Al Gore and the Dixie Chicks post by MisGivings

[MisGivings]

LV, I am not going to watch... I made the mistake of watching about 15 minutes of the Grammy's and of course it was the part where Natalie Maines decided to say that she had just made quite a few tv's change the channel and "oh well".... and I expect nothing more of the Grammy's than more political discourse from people that don't live everyday lives.... people who think that because of their money and power nothing can ever touch them...

anyway my $.02......

I will say that I do look the next day for all the clothes!

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Sorry, Mrs. Red, but I believe she was making the point that The Dixie Chicks aren't on everyone's chit list. The Grammy's showed them that people still love them very much. They were blackballed for exercising their right to Freedom of Speech, something our men and women in our Military keep fighting to preserve every day, and are even dying for it.

Most of America agrees it's time to cut down the bush and get on with a better form of leadership. I think the approval rating is like 27% now.
Folks thought Saddam Hussein was a big terrorist. We have a President though who is an even bigger terrorist, keeping 300,000 plus of his citizens captive in suffering by not providing health care programs for them.

OK, done with my rant.
No disrespect intened towards you, Mrs. Red

[Anna]

   

Hardly!  And even at his lowest rating, Bush is still ranked above this current congress.  Given how everything is about getting votes with the Democrats, I would not really expect them to give the President a favorable rating no matter what he does or doesn't do.  No votes to be had in that!

USAToday is hardly a conservative publication and yet this morning's poll gives President Bush a 76% approval rating among those who call themselves Republicans and those leaning that way. I'd have to say that's excellent considering the propaganda war being waged against him.  Hillary, for example only has 43% approval and congress as a whole has been hovering around 30-34% below even Bush's general rating.

http://tinyurl.com/26ocp3

GOP is abandoning Bush? Not quite
By Richard Benedetto

The Washington punditocracy has proclaimed far and wide that Republicans, disenchanted with the war in Iraq, are abandoning President Bush in droves, leaving him the lamest of lame ducks. However, the latest USA TODAY/Gallup Poll suggests Bush might not be as wounded as he appears — at least not among his party faithful.

The Feb. 9-11 poll puts Bush's job approval at 37%, but among people who identify themselves as Republican or leaning Republican, his approval rating is 76%.
Thus, despite bad news from Baghdad and carefully crafted hand-wringing by high-profile GOP war critics in Congress such as Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, three of four Republicans in the country are hanging in there with the president.

The poll also shows that rank-and-file Republicans have higher regard for the president than they do Republicans in Congress. They gave GOP lawmakers a 63% job-approval rating, 13 points below Bush's. And 72% of Republicans do not think Bush made a mistake sending U.S. troops to Iraq.

So if congressional Republicans figure the key to re-election in 2008 is taking a hard line against Bush on Iraq, they could be dead wrong. They might lure some independents, but they risk alienating their GOP base. To win, you need solid support from your base plus independents, not independents alone.

Conventional wisdom also says the presidential ambitions of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., could be derailed by his strong support for the war. This poll, however, shows that his stance could be a plus among the base.

What does this high approval among Republicans mean for Bush? It means that as long as his party support remains that strong, he won't fall below 30% approval, a depth that would virtually extinguish his political power. The lowest Bush has fallen is 31%, still enough to make him a significant, although wounded, force in legislative battles with the Democratic-controlled Congress.

The latest congressional skirmish over Iraq underscores the point. In the House's non-binding vote to oppose the president's deployment of more troops to Baghdad, 17 Republicans voted with 229 Democrats to pass the measure. Four GOP representatives didn't vote. Lost was the fact that 180 Republicans stuck with Bush. By that count, Bush gets a 92% loyalty standing among House Republicans who voted. Hardly a GOP exodus.

In the Senate, Democrats fell four votes short of the 60 needed to force a vote on an identical Iraq resolution. Why? Not enough Republicans would go along. Indeed, seven GOP senators broke with the president, and nine didn't vote, yet 33 held firm. Among GOP senators who voted, that's an 83% Republican loyalty rating for Bush.

Though the president may have lost the country on the issues of the day, rumors of his demise among Republicans voters and lawmakers are greatly exaggerated.


Richard Benedetto retired last year as White House correspondent for USA TODAY. He teaches journalism and politics at American University in Washington and is author of Politicians Are People, Too.

[Sam]

It seems I can no longer put my feelings out there in the way I would like. These are just my opinions. No links or news articles to support these opinions , just a long time living.

Yes, our servicemen have fought to not only protect our country and its values. Yes, one of those is freedom of speech.

With freedom of speech comes responsibility. If you are a celebrity and you badmouth our President while you are in another country then you are also badmouthing our country. I for one do not approve of this. For this reason I will not buy your records or see your movies or whatever else you are involved in. This is my right.

Quote from Misgivings
Most of America agrees it's time to cut down the bush and get on with a better form of leadership. I think the approval rating is like 27% now.
Folks thought Saddam Hussein was a big terrorist. We have a President though who is an even bigger terrorist, keeping 300,000 plus of his citizens captive in suffering by not providing health care programs for them.

I think you are thinking our President has much more power than he has. Our Nation is over 200 years old and no President has ever provided health care for the citizens. Have all our Presidents been terrorist?

Ok. Rant over[/quote]

[Red]

LV, I am not going to watch... I made the mistake of watching about 15 minutes of the Grammy's and of course it was the part where Natalie Maines decided to say that she had just made quite a few tv's change the channel and "oh well".... and I expect nothing more of the Grammy's than more political discourse from people that don't live everyday lives.... people who think that because of their money and power nothing can ever touch them...

anyway my $.02......

I will say that I do look the next day for all the clothes!

*************************************************************
Sorry, Mrs. Red, but I believe she was making the point that The Dixie Chicks aren't on everyone's chit list. The Grammy's showed them that people still love them very much. They were blackballed for exercising their right to Freedom of Speech, something our men and women in our Military keep fighting to preserve every day, and are even dying for it.

Most of America agrees it's time to cut down the bush and get on with a better form of leadership. I think the approval rating is like 27% now.
Folks thought Saddam Hussein was a big terrorist. We have a President though who is an even bigger terrorist, keeping 300,000 plus of his citizens captive in suffering by not providing health care programs for them.

OK, done with my rant.
No disrespect intened towards you, Mrs. Red

They were blackballed for exercising their right to Freedom of Speech, something our men and women in our Military keep fighting to preserve every day, and are even dying for it.

If you live by the sword, then you must die by it as well. Freedom of speech is a double edged sword and if one wishes to put forth a political opinion when they are in a business setting, they best be prepared for the consequences. The Dixie Chicks have no market on having that freedom, while others do not. They played and got burned.

The Dixie Chicks were not blackballed. People, especially country music fans were using their same freedom of speech rights as the Dixie Chicks used in shooting off their mouths. The power of the wallet and pocketbook. It is no mystery that every time the "Liberal Chicks" were played on the radio, the next sound was a dial being turned.

The Chicks have every right to mouth off if they wish; however, there are consequences. Especially when 85% of your fan base is down home country living. Its the "shut up and sing" philosophy.

I used to listen to the Chicks all the time, no more. I could have cared less what their politics were. They just had to put it out their and alienated a majority of their fan base.

The Grammy's did not show that they are back in the good graces of their fans. That was the spin that the MSM wanted people to believe. It showed that liberals would rather give awards based on a political bias vs. quality of music. No where did you see the Chicks in the CMA's.

[Red]

Another Inconvenient Truth for Al Gore … Gore TN Mansion uses 20x’s Energy Consumption vs. the Average Commoner

Last night while hob-knobbing with the beautiful people at the Oscars Al Gore made the following comment:

“We have everything we need to get started with the possible exception of the will to act. That’s a renewable resource. Let’s renew it.”

Maybe you might want to find the will to act yourself Al??? Unbelievable, you hypocrite. I guess this might be considered an inconvenient truth for Al Gore as well.

The average household in America consumes 10,656 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, according to the Department of Energy. In 2006, Gore devoured nearly 221,000 kWh—more than 20 times the national average.

Last August alone, Gore burned through 22,619 kWh—guzzling more than twice the electricity in one month than an average American family uses in an entire year. As a result of his energy consumption, Gore’s average monthly electric bill topped $1,359.

Since the release of An Inconvenient Truth, Gore’s energy consumption has increased from an average of 16,200 kWh per month in 2005, to 18,400 kWh per month in 2006.

Gore’s extravagant energy use does not stop at his electric bill. Natural gas bills for Gore’s mansion and guest house averaged $1,080 per month last year.

[Anna]

Exactly the problem, Red.

As long as these "celebrities" continue to delude themselves that they are some sort of experts in areas where they often lack even passing knowledge, I shall continue to ignore, boycott if you will, their goods and services.

I have not paid for a movie ticket in years now and have no intention to do so as long as we have those purporting this expertise in areas outside their range.  Al Gore with his private jet and $33,000 monthly utility bill has two courses at college level in earth science.  He received a D+ and a C but now he knows more than the MIT experts.  I don't think so.

Ditto the "foreign policy" experts such as George Clooney and Susan Sarandon who are shills for the global socialist party yet think because they have "fans" and a following of their acting careers, their opinions are welcomed by those who otherwise might have watched them in a movie.

No matter how self-congratulatory the Hollywood crowd is, it is not translating to sales at the box office and now even morning TV is suffering a tremendous loss of viewership.  You'd think they could figure it out eventually.

Yes, they have the right to freedom of speech but I find it highly dishonest, deceitful and that they usually have the same globalist agenda as many of our liberal politicians.  I am then free to exercise my freedom of choice to vote with my feet to get just as far away from these phony experts as I chose.  

Few if any of them hold graduate degrees in any field that would qualify them for any of the auspicious positions of authority in the fields of everything from climate and environmental issues to foreign policy that they assume to hold and grant to themselves.  There is a reason for that I do believe and frankly, I just don't even see any serious, intelligent thinkers in the field.  I have yet to hear one cohesive, intelligent statement in the arena of politics from a single "celebrity" or member of the professional entertainment field.  Not one.

As long as Hollywood continues to meddle in areas where they are so ignorant, misinformed and basically have no business, I will continue to lose respect for even their acting and musical abilities.  Just as we have the right to stay away from Aruba, we have the right to boycott at the box office.  What a pity they are so eager to be used and to sell out their talent and careers to the politics of the anti-American and anti-capitalists who encourage them so.

Perhaps the inclusion of these political messages in their work and the recent offerings that pass as the motion picture arts these days could be the reason for such a decline in quality.  Most things coming out of Hollywood wouldn't have passed as Grade "B" a generation ago.  I think both would be greatly improved if they would stick to their own areas of expertise and indeed, "Shut Up and Sing!"

[LouiseVargas]

Anna,

Who is "them"? The actors in Hollywood? If not, who are they?

Anna, you  have heard of God's gifts? It is God who grants the ability to act and perform in just the same way that God gave Elvis his voice and star quality. How did Ray Charles learn the piano? God gave him that gift. Why would actors want to hold degrees in the fields of climate and/or environmental issues?  Those subjects are being addressed by students from Cal Tech to MIT. Everyone has a place. I'm a artist and a writer. My daughter is an excellent mother. My husband was a good dancer and businessman.  Look at Klaas - she is an artist too.
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From online. Yes, they have the right to freedom of speech but I find it highly dishonest, deceitful and that they usually have the same globalist agenda as many of our liberal politicians. I am then free to exercise my freedom of choice to vote with my feet to get just as far away from these phony experts as I chose.

Few if any of them hold graduate degrees in any field that would qualify them for any of the auspicious positions of authority in the fields of everything from climate and environmental issues to foreign policy that they assume to hold and grant to themselves. There is a reason for that I do believe and frankly, I just don't even see any serious, intelligent thinkers in the field. I have yet to hear one cohesive, intelligent statement in the arena of politics from a single "celebrity" or member of the professional entertainment field. Not one.

[mrs. red]

Anna,

Who is "them"? The actors in Hollywood? If not, who are they?

Anna, you  have heard of God's gifts? It is God who grants the ability to act and perform in just the same way that God gave Elvis his voice and star quality. How did Ray Charles learn the piano? God gave him that gift. Why would actors want to hold degrees in the fields of climate and/or environmental issues?  Those subjects are being addressed by students from Cal Tech to MIT. Everyone has a place. I'm a artist and a writer. My daughter is an excellent mother. My husband was a good dancer and businessman.  Look at Klaas - she is an artist too.
********************************************************

From online. Yes, they have the right to freedom of speech but I find it highly dishonest, deceitful and that they usually have the same globalist agenda as many of our liberal politicians. I am then free to exercise my freedom of choice to vote with my feet to get just as far away from these phony experts as I chose.

Few if any of them hold graduate degrees in any field that would qualify them for any of the auspicious positions of authority in the fields of everything from climate and environmental issues to foreign policy that they assume to hold and grant to themselves. There is a reason for that I do believe and frankly, I just don't even see any serious, intelligent thinkers in the field. I have yet to hear one cohesive, intelligent statement in the arena of politics from a single "celebrity" or member of the professional entertainment field. Not one.

LV< it seems to me that you are agreeing with Anna... her post about "them" was speaking about how the "celebrities" come out and make all these statements without the degree or knowledge to truly back it up... it's just their opinion - and yet there are those that think that if a "celebrity" says it... oh, it must be so.

AL Gore doesn't hold any science degrees and yet he is teaching at universities his "science of global warming"... and his home in TN uses more enegry than imagnable for someone so worried about the greenhouse effect...

[Sam]

I am posting this as a reply to Misgivings. I received it in an email today. I also plan on putting it in the lounge as a joke.



Hillary Clinton goes to a primary school in New York to talk about the world. After her talk she offers a question time. One little boy puts up his hand. The Senator asks him what his name is.

 "Kenneth."

 "And what is your question, Kenneth?"

 "I have three questions: First - whatever happened to the medical health care plan you were paid to develop during your husband's eight years in the office as President? Second - why would you run for President after your husband shamed the office? Third - whatever happened to all those things you took when you left the White House?"

 Just then the bell rings for recess. Hillary Clinton informs the kids that they will continue after recess.

 When they resume, Hillary says, "Okay, where were we? Oh, that's right, question time. Who has a question?"

 A different little boy put his hand up.  Hillary asked him what his name is.

 "Larry."

"And what is your question, Larry?"

 "I have five questions:

  First - whatever happened to the medical health care plan you were paid to develop during your husband's eight years in the office as President?

 Second - why would you run for President after your husband shamed the office?

 Third - whatever happened to all those things you took when you left the White House?

 Fourth - why did the recess bell go off 20 minutes early?

 Fifth - what happened to Kenneth?"

[LouiseVargas]

Dear Mrs. Red,

I hold no major degrees other than HS and Trade School. I traveled with the Army for the first six years formative years of my life.

I went to elementary school in Monterey California, Fort Lewis Washington and Salzburg Austria. I went to Jr. High School in Pasadena, as well as High School in Pasadena. I attended three semesters at Pasadena City College. Then I got married and had to go to work in 1962.

I have a lot of knowledge of the world because I was interested in knowing about it. I got exposed to many different cultures. I read many books. I am educated via reading, listening, keeping up with the times, etc. And I'm sure my genetics is what is behind my quest for knowledge.

I learned by life experience. I'm an artist with no degree, I'm a home decorator without a degree. I'm a wardrobe consultant without a degree. I'm a gardener. I don't have a degree in political science or economy. I've observed politics since Harry S. Truman was in office. I've traveled to Europe and Asia. I don't have a parental certificate or degree in parenting, do you?

Parenting is the most important and critical thing in the world. The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. Are there any classes and degrees regarding parenting?

Does Nonesy have a degree in cookie making? Does Klass have a degree in Photoshop? Does BTgirl have a degree in making sock monkeys? Does CBB have a degree in creating avatars? I can use the sewing machine to make clothes and alterations but no degree.

When I worked for Xerox for 10 years in the marketing department, the newly hired marketeers could neither spell nor write a proper sentence. Every one of these kids had BA degrees in Marketing. Some even had MAs.

I really and truly respect the value of degrees. Sometimes I've taken one course on my own dime and it was very valuable on my resume.

My point is that a degree does not mean you are the oracle. And if one doesn't have a degree but has smarts, that is far more important than a degree.

Thanks for reading.
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Mrs. Red wrote: LV< it seems to me that you are agreeing with Anna... her post about "them" was speaking about how the "celebrities" come out and make all these statements without the degree or knowledge to truly back it up... it's just their opinion - and yet there are those that think that if a "celebrity" says it... oh, it must be so. AL Gore doesn't hold any science degrees and yet he is teaching at universities his "science of global warming"... and his home in TN uses more enegry than imagnable for someone so worried about the greenhouse effect...

[mrs. red]

LV... actually I do not need a degree in parenting as I do not have children.

I do have a degree in Political Science and another degree in Paralegal Studies ( which, yes there is a degree beyond a certificate).

Unless Al wants to stop using enough power for one home in Tenn to furnish half the state I don't want him telling me what to drive, when to turn off my lights, etc....

[crazybabyborg]

Some of the discussion here touches on one of my soapboxes ( I have several ). This one is celebrities and politics.
I place celebrities on the same level of responsibility with their fans as teachers have with their students and therapists have with their patients. It's not an exact analogy, but there are paralells. My point is that celebrities have at their disposal, a platform that is their's because of a particular popularity related to acting, singing, ability: even good looks. The audience that clamors to gather at their "stage" is directly due to their particular attribute, and media is there as well because of the interest.

Just as a teacher has a captive audience and weilds influence because of the more powerful position he/she has when interacting with students, so does the celebrity with the worldly standards of power so evident: money, fame, talent, news worthiness that they possess.

If a celebrity, or a teacher imparts influential subject matter outside of the reason for their elevated position of power, then it is abuse of that position, IMO. I don't believe a personal political persuasion is appropriate in the classroom, nor do I believe a celebrity's personal political persuasion is appropriate when it is elevated to be newsworthy.

I believe we ALL should have information based opinions on our government and policies of our country and that our votes should reflect our informed opinions and choices. BUT, your and my opinion are equally qualified and equally weighted. A celebrity's opinion shouted from a stage that reaches thousands of ears and is bolstered by obvious success, beauty, and power is often less informed, less biased, and commonly an attempt to be "chic" and accepted in a smug, exclusive community. Simply, it has undeserved influence and is irresponsibly given.

The qualifications to wield that sort of political influence should be restricted to those involved in the political process. When it comes to politics, a celebrity should have no more audience than you or I. On that topic, we are on the same information and passion level and I would suggest that the world we navigate is far more "real" than a millionaire's life who is hounded for autographs whenever he/she sets foot from a mansion.

Our perspective of how our government serves us best is probably more clear when giving a third of our paychecks to taxes, affording healthcare, struggling with lame public school systems for our kids. Those are a daily concern rather than keeping a Spa Date. Fear lives a little closer to us in the real world, and terrorist threats seem more plausible when we don't have personal security guards. We have no idea how long a period of grieving is "fashionable", but many of us still fight back tears when we see reruns of those towers crashing down or hear a replay of the calls that came in from flight 93.

The numeric size and relationship of folks we discuss our political opinions with, should be equal to Barbra's, Susan's, Linda's, Michael's and Jane's because we are at least as qualified to give it. I'll buy a ticket and applaud their talent with my entertainment dollar, but I'm not giving up my ear to hear the socially handicapped tell me how to vote. They should be listening to you and me in the same venues open to us all.

[justinsmama]

BRAVO, CBB, BRAVO!

[Tibrogargan]

BRAVO, CBB, BRAVO!

[b]DITTO FROM ME, TOO[/b]

[LouiseVargas]

Dear Mrs. Red,

You made me smile and laugh when I read your first sentence.

I admire your having two degrees. Wow, from the bottom of my heart.

With love, Louise

[LouiseVargas]

CBB,

Rhank your for a great post!

LV

[mrs. red]

CBB... you said exactly what i was trying to say, only you stated it eloquently!
LV, my pleasure - it's always good when we laugh!

Has anyone talked to or seen NONE?  Where is she, and is she ok? I haven't seen her in a few days.... and I miss all of her posts and information!

[San]

CBB... you said exactly what i was trying to say, only you stated it eloquently!
LV, my pleasure - it's always good when we laugh!

Has anyone talked to or seen NONE?  Where is she, and is she ok? I haven't seen her in a few days.... and I miss all of her posts and information!

None is fine mrs. red.  She has been very busy lately.

[Cat]

i respect and love the enviroment,I do not despoil it .Please respect AL,before you write more.Try to live with it not,just taking from it.i do not have a degree in women,but I have learned a lot from these strange and mysterious creatures,including how wrong I am.cat

[WidgetTheMidget]

I am posting this as a reply to Misgivings. I received it in an email today. I also plan on putting it in the lounge as a joke.



Hillary Clinton goes to a primary school in New York to talk about the world. After her talk she offers a question time. One little boy puts up his hand. The Senator asks him what his name is.

 "Kenneth."

 "And what is your question, Kenneth?"

 "I have three questions: First - whatever happened to the medical health care plan you were paid to develop during your husband's eight years in the office as President? Second - why would you run for President after your husband shamed the office? Third - whatever happened to all those things you took when you left the White House?"

 Just then the bell rings for recess. Hillary Clinton informs the kids that they will continue after recess.

 When they resume, Hillary says, "Okay, where were we? Oh, that's right, question time. Who has a question?"

 A different little boy put his hand up.  Hillary asked him what his name is.

 "Larry."

"And what is your question, Larry?"

 "I have five questions:

  First - whatever happened to the medical health care plan you were paid to develop during your husband's eight years in the office as President?

 Second - why would you run for President after your husband shamed the office?

 Third - whatever happened to all those things you took when you left the White House?

 Fourth - why did the recess bell go off 20 minutes early?

 Fifth - what happened to Kenneth?"

I SMELL A REPUBLICAN READY TO GO DOWN WITH THE SHIP..............

GET REAL........

ANYONE WHO VOTED FOR BUSH FOR A SECOND TERM IN MY BOOK

ARE A LITTLE BIT +++++++ ...............