2012,DITTO HEAD CANDIDATE

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You Betcha

Oprah Created a Monster

On her show, Oprah Winfrey endorsed the Kindle, the device that amazon.com invented for people to receive newspaper material and books electronically. Unlike so-called smartphones, the Kindle arranged for things so that in order to access material, you have to pay for it.

Oprah is the smartest cookie in the room — she endorsed Obama, and look at him now! Anyway, real newspapers are looking at the Kindle business model and saying they should charge people to read their stories online.

I realize we're in another depression, but if this keeps up, we're going to see the return of pay toilets.

PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION

77 DAYS – PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION A MOST DANGEROUS TIME
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From the end of Election Day to 12:00 Noon on January 20 is known as the Presidential Transition period. The process of transfer of power is incredibly complex and fraught with dangers to the Nation which you may have never thought about. The principle purpose of the Transition process is to help the new Administration climb the incredibly steep learning curve that is required to function “at the highest levels of Government”. Having been involved for the Intelligence Community in the process of Transition in support of the Clinton election, I will attempt to provide some information on the concerns of the Intelligence Community in bringing the President Elect and his immediate Transition Team up to speed on the vast knowledge base available in the classified world, that is the Intelligence Communities view of how the world works!

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A presidential transition is a unique time in America and holds the promise of opportunity, as well as a possible risk to the nation’s security interests. The 2008-2009 election marks the first presidential transition in the post-9/11 era, and is of concern to many national security observers. While changes in administration during U.S. involvement in national security related activities are not unique to the 2008-2009 election, many observers suggest that the current security climate and recent acts of terrorism by individuals wishing to influence national elections and change foreign policies portend a time of increased risk to the current presidential transition period.

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Whether the enemies of the United States choose to undertake action that may harm the nation’s security interests during the 2008-2009 election, or the new President experiences a relatively peaceful period during the transition, many foreign and domestic policy and security challenges will await the new Administration.

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How the new President recognizes and responds to these challenges will depend heavily on the planning and learning that occurs prior to the inauguration. Actions can be taken by the outgoing President and President-elect that may ameliorate decision making activities in the new administration.

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Whether an incident of national security significance occurs just before or soon after the presidential transition, the actions or inactions of the outgoing Administration may have a long-lasting effect on the new President’s ability to effectively safeguard U.S. interests and may affect the legacy of the outgoing President.

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Following the Election, The outgoing President retains all the formal legal powers of the presidency, yet his last electoral success is four years removed and his political capital is at low ebb. The outgoing President will want to protect his policies or accomplishments from being reversed or undermined and may also want to create obstacles to prevent his successor from too quickly achieving political and policy success.

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The incoming President, on the other hand, will be focused on beginning his own initiatives and may desire to expeditiously reverse the policies of the previous President.” When the
incoming and outgoing Presidents are from opposing political parties the conflicts during the transition period may be even more acute.

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Enemies that pose a risk to the United States may activate domestically and internationally and take the form of foreign and American citizens who are aligned with nation states whose intent is inimical to our National interest.
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The new Administration is likely to face many national security challenges on taking office. Some security experts suggest that the presidential transition period of 2008-2009 may be unique given the quantity, diversity, and breadth of security risks confronting the nation.

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The incoming Administration is likely to face three distinct types of national security challenges that could translate into short- and long term national security risks. The national security challenges the next administration might face include the following:

! Current U.S. military engagements: Iraq, Afghanistan, and other
military support or training activities related to the global war on
terrorism and counter-proliferation efforts.
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! Risks posed in countries and regions of concern: Iran, North
Korea, Russia, China, Republic of Serbia, Venezuela, Cuba, and the
Middle East; and
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! Risks associated with contemporary issues: the role of U.S.
foreign policy in international security matters, the role of the
military in nation-building activities and diplomatic endeavors,
international terrorism, non-proliferation, and homeland security.
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While the issues are not exhaustive and may not require the same level of attention and priority based on the new Administration’s foreign and domestic security objectives, time devoted to understanding these and other challenges prior to the inauguration may better prepare the newly elected President to make well reasoned decisions on assuming office.

Dave Israel

This is my Last Patriot

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Why all the big banks might be in trouble?

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Retired Congressman Phill Gramm was the Author of the Bill that repealed Glass- Steagall Act in 1999. He is John McCain's finance advisor and works for one of the big banks lobbying congress today. Just a little info. Mike

Who Is Running America? Lobbyists Thats Who.

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This is great info, if anyone beside me cares about it.
Mike

Joe Biden for VP

How about that Joe Biden! I like him. He seem honest, strong, smart, love of family, love of country, wonderful background, speaks his mind. I like his story, I like where he comes from. Wish he was on the top of the ticket.
Chris

If you really want to get sick.

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Financial Crisis in America - Warren Buffet

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Thought this might be of interest to some people .
Mike

Florida Democrats - votes not counting

Hi folks,

I am stealing Dave's trick and starting a new post with the comment I just made on Dave' post. After reading my comment, if interested, please see Dave's great post and terrific references below (4 posts down).

ChrisJ said...

Ok folks, I have spent my morning reading the Florida articles. Have not gotten to Michagan's yet. The St. Peterburg Times article on May 9, 2007, is the one that really answered my question.

Great references Dave! It seems that the National Democrats have much stricter penalties about violating the voting schedule than the Republicans do. The Republicans were pushing to move the date up.

During these talks, the Democrats were noticably absent. Shame! Bill Nelson tried to help (I always liked him), but to no avail. The Republicans passed moving it up and Mel Martinez, the new young Republican played a role in this also. I am not so sure I like what I have been reading about him.

Well, anyway, thank you Dave. I do finally understand all this. I am going to re-read the articles again later today. I want it all to sink in real deep so I can show off my knowledge to anyone and everyone who will listen!!! (only kidding).

Dave is the greatest at getting us facts we can sink our teeth in! This whole thing does make me very mad! I guess I am truly an independent because sometimes I love/hate the Republicans and sometimes I love/hate the Democrats.

This gal finally gets it!

Now to get on with my day. You people are really messing up my morning exercise routine. I have to get off this darn blog!!!

signed,
"now the new politcal savvy"
chris

Capt , this says it all.

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GI Bill

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WHY OUR VOTES MAY NOT COUNT

Hi All,
In another Comment stream:

ChrisJ said...
Now - on to serious business. What is this with the Michigan votes and the Florida votes not counting. I know we have already been through this discussion with Dave. He explained, but I still don't get it. It is suppose to be the Republican's fault. But how can anybody in this great USA take away our vote away??? it's un-American!!!

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Hi All,
This issue, in both cases, Florida and Michigan was a result of the States wishing to aggrandize themselves on the National Political Stage. The result was that the DNC slapped their wrists by invalidating their Delegates; Wow, a credentials fight at a Democratic Convention; what else is new??
Dave
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The following extracts will put you in the picture, read the entire reference for more detail:

Florida Moves Its Primary Up to January 2008

All Things Considered, May 21, 2007 · The state of Florida is moving its presidential primary earlier by one week, under a new law signed by Gov. Charlie Crist. The change means that Florida's Jan. 29 vote will set it apart from the large number of states holding their primaries on Feb. 5, 2008.


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10304611



What if Democratic voters turned out for a presidential primary in Florida and their vote didn't count?

No, this isn't a Katherine Harris joke.
It's an option national Democratic leaders are seriously considering as they grapple with Florida's newly scheduled 2008 presidential primary date, which could upend the national primary process and produce yet another weird Florida election. Consider the scenario:

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/05/09/State/Dems__primary_may_not.shtml

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LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Senate voted Wednesday to move the state's presidential nomination contests to Jan. 15, further roiling an already turbulent nomination schedule that has raised the possibility of voting before New Year's.

Approval of the switch is far from sure. The Michigan House must still pass the measure, and a disagreement among state Democratic leaders over whether to hold a primary or a caucus is complicating final action

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-08-22-michigan-primary_N.htm

Mich. Primary Move Splits Democrats ; Candidates Stay Away, but Others Say State's Voice Should Match Its Size

By Peter SlevinWashington Post Staff WriterTuesday, October 9, 2007; A06

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 8 -- For Debbie Dingell and Sen. Carl M. Levin, the standoff has been brewing for years. The Michigan Democrats have long worked, mostly behind the scenes, to change an electoral calendar that places vast importance on results in Iowa and New Hampshire, states that bear little resemblance to the industrial heartland.

"There's just no possible justification for one or two states that are not particularly representative to have a dominant role in this process. It's not fair to other states," Levin said in a telephone interview. "Why the hell do New Hampshire and Iowa have a claim to the attention to their issues?"

Republican presidential candidates will be standing on a Dearborn stage Tuesday afternoon, discussing manufacturing, jobs and the U.S. economy. Democrats, meanwhile, are shunning Michigan in retaliation for the state's decision to elbow its way into the early primary lineup. When Michigan moved its primary to Jan. 15, leaders in New Hampshire and Iowa leaned on the Democratic principals to stay away.

The result is a tangle, with the Democratic National Committee vowing not to seat any convention delegates Michigan chooses that day and Democratic presidential candidates facing a deadline of Tuesday to decide whether to remain on the ballot here

.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/08/AR2007100801511_pf.html

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Hope that helps;
Dave

National politics, national news, problems – anybody want to share their opinion?

I'll share mine later........

North Dakota Oil

I made a mistake on which Dakota. This is not the report that I read but it will tell you something. Mike

I'm Sorry

Subject: I'm Sorry
This "Letter of Apology" was written by Lieutenant General Chuck Pitman, US Marine Corps, Retired:
For good and ill, the Iraqi prisoner abuse mess will remain an issue. On the one hand, right thinking Americans will abhor the stupidity of the actions while, on the other hand, political glee will take control and fashion this minor event into some modern day massacre.
I humbly offer my opinion here:
I am sorry that the last seven times we Americans took up arms and sacrificed the blood of our youth; it was in the defense of Muslims ( Bosnia , Kosovo, Gulf War 1, Kuwait , etc.)
I am sorry that no such call for an apology upon the extremists came after 9/11.
I am sorry that all of the murderers on 9/11 were Islamic Arabs.
I am sorry that most Arabs and Muslims have to live in squalor under savage dictatorships.
I am sorry that their leaders squander their wealth.
I am sorry that their governments breed hate for the US in their religious schools, mosques, and government-controlled media.
I am sorry that Yassar Arafat was kicked out of every Arab country and highjacked the Palestinian "cause."
I am sorry that no other Arab country will take in or offer more than a token amount of financial help to those same Palestinians.
I am sorry that the U.S.A. has to step in and be the biggest financial supporter of poverty stricken Arabs while the insanely wealthy Arabs blame the USA for all their problems.
I am sorry that our own left wing, our media, and our own brainwashed masses do not understand any of this (from the misleading vocal elements of our society like radical professors, CNN and the NY TIMES).
I am sorry the United Nations scammed the poor people of Iraq out of the "food for oil" money so they could get rich while the common folk suffered.
I am sorry that some Arab governments pay the families of homicide bombers upon their death.
I am sorry that those same bombers are brainwashed thinking they will receive 72 virgins in "paradise."
I am sorry that the homicide bombers think pregnant women, babies, children, the elderly and other non-combatant civilians are legitimate targets.
I am sorry that our troops die to free more Arabs from the gang rape rooms and the filling of mass graves of dissidents of their own making.
I am sorry that Muslim extremists have killed more Arabs than any other group.
I am sorry that foreign trained terrorists are trying to seize control of Iraq and return it to a terrorist state.
I am sorry we don't drop a few dozen daisy-cutters on Fallujah.
I am sorry every time terrorists hide, they find a convenient "Holy Site."
I am sorry they didn't apologize for driving a jet into the World Trade Center that collapsed and severely damaged Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church - one of our Holy Sites.
I am sorry they didn't apologize for flights 93 and 175, the USS Cole, the embassy bombings, the murders and beheadings of Nick Berg and Daniel Pearl, etc, etc!
I am sorry Michael Moore is American; he could feed a medium sized village in Africa .
America will get past this latest absurdity. We will punish those responsible because that is what we do.
We hang out our dirty laundry for the entire world to see. We move on. That's one of the reasons we are hated so much. We don't hide this stuff like all those Arab countries that are now demanding an apology.
Deep down inside, when most Americans saw this reported in the news, we were like - so what? We lost hundreds and made fun of a few prisoners. Sure, it was wrong; sure, it dramatically hurts our cause; but, until captured, we were trying to kill these same prisoners. Now we're supposed to wring our hands because a few were humiliated?
Our compassion is tempered with the vivid memories of our own people killed, mutilated and burned amongst a joyous crowd of celebrating Fallujahans.
If you want an apology from this American, you're going to have a long wait!
You have a better chance of finding those seventy-two virgins.
Chuck Pitman
Lieutenant General, USMC
Pass this on to your friends if you agree.

Things Go Funnier With Coke

Yes, drug abuse will ruin your mind, it will kill you, and it will not look good on your police record. Having said that, I would like to say this: Watch this classic WKRP clip, baby!

NEW YORK BOY SHINES --CLIENT # 9

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Will the Sun Come Out Tomorrow for the Sun-Times?

ITEM: Conrad Black, the millionaire who owned the Chicago paper, did some goofy things with the finances and is now in jail. Like some other financiers who ran amok with other people's money, said people are sinking. According to this article, The Sun-Times isn't any healthier than Roger Ebert, their movie critic who became nationally famous with his friendship with rival Gene Siskel, these days.

This Is Your Brain on Recycled Drugs

ITEM: Some California potheads wanted to deposit their pot at the local recycling center. Any questions? Here's the answer: The stoners wound up pounding stones at San Quentin!