Sur-real Politik

Pat, Boston, MA — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:29:15 GMT

I did notice Senator Obama speaking with Keith right after the debate. All he said was thank you, yet it was important enough to bring up here. I guess it says a lot about manners in this day and age, or better yet, lack of.

Keith did a great job; none of the candidates appeared annoyed at him as is usually the case involving a moderator.

Interesting stories as always. Countdown is good at giving us tales. I hope you guys host another forum/debate. You seem like very nice people.

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jen,il — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:30:54 GMT

In the wife catagory Sen. Biden is kind of the Fred Thompson of democrates. Actually so is Dennis Kucinich of coure they both know what they are talking about unlike Thompson. Kucinich is so right about so many things, but he looks like an elf. Maybe MSNBC could start showing photos of his wife when he speaks, she's beautiful, and instead of cropping him out of the above photo you could edit her in his place. This would be an entirely differant race if there was no t.v.

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R. Northern California — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:40:54 GMT

Are you the blonde woman in the white shirt?

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Carol, still undecided in Long Valley NJ — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:41:12 GMT

How lucky you were to have been there, I envy you. You'll have some great stories to tell your children. You should write some of them down now.

You all did a great job, you should be proud of yourselves. Thank you.

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Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:01:29 GMT

Wonderful behind-the-scenes details! Thank you so much for sharing!

I would've gone up to Rev. Jackson and asked him if he planned to replace the Wheat Thins, but that's just me. ;) I can be a pain in the a$$ that way.

Does Soldier Field have a "trough" like Wrigley Field?

Once again, thanks for sharing and for all the hard work that everyone did the other night!

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Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:04:12 GMT

I hope they provided personal air conditioning for you too. It was a steamer there.

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B.A. Buddusky — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:38:52 GMT

My blessing to you anonymous News Hole Staffer.
First of all I would like to thank you All for the incredible work you do as well as having the capability of putting up with me and my posts on here.
My wife who has put up with me for quite awhile too I gave Jade colored Purple Heart for having done so.

You are Awe some!

Having worked around politicians( I am retired) for many years in the past 69-92 I know things can't very interesting to say the least,and quite humorous.So I hope you had fun and sounds like you did.
Hope you didn't trip over someones ego when you fell.
Some of em are pretty big and if you could sell them for what they Think they are worth you pay the deficit even have some change to pay for your dinner.
The "Letters of Lazlo Toth" , Yes Don Novello
aka Father Guido Sarducci SNL during the Nixon Years

http://www.sullivansfarms.net/s1dneycom/lazlo/

Take care and thanks for all your help.Your show is awesome and K.O. is awesome.

Follow this link for some humor I don't know if this little book is still in print but these were real letters.

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Ryan Reno,NV — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:40:58 GMT

Dennis Kucinich was the clear winner and would be the best healer for this bush disaster. Why wont the voters see that we have a better choice than Obama or Hilary???

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ryan reno — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:45:24 GMT

Who is Kucinich? How is it possible that he was able to answer the NAFTA questions straight and truthful and the rest of the candidates floundered??

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Ryan — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:46:06 GMT

Where's my post???

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Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 21:22:05 GMT

Are the Candidates all wearing 'Mood Rings' to go with the 'Mood Proscenium' we see them in?

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jen,il — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 21:36:30 GMT

Ryan Reno- Please do not equate Sen. Obama with Sen. Clinton they are not the same. I know the rest of the country is not familiar with him, but on most issues he is much closer to Rep. Kucinich than Sen. Clinton. He doesn't take money from lobbiest and he has not been bought out by special intrest. He has a plan for America that includes all people not just those who can afford to "pay to play". As much as I would like to see a President Kucinich I also know the people I watched the debate with couldn't get over the fact he appears elflike. My friends are educated liberals so if they can't get past it there is no chance the rest of the country can. Please take another look at Barack you may be plesantly surprised.

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Jon Spurrier — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:28:53 GMT

I agree that Kicinich won. He seemed to be the only one in touch with the average person. What's wrong with elves, great cookies and better archers He was the only one refreshingly direct.

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LT in MD — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 23:07:01 GMT

Hello all, Did anyone see our esteemed prez's comments on the mortgage mess? According to the numbers, something like 1.4 million households are about to have their house payments double and even triple, due to adjustable mortgage rates.

This doesn't even take into account the thousands who've already lost their homes due to foreclosure. Bush Jr. didn't say that perhaps it was time for home lenders and mortgage companies to give an accounting as to their practices.. he didn't say the federal government was concerned about so many Americans being in deep financial trouble.

No, the "leader of the free world" said, "I think perhaps people didn't understand what they were reading" (when they took adjustable/subprime loans/mortgages).
President evil is saying that millions of Americans are stupid. Isn't that special?

I really hope that Keith picks up on this and runs with it. The gall is just astounding..even after the past six and a half mind-numbingly incompetent years of this administration.

Oh and the prez's poll numbers are up, thanks to Republicans..Stupid is as Stupid Does- there is your shining example.

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Gerald Von Riesen Parker CO — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 23:34:02 GMT

For those interested in the Iraq situation here is a good link from BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6938740.stm

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doomed — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 23:58:16 GMT

I have a mood ring. It says I'm in a bad one. Kucinich is the smartest I think, even smarter than the Big H. His joke about owning the team instead of building the stadium and digging to China was funny. He also will stop murdering innocent people to steal Iraq's oil. Hmmmmmmmmmm?

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Brenda Deltona FL — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 00:05:20 GMT

WHY IN THE H3LL did anyone vote for a stupid idiot like GWB??? I can't stand to watch him talk, he makes no darn sense, stutters, tries to think and something stupid comes out GAWDDDDD!!!! I wanna PUKE again!!!

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Brenda Deltona FL — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 00:09:18 GMT

jen,il (Sent Thursday, August 09, 2007 3:30 PM)
Are you saying you wouldn't vote for someone because of the way they look and not by their credentials??
Holy Cow... jen :(

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Jamie, grilling pork tenderloin, CV — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 00:47:46 GMT

It's sad Brenda, but people do vote like that. My in-laws are racists-the southern Alabama kind-and until our eldest son was adopted, and despite my contstant requests for them not to-they used the 'N' word with regular frequency. (They've mellowed some the past 8 1/2 years, but part of it is still there.)

Anyway, I was sitting there once when they were going through the paper looking at different local candidates: They were voting for the people that were white vs. black-not on what the candidates stood for.

BTW, I'm not speaking for Jen, but I do think people really associate looks with how they vote (though I don't think Jen was stating she does). Why? Dunno. Of course you have to wonder why on God's green Earth anyone would vote for someone that looks like Alfred E. Newman!:)

It's a MADD, MADD, MADD world.:)

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Tru M., Cleveland, Ohio — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 01:02:55 GMT

Thanks for the backstage stories. Sounds like you had some fun, even if you all did probably lose 20 pounds from sweating alone.

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Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 01:12:52 GMT

Brenda - I did pre-election calls for the local labor council for several days in 2000 and 2004 and I heard from some of the most stupid union members who were going to vote BushCo. They bought the sloganeering, and general BS because they were too busy to pick up a newspaper, magazine, or watch the news AND too arrogant to listen to their unions or callers (like me) calling on behalf of organized labor. I think they relied on bumper stickers for information, I think.

Many of them proudly touted their "pro-life" positions as their main reason for voting for BushCo. Frankly, I hope they lost their jobs and pensions to the subsequent corporatization of America. They were too dumb to realize the trouble we were going to be in with this bunch in office and way too trusting of the BS they were being fed.

I heard the same crapola in 2004. I agree - How dumb can people be?

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Dave, Tn — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 01:57:47 GMT

(It's a MADD, MADD, MADD world.:) good one Jamie, good one! I needed a laugh about now. I also think that Dennis Kucinich was the best speaker and had the clearest idea of what he planned to do. My verdict is still out though, I want to know more and reserve judgement 'til then. Peace

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Carol, Long Valley NJ — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 03:01:53 GMT

Brenda Deltona FL (Sent Thursday, August 09, 2007 8:05 PM)

There are whole books written with collections of Bushisms. If he weren't our president (ugh) they would be hysterical, now, they are just painful.

David Letterman has a regular segment entitled "Great Moments in President Speeches", and he never lacks for fresh material.

I don't care what his 'real' IQ is, I don't care what degrees daddy bought for him. Every time he opens his mouth to speak extemporaneously, he embarrasses himself and America.

I wish that he would just go away and take his 24% with him. Since that's not going to happen, I would settle for having some one else speak for him, some one who can speak English. Some one who wouldn't embarrass the office that he 'holds'.

May you all have a good night.

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Brenda Deltona FL — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 03:10:37 GMT

Dave, Tn I made a promise to someone that I would write them in.. I do like Dennis, but I don't break my promises, this man I think would do a great job too, but sad to say so far he isn't running.

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Brenda Deltona FL — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 03:23:27 GMT

Jamie, I don't get it.. I still don't, I guess I never will understand the thing with racism and the way they look, because we all are here together. There is good and bad in all the races. Thanks for the answer. "sigh" okay mood swing :D

Ya know I have to say this because of your ID on here LOL
Jamie, grilling pork tenderloin, CV. Do you think if I caught a plane it would be ready when I get there?? :D You all must Grill out there like we do down here.. It's an everyday occurance pretty much all year round :D Cause you said you were grilling something the other day too!

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Jamie, she who has learned to be patient, CV — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 03:50:00 GMT

Ryan: These things aren't automatic-it can take 3 seconds, 3 minutes, 3 hrs (and once it took 3 days). Don't sweat it man, they will and have shown up!

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Jamie, getting ready to hit the hay in CV — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 05:05:28 GMT

Hey Brenda, when we were stationed outside of Phillywe grilled in the middle of winter. We always had the BBQ going in England. We, the natives of the warmers climates, must have our grilling.

We were stationed in Jacksonville for 5 years, so I got the FL grilling down too!:)

BTW, sorry, but with 6 kids (5 of them boys), my husband and me, that tenderloin was gone in a snap!:) Visit us in Italia, and I'll throw something on the BBQ for you!:)

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Wayne, TN — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 05:28:42 GMT

Something just occurred to me while watching John Stewart.
Heres a stewart Qoute
"We declared war on terror—it's not even a noun, so, good luck. After we defeat it, I'm sure we'll take on that bastard ennui. "

From Websters
"Main Entry: ter·ror
Pronunciation: 'ter-&r, 'te-r&r
Function: noun
"
Since Liberal Democrats (John Edwards) consider the War on Terror to be just a Bumpersticker Slogan I thought it might be a good idea to find out just where they get that notion.

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Niels, down on Bayou DeGradeabelle, Post-Katrina MS — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 06:20:45 GMT

I will confess that when I watched Dennis Kucinich, he reminded me of a younger Ross Perot (or an *extremely* younger Yoda). That said, I was favorably impressed with much of what he said. Hasn't won me over yet, but it's a looooong way to next year (and seems to be getting longer).

Besides, if ya want to vote for looks, go to a beauty pageant. ;)

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Wayne, TN — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 07:13:48 GMT

Interesting comment at Huffington Post
"Bush Poll Numbers Make Me Realize: I've Never Trusted Southern White Men in Suits
"
Actually at this point in time the auto-destruct sequence of the Democrat candidates is as much responsible for higher approval rating than anything else.
The revelations of just how little competence the various Democrats show makes Bush look much better by comparasion.
As I've said before Republicans don't win elections so much as Democrats lose them, and the Dems are working overtime at losing the next one.

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FastJack, Orlando, FL — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 11:11:31 GMT

Sue from WI: Not only do the majority of people get their political information from bumper stickers, but their religion too. As my father used to say, it's easier to display your religion than to actually pray or be spiritual. That's us - always looking for the easy way, the quick fix, the shortcut. It's much easier to display a bumper sticker than to actually get out there and converse with others, work for change, or have the courage of your convictions.

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Brenda Deltona FL — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 13:42:10 GMT

Jamie, Ooops I guess it would be gone in a snap LOL
I worry about not being able to even visit my husbands family in Romania. If I am not on that No Fly List. Since they put so many people on it.. Hopefully we'll get over there :) It's been over 10 years since we've been there last..

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Keith, Allentown PA — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 16:01:40 GMT

LT in MD

Why should the government have to subsidize those people that overextend themselves and take out 100% adjustable rate mortgages. If these big spenders spend more than they can afford, then isn't it their responsibility to prepare for the inevitable rate rise that goes along with an ARM. Why should I, who has sacrificed and done without because of financial discipline, have to subsidize someone who does without nothing and lives high on the hog with credit.

Lenders are also at fault here. They set themselves up by allowing 100% mortgages to bad credit risks during good housing times. It is common sense, the lenders are not harmed when the housing market is going up, because if there is a default, they get their money out of the house. The difference is when the market goes down, which is what will eventually happen, they have no equity to get repayment of their debt. Seems to me, that is not prudent risk management practices.

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Jamie, in overpriced CV, CA — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 17:23:19 GMT

I can't believe it, but I actually agree with Keith in A town! My husband and I bought our house at the right time here in CV- a year later our house could have been listed for $150 k more, and then eventually of $250k more.

There are so many people here that financed with an ARM loan-which would be okay if the median price of a home here wasn't $500+. It's difficult to get your foot in the door in the housing market here in SoCal, but you have to be careful what you wish for.

It's with anything, if you can't afford it or the payments in the long run, then don't do it. It was no secret to any of these people that eventually their ARM's were gong to come due-and it's timing with interest rates could go low or high!

Bush is an ass & an idiot, but you can't blame him for the loans that people take out on their homes.

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Keith, Allentown PA — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 17:52:34 GMT

Jamie in overpriced CV, CA

Great minds think alike, LOL. I knew over time that if I continued to post on this blog, that I would eventually get you people over to my way of thinking. :) relax I am joking

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Sara, Cedar Rapids, Iowa — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:03:54 GMT

Jen: Senator Biden is not the Democrat's Fred Thompson, not only was your comment insulting it's completely wrong. Fred's current wife is over 20 years his junior, and only a year or two older than his oldest child with wife #1.(YUCK!)

Sen. Biden got married at 23 while in law school. He and Neilia had three children, and planned on having more. In 1972 Sen. Biden was elected to the Senate at 29 (he turned 30 couple weeks later). While in DC preparing for the transition to the Senate his family was in a serious accident(a semi crashed into the Biden car). His wife and infant daughter died, and his sons were seriously injured. A couple years after Neilia's death his brother set him up on a blind date with a teacher (Jill). In 1977 after dating Jill for over 2 years they married. They have one daughter together (Ashley's 24 now), and the Biden boys(men) consider Jill their mom. The Biden's recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. Jill Biden is 9 years younger than Sen. Biden, but she is hardly a trophy wife.

Unlike Fred Thompson who in his 50's or 60's and unattractive, by most standards, when he married his very young wife, Sen Biden was 34 and was by most standards very attractive. I'm sure the confusion is due to the fact Jill Biden is beautiful and doesn't look her age. I only hope I look half that great when I turn 56.

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Jackson, Portland, Oregon — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 20:06:48 GMT

This is the first time in 80 years that a sitting incumbent will not be running for president. As a result, we have a handful of candidates on either side. Week after week, they debate the SAME issues against the SAME candidates. My question is, why haven't the media outlets seized on the opportunity to pit the democratic candidates against the republican candidates in a completely open debate where anything goes? At least they will stop attacking each other over meaningless semantic rifts about meeting with rogue nations and we'll finally get a read on how well the candidates will perform against the opposition party. I can't figure out why nobody has proposed this yet.

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Mary, Foley, AL — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 20:59:03 GMT

Wayne, TN There is nothing on God's green earth that Bush would have the ability to look better. Anyone with any sense at all should know that.

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Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 21:12:34 GMT

My post is missing - again. Sigh.

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Niels, down on Bayou DeGradeabelle, Post-Katrina MS — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 23:53:48 GMT

Jackson, Portland: "This is the first time in 80 years that a sitting incumbent will not be running for president."

Was that a typo perhaps? Incumbent Bush 41 was eligible for a second term in the 1992 election, which he lost to Bill Clinton. That's just 15 years ago. Before that, LBJ opted out of running again in 1968.

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Susan L. Rapp, Ajo, Arizona — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 03:53:49 GMT

Jen from Il. said:
Ryan Reno- Please do not equate Sen. Obama with Sen. Clinton they are not the same. I know the rest of the country is not familiar with him, but on most issues he is much closer to Rep. Kucinich than Sen. Clinton. He doesn't take money from lobbiest and he has not been bought out by special intrest. He has a plan for America that includes all people not just those who can afford to "pay to play".

I must respectfully disagree with your assessment of Barack Obama. He is much more like Hillary Clinton and George Bush.
Obama wants to pre-emptively invade Afghanistan and Pakistan
Obama voted to make the US Patriot Act Permanent
Obama voted for every Supplemental Appropriations bill to continue to fund the war in Iraq. A fact he fails to mention but is quick to say "I was opposed to the Iraq war from the beginning".
Obama is taking money from lobbiests and special interest groups due to the simple fact that he is taking Corporate money for his campaign.
Obama may be a dream boat as far as his looks are concerned but he would be a nightmare as President.
He has already been bought by the Corporate Elite that
are in control of our country. The mainstream media is owned lock, stock, and barrel by a small number of corporations. For example, MSNBC is owned by General Electric. GE gave George Dubya 1.1 million dollars for his campign fund in 2000. The media are very motivated to get a Corporate owned candidate into the White House. Why? Because the Corporations get HUGE tax breaks, HUGE deregulation, and they are playing an every increasing roll in making decisions on Foreign and Domestic policy. That is also known as FASCISM. The country belongs to WE THE PEOPLE, not a small elite group of corporations that are only interested in their personal agendas and comfort. Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich is NOT taking Corporate money for his campaign, unlike Obama and Clinton. He will not be "Corporate Owned" when he becomes the 44th President of the United States of America! And it is then, and only then, that WE THE PEOPLE will have our country back. Right now the Media is using manipulative tools to get you to believe that the only viable choices for President are either Obama or Clinton. I suggest you do more thorough research on both of those candidates rather than just believing what they say, or believing what the media says about them. Of course, it's your choice whom you wish to vote for President, just don't let the Media decide for you!

With respects,

Susan for Kucinich 2008!

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Wayne, TN — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 07:16:02 GMT

"Wayne, TN There is nothing on God's green earth that Bush would have the ability to look better.
Mary, Foley, AL
"
Could you state that a bit more clearly?
I think you left a few words out of that sentence, either that or the software is acting up again. It seems to like to drop letters, and sometimes stutters repeating blocks of letters in the same word.

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LT in MD — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 16:56:37 GMT

Keith in Allentown and Jamie..I must concede that you's are correct in your assesments of the mortgage/subprime mess. I think my intense dislike for BW makes anything he say's insulting to my ears. In any speech, he sounds as if he's talking to a group of third graders. It's excruciating to hear him talk, knowing he's the President.

I still think the lenders need to be held accountable in some form or fashion as well. An ARM loan is supposed to help people with bad credit re-establish themselves financially..It is not supposed to be used as a club to beat people over the head with triple payments.

Thanks as always to the Newsholers for helping me stay educated and informed. Yes, thanks to you too Keith in Allentown..this may be the first and last time I agree with you on anything, so enjoy this moment. HA HA

And no, Wayne I don't give a hoot what you think so don't bother.

Peace to Us All

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Brenda Deltona FL — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 02:38:32 GMT

Susan L. Rapp, Ajo, Arizona (Sent Friday, August 10, 2007 11:53 PM)
Excellent Post!

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Susan L.Rapp — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 08:26:38 GMT

To Brenda in Deltona FL.

Thank you for your compliment!

VoteKUCINICH 2008!

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Callahan, Lansing, Michigan — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 19:35:12 GMT

Some of the candidates mentioned "Decent Wages". Wish they, or someone would define "Decent Wages".

I mean is decent $10.00 an hour, $20.00, or $50.00?