1. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #286576 by lastgreekstanding on November 18, 2008 at 11:53 pm

Never mind Palin, it looks as though Ted Stevens is out -

Not so fast, eppeist. Who's to say Palin doesn't seek the Republican nomination for one of Alaska's senate seats.

Like this thread, that woman has staying power. She will not, unfortunately, fade quietly into the night

2. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #286560 by lastgreekstanding on November 18, 2008 at 9:53 pm

Why can't anyone actually address what I said? You even quoted what I said and then argued as if I am saying they should not pay anything.I clearly said in that statement, which you quoted, that I just believe they should pay less.

The point I made is that since the community benefits from an educated public, all who live in the community---people with or without children---should pay equally their share of school taxes. Noone should pay less because they have no children. They, too, are part of the same community as people with children. I said nothing about paying no taxes. Excuse me if I gave that impression.

Regarding Sirius, I agree. It's not a crazy bet buying a few hundred shares. You never know. If (a big if) they get the new financing that stock will jump. Even I, who should know better, am tempted to put down a G-note. I guess greed is getting the better of me, eh, DP?

3. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #286553 by lastgreekstanding on November 18, 2008 at 8:37 pm

DP (who else?),

I also believe if you have no children then you should have to pay less in school taxes.

You are part of a community, aren't you, DP?

The community, that is, everyone, including a greedy, ignorant guy like you, DP, benefits from an educated citizenry.

Where do you think the future doctors, scientists, teachers, lawyers (yes, lawyers too), etc., come from? From the schools that the citizens of a community fund with their tax dollars if you haven't yet figured it out, DP. Schools!

An educated community = economic progress.

And guess what? Childless people will benefit from the increased quality of life the same as people with children because they, too, are part of the same community.



Note: An educated public is, of course, anathema to religious organizations.

4. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #286545 by lastgreekstanding on November 18, 2008 at 7:28 pm

al-rawandi,

Sirius... You are concerned about Sirius because GM is in trouble(qm) Don't you think Sirius works just as well in a Toyota. First of all Sirius has debt that exceeds its market cap... danger Will Robinson!

Seriously. With their SEC filing they issued a bankruptcy warning. They have $1B in debts that are due in 2009. I'd be very surprised if they pull it off and get the financing---especially in a very bad economy and tight credit market. Then, there is always Mr. Henry Paulson. :)

And, for all we know, the stock is being manipulated.




edit: yeah, at $.20/share it's tempting.

5. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #286544 by lastgreekstanding on November 18, 2008 at 7:08 pm

If socialist disappear, capitalist would do just fine.

Tell that to the banks and insurers like AIG.

You are funny, DP.

6. Educated Catholics have sown dissent and confusion in the Church, claims bishop

Comment #285237 by lastgreekstanding on November 16, 2008 at 9:49 pm

Well, I think this sums it up ... and straight from the horse's mouth as it were. The Church doesn't want educated people.

Perhaps that explains the addition of Tony Blair to the fold.

7. Uncertain times for US Religious Right

Comment #285235 by lastgreekstanding on November 16, 2008 at 9:40 pm

Stafford Gordon,

Was Blair a huge disappointment?

Steve Zara,

Not if you are gay, a mother, a low-paid worker, or someone in favour of devolution.

Yes if you are a dead or maimed British soldier or a British citizen held in Guantanamo Bay.

8. Uncertain times for US Religious Right

Comment #285228 by lastgreekstanding on November 16, 2008 at 9:15 pm

Did Aristotle not write a De nuptiis cinaedi and a De abortionibus as the foundation of his political works?

Cartomancer, have you read them in Greek? :)

peri omojulojilou gamou (De nuptiis cinaedi)

peri amblwsewV (De abortionibus)




p.s. The preposition (in both examples) takes a genitive object. The breathing marks and accents are missing (don't know how with HTML).

9. Obama will move to veto Bush laws

Comment #282274 by lastgreekstanding on November 11, 2008 at 11:53 pm

John Podesta, a former chief of staff to Bill Clinton whom Obama has put in joint charge of his transition process...

Clinton redux?

Google the amount "$231,655", and see what the search brings.

10. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #282267 by lastgreekstanding on November 11, 2008 at 11:08 pm

The rain is Spain falls mainly on the Palin.

(from James Wolcott's Blog: vanityfair.com)


Sorry. Just doing my part in perpetuating this thread.

11. Obama will move to veto Bush laws

Comment #282250 by lastgreekstanding on November 11, 2008 at 10:43 pm

al-rawandi:

The profits the oil companies make will be distributed to shareholders (I own a good deal of Exxon stock, so I figure it might come my way).

Some of the profits will be distributed your way, al-rawandi. Most of the profits go to buying back outstanding shares---that is, the company buying back its own shares. Profits also go into executive compensation and retirement plans.

Since you mentioned Exxon, let's use it as our example. In 2006, the company recorded profits (i.e., after taxes) of $39.5 billion. What did Exxon do with its enormous profits? They bought back $25 billion of their own outstanding shares, and they returned $7.6 billion in the form of stock dividends to shareholders like you. Do you see anything wrong with this? If you're an executive with stock options, you're laughing---laughing all the way to the bank! It's the ultimate theft. Option-based compensation is a classic tactic used by management to transfer wealth from the shareholders (like you) to the option holders (like themselves). I must say, Exxon has it down to a tee.

It's the same story in 2007.

There is no secret cabal of capitalists who will just keep the money.

You're right. There is no secret cabal of capitalists. The perpetrators of theft, like the Exxon executives, are there for all to see in the financial reports.

I don't think the women's rights issue is one we should conveniently sacrifice. But who wrote the Iraqi constitution' Islam apologist Noah Feldman, talk to him. I am not so sure that the issue was "women's rights or oil access" in fact I fail to see how the two might be connected.

Is Noah Feldman an Iraqi or an American citizen?

Is Noah Feldman fluent in Arabic?

Who hired this thirtysomething American law professor to write Iraq's constitution? The Iraqis? The colonial power ruling Iraq?

How would Americans feel if foreigners interfered in America's constitutional issues?

Feldman an Islam apologist? Please!

It will be oil profits that pay for the maintenance on oil fields. It won't be US tax payer money. The infrastructure being rebuilt is US taxpayer money being recycled to US companies. Keep your conspiracies straight.

I am not sure what you're saying here. If you have the time, can you elaborate a bit.

As for Exxon, I know it will never happen, but I will be very happy if they ever go bankrupt.

Be careful what you wish for 'cause it just might happen---and sooner than you think. Greedy corporations like Exxon think short term. Only a pittance of their after tax profits goes to exploration, production, or alternative/renewable sources of energy. The rest of their profits---well... we know that already.

(Retired Exxon CEO Lee Raymond received a $400 million retirement package in 2006.)

...corporation just don't "keep" the money, it is distributed as dividends to shareholders, which often includes any American with a 401k. I guess it would be too much to hope that would understand even the basic principles of corporate finance.

With regard to Exxon, al-rawandi, that is not the case.

I'd rather have fair gas prices, instead of the price gouging we've endured over the last couple of years, than own Exxon stock.

Speaking of corporate finance, Aswath Damodaran's article "Information Transparency: Can You Value What You Cannot See?" is a must read.

So since you are the new RD.net champion of human rights...

Has LF retired?

...perhaps you would support invasions of Iran and Saudi Arabia to forcibly liberate the oppressed women there. Or perhaps not.

Invasions? No. Other measures? Yes

By the way, would you support the invasion of the United States to forcibly liberate the oppressed Americans---nearly 50 million men, woman, AND children!---who do not have health insurance, who constantly live in fear of not being able to afford life-saving medical treatment?



edit

12. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #281825 by lastgreekstanding on November 10, 2008 at 11:04 pm

Testing, one, two, three...

Is anyone out there?

13. President Obama: Bad News For the New Atheists and Other Fundamentalists

Comment #279274 by lastgreekstanding on November 5, 2008 at 8:01 pm

Tyler Durden,

I'm happy with Obama. Let's see what he does.

I'm afraid it will be "business as usual" in the White House, TD.

His White House Chief of Staff is... Israeli Rahm Emanuel.

"Business as usual," folks!


edit

14. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #276951 by lastgreekstanding on November 2, 2008 at 8:44 pm

Bonzai,

It is true that Obama disagrees with same sex marriage, but on all other aspects on gay rights he is as progressive as one can expect from a mainstream U.S. politician.

Is that good enough?

You know, in a fundraiser Obama attended for San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom a couple of years ago, he refused to have his picture taken with the Mayor lest he be perceived as supporting gay issues. Not even one photograph with the Mayor, Bonzai. Talk about having no fortitude. (Btw, Obama's aides deny this, but Newsom firmly believes otherwise.)

Then there was the crucial South Carolina primary, where he openly invited some extreme anti-gay groups into his campaign to counter the possibility of a Clinton upset. Votes over principles, a la McCain, would you say?

Titania,

LGS,

When are you going to put up your new avatar? Mitchell says he can tell a lot about people from their avatars.

There are so many avatars to choose from! Right now, I'm leaning toward something menacing. Who knows. If I can't decide, I 'll ask for LF's old avatar---just to piss you off, T. ;)


Have a good night.

15. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #276932 by lastgreekstanding on November 2, 2008 at 7:37 pm

Bonzai,

Get over to the Palin thread and read the transcript of Palin getting pranked by two French Canadian radio DJ's. She thought she was talking to French President Nicolas Sarkozy!

16. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #276928 by lastgreekstanding on November 2, 2008 at 7:25 pm

Sarah Palin got pranked this past Saturday by two Canadian (Quebec) radio DJ's of CKOI FM Montreal into thinking she was actually talking to French President Nicolas Sarkozy! lol

Here's the transcript from dailykos.com:

note:

SP Assist = Sarah Palin's Assistant
MA = Masked Avengers (name of the DJ's radio show)
SP = Sarah Palin
FNS = Fake Nicolas Sarkozy

Ring
SP Assist: This is Lexi.
MA: Hello, Lexi. This is Frank l’ouvrier (Frank the worker], I’m with President Sarkozy, on the line for Governor Palin.
SP Assist: One second please, can you hold on one second please?
MA: No problem.
SP Assist: Hi, I’m going to hand the phone over to her.
MA: Okay thank you very much I’m going to put the president on the line.
SP Assist: Ok he’s coming to the line.
SP: This is Sarah.
MA: Okay, Governor Palin?
SP: Hellloooo...(long drawn out, like Well, hellooooo)
MA: Just hold on for President Sarkozy, one moment.
SP [To someone in the room]: Oh, it’s not him yet, I always do that. I’ll just have people hand it to me right when it’s them.
FNS: Yes, hello, Governor Palin? Yes, hello, Mrs. Governor?
SP: Hello this is Sarah., how are you?
FNS: Fine, and you, this is Nicolas Sarkozy speaking, how are you?
SP: Oh...so good, it’s so good to hear you. Thank you for calling us.
FNS: Oh, it’s a pleasure.
SP: Thank you sir, we have such great respect for you, John McCain and I, we love you and thank you for spending a few minutes to talk to me.
FNS: I follow your campaigns closely with my special American Advisor Johnny Hallyday, you know?
SP: Yes! Good!
FNS: Excellent! Are you confident?
SP: Very confident and we’re thankful that the polls are showing that the race is tightening and--
FNS: Well I know very well that the campaign can be exhausting. How do you feel right now my dear?
SP: Ah, I feel so good. I feel like we’re in a marathon and at the very end of the marathon, you get your second wind and you plow to the finish—
FNS: You see, I got elected in France because I’m real and you seem to be someone who’s real as well.
SP: Yes, yeah, Nicolas, we so appreciate this opportunity.
FNS: You know, I see you as a president, one day, you too.
SP: [Muahaaa...weird laugh], maybe in 8 years. Haha
FNS: Well, ah, I hope for you. You know we have a lot in common because personally one of my favorite activities is to hunt too.
SP: [Giggle]o h very good, we should go hunting together.
FNS: Exactly! We could go try hunting by helicopter, like you did, I never did that.
SP: [Giggle]
FNS: Like we say in France, "on pourrait tuer des bébés phoques aussi" [Translation: We could also kill some baby seals.]
SP: [Giggle] Well I think we could have a lot of fun together as we’re getting work done, we can kill two birds with one stone that way.
FNS: I just love killing those animals. Mm, mm. Take away a life, that is so fun!
SP: [Hahahaha]
FNS: I’d really love to go as long as we don’t bring your Vice president Cheney, hahaha.
SP: No, I’ll be a careful shot, yes.
FNS: You know we have a lot in common also except that from my house I can see Belgium. That’s kind of less interesting than you.
SP: Well, see, we’re right next door to other countries that we all need to be working with, yes.
FNS: Some people said in the last days, and I thought that was mean, that you weren’t experienced enough in foreign relations, and you know, that’s completely false, that’s the thing I said to my great friend, the Prime Minister of Canada, Stef Carse [Stephen Harper is the PM].
SP: Well, he’s doing fine, too, and yeah when you come into a position underestimated, it gives you the opportunity to prove the pundits and the critics wrong. You work that much harder-
FNS: I, I was wondering because you are also next to him, one of my good friends, also, the prime minister of Quebec, Mr. Richard Z. Sirois [a famous Quebec radio host], have you met him recently? Did he come to one of your rallies?
SP: Uh, haven’t seen him at one of the rallies, but it’s been great working with the Canadian officials in my role as governor; we have a great cooperative effort there as we work on all of our resource development projects. You know I look forward to working with you and getting to meet you personally and your beautiful wife, oh my goodness, you’ve added a lot of energy to your country, even, with that beautiful family of yours.
FNS: Thank you very much. You know my wife, Carla, would love to meet you. You know even though she was a bit jealous that I was supposed to speak to you today. [Hahahaha]
SP: [Hahahha] Well give her a big hug from me.
FNS: You know my wife is a popular singer and a former top model and she’s so hot in bed. She even wrote a song for you.
SP: Oh my goodness! I didn’t know that.
FNS: Yes, in French, it’s called Du rouge à lèvres sur une cochonne [Translate: Lipstick on a smutty girl (note: I've seen other sites that say this translates to lipstick on a sow)] or if you prefer in English Joe the Plumber, [sings] It’s his life, Joe the Plumber..."
SP: Maybe she understands some of the unfair criticism but I bet you she is such a hard worker, too, and she realizes you just plow through that criticism like
FNS: I just want to be sure, I don’t’ quite understand the phenomenon "Joe the Plumber," that’s not your husband, right?
SP: Mmhmm, that’s into my husband but he’s a normal American who just works hard and doesn’t want government to take his money.
FNS: Yes, yes, I understand, we have the equivalent of Joe the Plumber in France, it’s called, "Marcel, the guy with bread under his armpit, oui."
SP: Right. That’s what it’s all about, is the middle class, and government needing to work for them. You’re a very good example for us here.
FNS: I seen a bit about NBC even Fox News wasn’t an ally, an ally, sorry, about as much as usual.
SP: Yeah that’s what we’re up against.
FNS: I must say, Governor Palin, I love the documentary they made on your life, you know, Hustler’s "Nailin Palin."
SP: Oh, good, thank you. Yes.
FNS: That was really edgy.
SP: [Laughs] Well good.
FNS: I really love you. And I must say something, so, Governor, you’ve been pranked.
By the Master Avengers. We’re two comedians from Montreal
SP: Oohhh have we been pranked? And what radio station is this? [tries to force herself to sound nice but you can tell she’s pissed]
FNS: This is for CKOI in Montreal.
SP: In Montreal? Tell me the radio station call letters
[SP leaves phone, continuous griping in background, sounds like, "For chrissakes...that was ??? Just a radio station prank...chrissakes..."]
MA: Hello? If one voice can change the world for Obama, one Viagra can change the world for McCain.
[Man’s voice in background: hang up, hang up.]
SP Assist: Hi, I’m sorry, I have to let you go. Um, thank you.

17. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #276911 by lastgreekstanding on November 2, 2008 at 6:40 pm

16. Comment #276814 by Szymanowski:

Banning gay marriage, abortion and stem-cell research is Republican party OFFICIAL policy?!

It appears that banning gay marriage will also be the Democratic party's official policy.

From abcnews.com:

Barack Obama's nuanced position on same-sex marriage is on full display in an MTV interview which is set to air on Monday.

Obama told MTV he believes marriage is "between a man and a woman" and that he is "not in favor of gay marriage."

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

18. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #276526 by lastgreekstanding on November 1, 2008 at 11:39 pm

If you have a picture in mind I could prepare it for you, if you wanted. If you are having trouble.

Thank you very much.

I am currently wactching the doc. "McCain Revealed" on CNN. So far, there is no mention of his shameful conduct on the Forrestal, no mention of his abandonment of his first wife Carol, and no mention of Keating.


edit: Carol mentioned. You know, it was Ross Perot who paid for Carol's medical bills. Perot and the Reagans, especially Nancy, never forgave McCain for his loathsome behavior in the way he treated Carol. Here's a scathing piece on McCain by Cockburn/St. Clair at http://www.counterpunch.org/cockburn10302008.html

19. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #276521 by lastgreekstanding on November 1, 2008 at 10:29 pm

I'm slow and lazy.

20. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #276518 by lastgreekstanding on November 1, 2008 at 10:20 pm

Hmm... the thread has stalled.

O.K., Sarah Palin is a socialist!

21. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #276512 by lastgreekstanding on November 1, 2008 at 9:59 pm

Eucharisto poly, MG.

22. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #276508 by lastgreekstanding on November 1, 2008 at 9:45 pm

On topic...

According to expense reports, Sarah Palin charged the state of Alaska over $21,000 for her children to travel with her on official business. In fairness to Governor Palin, when she leaves them home alone, they get pregnant. --Seth Meyers


Off topic...

Unfortunately, I am not a geek, so I must ask. How do you get an avatar image?


p.s. The thread is back. Nice.

23. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #275958 by lastgreekstanding on November 1, 2008 at 12:22 am

MG,

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sic

sic /sik; Eng. sɪk/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[seek; Eng. sik] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adverb Latin. so; thus: usually written parenthetically to denote that a word, phrase, passage, etc., that may appear strange or incorrect has been written intentionally or has been quoted verbatim: He signed his name as e. e. cummings (sic).

24. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #275956 by lastgreekstanding on November 1, 2008 at 12:16 am

As if I'm going to go to a site that reminded you of dick. Thanks, but no thanks.

It's on topic!

25. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #275954 by lastgreekstanding on October 31, 2008 at 11:54 pm

I think using them at all is a dick thing to do though (also kind of ironic when not used properly. They go in square brackets...).

They also go in parentheses, MG.

Speaking about dick...

http://derekkirkkim.blogspot.com/2008/09/no-comment.html

26. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #275951 by lastgreekstanding on October 31, 2008 at 11:32 pm

From stupid, shallow, greedy fuck:

Hey (sic) buddy. Hows (sic) it going? I take it you have missed me since your only post here so far has been about me. I see again you said nothing also. Well I wouldn't want you to change (sic) so good job (sic) and keep up the good work.

No comment

27. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #275949 by lastgreekstanding on October 31, 2008 at 11:13 pm

This woman doesn't have a clue about the Constitution. First the VP statements, now the First Amendment

...and also geography!

I like being here because it seems like here and in our last rally too -- other parts around this great Northwest -- here in New Hampshire you just get it.

---Sarah Palin, Laconia, New Hampshire, Oct. 15, 2008 (from www.politicalhumor.about.com)

28. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #275943 by lastgreekstanding on October 31, 2008 at 9:57 pm

10037. Comment #275655 by DarwinsPitbull:

By the way, anyone hear that Obama's tax cuts are now for people making over [bold mine]$120,000. So it went from $300gs at one point to $250gs, to $200gs, to $150gs and now at $120gs. Any bets on what it will go down to by election day?

You mean "under" not "over" $120,000, right?

Here's what I think, DP. Either you've been playing us for suckers all this time, OR you truly are a stupid, shallow, greedy fuck.


p.s. al-rawandi, I think you asked me a question a couple of days ago. Sorry, I've been too busy to post. Something about the CFA designation, no? I'm afraid to search this thread lest I come across any of DP's posts!

29. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #274306 by lastgreekstanding on October 29, 2008 at 11:46 pm

If at first you don't succeed...

Sarah Palin: It seems that there is yet another radical professor from the neighborhood who spent a lot of time with Barack Obama going back several years," Palin said at an event in Bowling Green, Ohio.

"This is important because his associate, Rashid Khalidi ... in addition to being a political ally of Barack Obama, he's a former spokesperson for the Palestinian Liberation Organization.---from cnn.com


I guess we won't be hearing much more of Bill Ayers.

30. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #274305 by lastgreekstanding on October 29, 2008 at 11:37 pm

Tiny,

I almost forgot...

The Intelligent Investor: The Classic Text on Value Investing by Benjamin Graham

31. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #274300 by lastgreekstanding on October 29, 2008 at 11:13 pm

root2squared,

Bragging about patriotism is like bragging about a big cock. If you have to say it, chances are it's really not - Bill Maher

Tiny (a.k.a. DP),

I gamble with stocks, not lottery tickets.

Smart, prudent people don't gamble; they invest in stocks, Tiny.

Tiny,

And your (sic) right, I am a wannabe rich guy, which means I am not rich. Isn't it amazing that I still don't think in taking someone elses (sic) hard earned money. It must shock you that I don't want to be a leach on the back of some rich guy. Thats (sic) why I believe in self-responsibility and self-reliance, (sic)) look up what those mean.

Some friendly advice: STAY AWAY FROM ENGLISH FORUMS IF YOU CAN'T WRITE PROPER ENGLISH! You constantly repeat your mistakes.

Please, save us the anguish of having to figure out what you're trying to say.

Laurie Fraser,

DP - that is the most simplistic analysis I have ever heard. Clinton "let" terrorists attack the U.S., did he? Get a grip, mate.

Grip? Tiny will need a pair of tweezers, LF.

Tiny,

I don't need math or economic lessons.

Realm of Numbers by Isaac Asimov

Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science by Charles Wheelan

Fundamentals of English Grammar by Betty Schrampfer Azar

32. Countdown: Palin Wants To Help Special Needs Kids By Doing Away With Science

Comment #273505 by lastgreekstanding on October 28, 2008 at 7:40 pm

DP,

Im writing up my lesson plan to teach you why socialism is bad.

For your information, and you better hold your breath for this one, if it were not for socialism, capitalism wuold be finished now.

You may exhale, now, DP.

DP? DP?

33. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #273487 by lastgreekstanding on October 28, 2008 at 6:59 pm

On Larry King Live, Karen Hughes and Ari Fleisher are complaining that Obama does not love Israel enough.

Amazing!

34. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #273486 by lastgreekstanding on October 28, 2008 at 6:53 pm

9421. Comment #273437 by Bonzai:
So stop being self righteous and pompous just because you have a well paid job.

I doubt very much DP has a well paid job. The guy's illiterate---an illiterate, wannabe rich guy.


DP! How do you choose your lottery numbers? Do you play every week?

35. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271912 by lastgreekstanding on October 26, 2008 at 6:30 pm

9113. Comment #271892 by mordacious1:

Syria is reporting that american helicopters made strikes in Syria today. If this is true, why would Bush (and yes he'd have to have ordered this) want to provoke Syria 9 days before the election? I already know the answer.

How low will they stoop?

I'd love to hear Palin's "thoughts" on this.

36. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271896 by lastgreekstanding on October 26, 2008 at 5:48 pm

9108. Comment #271883 by root2squared:
Clearly the HDI is developed by anti-american socialists.

Let's use the CIA World Factbook, and see where the "world's greatest country" ranks. For example, Infant mortality rate (Deaths/1,000 live births).

Rank
1 Angola
2 Sierra Leone
.
.
.
181 United States 6.30 2008 est.
182 Cuba 5.93 2008 est.
183 Isle of Man 5.62 2008 est.
184 Italy 5.61 2008 est.
185 Taiwan 5.45 2008 est.
186 San Marino 5.44 2008 est.
187 Greece 5.25 2008 est.
188 Monaco 5.18 2008 est.
189 Ireland 5.14 2008 est.
190 Canada 5.08 2008 est.
191 Jersey 5.01 2008 est.
192 New Zealand 4.99 2008 est.
193 United Kingdom 4.93 2008 est.
194 Gibraltar 4.91 2008 est.
195 Portugal 4.85 2008 est.
196 Australia 4.82 2008 est.
197 Netherlands 4.81 2008 est.
198 Luxembourg 4.62 2008 est.
199 Guernsey 4.53 2008 est.
200 Liechtenstein 4.52 2008 est.
201 Belgium 4.50 2008 est.
202 Austria 4.48 2008 est.
203 Denmark 4.40 2008 est.
204 Slovenia 4.30 2008 est.
205 Korea, South 4.29 2008 est.
206 Israel 4.28 2008 est.
207 Spain 4.26 2008 est.
208 Switzerland 4.23 2008 est.
209 Germany 4.03 2008 est.
210 Czech Republic 3.83 2008 est.
211 Malta 3.79 2008 est.
212 Andorra 3.68 2008 est.
213 Norway 3.61 2008 est.
214 Anguilla 3.54 2008 est.
215 Finland 3.50 2008 est.
216 France 3.36 2008 est.
217 Iceland 3.25 2008 est.
218 Macau 3.23 2008 est.
219 Hong Kong 2.93 2008 est.
220 Japan 2.80 2008 est.
221 Sweden 2.75 2008 est.
222 Singapore 2.30 2008 est.

41! countries have a lower rate, including the superpower Macau.

37. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271878 by lastgreekstanding on October 26, 2008 at 5:12 pm

9034. Comment #271777 by root2squared:

Laurie:

What has Palin's supposed "sexiness" got to do with her politics?

Rationally, nothing.

Unfortunately, there is no doubt, that her sex appeal is being used as a strategy. A good indicator of that is the fact that her make-up artist is the highest paid person in her campaign. They spent a $150,000 on her clothes.

When the question of McCain's choice for VP comes up in the mainstream press, we're constantly reminded on how much Palin energizes the Republican base. (Probably true since she does draw larger crowds than McCain.)

It's a shame they don't describe the Republican base: racist, whitetrash illiterates.


p.s. I was tempted to add "inbreds".

38. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271860 by lastgreekstanding on October 26, 2008 at 4:34 pm

9065. Comment #271826 by DarwinsPitbull:

I stand on the shoulders of giants, maybe one day some of you can make it here.

Yeah, the Jolly (ho, ho, ho) Green Giant!

39. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #270900 by lastgreekstanding on October 24, 2008 at 10:36 pm

EDIT: why is this in bold?

I think LGS forgot to close the bold tag in his post. Let me see if I can close it. Nope.

Thanks, r2s

40. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #270892 by lastgreekstanding on October 24, 2008 at 10:00 pm

Entry #3:

Dear DP,

Greed, for a lack of a better word, is bad. Greed is wrong. Greed doesn't work. Greed muddles, corrupts, and distorts the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its beastly forms; greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge, has marked the downward surge of mankind.

---Gordon Gecko, rehabilitated

41. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #270875 by lastgreekstanding on October 24, 2008 at 8:59 pm

Titania, do you mind reposting the link (Global Electoral College: What if the whole world could vote)? I fouled it up, and, strangely, I can't get the link to work. Many thanks!

42. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #270865 by lastgreekstanding on October 24, 2008 at 8:08 pm

LF,

- all hail Milton Friedman.

I wish Milty would socialize my debts.

43. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #269387 by lastgreekstanding on October 22, 2008 at 10:50 pm

Like the Army defending the freedom of all Americans, why not American doctors "defending" the health of all Americans, DP?

By the way, citizen Y is your fellow American.

44. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #269382 by lastgreekstanding on October 22, 2008 at 10:30 pm

DarwinsPitbull:

One thing socialists don't do is have a big bad army. Lucky for them theres America though

Are you aware that you have a single-payer army, and that single payer is the government, DP?

Do you support the government-funded troops, DP?

If you do support the (socialist) army, would you also support a single-payer health care system seeing that you are open to socialist ideas?

45. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #269369 by lastgreekstanding on October 22, 2008 at 9:41 pm

Bonzai,

Would that blogger be by any chance Joe the---"I don't believe in social security"---Plumber?

46. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #269359 by lastgreekstanding on October 22, 2008 at 9:21 pm

Mr. Fuller said,

I would say it's false to call Obama not only socialist, but left wing at all.

Mr. Fuller, well said!

Only in the Brainwashed States would Obama be considered a socialist. In Canada, for example, as Bonzai (I think it was him) already mentioned, he would be right of center---waaaay right.

The word "evidence" gets thrown around a lot on this site. Now, it's my turn! Where is the evidence that he's a socialist, the candidate of change, or even anti-war? If anything, the evidence---his voting record in the Senate---shows that he's a right wing adherent

Socialist?

This "socialist" WAS AGAINST A SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH CARE BILL that was sponsored by Dennis Kucinich.

This "socialist" VOTED AGAINST A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE CAPPED CREDIT CARD INTEREST RATES---AT 30%!

Anti-war?

In 2006, when Ned Lamont, the anti-war candidate, was leading Joe Lieberman for the Connecticut Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, OBAMA CAMPAIGNED FOR LIEBERMAN. Even calling Lieberman his "mentor".

"Change We Need"?

THE TOP CONTRIBUTORS TO THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN ARE WALL STREET FINANCIAL FIRMS. That's right: The same people who created this financial mess. Is it any wonder that Obama and McCain voted for the $700B bailout package!

You Americans want change? Great. You DO have third party candidates that will bring the much needed change that your country desperately needs.

Eugene Debs:

I'd rather vote for something I want and not get it than vote for something I don't want, and get it.

Edited for family reading :-)

47. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266929 by lastgreekstanding on October 19, 2008 at 10:42 pm

7371. Comment #266924 by Laurie Fraser:

LGS - I understand; the NVA was indeed defending its homeland. I thought you might have been going a little overboard in your praise, before - that's all. (Although there is no doubting the courage of both the NVA and the Viet-Cong, just as nobody would deny the courage of German troops in WW11.)

I am just annoyed at hearing John McCain called a "war hero".

You know, in Operation Rolling Thunder, in which McCain flew dozens of missions before he was rightly shot down, nearly a 1,000,000 tons of bombs were dropped on North Vietnam. Think about it: nearly a 1,000,000 tons!. And then this guy (who thinks like a fascist) took me to task because I used the term "carpet bombing". If that was not carpet bombing, than I am a Mossad agent!

Shalom, LF. Like mordacious1, I am going to bed (1:40 a.m. Montreal time)

48. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266922 by lastgreekstanding on October 19, 2008 at 10:06 pm

7362. Comment #266912 by Laurie Fraser:

LGS - I disagree. The real war "heroes" were those who stood up and opposed the war, burnt their draft cards and were sent to gaol for their principles.

Of course, LF, they, too.

The Vietnamese did not travel 10,000 plus miles to invade another country. They defended their country against a superpower. That took a lot of guts, LF.

The NVA were not immune to war crimes, just as American and Australian soldiers weren't.

Absolutely. A war crime is a war crime.

I do agree about Hugh Thompson, and there were many other Allied soldiers who took a stand against war crimes, and saved many innocent lives (and payed the price for their principles, as well).

Hugh Thompson's name quickly came to mind, that's all. He died a couple of years ago from cancer.


mordacious1, you in bed?

49. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266911 by lastgreekstanding on October 19, 2008 at 9:32 pm

7360. Comment #266909 by DarwinsPitbull:

I am actually from the future and I have been sent back to this time to warn everyone of what a Obama administration will cause. You ever see Terminator 2 when they show the robots having a war with humans in the future? Well it will be nothing like that. It will just be worse because socialism will have spread in this country like a virus. People looking to government to solve all there problems, which eventually will lead to a communistic country and then finally its collapse. You have been warned.

I knew it!

You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.

50. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266907 by lastgreekstanding on October 19, 2008 at 9:23 pm

I said,

I am puzzled why people call John McCain a "war hero", including Bill Maher when he was on the Larry King show last week ( he even modified it with "genuine"!). The only war heroes in the Vietnam War ("Conflict") were the Vietnamese Nationalists.

I'd like to add Hugh Thompson's name. A genuine war hero, indeed!!! (You're reading this Bill Maher?)

An Army helicopter pilot, when he witnessed U.S. soldiers shooting the villagers of Mai Lai he landed his helicopter in the line of fire and threatened to shoot the soldiers if they did not stop.

Excuse the ommission, mordacious1.