All right Team "O I so wuv Bama " lets start out meeting and strategy with not the pledge of allegiance but our fight song, Ready team !:

O BAMA you so fine; you so fine you blow my mind
O' BAMA! .. YEAH YEAH! fight fight fight!

And now please stand at attention for our national anthem - SCRUBS don't donate .

A scrub is a guy that thinks he's fly and is also known as a buster always talkin' about what he wants and just sits on his broke ass so (no) I don't want donte to ACTBLUE no I don't wanna give you mine(s) and no I don't wanna donate nowhere Unless you give me mine ( TU)

We shall never surrender,

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/featu res/video/2008/hitchens_video200808  

You can't embed but watch it. It's scary and yet I enjoyed seeing this pathetic excuse of right wing neo-con get it done to him.  And now he sings a different tune! HA. Welcome a- board. Love the last comment he makes It takes only seventeen seconds to ruin the life of an innocent man.

They told me that when I activated the 'dead man's handle' - which is a simple process, you simply release something, let it go - I didn't do that. I practically, even though my hands were bound, I...as near as I could...I threw the thing out of my hand. I mean, I really wanted it to stop.

I could swear I shouted the code word, but I hadn't.

Everything completely goes on you when you're breathing water. You can't think about anything else.

It would be bad enough if you did have something. Suppose if they wanted to know where a relative of yours was...or a lover. You feel, "Well, I'm going to betray them now. Because this has to come to an end. I can't take this anymore." But what if you didn't have anything? What if you'd got the wrong guy? Then you would be in danger of losing your mind very quickly.

That last paragraph, I believe, is critical, especially considering the torture practices of the Chinese Communists - who we are now emulating - were designed to elicit false confessions from those who were tortured.

Attention should be paid to the aftermath of the experience as well, which Hitchens relates thusly:

As a result of this very brief experience, if I do anything that gets my heart rate up, and I'm breathing hard, panting, I have a slight panic sensation that I'm not going to be able to catch my breath again...lately I've been having this feeling of waking up feeling smothered, trying to push everything off my face.

It takes only seventeen seconds to ruin the life of an innocent man.

It took him 2 weeks to come out of his shelter to stand up for the very causes he has celebrated for years. I guess Obama's last slap down of Moveon.org was the final straw? Personally I find this guy ( kos) more of an opportunist than any flag carrying member for the progressive cause.

A bit of history on the Move On slam down. I'd say good for you Barack you called it right!. The General Betrayus ad was disgusting and shameful to those and hope most americans that have families who serve(ed)

Barack Obama on Monday seemed to take a direct swipe at MoveOn.org, the powerful liberal group which endorsed the Illinois senator's candidacy earlier this year and was at times instrumental to his organization in several key battleground states.

In a speech designed to combat charges he lacks patriotism, Obama sharply condemned organizations that use "these old, threadbare arguments" to level criticisms and specifically pointed to MoveOn.org's controversial newspaper ad last fall that attacked the top U.S. general in Iraq, David Petraeus.

Now the great Kos bellows:  

So many of you are upset that I pulled back my credit card last night, making a last minute decision to hold back on a $2,300 contribution to Obama. Let me explain further:

First of all, obviously Obama is a great candidate who is running a great 50-state race. That much cannot be denied. But he's had a rough couple of weeks.

First, he reversed course and capitulated on FISA, not just turning back on the Constitution, but on the whole concept of "leadership". Personally, I like to see presidents who 1) lead, and 2) uphold their promises to protect the Constitution.

Then, he took his not-so-veiled swipe at MoveOn in his "patriotism" speech.

Finally, he reinforced right-wing and media talking points that Wes Clark had somehow impugned McCain's military service when, in reality, Clark had done no such thing.

When Mr. Wenner asked how Mr. Obama might respond to harsh attacks from Republicans, suggesting that Democrats have "cowered" in the past, Mr. Obama replied, "Yeah, I don't do cowering."

Could've fooled me, and maybe he is. Maybe what looks like cowering to me is really part of that "moving to the center" stuff everyone keeps talking about. But there is a line between "moving to the center" and stabbing your allies in the back out of fear of being criticized

Associated Press : Obama to Expand Bush's Faith Based Programs

Religion is the Opiate of the masses

Although being religious minded myself_I do see truth in that statement. Why add credence to it by allowing govt. to promote religion?

I believe in separation of church and state and am not sure why you're using tax payer money to have religion in the Whitehouse? Just because you call it council of faith based programs and bush called it office of faith based program _ it does not change the residence. Why do we need to see more of bushism policy continue?

Politico:

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) plans to slam President Bush's faith-based program as "a photo op" and a failure on Tuesday, and says he would scrap the office and create a new Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships that would be a ,"critical" part of his administration. [...]

You mean using taxpayer money towards such programs. Do they not enjoy tax exempt status? Do they not rampantly abuse that tax exempt clause w/ pastors owning multi million dollar houses and sports cars?

What I find 'critical' is govt. in the business of religion.  

Obama  "federal dollars that go directly to churches, temples and mosques can only be used on secular programs. And we'll also ensure that taxpayer dollars only go to those programs that actually work."

Really senator? why should we the taxpayer again fund religious programs. And do you honestly think that they will use the money on other secular programs/ people that don't attended that church/ mosque/ temple?  After all there is that small objective of growing the flock.  

NO thank you senator Obama- “separation of church and state”. No tax payer money towards organized religion. Here is a novel idea Barack: How about you put that money back towards our debt or perhaps rebuilding flood ravaged parts of the country. That’s god's work. Please senator don’t be a politics as usual guy. .

Is that they not only unwittingly embarrass Obama on a national level but also effectively manage ( on 'the internets' :P) to push voters on the fence to mcCain by ensuring a negative image of his campaign due to their actions. They call themselves Obamacrats first and then democrats. It's a classic Dem on Dem crime.

Case in Point 1 ( national level): Not rabid but promoting the 'Cultish' image of his followers. Featured on National media.

Obama Supporters Take His Name as Their Own

Emily Nordling has never met a Muslim, at least not to her knowledge. But this spring, Ms. Nordling, a 19-year-old student from Fort Thomas, Ky., gave herself a new middle name on Facebook.com, mimicking her boyfriend and shocking her father.

"Emily Hussein Nordling," her entry now reads.

With her decision, she joined a growing band of supporters of Senator Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, who are expressing solidarity with him by informally adopting his middle name.

Case in point 2 ( Extreme Rabid) - Blogosphere action groups ( after the flip)

Sometime back I had signed up for voteboth.com that was created to push Hillary to the VP spot. I along with many Obama supporters believe in the dream ticket and have the deepest regard for Hillary.  So having said that_ here is what I received from that mailing list a few days back and thought if they are any here w/ similar/like minded opinions for the dream ticket, you may want take a look at this mailing.

I know this diary will be infested w/ the few Hillary haters who proclaim unity when it suits them or the great talking point heads in here who will bash this idea down.  But hey we can't have a perfect party: ) . I just happen to believe we had 2 awesome candidates this time around from our party.

Dear Friend:

You and over 35,000 other dream ticket supporters petitioned Barack Obama, urging him to pick Hillary Clinton as his running mate.  We've been out there every day, making the case for an Obama-Clinton ticket, writing to the Obama campaign, talking to our friends, and taking our message to the media and blogs.

Now it is time to take the next step--talking to Sen. Obama.

Join me and so many others in recording a video that tells Sen. Obama what an Obama-Clinton ticket means to you.

http://www.voteboth.com/TalkToBarack

We each have personal reasons for why we believe that Hillary and Barack should run together.

I have gotten to know Hillary over the last five years.  She is a smart and caring woman who has spent her life fighting to make our country better.  She is also the toughest lady I know.  Hillary is exactly the person we need on the ticket with Obama.

What does having Hillary on the ticket mean for you?  Tell Barack Obama.

http://www.voteboth.com/TalkToBarack

Sending a video message is quick, easy, and powerful.  I am going to make my video today, and I can't wait to see yours!

Sincerely,

Adam Parkhomenko

Founder, VoteBoth.com

Is it time to define some guidelines to Freedom Of The Press?

I guess it be should be hoisted on a banner next too all recruitment centers. Come join the military_ we can't guarantee that our own press won’t have you killed in the name of informing ‘ we the people’ . Giving a new meaning to ' friendly fire'.

Came across this hot potato today and honestly my initial reaction was being quite appalled and taken back. I happen to understand that Freedom of Press allows us 'the people'_ an insight to secretive government and acts truly as a check and balance. ALA 'illegal' NSA wiretap program or the IRAN Contra Operations_ but not legally classified operations? why have it 'legally' classified if we are helpless to keep it so.

However this expose on troops currently in IRAN and more so on the covert ops within Iran and which happened to be permitted by the congress, thus not being an obvious hidden agenda like the NSA taps on Americans from this administration _ is an irresponsible act .  I was taken back by this piece and Seymor Hersh's reporting flaunted on the various cable network(s). I could not but  think_ How many of the special ops members are now going to be in direct danger because of this and what does this now do in terms of an Iranian counter reaction? I believe that it not only allows IRAN the excuse to hammer the US amongst its NATO partners (sure they don't know about it), but  additionally it gives IRAN a green light to move its nuclear program along faster.

The press has gone way out of its role in my opinion when it risks lives over operations that have been approved by a legitimate mean.

Why is Hersh's article irresponsible?
Yes to a common person, there have been rumors of covert ops within Iran_ but Hersh takes it step further in clearly naming which groups we are working with...within in the video link provided. And he gives great detail within his article of the exact processes and department of government involved.

Roberta McCain: "I think every one of these people, Democrat and Republican, are wonderful people," she said. "Don't you?"

I was fascinated to hear about John's mother_ A 96 year old woman full of life and rambunctious on the nomination trail.  Delighted to read up on what that generation had and we miss now. I thought I share some great snippets from a recent LA time's article. I like reading about where candidates come from and the influence of strong women behind them that shape ones lives.

I concede, with only a tinge of embarrassment, that I've been captivated by that world traveler, grandmother, freeway speedster and potential First Mother of the United States, Roberta McCain.

Having recently read where she got a speeding ticket and gushed about it, I could not but help envy her love for life.

Mrs. McCain gave the Sleuth some advice: "Don't speed up there (in Chevy Chase)."

Really? "Yes, I got a $40 speeding ticket there a few weeks ago," she said with a wry smile and a twinkle in her eye that suggested "I've still got it!"

But the woman is older than John Paul Stevens, the Supreme Court justice. She's as garrulous as, well. Wouldn't it be nice if we lived in a world where Roberta could just be Roberta?

Then she could tell those stories. Like the one about how, as a 20-year-old USC student, she eloped to Tijuana with a Navy ensign, John Sidney McCain Jr., who went on to become an admiral.

There would be time to replay her world travels, when Roberta and identical twin Rowena, a pair of striking debutantes, hobnobbed with luminaries like Madame Chiang Kai-shek and oilman J. Paul Getty (as Maureen Orth recounted in the New York Times last year).

As an admiral's wife, Mrs. McCain could embassy-hop around the world, but the twins also enjoyed eating and sleeping on the cheap across Europe, the Middle East and beyond.

In France three years ago, when she was told that she was too old to rent a car, she simply bought one to drive around the countryside.

When pushed a little too far when I asked about her son's reportedly explosive temper.

"They can say that, but it doesn't make it true. Absolutely not. Absolutely not," Mrs. McCain declared. "And even if I did know something derogatory about my son, I just wouldn't tell it. Would you say something like that about your son or brother?"

No, I conceded, I wouldn't. That made me feel pretty small -- the occasional curse of pushy reporters.