Barack Obama Throws His Hat Into The Ring

[LouiseVargas]

Obama Takes First Step in Presidential Bid

Barack Obama plans to formally launch his campaign for president in Springfield, the city where Abraham Lincoln lived and worked before being elected the nation's 16th president. The announcement would come around Lincoln's birthday and help underscore Obama's hope of positioning himself as a uniter who can rise above partisan bickering. Obama, like Lincoln, served in the Illinois General Assembly in Springfield. Obama said Tuesday that he has formed an exploratory committee to study a presidential bid and will announce his final decision on Feb. 10.

[LouiseVargas]

When all the world is a hopeless jumble
And the raindrops tumble all around
Heaven opens a magic lane
When all the clouds darken up the skyway
There's a rainbow highway to be found
Leading from your window pane
To a place behind the sun
Just a step beyond the rain

Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true

Some day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow blue birds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why oh why can't I?

[LouiseVargas]

Today on FOX, I heard Dick Morris being interviewed. I searched the FOX website to try to find the transcripts but I can't find 'em. I've heard him make political predictions before.

What I heard (not an exact quote): Morris said, "Hillary Clinton will be the next President. She will have a race with Obama but in the end, he will be her vice president."

[LouiseVargas]

I HAVE HOPE

There's a place for us,
Somewhere a place for us.
Peace and quiet and open air
Wait for us somewhere.

There's a time for us,
Someday a time for us.
Time together with time to spare,
Time to learn, time to care.

Someday, somewhere
We'll find a new way of living,
We'll find a way of forgiving,
Somewhere.

There's a place for us,
A time and place for us.
Hold my hand and we're halfway there
Hold my hand and I'll take you there,
Somehow, someday, somewhere.

Someday, somewhere
We'll find a new way of living,
We'll find a way of forgiving,
Somewhere.

There's a place for us,
A time and place for us.
Hold my hand and we're halfway there
Hold my hand and I'll take you there,
Somehow, someday, somewhere.

[mrs. red]

LV... if Hilliary and Barack are President and Vice President... my prediction is that the misery index will make Carter look like a genius.... that is a scary proposition IMO...

Love to you... hope you are well... but my friend, on this we completely disagree....

[Tylergal]

Oh!  No, Hillary will not allow a chain smoker near the White House.  Obama will have to kick the habit or kick her out of the drivers seat.

[LouiseVargas]

Mrs. Red,

Can you explain to me what "the misery index" is? The only thing I know is that it has something to do with Jimmy Carter.

[LouiseVargas]

Tyler,

I heard today on FOX that Obama is a smoker. It was pointed out that he is never photographed smoking, never seen with a pack of cigs in his pocket and the camera has never filmed him smoking a cig.

Do we have Monkey smokers? Please raise your hands! I would never think less of any of you who smoke specifically because you're a smoker.

Another thought. It's ok to accept Cheney (second in line for the presidency) who has serious heart problems (multiple surguries, a stent) and who could drop dead at any moment, but there is an inordinate amount of hoopla because Barack smokes cigarettes.      

Please elaborate.

[darleenofalabama]

Smoking cigarettes is the least of Barack Hussein Obama's problems; the fact that he is a MUSLIM ought to be of paramount concern to every voter in America.

[mrs. red]

LV... the misery index was created specifically when Carter was president.  It indexs the unemployment, inflation, interest rates, etc... during a president's tenure.  Under Carter it was the highes that this country has ever known... interest rates for buying homes was 21%, unemployment was at an all time high, and everyone was struggling.... in ways we can't even think of remembering now.... there were still people during that time that didn't have things we think of as necessities which back then were luxury items... (or considered to be).

The American athletes were not allowed to participate in the Olympics because Carter wanted to show those hard-liners that we would be tough..... and of course there was the kidnapping of the Americans.  

That my dear is the misery index.....

and I know you think we botched this war in Iraq... but I think the media would like us to believe that it is hopeless.... I think there is more to the good than we will ever hear... and let's face it, as Gulliani says - if Iraq wasn't important in brining democracy, peace ... some HOPE to that region, the terrorist insurgents wouldn't be fighting so adamently to keep it under their rule... Like it or not, if we just tuck our tail and run, that is when we will all be under the burka rules....

we have to finish and stay strong.... if the media and US had acted this way during the world wars, we would be speaking Japanese or German....

[darleenofalabama]

BRAVO, MRS. RED!!!!!!!  I am constantly amazed whenever I hear bashing of the mission of our troops, which is to show terrorists that their behavior is unacceptable and won't be tolerated!!!  Good grief, get educated, people.

[Sam]

Hey Louise,

Yes I am a smoker. I have quit a million times at least. Never for any real amount of time. I do resent being viewed as a second class citizen because of it. So thanks for not doing that.

I have no intention of voting for Cheney at least at this time. I very much doubt I would vote for Hillary. I do not think Bill was a bad president even though his morals left a lot to be desired. One of my main problems with Hillary is not that she stayed with Bill after finding out about his definite infidelities but her comment when he was accused that she was not a little stand by your man gal.

At this time I am very impressed with Barak Obama. It will be very interesting as more things are asked. JMHO

[mrs. red]

in no way do I think that smokers are second class citizens, in fact as much as I dislike the smell... I don't believe in any of these states that are banning smokers....


in fact in MAINE, they are trying to pass a law that says you may not smoke outside at all... .not even in your own back yard....

wow... that is the first of decisions I don't want made for me...

[LouiseVargas]

Mrs. Red,

Thanks for the explanation of the misery index. Now I get it.

I didn't like it that Carter boycotted the Olympics. He did it as a political statement, but without a thought to what it is like to practice for four years so that one is ready to peak at the Olympics. The boycott ruined the careers of many Olympians.

I know we are friends because we still like each other even though we sometimes have different viewpoints.

But I'm clueless why some people think the war is botched and why others think the war is going well.

Love, Louise

[pdh3]

Bush 43 is responsible for some of the bad impressions of the war. He announced that we had " won" the war prematurely, and that we would put the Iraquis in charge,rebuild and move on. That was about 3 years ago, if I remember correctly. That was far from the reality of what was truly taking place, and it raised the expectations of Americans who thought we'd be out of Iraq, and that the fighting would stop. I have never understood why it was assumed that the war was over at that time. And why is it conveniently forgotten that he made that ill-timed statement?
We are obviously being misled by the Bush Administration, just as we were misled about Viet Nam by the Johnson Administration.
And we are being misled by the media as well. So people don't know what's going on in Iraq, or which side to believe. Journalists were more objective during WWll, and journalistic standards had not been breached by the entertainment factor.
It's no wonder people are so polarized and confused about Iraq.
I suspect the truth is somewhere in the middle.

[Sam]

in no way do I think that smokers are second class citizens, in fact as much as I dislike the smell... I don't believe in any of these states that are banning smokers....


in fact in MAINE, they are trying to pass a law that says you may not smoke outside at all... .not even in your own back yard....

wow... that is the first of decisions I don't want made for me...

I have a few problems with all this anti smoking hoopla. I would feel the same even if I were not a smoker.

1. This country was founded on Tobacco and alcohol like it or not.

2. Our Government is intruding to much into our personal lives. If they want to protect the citizens they should be making laws where sex offenders are sent away for life when found guilty. No second chances.
Make laws that make sense and enforce them.

When government is allowed to much leeway it is only a matter of time before they take away others rights as well. Businesses are no longer allowed to make the decision on whether they may have smoking sections. According to the lawmakers it is for the peoples health benefit.


Well we all know red meat is unhealthy. Does this mean this will be next on there list?  Or portion control.  Or no fast food or buffets?

What about the possibility of bird flu? No poultry alowed to be served anywhere.

Maybe they should just outlaw all meat and make us be vegetarians? Just kidding of course but this really could happen when Government is allowed to make all of our decisions for us. JMHO

[mrs. red]

I think it depends on how you view the importance of keeping terrorism at bay or whether or not you believe - as I do - that these jihadists and terrorists are slave to a "religion" that believes that they must kill and rid the world of anyone that does not believe as they do.  It is more than an attack on Israel or even Christians - what so many people don't quite realize is that these fundamentalists hate everything about us from our way of life to television... it's why women are not allowed to read, or to own property etc.  It is also why the females are circumcised - like it or not, women set the tone for the household and help teach men when they are boys to respect or hate women....

this is why I fully support staying in Iraq and doing all we can to win this war.... remember the story I have told y'all about the solider I met flying over Memorial Day weekend who was from Haiti and he was now fighting for the US?  Let's face it, Clinton did that country NO FAVORS... and I am not sure it's even possible  - but this young man remembers seeing our troops when he was 9 years old and now is one of them... that is powerful stuff....

as far as the media goes, I think they have had it ingrained that they must have a certain agenda or be fired... on a lesser level, but relating to all of this read the book "SPIN SISTERS"... it really talks about how the media works... even fashion maven Stacey London has said  - and I have seen her speak in person - that magazines are in business to make us feel bad about ourselves... she worked for Vogue, if y'all don't know....

but it's the media's job to have a lock step opinion these days.... and it's a shame but unfortunately it's the truth.... I was interested to see Michelle Malkin's opinion change after she went to Iraq... of course, we don't have that luxury.  But I do promise that I know 2 men fighting there right now and a few of my friends have kids or grandkids over there fighting and to a man they all say the same thing... that we are doing good... and it's not as bad as they say...

in fact, the soliders I have stopped in airports, etc have confirmed these things... If you see a military member, stop them, thank them and ask them....

[mrs. red]

Sam...

the reasons you state are the reasons I don't like this one bit..... I don't want the government controlling any aspect of my life.  Particulary when smoking is legal......


notice they are already controllling the food industry...

once again it's a wake up call.... and it seems like no one is listening...

[pdh3]

mrs. red.......with all due respect, I have to point out a few things.......
I have a good friend who fought in the now famous Battle of Fallujah. He was also in the Gulf War when he was an active Marine, and was in the reserves when he was sent to Fallujah. I live in a city with a huge Army base, and many of my friends are in the reserves, or are retired military.Everyone here is somehow tied to either NASA or the military in one way or another, so I am very familiar with what our soldiers think. I know several who have been to Iraq more than once.
A person who chooses the military as a career is of course supportive of what they have chosen to do, unlike Viet Nam, where kids were forced to go. War is what our military is trained to do, and that is their frame of reference. Military personnel must believe in what they are doing in order to survive. It is their mission to succeed. They are trained to think that way.
Soldiers do not have a totally unbiased opinion either.
I firmly support our military, and what they are doing. My problem is that the war was mismanaged, and the military was not given all the equipment they needed to do the job. The generals, who know what they are doing, were not given the full reign they deserved, unlike the Gulf War managed so brilliantly by Colin Powell and the generals of that time.
Just because not everyone agrees with the war does not mean those same people are not listening, or are somehow all wrong in their opinions. I think most people are patriotic, and want what they believe is best for America.

As for Stacy London....I despise her show because she is so condecending to the participants, and it is supposed to be funny to make fun of people. She chooses to make piles of money from the fashion industry, and freely spins along with the rest of them. The whole reality show trend is to make people feel bad about themselves, or that they don't measure up somehow. Stacy London contributes to the myth of perfection that is so damaging to our culture right now. I'd like to see a show that focuses on developing strength of character instead of shallow, superficial qualities.

[nonesuche]

pdh3-

Had Rick not gone to Desert Storm he might well be alive today. I know how he felt and he served under Powell, I also had the privilege of hearing Shwartzkopf speak once and his message was very simple.

He said "most of the world's problems can be solved by doing the right thing, the issue is that we choose often not to do the right thing". I think the path of doing the right thing is often the hardest path possible.

Rick felt we should have never left the first time without driving out all the dictators who do not value human life and who rise to power feeling they have an inalienable right to destroy our country. However painful this current moment is for our country, I do believe to destroy terrorism remains the right thing to do for our planet.