2009.11.04
Wednesday open thread
Who cares about this stupid election? We all know it doesn't matter who gets elected president of Carver. Do you really think it's going to change anything around here; make one single person smarter or happier or nicer? The only person it does matter to is the one who gets elected. The same pathetic charade happens every year, and everyone makes the same pathetic promises just so they can put it on their transcripts to get into college. So vote for me, because I don't even want to go to college, and I don't care, and as president I won't do anything. The only promise I will make is that if elected I will immediately dismantle the student government, so that none of us will ever have to sit through one of these stupid assemblies again!
What promises are you making today?
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I promise to continue to support the efforts of conservative R's in every manner possible. I promise to offer financial backing intil it hurts. I take comfort in the results of these elections knowing the "take care of me kids" were but a fleeting moment in the past. I promise to communicate more forcefully with the liberal D's in hopes it will cause them to wake up and return to the middle, and possible have something actually accomplished. This day however, is not just one of promises made but even more so one of promises given. Virginia has given America a promise of hope and that the reign of extreme socialism, which will will tarnish the image of this country, will not last.
Comment by Al — November 4, 2009 @ 7:44 am
Does Dan need to re-write that editorial he wrote than "endorsements matter"? At least to correct it that RTEB endorsements don't matter....
Governor= RTEB endoresee lost by a humbling margin
LG= RTEB endorsee lost by over double digits
AG= RTEB endorsee pummeled by large margin
6th district= RTEB endorsee lost
7th district= RTEB endorsee lost
8th district= RTEB endorsee lost
9th district= RTEB endorsee won but Poindexter was not going to lose anyway.
11th district= RTEB endorsee won, but Bird was no opposition in a heavily democratic district anyway.
12th district= RTEB endorsee won but Shuler was not going to lose, on all 4 RTEB "winning" endorsements, the endorsement didn't matter because there was no way Putney, Ware, Shuler, or Poindexter were going to lose.
17Th district= RTEB endorsee lost. Perhaps next to Roanoke City Sheriff this one is the most embarassing. Guy running for public office for the first time overwhelmingly defeats Gwen Mason. Nice call RTEB.
19th district= RTEB endorsee won but Putney was going to win anyway.
And then there is Roanoke City Sheriff. The RTEB endorsee got, are you ready, 16% of the vote! Oh yeah baby! And he was surprised to get that much of the vote!
RTEB, do you realize how out of touch you are with the people that read the paper and pay your salaries? Does it concern you at all that you need to look beyond ideology (ie. "D" beside the name) in making your endorsements? Does surviving as a business entity ever enter the equation?
The electorate spoke ast night. And you are so far out of touch with them it isn't even funny.
Comment by Bob H — November 4, 2009 @ 7:57 am
Bob H,
The important thing is that the RTEB were good little footsoldiers and tried to do their part in getting the agenda endorsed.
Comment by Suzie — November 4, 2009 @ 8:17 am
Your right, of course Bob, but the thing is that the liberal media is not supposed to be in touch with reality. They represent the counter forces in politics. They are the thinkers. They are supposed to find the light on social solutions and shine it brightly in every dark corner. They know what's best for all and they are dedicated to give us guidance and direction so we can feed the hungry, cover the naked, heal the sick and care for the poor and everyone knows that none of that is accomplished by individual effort. Those people have no way out but to be carried on the backs of honest hard working people. Generations of "welfare" have created the welfare class in America, but not to worry, they simply will add to YOUR tax burden so you have less of what you earned to pay for what others are unwilling to earn for themselves. At time it almost seems that the real enemy in this war, and it is war, is in fact the media, not the democrats. We're happy this day, but one thing about these people, they do not give up. They'll be back at it, if not tomorrow, later today. Just watch. If only they could actually put their efforts to work for the good of the world.
Comment by Al — November 4, 2009 @ 8:27 am
@Bob #1: RTEB, do you realize how out of touch you are with the people that read the paper and pay your salaries? Does it concern you at all that you need to look beyond ideology (ie. "D" beside the name) in making your endorsements? Does surviving as a business entity ever enter the equation?
Bob, endorsements are not meant to be predictions. We knew when we made these endorsements that most of the candidates we recommended were heading for a loss. That didn't factor into our decisions. We endorsed the candidates we believed would be best for the state.
I also do not believe our job on the Opinion page is to be a mirror reflecting our readers' opinions back at them. I think it's better if an editorial board challenges conventional wisdom and gives people something to think about instead of just parroting the opinions of the majority of readers.
Besides, Bob, "the electorate" is a fickle beast. We weren't so out of touch last year when Mark Warner won the Senate, or in 2006 when Jim Webb won the Senate. Or in 2005 when Kaine won the governorship.
Should we flip like a weather vane trying to predict where the electorate is going to come down next, or should we try to set a consistent course, explain our rationale as clearly as possible and leave it to the voters to make each decision the best they see fit?
Comment by Dan Radmacher — November 4, 2009 @ 8:37 am
#3 - "The important thing is that the RTEB were good little footsoldiers and tried to do their part in getting the agenda endorsed."
Their reward will come when the newspaper payoffs...oops,I mean bailouts begin.
Comment by Patrick — November 4, 2009 @ 8:47 am
Uh Dan #5,
"Besides, Bob, "the electorate" is a fickle beast. We weren't so out of touch last year when Mark Warner won the Senate, or in 2006 when Jim Webb won the Senate. Or in 2005 when Kaine won the governorship."
Those were all DEMOCRATS too. Where is the flipping like a weather vane that you are referring to? That is the point, no matter what, the RTEB says elect the DEMS. Not a single republican was endorsed for statewide office. Not a one. They were ALL bad? The electorate are dumb or something? It doesn't bother you to be that out of touch with the people who read your paper, advertise in it, and pay your salaries?
Obviously what the RTEB thinks is best for the state, about 2/3rds of the voters totally disagree with. But you are smarter than them.....
Comment by Bob H — November 4, 2009 @ 8:55 am
Bob,
Was there a Democrat in 2005 or 2006 you would have endorsed for statewide office? Were they ALL bad? Was the electorate dumb or something, or were you just smarter than them?
This isn't about being dumber or smarter. It's about having and expressing a consistent point of view - which we do. And that, when you get right down to it, is what you don't like and what you continuously complain about, though your point of view appears every bit as consistent as ours.
We give you a platform to voice your opinion, Bob. Why do you work so hard to get us to blunt ours?
Comment by Dan Radmacher — November 4, 2009 @ 9:03 am
The first Domino has fallen. The rest will not be far behind. Congratulations to all of the winners of last nights elections regardless of party affiliation. The people have placed their trust in you to do the peoples work. Do not betray that trust.
Comment by Richard S. — November 4, 2009 @ 9:28 am
#8,
My livlihood is not based on my opinions for one difference.
Why do you equate the opinion of the RTEB to that of lowly old Bob H? I can assure you it doesn't carry quite the same weight. Why try to transfer the spotlight on me? Oh, to get it off of the RTEB.
As a matter of a fact, I have voted for Henry Howell (twice), Chuck Robb, and Mark Warner. And if I had it to do over I would probably have voted for Wilder. So my "endorsements" do vary, for the record.
So maybe your Sunday editorial should read, "Endorsements matter", but RTEB endorsements don't?
Comment by Bob H — November 4, 2009 @ 9:34 am
#2 I think it is you ,that needs to look beyond ideology. the RT is in no way a liberal rag as some say at times. Believe I can shown you one or two. But maybe you want kind of a fixed network kind of paper and then you might be happy.
#8 If I was in church I would simple say, amen. It very well could be the far right wing maybe does not want any dissension, none.
Another thing #2 You sound like you are in a sports game, you know win, win,win kind of thing. It reminds me of someone telling me, "he's out numbered and that guy will not win". I tell them I am not at a horse race but vote who I believe in.
Comment by Bill Hudson — November 4, 2009 @ 9:51 am
Gosh, Bob H, the electorate has also totally (or mostly) agreed with the RTEB. What's with that?
Comment by gdad — November 4, 2009 @ 9:58 am
The one candidate of note (New York) who openly ran as a far-right conservative ended up losing a seat that had been Republican for decades. The New Jersey Republican who won is hardly a conservative, and McDonnell had to hide his true stripes. Now that he's in, get ready for massive state interference in your personal life. Moral conservatives want less government, except of course when they decide the government should tell you how to behave, particularly in the bedroom.
Comment by gdad — November 4, 2009 @ 10:03 am
"It doesn't bother you to be that out of touch with the people who read your paper, advertise in it, and pay your salaries?"
So Bob H, tell us how you know the votes of these people. Have you been illegally hacking into voting records?
Comment by gdad — November 4, 2009 @ 10:04 am
Al, there is no "reign of extreme socialism" in this country. Most other countries in the world consider the U.S. absurdly conservative. Silly hyperbole like that undermines your message.
Comment by gdad — November 4, 2009 @ 10:07 am
Also Al, it would be pretty hard to tarnish the image of this country any more than it was tarnished under George Bush and his Republican Congress. But yesterday was pretty big step toward tarnishing the image of Virginia.
Comment by gdad — November 4, 2009 @ 10:09 am
8 that is unless you delete it, which happens a lot !!!
Comment by pammala — November 4, 2009 @ 10:10 am
Oops, didn't mean to send that last one yet. We've got a governor who thinks women shouldn't be in the work force, an attorney general who says flat-out he'll ignore whatever laws he chooses to ignore (but look out fornicators), and a lieutenant governor who has some pretty kooky views of the world. Embarrassing.
Comment by gdad — November 4, 2009 @ 10:12 am
The RT is not consistent in it's expression of outrage over similar offenses, depending on the offender's politics; it is only consistent in its far left ideology. That's why there is no credibility.
Comment by Suzie — November 4, 2009 @ 10:22 am
gdad 13,
Good luck finding a leftleaning trend in NY-23. I hope you guys base your '10 strategy on that result and keep pushing right ahead with your socialist agenda.
Comment by Suzie — November 4, 2009 @ 10:26 am
Good morning gdad. Just keep telling yourself how unconservative the winners are. What ever it takes to get you through the day. Speaking of messages, do you actually have one?
Comment by Richard S. — November 4, 2009 @ 11:00 am
gdad#18
Not as embarassing as that loss in NJ last night!!
How many appearances did the President make on Corzine's behalf and he still lost?
Comment by Richard S. — November 4, 2009 @ 11:03 am
#20 I will say it once again, we nor this President and those who dream like him are NOT socialist.
Oh and by the way we are not atheist.
Comment by Bill Hudson — November 4, 2009 @ 11:08 am
Sure he has a message. The holes in his socks are there because of GWB. The dems will never let that go. I can see it being a topic in presidental races for generations. Just like Va's "transportation problem" that belongs to...a state govt run by dems for the last 8 years.
Comment by Al — November 4, 2009 @ 11:12 am
#20 I will say it once again, we nor this President and those who dream like him are NOT socialist.
Comment by Bill Hudson — November 4, 2009 @ 11:08 am
Yes, and snow is not white either.
Comment by Jim W. — November 4, 2009 @ 11:18 am
@13 get ready for massive state interference in your personal life.
uh that obamas job
Comment by pammala — November 4, 2009 @ 11:23 am
Al,
I'm still trying to figure out how the bank crisis was George W. Bush's fault even though the Democratic Congress was calling the shots from early 2007 on; while the transportation mess in Virginia is not the fault of Democratic governors, but the legislative body.
Comment by Suzie — November 4, 2009 @ 11:33 am
Wow. Another predictable spin. "Obama had nothing to do with the GOP wins last night. Besides, the winners were moderate."
I guess we should have spotted the foreshadowing yesterday when CNN released a poll showing 0bama with an alleged 54% approval rating. The timing of the poll's release, on Election Day, was just a coincidence. We know that. But is was designed to show that Americans love 0bama, so the ensuing bloodbath in the elections is unrelated to 0bama.
Buried deep in the poll, but unreported was the fact that a solid majority oppose 0bamacare, but we didn't need to know that, did we?
Comment by Suzie — November 4, 2009 @ 11:47 am
Suzie:
When you figure it out let me know. I have seen many clips of Barney Frank poo pooing the notion of doing anything that would "hurt" people in trying to get a home financed. Quite honestly,IMO, events like these tend to be a part of a larger cycle. Good times, bad times, excess or absence. I really think the better task is not to look for blame (although we apparently both know it was not GWB), but rather to regroup, let it run it's course, and adjust how we do things in the future. For what it's worth, I feel Bush's presidency was pretty much defined by the events of 9-11. Had BO been in charge I feel sure he would have offered an apology to the terriorists with an invitation to come have a beer with him and see if they could work things out. That meeting would have ended with the US awarding Islamic nations and Islamic groups around the world with a "free our guilt" payment. And they would have sliced his throat as they left with the check.
Comment by Al — November 4, 2009 @ 11:59 am
#25 As much as you want to believe that our President is a socialistic and maybe not born in the USA, and maybe thinks our President wants death panels and re-education camps that might not fit into reality here on earth.
Comment by Bill Hudson — November 4, 2009 @ 12:06 pm
Obama admin. called the Deeds campaign last night around 11 pm...it's reported Robert Gibbs stated the president's campaigning had saved or created 300,000 votes for the democrat contender.
Comment by BUD — November 4, 2009 @ 12:14 pm
That made me laugh, Bud. Good one.
Comment by Dan Radmacher — November 4, 2009 @ 12:26 pm
@25 this President and those who dream like him are NOT socialist.
if they follow a marxist manifesto, they are at least marxist !!! he has even admitted it so you cant say he didnt get involved, obama loves marxism at the very least and is trying his best, and losing, to implement it in this country, not going to happen..
Comment by pammala — November 4, 2009 @ 12:29 pm
Pammala: What are you talking about?
Comment by Dan Radmacher — November 4, 2009 @ 12:33 pm
#33 In the words of Woody Allen,"excuse me but I am due back on planet earth". Marxist is a word I might replace for you and put in boogieman.
Where do you guys get this stuff?
Comment by Bill Hudson — November 4, 2009 @ 12:43 pm
Good news!! Look where our taxpayer dollars are going via El Presidente's Stimulus Program...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/10/091021-radioactive-rabbit-droppings-nuclear-obama-stimulus.html
Comment by Marked Man (mark) — November 4, 2009 @ 1:02 pm
Independents elected the GOP in. THAT is what scares the (you know what) out of the Dems. And it will also be the reason they bring in the GOP to get Health Reform done.
Comment by T Witten — November 4, 2009 @ 2:33 pm
Has anyone heard from Sandi Saunders in awhile.
Havent seen her post anything lately.
Even though we almost never agreed hope she is ok.
Comment by HERB KREBS — November 4, 2009 @ 4:48 pm
Sandi took her toys to Dan Casey's blog when they posted a thread about terms of service and conducting a spirited debate instead of name calling and all the fun stuff. She is the same old Sandi we all know and love. You can obviously see that thread did alot to calm things here on the ol' RT.
Comment by Walker — November 4, 2009 @ 4:58 pm
Herb...
You have a good heart and at the end of the day, that's what matters most.
Comment by Will — November 4, 2009 @ 5:41 pm
#25 As much as you want to believe that our President is a socialistic and maybe not born in the USA, and maybe thinks our President wants death panels and re-education camps that might not fit into reality here on earth.
Comment by Bill Hudson — November 4, 2009 @ 12:06 pm
Thanks for the laugh Bill. Show me where I ever brought up the chosen one's birth place, death panels or re-education camps? I put those items right up there with 9/11 "truthers" and Gore's BS about man made global warming.
However, Obama IS a socialist. Socialism is and has been at the core of the democratic party....you know Bill, redistribution of wealth and all that.....
Comment by Jim W. — November 4, 2009 @ 5:57 pm
@34 I will explain it again:
on post 33 I commented on post 25 as follows:
__________________________________________________________________________________
#20 I will say it once again, we nor this President and those who dream like him are NOT socialist.
Comment by Bill Hudson — November 4, 2009 @ 11:08 am
Yes, and snow is not white either.
Comment by Jim W. — November 4, 2009 @ 11:18 am
___________________________________________________________________________________
my link to explain why I thing obama is a socialist or marxist is as follows: it isnt hard to understand
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e59_1225214503
Comment by pammala — November 4, 2009 @ 6:04 pm
#41 Thank you in clearing that one up,there is hope yet. But sorry to disagree but our President is very far from being a socialist. He is just trying to undue the damage the other guy did. The gap between the rich and poor got very wide,remember? So sorry that I think you are so very wrong but there it is.
#42 Putting socialist with a Marxist can in some places start a good fight. And I am sure you see it that way(we got that),but you are using the fear play book that will back fire on you in 2010.
Comment by Bill Hudson — November 4, 2009 @ 7:06 pm
46 but you are using the fear play book
it is 0bama's own words, not mine.
Comment by pammala — November 4, 2009 @ 7:45 pm
Socialist, Marxist, Communist, Facist...for the academic it matters. What they are are NOT is lovers of freedom and defenders of the US Constitution. What they all ARE is enemies of freedom. FEAR the elections of 2010.
Comment by Al — November 4, 2009 @ 7:46 pm