendacity. A stench so vile and disgusting.
      You do wear it well however.
    - Ray in VT
      
      Yup, now it’s the southern Republicans that wear the hoods. You think that the Klan votes Democratic these days?
  - Heaviest Cat
    
    well put, Alan.T hank you.
- Anonymous
  
  I get a kick out the constant reference to Christian “values” and “morals,” as if the two concepts were invented by Christians, and the rest of the world possesses neither.
  - Modavations
    
    I get a kick from the Cult of Gaia.I also get a kick out of the cult of Atheists.The ones like TRFX,Jimino,Jeffee68,NJ.You know,the ones that foam at the mouth
    - Anonymous
      
      Atheists don’t belong to cults. That’s why they’re called atheists.
    - Anonymous
      
      This guy is incapable of having a conversation. He’s only on here to make inane comments based on his warped sense of self worth.
    - Anonymous
      
      Well, he certainly does a fine job.
    - Modavations
      
      your sweating son
    - Modavations
      
      You are a cult,you just don’t realize it.By the way,you’re foaming
    - Anonymous
      
      If you’d like to engage with me, I suggest you untie that half of your brain you have tied behind your back. You’ll need it, SON.
    - Modavations
      
      Let me put it the way your pal would.Pfft
    - Anonymous
      
      Foaming at the mouth. Sweet.
      You complain when I call you out and cry foul, like the spoiled little kid on the playground, but when you start in with name calling it’s OK.
      
      You really are a moron.
    - nj
      
      Moda-troll is making progress. After three months, he’s figured out how to spell “Gaia.”
  - Heaviest Cat
    
    yeah, fire Brand is either naive or insincere. Not sure which one.
- Ray in VT
  
  We have been, and probably will be for the foreseeable future, a nation that is made up predominantly of Christians of one stripe or another. So in that sense we are a Christian nation.
  
  However, we are not a Christian nation in the sense that we do not have an established religion. For those who cite the Ten Commandments as the foundation for our government, one has to wonder, then, why our founders chose to ignore the first one by having the religion clause in the First Amendment.

Rev. Heller

Caveat humanists: Underestimate American bigotry at your peril.

Viv

I’m definitely not a Santorum fan but could you possibly get a better picture of the guy for your website. Maybe not make him look so much like darth vader.

Modavations

It’s done intentionally.These guys get their orders from the white house
- Terry Tree Tree
  
  If Santorum’s campaign provided it?

Brand

WAS
STEPHANOPOULIS’ QUESTION A HIT JOB?
A GOP debate hosted by ABC News’ George Stephanopoulis a few weeks back featured
a curious question about states rights and contraception. At the time, it just
seemed strange. Today, that question now appears to have an agenda attached to
it. Was that it part of a planned Democratic-paid hit-job? Review the timeline
and the details and make your own decision

TFRX

Nice cut-n-paste. Don’t suppose there’s a reliable link to go with it.
- Modavations
  
  Stephanopoulis,Russert,Comrad Chris all ran the main Sunday news shows.All three worked for Dem.Pols.This is all coordinated from the White House.I’m sure Tom A. gets his marching orders every morning,as well.Media matters just got busted colluding with the white house,so did Mika.You guys make Goebbels blush

Brand

Because Democrats can no longer depend on abortion for their self-defined “moral” high ground, Morris believes that they have to rely on contraception. It’s no longer about the “right to choose,“ but rather the ”right” to contraception.
“The point is [abortion is] a loser issue,” Morris said, “so what they’re trying to do is replace it with contraception.”

Heaviest Cat

“tis a gift to be simple, Brand but “simplistic”? well…

Patrick

I think Romney probably thought he was slick enough to the nomination cleanly, but as things have heated up his Santorum problem has gotten out of control. Now, if Mitt’s going to finish strong, he’ll have to close his eyes, grit his teeth, bear down and push until the end.

Mitt Romney was looking forward to eating Santorum for breakfast, but he’s probably not enjoying the taste anymore.

Modavations

Romney is the one.He always was the one
- Patrick
  
  Thank you Morpheus
- Terry Tree Tree
  
  Gregg says Newt!

Brand

Why are we even arguing about birth control? Shouldn’t birth control be available to anyone that wants to buy it?

The real question is why should it be mandated to be covered by insurance companies? Birth of a baby is not a insurable event by defenition given by Websters Dictionary.

Main Entry: in·sur·ance: 1) A contract by which someone guarantees for a fee to pay someone else for the value of property if it is lost or damaged (as through theft or fire) or to pay usually a specified amount for injury or death

Anonymous

The only person I have read on this site more openly proud of their ignorance is “Brandstad”. Now we have “Brand”. Coincidence? I think not.

Try looking up “health insurance”. And be aware of the fact that your car insurance will not compensate you if your house burns down. Your homeowners policy will not pay for repairs to your car, either. I know it’s kinda complicated, so feel free to post any of your questions on this topic and your friends here will help you out.
- Modavations
  
  I’m personally offened
  - Anonymous
    
    You’re offended I didn’t put you at #1 in that category? I have to admit you make a strong argument.
    - Modavations
      
      You got it.Please explain to Pussy Cat
  - Heaviest Cat
    
    hmmm ,Moda, yes, you look sort of “offened”
    - Modavations
      
      Did you not get the drift.Just more infantile nitpicking.Should I explain .By the way,change your name to “Light weight”Cat
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      You demand the right to be the only one to do ‘infantile nitpicking?
TFRX

You really need to read more.

In December 2000, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled that companies that provided prescription drugs to their employees but didn’t provide birth control were in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prevents discrimination on the basis of sex. That opinion, which the George W. Bush administration did nothing to alter or withdraw when it took office the next month, is still in effect today—and because it relies on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, it applies to all employers with 15 or more employees. Employers that don’t offer prescription coverage or don’t offer insurance at all are exempt, because they treat men and women equally—but under the EEOC’s interpretation of the law,

You can’t offer other preventative care coverage without offering birth control coverage, too.

Chris

Four years ago, a number of my conservative friends preached doom with the election of president Obama. They bought into consperency theories, laughable as they were, that the President would institute “Shariah” law. In America, really? Now that those theories were debanked, Santorum has come up with yet another, “Scary tactics” designed once again to put fear in the hearts of the white population. I say white, because that’s the audience he’s appealing to with his retoric. Sounds like the boers in South Africa before Mandela was elected president.

William

Well, South Africa certainly has gone down the tubes since Mandela come into power. The USA is not united under Obama and he has done everything possible to divide us. So, call that scare tactics, but it’s the truth.
- TFRX
  
  Yes, if only Obama promoted that N+1 half-decent 1990s policy idea the GOP wanted (right up until Obama said “Sound idea, let’s talk it over”), the fleckspittle right would have never called him the KenyanCommunistFascistUsurper.
  
  Please stop concern-trolling on this issue.
  - William
    
    You need to stick to the facts and quit working for “Attack Watch”.
    - Anonymous
      
      and you need to stop the crap.
    - William
      
      I know when I when the battle of ideas when people like you restort to foul words.
    - Anonymous
      
      You do mean win.
      You have won nothing but contempt from me.
      I’m not afraid to let people like you know it.
      You have the nerve to use language and imply that the good people of South Africa are not worthy of self determination. I find that pretty foul language myself. The way you act with your superior demeanor, the word crap stands.
    - Anonymous
      
      People like William will blame every recession in the next fifty years on Barack Obama.Sort of like the way they blamed him for not fixing Bush’s mess after two weeks in office. Expecting reasoned debate from him is a fools errand.
    - Anonymous
      
      I agree.
      As it is with Moda, who is really a lot like a pissant.
    - Modavations
      
      I got it,everyone got it
    - Modavations
      
      Every day.24 hrs per day.Welcome to the world of the open minded,tolerant left
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      ????
    - Modavations
      
      That’s more like it you pissant
    - Anonymous
      
      Ah, the tolerant right.
    - Modavations
      
      War son
    - Anonymous
      
      Aw, gee. Now I’m going to feel like a big bully, picking on the pea-brained moron.
    - Modavations
      
      Don’tsendthe secretweapon TTT after us
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      Moda whines about name-calling?
- Anonymous
  
  Am I to take away from this comment that South Africa should still be under apartheid rule?
  
  You don’t like that “uppity black man” in the White House do you.
  - Modavations
    
    What’s up,your claws are retracted.Your actually being civil
- Modavations
  
  I go to S.Africa and was last there in Sept.S.Africa is still cool.

Curious

Could you please challenge guests who blithely state that the US is a Christian nation? Even better, could you please do a program on the US as very much a product of the French and Scottish Enlightenments — the argument that this is, in fact, an Enlightenment nation, and that that is one of our greatest gifts and strengths? (I recommend “The Godless Constitution,” a book by two Cornell professors.) Thanks — love the show.

Brand

Despite America’s great diversity, nothing unifies Americans more than their support for public acknowledgments of God. Consider:
93% want “In God we Trust” to remain on coins and currency 2 90% support keeping “under God” in the Pledge 3 84% support references to God in schools, government buildings, and public settings 4 82% support voluntary school prayer 5 76% support Ten Commandments displays on public property 6
There are few other subjects on which over three-fourths of Americans consistently agree; and while the Left complains that religious expressions are divisive, the evidence proves otherwise; religious expressions have unified Americans from the beginning.
In fact, at the first-ever meeting of Congress in 1774 when it was suggested that Congress open with prayer, some delegates predicted that the act would be divisive, 7 but John Adams reported exactly the opposite, noting that “it has had an excellent effect upon everybody here.” 8 Several Supreme Court Justices still believe that such acts are unifying, noting:
[T]he founders of our Republic knew…that nothing, absolutely nothing, is so inclined to foster among religious believers of various faiths a toleration – no, an affection – for one another than voluntarily joining in prayer together to God Whom they all worship and seek. 9
Brand

Despite America’s great diversity, nothing unifies Americans more than their support for public acknowledgments of God. Consider:
93% want “In God we Trust” to remain on coins and currency90% support keeping “under God” in the Pledge84% support references to God in schools, government buildings, and public settings82% support voluntary school prayer76% support Ten Commandments displays on public property
In fact, at the first-ever meeting of Congress in 1774 when it was suggested that Congress open with prayer, some delegates predicted that the act would be divisive, 7 but John Adams reported exactly the opposite, noting that “it has had an excellent effect upon everybody here.” 8 Several Supreme Court Justices still believe that such acts are unifying, noting:
[T]he founders of our Republic knew…that nothing, absolutely nothing, is so inclined to foster among religious believers of various faiths a toleration – no, an affection – for one another than voluntarily joining in prayer together to God Whom they all worship and seek. 9
- Anonymous
  
  The operative word is voluntarily, I hope you know what that means on context to this argument.
  - notafeminista
    
    Like voluntary charity?
- Modavations
  
  The left prays at the alter of Big Govt.
  - Heaviest Cat
    
    AMEN! I feel religion is a personal matter that should be protected but as a believer in democracy, I’m all fro big Government 370,000,000 people strong.
    - Modavations
      
      First thing the communists due after the Putsch is ban all churches
    - Modavations
      
      do.
- Heaviest Cat
  
  Brand that’s just pompous grandstanding. Ask the Native Americans if “In God we trust” saved them from genocide. Ask non-whites and women if “Under God” guaranteed their civil rights. Nope. History shows that contrary to the myths dvinely besotwed rights these groups had to fight for them.
- Scott B, Jamestown NY
  
  Guns will do it, too. When Obama made the comment about certain people clinging to their Bibles and guns they were insulted!…Andhad great quotes like, “I’m insulted as a Christian. Now I’m going to go home, read my bible and clean my gun.”
Heaviest Cat

HI Curious. I would only add that Christians should be very careful about that claim. Do they want to take credit for genocide of Native Americans?Or the fact that non whites, workers and women had to fight for their rights supposedly guaranteed by the Constitution? Ain’t nothin’ too christian about that.
Sy2502

Look up a little known (especially by the bigots) document called Treaty of Tripoli. It was submitted by President John Adams and unanimously ratified by the Senate. Article 11 of said treaty states

“As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense,
founded on the Christian religion,—as it has in itself no character of
enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Mussulmen,—and as
the said States never entered into any war or act of hostility against
any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext
arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of
the harmony existing between the two countries.”

The United States is NOT a Christian nation by its own admission. Anything different the fundamentalists say on this matter is entirely invented and worthless.

Modavations

While newest Kennedy to inflict himself on Ma.,has yet to declare,the AFL-CIO has given their endorsement

Still Here

We’ve tried the Muslim community organizer, time for a new path.

Ray in VT

Really, who’s that? I’ve never encountered a Muslim community organizer.
- Anonymous
  
  I was just watching documentary about violence in Chicago and an organization called Cease Fire.
  One of the people on the streets trying to stop the violence was a Black Muslim woman, who in my view is one of the most amazing people I’ve seen or heard about in ages. She had a lot of guts and heart. If this what a Muslim community organizer is more, power to them.
  
  Some people use langauge and think that they are being clever. When all they are really doing is showing how ignorant they are.
TFRX

Man, you used to put some effort into your shite. Now it’s like you don’t even care anymore.

Maybe it’s time for you and OnPOint to go into Troll Counseling.
Anonymous

You’re use of the word “Muslim,” inaccurate as it may be, is a clear indication of your obnoxious bigotry. And you clowns have the balls to accuse the left of intolerance.

Brand

It makes me feel good that the vast majority of Americans agree with me!
Only 12 percent of those polled thought the government should eliminate all references to God and religions belief in schools, government buildings and other public settings, while 84 percent said such references are acceptable, as long as they don’t mention a specific religion. See, “Vast Majority in U.S. Support ‘Under God’,” CNN, June 29, 2002

Anonymous

Too William: try google. That’s G…O…O…G…L…E . Enter Recession.

Modavations

Why did the Wash.Post give Herr Lew 4 pinnochios(?)?He said it takes 60 votes to pass the budget,.It takes 51 votes and this guy was a budget director for Clinton and Pres.Obama(?).

Ray in VT

Probably because 60 votes is what it takes to overcome every threatened filibuster and secret hold.
- Modavations
  
  No friggin way Mean Streets.He was a budget director twice and the Wash.Post said he’s a liar.And I suppose you like Gestapos opening kids lunches.Choose your sides kid,it’s crunch time.Stand with the totalitarians,or the Free men.
  - Ray in VT
    
    I find your hyberbole to be grating sometimes. If you think that we live in some sort of totalitarian state, then I think that you have a very poor frame of reference. I have chosen my side, and I have chosen not to stand with any group that would attempt to put up some fool like Santorum as their last best hope. I know that you’ve said that you don’t like him much, and there we can agree. On the other hand, I also think that your libertarian view of society is thoroughly cracked.
    - Modavations
      
      dude that’s not the point.These guys are setting up a Putsch.With whom will you stand
    - Ray in VT
      
      And I think that it is all in your head. If you really believe that there is some sort of communist inspired conspiracy to steal our freedoms, starting with our 100 watt light bulbs, then you may truly just be paranoid.
      
      I will stand with my interests and my beliefs. So it will not be with the social conservatives or the libertarian true believers. I believe that both of those groups, while possibly well intentioned, would end up screwing me and most of the people that I know.
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      I have invited him to move to Somalia, where government is nearly non-existent, and Layzee Faireeys are welcome(?)

Modavations

Because Pres.Obama has quarantined the Gulf 100,000 oil rig men are out of work.They all make $100,000.00 per annum.

Terry Tree Tree

ALL?
Terry Tree Tree

ALL?

Modavations

Because of the cult of Gaia we’re on the verge of war in the Mideast

Modavations

When Pres.Obama was elected ,oil was 40.00 per barrel

Ray in VT

Yup, and we were losing over half of a million jobs per month. If he’s responsible for the rise in the price of a barrel of oil, then surely he’s also responsible for the 750k+ turn around in the job numbers too, right?
- Modavations
  
  Open the friggin gulf and get that pipeline going Mean Streets
  - Ray in VT
    
    If they can prove that they can drill the gulf safely, then they should be able to do so. I believe that the administration recently opened some new areas to exploration. I’m less convinced about this Canadian tar sand oil though.
    - Modavations
      
      Tell that to all the Europeans drilling in the North Sea.The Left loves Humanity,it’s humans they hate.
    - Ray in VT
      
      They are, and they are regulated by the governments up the wazoo. Is that kind of how the right loves America but just hates most Americans?
    - Ray in VT
      
      They are, and they are regulated by the governments up the wazoo. Is that kind of how the right loves America but just hates most Americans?
  - Terry Tree Tree
    
    BP, with Deepwater Horizon OPENED the Gulf! Did you miss it?

Heaviest Cat

o once again a conservative is featured on “public” radio and the guest list lurches to the right with “balance” from the Wash. Post. Where are the voices from the Left who see Santorum as an archaic right wing ideologue whose statements about women and other issues render him unfit to be president?

Heaviest Cat

Not to mention that should he be elected, there might well be a knock on your door mOn. morn. if you weren’t in church yesterday.

notafeminista

Well you can always hope.
Ray in VT

Well, at least I could finally yell at someone to get off of my lawn.
- Modavations
  
  Mean Streets,you have the distinction of being the only adult I know,that has not read Ayn Rand.It is world class literatutre.It was on the curriculum ,right next to Huck Finn ,when I was in High School.Your ignorance astounds.Choose sides kid.The Communists, or the Free men
  - Ray in VT
    
    I know a lot of adults who haven’t read Rand, and the ones whom I know that have don’t have much of anything good to say about it. If it was world class, then surely it would be on Bloom’s lists, but he has apparently chosen to leave it off.
    
    I also reject your assertion that we are somehow locked in a battle with communism. The Cold War is over. The American social welfare state is not Orwell’s Big Brother, and you should know that. Last I checked I was pretty free. I work where I want to; I live where I want to; I read what I want to. Despite what you may think, there is no heavy hand of dictatorship holding me, or you, down.

Roy Mac

This Fosters Freeze guy is a real piece of work–he made zillions in the investment business? Probably best that he keeps himself there–he knows zip about anything that’s being discussed today.

Solar D

Every country has its extremist religious leaders and a minority of the population who mindlessly follow them. Rick Santorium is simply our American Taliban High Priest.

Anonymous

Sorry, but I have many gay and lesbian friends and they are not perverts or bad people. Just like when blacks and whites were legally able to marry, there will be no Apacolypse when same sex marriage is legal. Candidates should not run on Hate.

The Right = Wrong

As an atheist I think if your going to believe in one fairytale you may as well believe in them all. You don’t want to look hypocritical do you.

jay

Caveat: Santorum is a dominionist

Alex

Where are the women? Why does this show not bring a moderate/left woman to give her opinion. If we educate the women in our country there is no way he can be elected.

notafeminista

Why do you assume women aren’t educated already? They’re outnumbering men in universities…
- Scott B, Jamestown NY
  
  The men on the Right certainly treat women as if they aren’t educated, trying to come between a woman and her doctor about her body, and now combat.

Gregg

Wow, these comments are flying. 780 and most of them negative. Santorum must be doing something right. Kudos to On Point for having Foster Friess.

Anonymous

I guess that about 700 plus folks not voting for him if he wins the GOP nomination.

You do realize that if Santorum wins the GOP nomination his chances of wining in the fall are about 0.
- Gregg
  
  Thanks for the question. I honestly believe these times are unique. I don’t believe the sentiments that orchestrated the devastatingly historic elections of 2010 have died. I think that is why the “anti-Romney” candidate of the week has been the story. Romney is a lot of things, most good, but a tea party candidate he is not. Santorum is what he says he is, that’s refreshing. He has core beliefs, Obama can’t find any in his empty suit. I am not afraid of Santorum’s chances.
- Modavations
  
  I love it when Dems.pick the rights canidates
nj

Half of them is incoherent trolling and blather from your soul brother Moda-troll.
Anonymous

Unlike Super PAC donor Foster Friess, some of us need to rely on free media to express our opinions. Of course he did that yesterday on air too.

Sy2502

Santorum embodies everything I find scary and repulsive about extremists. They are so blind and mindless it is impossible for them to turn their own arguments around. Santorum says Obama wants to impose his religious views on contraception on everybody? Actually no, a catholic is still free to not use contraception if she so chooses. But under Santorum, those who can’t afford to pay for contraception out of their own pockets would be forced to not use it. So who’s forcing whose views on everybody, really?
Santorum says he wants people to be free and think for themselves, but actually what he says right after is that the Bible knows best, and therefore it’s what should implemented, whether you like it or believe it, or not. So who’s for independence and free thought really? Not Santorum!
And if Santorum is for bringing religion back into the public life, let’s see his reaction to having Buddhist prayers in school, or Hindu rituals, or learning the Quran. Those are religions too, are they not? But of course he’d hit the roof because he’s not really into bringing religion, but rather Christianity into public life.�
These fundamentalists and extremists are scary because their brain simply doesn’t work on all cylinders, or else the weight of their own hypocrisy would squash them like bugs.

Gregg

” But under Santorum, those who can’t afford to pay for contraception out of their own pockets would be forced to not use it. “

Forced? Who can’t afford 75 cents for a rubber when they are feeling frisky? The government wont buy me a Porche so I am “forced” to drive a beat up pick-up. It makes no sense.
- Modavations
  
  General G,commander of the liberated middle states,we play in the house of the “new castrati”
  - Gregg
    
    True but they sing so pretty.
  - Terry Tree Tree
    
    Stolen Valor?
Scott B, Jamestown NY

Santorum is a “true believer”, and there is no being rational with those people. Once an topic gets beyond actual fact and proof their arguments get wrapped up the heading “Because God did it/says so.” That’s the same faulty logic Newton followed when he couldn’t explain certain things scientifically, saying that it was beyond mankind’s grasp and in God’s domain.

Trii

Although I appreciate the show’s attempt to present an expanded version of Mr. Santorum, I am also a licensed psychologist listening to Mr. Friess and wondering why NPR gave this clearly delusional person a microphone. The beliefs he used to back up his statements were so similar to the monologues of my hospitalized clients, I thought I was still at work.

While I agree that Mr Santorum is a worthy subject for On Point to cover, more balanced, sane and analytic guests would be appreciated.

Rhatch

I couldn’t have said it better. Just finished listening, and I’m shocked that Friess was given such a forum for ramble on and on, presenting fringe ideas. Like your comparison
to ‘your clients’
Modavations

Do you prescribe Adderal to kids???
- Terry Tree Tree
  
  Trying to solicit some more ‘chemicals’?
Gregg

Does your “license” enable you do diagnose via radio waves?

Anonymous

Will one of the proponents of the “Christian Nation” school please explain what this foolishness means? What are the “morals” and “values” exclusive to Christianity which none of the billions of other people throughout time have had access to? More appropriately, what are the Christian values supposedly practiced in this country today? It certainly can’t involve sex in any way, as we are the horniest people in the history of people, as evidenced by the rampant sexual content in television, movies, magazines, music, the internet, etc., etc.,etc. It can’t be reverence for marriage. The divorce rate in this country has hovered around fifty percent for decades, and marital infidelity is more popular than ever, even among pious hypocrites like Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Baker, Bill Clinton, and Newt Gingrich. Observance of the Sabbath? Nah. The shopping malls are filled with Christian sinners every Sunday, unless there are a lot more Jews and Muslims than I thought. And who can observe the sabbath when they have tickets on the fifty yard line? How about concern for the poor, the meek, the lesser among us? Wrong again. We despise no one more than we despise the poor, the meek, and the lesser among us, except, perhaps those pesky homosexuals. Unless they’re priests. If we condemn their homosexual rape we’re accused of a war on Catholicism. Given the FACT that christian tenets of belief and behavior are practiced by a tiny fraction of supposed Christian believers, it would seem that claiming the mantle of “Christian Nation” is an undeserved bunch of baloney. Doesn’t one have to practice the the tenets of a belief system in order to claim membership?

Modavations

All right you 4 yr.olds.Put your hands in the air and step away from those lunchboxes.Stand Up Warriors.They want to tell us what to eat,what to feed our kids,what cars to drive,what light bulbs to use.Stand Up

notafeminista

For those of you who say we aren’t a Christian nation, to whom does the Declaration of Independence refer to in,”..endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights”?

Anonymous

One needn’t be a Christian to believe in a creator. And the Declaration was a letter to King George, not a legal document having anything to do with the formation of a new nation.
- Gregg
  
  Your first sentence was brilliant, insightful and not only pithily well said but much needed. Awesome, really.
  
  Your second was the biggest bunch of BS I recall reading.
  - notafeminista
    
    Nor does it answer the question.
    - Anonymous
      
      Please find the words GOD or CREATOR anywhere in the body of the constitution, other than the signatory page. If God was so important to the framers, it would seem very sloppy of them to have forgotten to mention his significance throughout the entirety of the document that created this “Christian” nation.
    - Gregg
      
      Santorum said it best, the Constitution is the “how” of America, the Declaration is the “why”.
    - Ray in VT
      
      I can agree with Santorum on that. But the text of the how does seem to have been intentionally devoid of religious references. It begins with “We the people”, not God, the Creator or Jesus. It is a work of man, and a very good one at that. Flawed in some ways at the beginning, but some of those flaws have been fixed over time.
    - Anonymous
      
      The why was self-evident, so to speak. The “How”, which is the blueprint for everything this country is, makes no mention of God, Christianity, or any other religious allusions. I reiterate, that was one big omission for the creators of a Christian Nation.
    - notafeminista
      
      You’ve not answered the question.
    - Anonymous
      
      If you believe the Declaration of the Independence is the foundation of this country, your question doesn’t deserve an answer. Maybe you can into that history 101 class with Gregg.
    - Gregg
      
      How true. I would answer it but I don’t want to give it away. It’ll mean more if they get it on their own. It’s so tricky.
      
      How does an idea as big as America form? I mean, it’s a great idea for the founders to fathom but how do you write it down? The task is to take a concept and hone it into a set of ideals. Where do you start?
      
      “When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people
      to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another,
      and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal
      station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a
      decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should
      declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
      “
      
      I get chills.
    - notafeminista
      
      Indeed.
      
      “And for the support of this Declaration,with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”
    - Anonymous
      
      Give what away? That people are mixing up the two documents? Or is it the use of 18th century language that is somewhat harder to unpack than what is being used now.
      The idea formed from Founders spending a lot of time talking about their grievances with the crown.
      You also have to remember that there were those who disagreed with the idea of separating with the crown.
      New York and South Carolina were both heavily leaning towards the Tories.
      You seem to be romanticizing the era and the events.
      
      It is clear to me that religion was not at the forefront of the idea of what the Founders had. The rule of law was foremost at the helm. Hence the Bill of Rights or the first ten Amendments of the Constitution. If it was not this then why do we have this document, and why is there a Supreme Court? If we were meant to be a Christian nation why is there not a court made up of clergy as well?
      
      I see the opposite, and the 1st Amendment seems to back me up: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,
      
      To me, and I’m not a Constitutional scholar or lawyer, to me this means that we are not a Christian nation, but a nation in which I can freely practice my religion without the fear of my government telling that I can’t and that they will not pass any law that establishes a doctrine that does make such claims.
      
      You can’t have it both ways, if you are going to be a Conservative and go on about the Constitution and adhering to it, which I hear a lot of in the tea party, then it would seem to me that the 1st Amendment is pretty much established as law. Which means, we are not bound by the laws of the New Testament, nor the Vatican Council.
  - Anonymous
    
    Apparently, you’re as stupid as I’ve heard. Maybe you can cite some instances where the Declaration of Independence was used to establish case law or settle a question of constitutional legitimacy.
    - Gregg
      
      So now the “formation of a new nation” is dependent on “case law”? That’s rich.
    - Anonymous
      
      If there’s a community college near you, maybe you can sign up for a course in U.S. History 101.
    - Gregg
      
      Alrighty then.
    - Modavations
      
      Only dummies go to Community Colleges.Generals of the emancipated middle states don”t
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      Stolen Valor?
    - Anonymous
      
      Gee, I thought you went to B.C.
- Modavations
  
  Hey kids,this guy arbols and arbols.If you want to succeed in life do exactly the opposite of what this man says
  - Anonymous
    
    You make Gregg and your Valkyrie look like a couple of geniuses. No mean feat, that.
Modavations

You just don’t understand “Not A”,it’s an evolving document
- Anonymous
  
  That’s the Constitution, bonehead.
http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/3ETFGMQ3B7VD4AAMILBBEVMCWE JasonA

Jefferson was a Diest…not a Christian, and certainly NOT one of the Republican clowns who call themselves “Christian”.
- Modavations
  
  Hang em,no stone em
  - Terry Tree Tree
    
    Moda advocates violence against Republican ‘Christians’?
    - Modavations
      
      Terry Advocates molesting kids and setting fires
Scott B, Jamestown NY

They said “Creator”, not which creator. They also only said “Lord” once, but only in a manner that was commonly used in the time: “day or our Lord”. Not “Lord and saviour”, not “Lord thy God”, not “Lord Jesus Christ”.
Anonymous

You need to read it more carefully.
God and nature are on equal footing.
It’s clearly a letter to King George laying out grievances and declaring the right to act on them as Englishmen. In short, it was declaring the intentions to sever all ties with Great Britain and the crown.
It is not a document that is about the colonies being or even becoming a theocracy. It uses language of the day, as well as ideas that are more to do with the humanist ideals of the time.

Also what do you think they meant when they wrote: That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
— That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments
long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by
abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of
these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.

The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should
be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

For the rest here’s a link: http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/
Zero

Where is the word “Jesus” in the Declaration of Independence? You need to look up a philosophical movement called the Enlightenment. It caused a lot of revolutions and secular doctrines, which ensure democracy. Our Constitution is a secular document with not one word of “God.” Guess what that means? …God does not exist in American Law…at least on paper.

Moreover, what makes you think Jefferson meant the Christian God in the Declaration of Independence? Jefferson wasn’t a Christian–he liked some of the morals, but completely rejected the miracles. “God” means many things to many people, and to think it means “Jesus” would be to go against the first amendment. To say that this is a “Christian Nation” is to exclude other people of other faiths. Nay, we are equal, and the Jew is just as American as you!

If you don’t believe me, then read the first Commandment and then read the first Amendment–are they conflicting or simpatico?
- notafeminista
  
  I said Creator. Try decaf. It tastes the same.
  - Zero
    
    So, Creator is not God? What the hell do you mean? Since when does Creator mean Jesus?
  - Zero
    
    And you always do this crap–you ask so far out question that almost never makes sense and that is never meant to be answered, just so you can feel correct about something that the evidence suggest otherwise.
nj

For damn sure, not Christ.

Are you being deliberately obtuse?
- TFRX
  
  That’s Nota’s default mode.
  - notafeminista
    
    Neither of you answered the question…although to say it’s NOT Christ is correct. To whom does it refer?
    - TFRX
      
      The creator means “born in someone”. Not “granted and retracted by the whim of the king, who claims himself to be God’s man on earth”.
      
      That means “You can fight about God, and fight about country, but when you start conflating the two, you’re losing.”
      
      No point trying to talk sense to you.
    - Anonymous
      
      When the Supreme Court bases a decision, any decision, even one concerning religion, on the Declaration of Independence, I’ll give you an answer to your meaningless non sequitur.

Gregg

My primary in NC on May 8 get’s curiouser and curiouser. A few weeks ago the only political ads I was seeing/hearing were for Newt. No more, now I’m seeing anti-Santorum ads from “Restore our Future” which upon cursory investigation appears to be a Romney PAC. It’s all curious because I can’t imagine it lasting until then. It usually doesn’t. NC is a gamble when it comes to campaign investments. I kind of understand Newt when he was hot and strategically going for the kill in the South. It’s a leap of faith but it’s Newt. But Romney? He’s supposed to have it all wrapped up by then. Isn’t he? I won’t mention the “B” word … yet.

The last time I posted such a comment several others responded from all over this great land what they were hearing. That was great. You can’t get that information on cable. What’s a forum like this for anyway?

Ray in VT

It’s a weird year, isn’t it? I haven’t been paying a whole lot of attention as to how the GOP primaries are dividing up the delegates. There was some proportional allocation early on, but are most of them back to winner take all? Not that I watch a whole lot of tv, but I can’t recall having seen a single one in weeks on the local stations here.
Terry Tree Tree

They just announced that Tennessee, with primary on March 6, will get political ads starting Feb 16.

notafeminista

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/15/school-lunch-guidelines-p_n_1278803.html

It seems in fact, the child’s lunch was deemed “not healthy.” To give 1/2 gram of credit to the state (only partially deserved) ..this is what happens when parents refuse to behave like adults. Kids are sent to school with no lunch or a junk lunch …the state intervenes, and the rest of us are stuck with the lunch police.

Ray in VT

It seems like a weird situation. My kids get chips only rarely, and my older one would live on pb&j if we let him, but that lunch wasn’t too bad compared to some of the things that I see some little kids sent to school with. I know that my local school has taken some pretty positive steps to limit the processed foods in school lunches and to provide as many fruits and veggies as they can. By and large we do not eat very well as a people.
- Modavations
  
  Time to decide Mean Streets.The Communist or the Free man
  - Ray in VT
    
    See my comments elsewhere.
    - Modavations
      
      Absolutely everyone has red Ayn Rand.Find new friends,
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      Presented with evidence to the contrary, Moda says “Absolutely everyone has red Ayn Rand.Find new friends,”
      The spelling and other mistakes are part of the quote?
    - Modavations
      
      Sikh Indians,not Sick Indians
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      ONE, to your thousands?
    - Ray in VT
      
      No they haven’t , and if half of the world treated it like the Bible, then there would truly be no hope for humanity. I like my friends just fine. Hardworking, kind, friendly and thoughtful all of them.
    - Modavations
      
      You’re a friggijn reactionary.You haven’t read it.Go stand in your corner
    - Anonymous
      
      Once again, PLEASE, look up the definition of the word “reactionary.”
    - Anonymous
      
      We should all keep a copy of Rand’s work in our bathrooms. Then we’d have something to use for those times we left t.p. off the grocery list.
  - Terry Tree Tree
    
    Moda whines about name-calling?
Modavations

The kids lunch(according to mums)was a turkey-cheese sammy,a banana,potato chips and Apple Juice.But that’s not the point.Lunch Gestapos are the point

http://www.facebook.com/people/Dan-Egan/1526051316 Dan Egan

Reagan bailed out Chrylser in the 1980′s.
Why was that okay– but not when Obama does it???

Ray in VT

The Daily Show ran a nice montage a year or two back of Reagan saying something, Obama saying pretty much the same thing and then a bunch of Fox News talking heads attacking Obama for what he said. Is was pretty funny.
- Scott B, Jamestown NY
  
  It’s a sad state of affairs when the truth gets laid bare on a fake news show. But, thank the powers that be that someone’s doing it!
Anonymous

Republicans long ago decide to ignore the inconvenient truths of their Messiah’s time in office. His multiple tax increases and budget deficits, sins which they would loudly condemn if overseen by a Democratic president such as, oh, let’s say Barack Obama, are treated as if they simply never happened. So much for principled beliefs.
Scott B, Jamestown NY

It’s that “selective memory” thing again. They also for get that Reagan raised taxes 4 times, and with bi-partisan agreement and compromise.

They also “forget” that he said, “We’re going to close the unproductive tax loopholes that allow some of the truly wealthy to avoid paying their fair share. In
theory, some of those loopholes were understandable, but in practice
they sometimes made it possible for millionaires to pay nothing, while a
bus driver was paying ten percent of his salary, and that’s crazy. Do
you think the millionaire ought to pay more in taxes than the bus driver or less?”

http://www.facebook.com/people/Dan-Egan/1526051316 Dan Egan

Unhappy with the rise of secularism???
We’re a SECULAR country !!! GRRRR
I hope he gets the nomination– Obama will destroy him.

Troutski_747

I am a resident of Jackson Hole. I am a Wyoming native, as was my father, as was his father. I truly resent Foster Freiss deigning to speak for the bulk of us because he moved here to take advantage of the favorable tax advantages to living here. Wyoming has no inventory tax, no personal income tax.

Wyoming has always been, and always will be a “live and let live” state. What matters out here is what you are and what you show yourself to be, not what others think you ought to be.

Santorum is a creepy guy. Anybody who takes his dead baby home to play with for a couple of days is just too weird. It’s good that Santorum ahs a pet millionaire in Friess but just because they’re talking the loudest doesn’t make him right, nor their csause just.

Modavations

Ok you four year olds.Put your hands in the air and slowly back away from those lunch pails.Have any of you been approached by a bible?Are any of your parents Republicans.If they are I want their names and addresses right now.What the F-ck.Whatever happened with Gibson Guitar?.Okay you guys,put those pics down,hands in the air and back slowly from those dangerous guitars.The clouds darkened over Mordor as The Free Men massed in the valleys to confront the fascist

Ray in VT

There is a specter haunting North Carolina, and that specter is the lunch police! Junk food eaters of the world unite! They can take our Pringles, but they can never take our freedom!
- Anonymous
  
  I read that story from several sources. It’s a real stinker if it’s true. They had the child eat chicken nuggets. She had a turkey sandwich with cheese, a banana, some chips and apple juice. How is it that mystery meat is better than a packed lunch? I always went to school with a packed lunch, I don’t remember anyone searching our Batman lunch boxes.
  - Modavations
    
    I’m writiing this day down.Pissant finally gets it
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      Moda whines about name-calling?
    - Modavations
      
      Not anymore son.Let em rip
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      YOU have been, for months! Where did I resort to name-calling?
    - Ray in VT
      
      Well, it is about what I expect from south of the Mason-Dixon. Hey, that kids got milk! Give ‘em a Coke and a Slim Jim instead!
    - Modavations
      
      Report back when you’ve read Ayn Rand
    - Ray in VT
      
      You’ll be waiting a long time then. I’ve got way better things on my plate.
    - Modavations
      
      Ignorance is not a virtue son.I would never admit that I hadn’t read it.
    - Ray in VT
      
      Ignorance is a virtue in the GOP these days. You can’t be a serious candidate if you believe in evolution or climate change. I don’t think that I would admit to having read it. I might read some of her objectivist crap, but only to truly explore how twisted it really is.
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      Moda whines about name-calling?
    - Modavations
      
      If someone was Greeeeedy Rich and a Pervert Priest..would he be a Greeeeedy Priest,Grrrrrrreeeedy Priest Priest.Grrrreeeeedy Priest,Priest Greeedy.It’s confusing
  - TFRX
    
    You’re right, it’s a stinker.
    
    Please, please tell me you’re about to be appointed managing editor of a big newspaper. People with your “smell test” instincts are severly underrepresented in the mainstream media.
    - TFRX
      
      Ugh: The story isn’t true. That all the usual suspects here chomped down on the baitless hook is a stinker.
The Right = Wrong

I think You have the most post’s on here, you are motivated. Live with mom?
- Anonymous
  
  ADHD methinks.
  - Terry Tree Tree
    
    Moda said so!
    - Modavations
      
      TTT,my spies tell me you were down the Elementary School in a Brown shirt and Swastika.You were peeking into the kiddies lunch bags.This of course ,is an improvement.You ,weren’t molesting them
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      ‘Chemical’ hallucinations? Guppy is limited to ‘spying’ in his own aquarium?
    - Modavations
      
      If one were looking for a good Pedophile site,what would you recommend?
Terry Tree Tree

Stolen Valor?
- Modavations
  
  We got lucky yesterday.Last Fri.TTT posted over thirty times about Pervert,Homo,Pedophile Priests.Yesterday would have been a perfect forum for you to smash the record,.C’est la vie.I guess you spent the day under the hoses,sleeping it off.
  - Modavations
    
    TTT,I’ve lowered myself into the gutter with the rest of you rats.You can expect the name calling,hence forth.
    - Modavations
      
      TTT,it’s Sikh Indians,not Sick Indians,altough in you case….By the way what is the name of that fake Indian Professor.Oh yeah,Ward Churchill from Colorado.
    - Modavations
      
      Bleat # 4
      Look at me,look at me I’m a Volunteer Fireman and the junkies stole all our hoses and pawned them.You only got Bleat 4 in a few times and Pervert Priests,10times(Bleat # 3).What a pity,but for the Hang Over and late start you could have smashed your previous record
      
      Last year Unions gave 200 million to Democrats.Just last year alone.
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      ONE spelling mistake, that you keep yammering about, while getting it wrong! I spelled it ‘sich’.
      Sikh is NOT in my day-to-day writing?
      YOUR spelling, punctuation, and grammar mistakes are LEGION!
    - Modavations
      
      Terry where did you attend University?I can assure you all my mistakes are from sloth.You’re not worth my effort to go back and edit.Besides,you’ll do it for me.
      
      Sick Indians
      No Terry,Sikh Indians.
      The French Guppy says�
      Bon Jour Monsieur le Sot.I”ll translate…
      Good Morning Mr.Dolt
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      You lowered yourself into the gutter, actually the sewer, long ago!
      You choose to stay there? Whether others join you, or not?
  - Terry Tree Tree
    
    Moda, It’s easy for people to read your comments, and mine, to determine who they think is under the influence or alcohol, or other substances?
    I have no worries about the outcome!
    - Modavations
      
      Let me see,Famous Dopers that I know
      !.Bill Clinton with a nose like a Hoover
      2.Pres.Obama-read his book
      3.Newt_I was in College and I did like all College kids do
      4.Steve Jobs-Headed for the Opium dens of India and Himalayas
      5.Gates
      6.Wozniak
      7.One half of the Manhattan Police Dept
      
      Straight a-s fruit cakes,with no real world grounding TTT
- Modavations
  
  What’s this stolen valor.Is this one of your homosexual riffs,someone explain
Terry Tree Tree

Lead/mercury delusion flashbacks?
- Modavations
  
  Terry that must have been one hell of a hangover yesterday.We didn’t see you all day.I figured you were either burning down the countryside being a fire bug,or molesting your kids like the Pervert Priests did to you.
  - Terry Tree Tree
    
    Completely unfounded accusations, to offset my repeats of your own statements of your problems?
    I am very acustomed to people that do nothing, or very little, to help their fellow man woman and child, to accuse me of wild behavior. PROVE IT, or you are just trying to mis-direct people’s attention from your very obvious flaws!
    - Modavations
      
      Prove Mercury has affected me you pissant.My Dr. will attest to my phenomenal health
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      Moda whines about name-calling?
    - Modavations
      
      Could you recommend a good Pedophile Sight?
- Modavations
  
  Una Pregunta Senor…
  If Bush was a rich PervertPriest,Firebug would he be
  A Bush,Pervert,Firebug Priest Greeeeeedy Rich,or a Grreeeedy,Pervert Priest,Bush Did it,Fire Bug.In your hysterical woman’s world world I get confused

Modavations

Every week Soros funded, left wing hit teams meet in Washington to strategize.The WhiteHouse sits in with these guys and David Brocks, Media Matters leads the way.Their goal is the political assasination of any one who stands in their way.Fox news is the bete noir. .This is directed from the White House.This is the NAZI,the Fascisti..Stand Up

Anonymous

You are such a bore. You know the story about the boy who cried wolf to many times…
JayB

These words, “Nazi,” “fascisti,”… I do not think they mean what you think they mean.
- Modavations
  
  Fascist….Companies stay in private hands and the tyrant owns the bosses;ie,,,,Solyndra,GM.
  NAZI=National Workers Socialist Party

Modavations

Gas at $5.50 per gallon.Boy oh boy that will do wonders for the economy.Stand Up

Laura

I was disappointed that the producers of this show gave so much air time to Foster Freiss. He is using his money to buy much more “speech” than the rest of us get. Now On Point is giving him additional free air time simply because he is wealthy and trying to buy a presidential candidate (without asking any hard questions about this topic). I hope giving air time to wealthy campaign donors does not become a trend.

Scott B, Jamestown NY

The best argument against what Freiss and Santorum stand for is to let them talk themselves into the proverbial, and inevitable, corner.
- Bruce
  
  I think I know what Santorum stands for–Faith, Family and Freedom which pretty well captures the flat earth, Religious Right’s obsession with God, Gays and Guns–code for the following:
  
  Faith = It’s my God or the highway
  
  Family = After we’re done bashing them, yes we
  can pray away the gay
  
  Freedom = Happiness is a warm gun and nobody’s
  taking my 2d Amendment rights away
  
  A new mantra for the GOP’s new frontrunner.
  - Gregg
    
    Faith, Family and Freedom are not bad things. Have we fallen that far?
    - Bruce
      
      When “faith” and “family” are used as a pretext for denying women reproductive freedom and denying gays equal rights, and when the GOP politicizes birth control to curry favor with evangelical wingnuts, yes, we have fallen that far.
      
      The year is 2012, but the best the GOP can offer is the tired culture war rhetoric from bygone eras…when Jim Crow predominated and women were treated as second-class citizens.
      
      What a sham the Republican Primary contest has become. And so far as the GOP is concerned, what a haven for misogynistic, homophobic miscreants the Party of Lincoln has become.

Cook Brandong

I’m actually a bit ashamed of On Point this evening as I was listening to the Rick Santorum portion. This isn’t even because of it focusing on a radical conservative, but because of the host not keeping to being as unbiased as he could. The first caller he ushered out quickly as he could when she wasn’t spouting pure “Go Conservatives” “Go santorum”

Beyond that I find Santorum is frightening. He isn’t an honest face, his faith ISN’T removed from politics, and the constant slippery slope falacies that he loves to rely on during his politics.

Being a registered independant, if it came to Obama and Romney, at least no matter who I voted for, I could feel that the person in office has the good of the people in mind. Hell even Gingrich I’d be more comfortable with in office if I had to fall that way. Santorum though, doesn’t strike me as having the good of the American people in hand. More so the good of the Conservative christian/catholic people.

Another thing that is incredibly unforgivable in my eyes is when they start spouting how this is a Christian country based off christian beliefs. (Etc. etc.) That isn’t quite true, the founding fathers were a mix of deists and various Christians. However the way the country has been built is to rely around ALL religions. The republican nominees this turn of the election seem to love putting religion fore-front and to be attempting to avoid anything that may have to do with common sense economics.
(Common sense economics, in example, being you can only cut so much out of a budget before you’re harming the people as a whole. At some point you need have to start boosting the country’s income. Its the equivalent of cutting out not just excess from a tower, but also weakening key structures without re-enforcing said weakened areas.)

Tuco

this Santorum is a Joke! He has no chance to beat Obama. Santorum’s religious ideas have no place in the current political scene. I particularly want religion out of anything related to the goverment. Religious views are something personal and people should keep their reigious vews in their houses and churches. Santorum is as scary a Backman and Palin.

Gregg

I love Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann.
- Ray in VT
  
  Ugh. Why? I think that maybe they’re even fruitier than Santorum, and I’d take Newt over any of them. Newt may be kind of slimy, but I’ll take that over some true believer that gets his or her “history” from people like David Barton.
  - Gregg
    
    Usually the kind of gumption it takes for a mother interested in her children’s education to join the PTA the go on to be Mayor is celebrated. If that woman gains enough knowledge and respect for the Governor to appoint her ethics chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission usually it’s a big deal and again celebrated. But then to have the guts and ethical standing to call out the corruption that went all the way up to Murkowski, resign in protest and go on to beat Murkowski (the epitome of old boy establishment politics) for Governor is where she really impressed me. Then Vice-Presidential Nominee. When she made that speech at the 2008 convention it was remarkable. I didn’t want it to end. She is the most vilified and demonized political figure of our time and has the strong core values not to be swayed and the grace not to be ruled by the hate she gets. That’s why.
    
    Yet it all gets reduced to she’s “fruity”, fine.
    - Anonymous
      
      The presence of core values doesn’t preclude the presence of stupidity. When every other word out of a candidates mouth elicits a collective “huh?” from the electorate, it’s hard to imagine how anyone can find that candidate inspirational. A montage of Sarah’s brain dead statements, gleaned from her interviews and press conferences would be a fine addition to anyone’s collection of comedy masterpieces.
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      Like the volumes of ‘Bushisms’?
    - Modavations
      
      Bleat # 1
      Bush did it,Bush did it
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      You’re RIGHT! ‘�
      He sure DID, repeatedly! Made a mess of English language, so MANY times!
    - Ray in VT
      
      Gumption I’ll give her, but I’d also call her factually challenged and, based upon some of her interviews and appearances on Fox News, intellectually rather shallow. I’m not saying that she’s dumb, but I don’t see a whole lot of evidence of nuanced thought or deep consideration of issues. She has a way with crowds, but she often comes off to me as snarky and kindof glib.
      
      She strikes me as a bit of an opportunist and self promoter who parlayed the VP run into a media cash cow. I just don’t like her politics, or those of Michele Bachmann, and I would not want either of them making decisions that affect my families in any great way.
    - Anonymous
      
      Only an opportunist would abandon the governorship granted to her by the people of Alaska in order to “help the Republican party.”
    - Anonymous
      
      By the way, since you’re too kind to say it, I will. She is dumb. She makes George W. look thoughtful by comparison.
    - Ray in VT
      
      I do try to be kind. One thing that bothers me about some of the current crop of GOP leaders is the credence that they give to pseudo-historians like David Barton. Do you know anything about him? If not, then I would recommend checking him out. He promotes this Christian nationalism sort of perspective and makes some very ahistorical claims.
    - Gregg
      
      I’ve heard of him and found him quite interesting. I don’t necessarily agree with (or know) all he says. I’m not smart enough to know where he is ahistorical but that stuff is so subject to interpretation I rarely put much stock in any of it.
    - Ray in VT
      
      There is interpretation, and then there’s outright distortion. His writings seem to fall into the latter.
    - Gregg
      
      I’m more concerned about Obama using “My Brother’s keeper” to imply Jesus would raise taxes.
    - Modavations
      
      He’s the He’s the Wall Builders guy.Figures this kid likes him.barton’s a NeoNazi,Christian Nationalist.Mr.Ignorance is probably a religious freak
    - Ray in VT
      
      We can actually agree on this.
    - Modavations
      
      If you recommend him I’ll make sure not to read him
    - Ray in VT
      
      In that case I highly recommend him, but I order you not to read The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars.
    - Gregg
      
      You can’t be dumb and accomplish what she has accomplished. To think otherwise is dumb. To think George W. Bush was not thoughtful is dumb. But the dumbest thing is to think so based on the shallow, hateful propaganda fed from the left.
    - Anonymous
      
      My opinion of Palin has nothing to do with propaganda from the left. It comes from my ability to HEAR. Your belief that people can’t hear an individuals words and draw conclusions based on those words is dumb, as is your your contention that accomplishment in the political realm somehow bestows gravitas on simpletons.
    - Gregg
      
      Alrighty then.
    - TFRX
      
      Don’t call her dumb. She’s just ambitious.
      
      Well, plus intellectually lazy, duplicitous, and possessing a demonstrated half-assedness which shines through in everything she starts to accomplish.
      
      (Okay, I wanted to compliment Palin, but I couldn’t get past her “signal to noise” ratio of qualities.)
    - Gregg
      
      I guess that’s fair as long as you don’t think she told Katie she can’t read or that she said she could see Russia from her front porch… or she thought the revolution was in 1773. If you’ve read her facebook posts that have certainly shaped public opinion (agree with her or not) and concluded she’s shallow, I can’t imagine how you got there but cool. I don’t really need to argue about it.
    - Ray in VT
      
      I think that she did say that she reads all of the newspapers, though. I don’t really read what any politician or celebrity puts out via social media. It just isn’t my thing. Maybe she does say some worthwhile things there. I’m sure with some time and proofreading then she can put some articulate thoughts together, but I also think of her interpretation of Paul Revere’s Ride and that “death panel” garbage she spouted. Yeah, and I know gaffes happen.
    - Gregg
      
      Okay, let’s refrain from a discussion on the accuracy of the phrase “Death Panels” which is no easy feat for me. You have to admit Sarah Palin alone with that quote shifted the paradigm in America. It was huge. Say or believe what you will but her influence is undeniable. My favorite Liberal in the whole world is Camile Paglia. If you take a notion read her opinion on the matter.
- Anonymous
  
  To have seen Palin or Bachmann as the Republican nominee would have been a dream come true. The comic relief would have provided a soothing balm for these troubled times.

Edith

Many years ago I read an article about Rick Santorum. It might have been in the Washington Post or perhaps the Washingtonian, I can’t remember which. It was when he was still a senator and it just talked about his life. One of the things it mentioned was baby Gabriel. I think it said that his wife had written about this in a book. Basically, what stuck out most in my mind from the article was, wow, these people took home a dead baby. That has nothing to do with Catholicism. That is just really weird. And I pushed it out of my mind and with time began to question if I even remembered correctly what I’d read because it was so weird. But then here he is again, running for the nomination of the Republican party. And you can find this information on the internet. It’s true. I did actually read correctly. You can say whatever you want about it being a way of dealing with grief. It’s weird. I think the hospital should have had grief counselors on the premises and persuaded the family not to do this. There are probably health risks involved in taking a dead body home for your children to hold. I don’t know. And then they write about it; it’s part of the public record. Can you imagine your neighbor doing this? You would be like, those folks are the Addams family. Macabre. I’m sure he’s a nice guy but that’s creepy. I wouldn’t choose someone like this to be my leader.

notafeminista

Right. Be afraid of someone and/or something you don’t understand. Would that be the tolerance or the openness showing?

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

Greenspan’s cognitive dissonance reminds of many on this board.

Trying at the same time to claim a respect for sound money, and defend the discretionary economic (mis)management of our country right into the ground.

The utter nonsense that Greenspan and his policies represent libertarian/austrian economic thinking, just because he wrote and essay on it in his early years, while allowing his personal ambition and hubris to leave it at the door as Fed Chairman.

When people discard this reality, and try to discard the libertarian/austrian viewpoint on our economic reality, they are being dishonest, and, throwing out an important perspective on what our problems have been/are.

But what’s a little cognitive dissonance to a good partisan?

http://www.lewrockwell.com/mcmaken/mcmaken132.html

“…Greenspan’s very few actual contributions to the field of free market economics is his 1966 essay “Gold and Economic Freedom” which provides an eloquent defense of gold and sound money. The fact that Greenspan spent the entirety of his career at The Fed working against sound money illustrates the sort of philosophical conviction possessed by Alan Greenspan. Greenspan was so at home with cognitive dissonance, in fact, that years later, when Congressman Ron Paul gave Greenspan a copy of “Gold and Economic Freedom” and asked the Chairman if he’d like to add a disclaimer, Greenspan responded “No…I wouldn’t change a single word.”"
“Greenspan, before the burst of the tech and stock market bubble in 2000, had already begun claiming that it was impossible to predict or manage bubbles. Greenspan, however, never explained why the Fed bothered to employ economists and computer models since identifying trends and bubbles had become futile in his mind.”

“Today, those who still defend Greenspan’s policies, if not the man himself, maintain that “no one” predicted the bubble and the crash. This isn’t true, of course. The predictions of economists and investors who predicted the crash are well documented. But, Greenspan, The Maestro, said that everything was fine, so those with actual insight were ridiculed and ignored.”

Combine this with the “Rule of Law or Rule of Central Bankers” and anyone but a devoted Central Planner should be feeling ill about where we are.

You guys are pretty smart, you’ll get there……

http://www.cato.org/pubs/journal/cj30n3/cj30n3-3.pdf

Baaaaa….Baaaaaa…

“Yet, even with the end of the Greenspan era, little has changed. As Sheehan shows, Bernanke has made Greenspan look almost timid in his quest for debt, bailouts and endless leveraging.”

Gregg

It takes a little while for movements to reach the top. 2010 saw the tea party influence manifested it the historic takeover in the House. But we still need to get rid of the Socialist.

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2010/08/american-socialists-release-names-of-70-congressional-democrats-in-their-caucus/

If in 2012 Republicans expand the House and can take the Senate along with the Presidency then whoever the President is will be beholden to the movement.

TomK in Boston

That is some alt universe you live in, Gregg. Obama is well to the right of every post-war GoP president. Calling him a socialist is a bizarre, facts-don’t-matter remark that suggests extreme brainwashing, at least on planet earth.

I have some hope that the middle class will wake up to the realization that the righty pols are serving their paymasters and screwing the American people. Then we can start to take America back for the rest of us. We don’t need need a new system, we just need to return to the system that worked so well before the disastrous failed experiment with reagan voodoo economics started in 1980. I say “failed” because it is failing everyone but the oligarchs, but it’s really a success, as it is designed to redistribute wealth to the top, with “trickle down” propaganda from Tom’s pet righty think tanks and innocent dupes like you providing cover.

Return taxes at the top to past levels, re-regulate the financial sector, return to support of unions, return to ambitious gvt domestic projects, reconsider national health care, end outsourcing via phony free trade, and we’ll be in great shape. Follow what you want and that righty time machine will plant us squarely in the sweatshop era of the late 19′th/early 20′th century.

Lotsa luck beating President Obama with the current crop of bozos.
- Gregg
  
  I didn’t call Obama a Socialist, I referred to the 70 Congressional socialist I linked. But I suppose I could make a case if pushed.
  
  Your vision for America frightens me, I like my chances with the bozos.
Ray in VT

Looks about as on the up and up as the Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion. If you click on the “announcement” it goes to some anti-Obama site. Looks like some low cost right wing hatchet job.
- Modavations
  
  As opposed to Media Matters colluding with the Fascisti in the White House
  - Ray in VT
    
    Those who lean fascist, trying to merge the political and the business interests to run the country, checked out back in January 2009.
    - Modavations
      
      What would you call someone who demanded to check your kids lunch pail?What would you call an EPA that declares Hay a pollutant?.What would you call a Fish and Wildlife Dept.that raids Gibson Guitar and after seven months refuses to make a charge?What would you call a govt.who harasses a Quaker selling Organic Milk to the point where he closes his entire farm?
      
      What would I call a man who hasn;’t read Ayn Rand and who refuses to do so.I’d call him an intellectual poser
    - Gregg
      
      You’re all over it perfessor.
    - Modavations
      
      Kids a punk.Do you know any one that hasn’t read Ayn Rand.It was mandatory when I was in High School.He probably never read Huck Finn,because the Bernie Sanders types are offended by the word Nig-ger and banned it
    - Ray in VT
      
      At least I’m not a jerk. Rand is trash. You must have had some second rate teachers to inflict that upon you. My condolences. The only time that I’ve encountered book banning attempts up here is when evangelicals have tried to get Harry Potter or Darwin out of public libraries. Don’t you have some gems to poslish or something?
    - Modavations
      
      How can you possibly say that if you’ve never read her.I’m dumbfounded
    - Modavations
      
      Hey Poser.Not reading Ayn Rand is the equivalent of not viewing the Mona Lisa because someone told you she’s Republican.Rascists are born of such premediated,willful ignorance
    - Ray in VT
      
      I’ll trust the opinion of the greatest living literary critic on this one. I’ve got better things to do than read her tripe. You wanna talk about willful ignorance , then look at the long litany of bs that you spout off here regularly. Only someone deranged or blinded by ideology could be so foolish.
    - Ray in VT
      
      The first one’s strange. I would say that hay can be a pollutant. Ever hear of Farmer’s Lung? Being a city boy that’s freaked out by cows, then I would suspect not. My boss is a music guy, and he’s pretty familiar with the Gibson case. Don’t want to get in trouble, then don’t import banned products. Was the guy selling raw milk? How about those 38 people sickened in 4 states from drinking raw milk that was contaminated with some bacteria?
      
      Given the flat out crazy, factually inacurrate bunk that you continually post and repost here, I often don’t even think that you rank as an intellectual poser. How’s that new Finnish government doing dismantling their national health care system. Rand isn’t worth my time. Second rate, at best, fiction, and third rate philosophy.
    - Modavations
      
      What would you call a govt that closes the rigs of the gULF IDLING 100,000 WORKERS THAT MAKE 100,000.00 PER ANNUM WHILE THEY DRILL OFF Cuba,90 miles from Miami
    - Ray in VT
      
      What would you call a government that lets everything just go along all hunky dorey following a tremendous natural disaster? Probably a good one, because it’s not doing anything. If Cuba wants to drill, then fine. Maybe we can ship some of our shoddy practices down there and damage their coasts.
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      PRUDENT, after that determinedly negligent itsy little 5 Billion gallon spill?
- Gregg
  
  I guess that’s the first reaction if one suspects protestations from those like me are too far out to be credible. That’s what makes it so dastardly.
  
  Nikita Khrushchev wrote: “We
  can’t expect the American People to jump from Capitalism to Communism,
  but we can assist their elected leaders in giving them small doses of
  Socialism, until they awaken one day to find that they have Communism.”
  
  We have evidence. Do you remember the large contingent of Socialist at the One Nation rally? This rally was promoted by Obama. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkw7n9Qagu8
  
  Do you remember Maxine Waters’ Freudian slip?
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0BdKkEKTrs
  
  What is the Occupy movement? It’s certainly rooted in Socialist ideas.
  
  The information on the GatewayPundit link was a release from the Socialist Party of America. I assume you are claiming it is made up. Here is a copy of the documents from their October 2009 newsletter.
  
  http://www.scribd.com/doc/35733956/DSA-Members-American-Socialist-Voter-Democratic-Socialists-of-America-10-1-09
  - Ray in VT
    
    I did see that link, but what is to say that it is legitimately from them? There is all sorts of made up BS on the web. I am very skeptical about much that is out on the web, because who knows who is really behind some of this stuff. I do think that some of the things that you promote are too far out to be credible.
    - Gregg
      
      Regarding credibility, I gave you direct quotes and video so I don’t know who you should trust, me or your lying eyes. Too snarky? Probably but your point is taken, I suppose it could all be a lie. I do know these Congressional members don’t want it shouted from the mountain tops. Now I’m getting all black helicopterish so I’ll just let the evidence stand but actually your take on it sounds more conspiracy driven than mine. Oh well, it makes the world go round.
    - Ray in VT
      
      I wasn’t referring to the video clips. As for the Freudian slip, didn’t we have this discussion about slips and flubs a couple of days ago?
      
      I actually don’t remember the One Nation Rally, but if you want to talk about representatives of some radical groups at that or Occupy events, do you also not recall some of the racist signs at the Tea Party rallies that defenders of the movement said shouldn’t invalidate their broader points. There are plenty of images of those signs out there, and I’m sure that you’ve seen them.
      
      Rallies on the left are angry at corporations and the wealthy who they think have been screwing them and the country over. That’s their perspective, and I’m sympathetic to that view. I saw Bernie Sanders on the list, and his views are not a secret. Is it really such a leap to believe that someone would create a somewhat legitimate looking document in order to paint people that they don’t like in a bad light. I don’t think that that is a stretch. Do you reject the notion that there is a certain subtext to the terms used to describe the President here
      
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-cT8FHQrjg
    - Gregg
      
      The One Nation Rally was a huge event sponsored and pushed in part by Obama. The Socialist contingent was welcomed and not criticized. It’s just a small piece of the puzzle bit it fits.
      
      Regarding the list, it was news and none of the listed denied it or complained. They just laid low. Maxine�
      Waters is on the list.
      
      Your video is interesting or rather what you seem to be implying is interesting. If you are saying Republicans are racist, (and aren’t you really?) then I think it’s not credible. To answer your question directly: Yes, I reject the idea these particular examples (although I don’t know who the first one is) have a subtext. I think it’s silly and sad that we think so. I didn’t think there was a racial subtext when Cosell said the monkey thing either. Sure there are racist out there but we can’t even use the english language.
    - Ray in VT
      
      I didn’t exactly see some of the more radical elements of the Tea Party getting shooed off of the scene by the majority of attendees at their rallies.
      
      I’ve never seen the list, which doesn’t mean that it wasn’t news. I wonder who the Congresspeople would respond if asked about it directly, but a denial would only mean that they really were secret socialists.
      
      I definitely think that there are some racial connotations with a conservative white southerner calling someone who would fail the paper bag test boy. I also think that all of this birther nonsense is racially inspired. If he was lily white and his name was Bob, then we would never have heard of Orly Taitz, or whatever her name is. I don’t even care enought to google it. And I do think that there definitely is a difference, based upon historical usage, in calling an African American a monkey vs a Causacian. It may not be intentional or bigoted from case to case, but it certainly can be.
    - Gregg
      
      Well here’s one:
      http://pjmedia.com/blog/dale-robertson-no-friend-of-ours/
      
      Here’s more:http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/07/tea-party-nation-reaffirms-opp.html
      
      Don’t know how you missed it. If the premise is the tea party is racist, I’m done. We’ll get nowhere.
      That and the box.
    - Modavations
      
      This fellow says pay no attention to Prof.Linzer,Sloan Chair Holder at MIT.The greatest technical Institute in the cosmos.He says what could the man possibly know about Climate.I love TTT who recently came up with “man enhanced global climate change”
    - Ray in VT
      
      Micheal Mann certainly thinks that he’s off base, citing the money that he’s taken from the energy industry for why this might be so. He also discusses how Lindzen’s various alternative theories have not stood up to further scientific inquiry. I’ll still side with Hawking.
    - Modavations
      
      He saw it,but is in denial.
Alan in NH

The tea party, whatever it is, has crested and is declining, a momentary spasm of psychosis in a country with a long history of such same.
- Gregg
  
  We’ll see.
  - notafeminista
    
    They can always hope.
- Modavations
  
  What do you think the original rebellion was about?You’re about to see the second revolution.It doesn’t have to be violent,though
  - Ray in VT
    
    It was in part about some colonies, which were quite lightly governed by the standards of the time, not wanting to pay taxes in order to help pay for a war that they helped to start.
    - Modavations
      
      Go read Ayn Rand you fool.
    - Ray in VT
      
      I would if I wanted to kill some brain cells. I feel dumber when I see a stack of her books in the store. I can only imagine what they do to people that actually read them.
    - Fredlinskip
      
      Anais Nin is more enlightening;
      and not anywhere near as bigoted.
    - Terry Tree Tree
      
      Moda WHINES about name-calling?
  - Alan in NH
    
    I can’t say for sure what ALL of the original rebellion was about. I know that a substantial portion of it in the Boston area had to do with Samuel Adams’ commercial desire to be able to import Dutch tea with little or no tax, rather than having to smuggle it in, or to have to deal with the much more heavily taxed British East India company product.
    
    But if we are to control our own futures again if we ever have, in, as you say, a second rebellion, then surely we must wrest our destinies not only from domination by an overly intrusive government, but in particular, domination by such governments tied to interests, corporate or otherwise, that are not our own.
    - Modavations
      
      Taxes and Gestapos
    - Alan in NH
      
      Sorry. Don’t automatically see the link.
    - Modavations
      
      Whigs became the Republicans,led by Abe Lincoln who freed the Democrats Slaves.We’ve always hated Despots and always sought to keep men free
    - Alan in NH
      
      Abe didn’t have a particularly enlightened, nonpdespotic policy toward the red man. And those Democrats with slaves you cite? They’re now Republicans, switching parties with the passage of Civil Rights Legislation.
    - Fredlinskip
      
      Abe was a progressive who locked horns with the conservative South.
      Question: What is a Lincoln Republican?
      Answer:
      A Democrat.
    - LarrySummers2012
      
      Taxes and Bailouts by 2-parties captured by the Financial elite, in order to pander to us with debt-based money.
      
      It stinks and many are become aware of the quite simple formula that we have blissfully ignored in our consumptive utopia.
    - Alan in NH
      
      Not addressing bailouts for banks here. But isn’t GM enjoying record profits? Would it have them now, without the bailout then? Would the loss of good jobs have been worth what seems an ideological point?
    - Modavations
      
      They just froze(today)all salaried workers pay and froze pension contribution.They’re hemmoraging(?) in Europe and S.America
    - LarrySummers2012
      
      It’s not an ideological point. It’s a political/economic mechanism. Bailouts materially distort the markets ability to have any organic accountability. When CEOs and Politicians are corrupt, captured or just stupid, at least the market can give a spanking if we let it.
      
      Moral hazard is real. If exec jobs were on the line, and financial coke-heads knew there weren’t government back-stops and cheap Fed rescue money (which they know/knew) they WOULD behave differently. Let alone if the SEC was not a voluntary, appointed organization, but simply a set of clear, strong rules that can’t be avoided by “discretionary oversight”.
      
      Rule of Law, not Men.
      THATS OT A RADICAL CONCEPT ITS ONE OF THE FOUNDATIONS OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION.
    - LarrySummers2012
      
      When you “voted” for me (Larry Summers) you got what you deserved. And you will continue to as long as you naively believe that picking the “right” men to do the “right thing” is going to save you.
    - Modavations
      
      gOTTA RUN,BUT IT WAS TAXATION without representation.Sam Adams was the ring leader,the leader of the Whigs.The Sons of Liberty.Free men hate Despots.
    - Drewjkelly
      
      And he wasn’t no conservative.

Modavations

Read todays NYT editorial about the payroll tax extension.They’re apoplectic(look it up TTT).Remember kids,anytime the NYT is in high dudgeon(look it up TTT) is a great day in America

Kittycarchetti

I would never vote for him.

Ray in VT

I’m not saying that it is. But it has attracted some, and they’ve been fairly prominent, or at least highly publicly visible, at times. The Occupy movement has attracted some dirt bags too, but I’m not going to paint the whole group due to a few, and I’m not doing that with the Tea Party.

md

Tom did a good job correcting many of the inaccuracies in this show as they were voiced. But one fallacious statement remains unrepudiated: That birth control is “affordable,” and can easily be obtained outside of insurance.

PLEASE fact check this and post an accurate statement on your website. Thank you.

Modavations

Andrea Mitchell was asking Santorums guy Frieze(?)about contraception and it’s expense.He told Andrea, lets talk about serious stuff,like the Jihadist Camps in Cental America.She continued to harp and he turned to her and said,back in my day contraception was cheap.In fact,no more then the cost of a Bayer Aspirin.The Girls in my day put the aspirin between their knees.

Anonymous

From who’s sexual advances were these girls protecting themselves, with these aspirins between their knees?
- Modavations
  
  Go burn some books.You got the drift.Seriously,I don’t like you,please bug someone else
  - Anonymous
    
    Thank you for the kind words. But, as you said, this is war.
    - Modavations
      
      Please don’t sick Terry on me,Nor the vicious Blank Fang
    - Modavations
      
      Are you familiar with the Band Sublime?
- Terry Tree Tree
  
  Grossly inept guys, that weren’t rapists?
  Mr. Santorum will demonstrate, for the rest of his campaign, how to walk with an asprin held between his knees? Perform bodily functions? Sleep, and keep it there?
- Anonymous
  
  Now the right will want to ban aspirin.
  - Gregg
    
    Good one.
Robert Kinstler

I’m perplexed by this anecdote. Is it meant to illustrate the callous indifference of Santorum’s camp or was I supposed to appreciate some kind of wisdom in the aphorism? Wouldn’t a safety pin on men’s pants have been even cheaper?
- Anonymous
  
  It means girls who have sex are sluts and the boys who have it with them are just horny kids, free of any blame for the consequences.
  - Robert Kinstler
    
    Ah, so it’s callous indifference. That’s strange; Mr. Modavations usually likes to show conservatives in a good light.
  - Gregg
    
    Don’t know how you got that.
    - Ray in VT
      
      But that is the general dynamic, isn’t it, and I’m not talking about politics or anything. A girl that gets around is often referred to as a slut, but a guy who does the same thing is a stud.
    - Gregg
      
      Sure it’s a dynamic. sometimes it’s true and sometimes the inverse is true. I don’t think that was behind Friess’ comment. I think it’s much ado over nothing. If you ask me it’s just a shallow attempt to imply Santorum thinks women who have sex are sluts. It’s silly… but it works on some.
      
      Kudos to On Point for having him on. Who knew the guest would be making national headlines the next day?
    - Ray in VT
      
      Yeah, I don’t know if Friess or Santorum think that way or not, but I think that that was what feettothefire was getting at.
    - Anonymous
      
      Friess’ failure to acknowledge the fact that in any sexual relationship between a boy and a girl, the boy has at least as much responsibility as the girl is plain to see. Placing the onus on the girls to keep their legs closed, while failing to admonish the boys to”keep it in their pants” is 1950′s era tripe. No surprise, coming from this thug. What Santorum thinks about this is not at issue.
    - Gregg
      
      I think you’re over analyzing it. If the subject is women getting taxpayer funded contraception (it is) then the “onus” is certainly on them to justify taking my money. But really, it was just a joke that fell flat.
    - Anonymous
      
      Not surprised.
- Gregg
  
  He’s just a Santorum supporter. I don’t think it’s on the platform.
Ginger

Have you heard the term ‘Chauvinist Pig’ from the 60′s and 70′s? His lack of concern for women and their health and safety is staggering. Because his wife has had 7 or 8 children does NOT mean that is what all the women in this country should do.
Fredlinskip

Would Tylenol work?
Bruce

I think the GOP frontrunners would do well to put an aspirin between their lips to reduce the noise pollution that their campaigns are generating, especially from this primary season’s insufferable gaffe machines–Romney, the Severely Conservative, and Santorum, the Self-Righteously Conservative.

Ginger

We could not wait to get rid of Santorum as our PA Senator. He’s so, so far right - wants all of us to believe just as he does. I do NOT want him to lead the U.S. into a Christian Crusade throughout the world! I want a smart, capable person to lead our country – not someone to proselytize all the time. The founding fathers of this country knew what they were doing when they kept Government and Religion separate.

Modavations

Idiots,how many times do I have to tell you I’m a free agent.I’m an old hippy kid.We hate govt..All you current hippies are now govt.hacks.As for Friez that sh-t is funny.You tight ass-s need to learn to laugh.Over and out

Terry Tree Tree

We get plenty of chuckles over your ‘Boston College’ spelling mistakes, grammar mistakes, and SOOOO much more?
Friez (Sp?) holds an asprin between his knees, so that he cannot run a female down to rape her?

Fredlinskip

Sometimes I wonder why progressives get so worked up about Santorum. It seems the best strategy would be to just keep quiet and hope he wins nomination.

I don’t believe he’s got a snowball’s chance in general election.

Anonymous

“Former Sen. Rick Santorum is an extreme anti-choice politician.

During his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, Santorum cast 27 choice-related votes. All 27 were anti-choice. 1

As a U.S. senator, he voted anti-choice 72 times out of 73 opportunities. 2

As senator, Santorum authored the Federal Abortion Ban, a law that criminalizes some abortion services and carries a two-year prison sentence for doctors. 3

Former Sen. Santorum is a champion of the extreme anti-choice movement:

He stated ‘I would advocate that any doctor that performs an abortion should be criminally charged for doing so.’ 4

He made an outrageous comparison of abortion to slavery, saying, “For decades certain human beings were wrongly treated as property and denied liberty in America because they were not considered persons under the constitution. Today other human beings, the unborn of all races, are also wrongly treated as property and denied the right to life for the same reason…” 5

At an anti-choice forum, Sen. Santorum claimed credit for every extreme attack on choice that passed the Senate in the last 20 years, boasting ‘I’ve been in the foxhole on the front line.’ 6Former Sen.

Santorum even opposes women’s access to birth control:

He pledged to repeal all federal funding for contraception. 7

He stated that ‘One of the things I will talk about, that no president has talked about before, is I think the dangers of contraception in this country. It’s not okay. It’s a license to do things in a sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be.’”

http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/elections/2012/gop-presidential-candidates/rick-santorum.html

Orseman1

Mr.
Santorum’s recent remarks are designed to inflame the angry white men until
they call for a renewal of The Tribunal of the
Holy Office of the Inquisition.

Slipstream

I’ve never seen so many responses for an OP show! Santorum takes the cake. Here is a guy who comes across as a decent, all-American, Christian man, but who is in fact very decisive.

Guests

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