I agree with you Sandbee, 100%. If Catholic politicians only represented Catholic constituents, Methodists represented Methodists, etc., that wouldn’t be a separation of church and state. Therefore, the Pope has no place in trying to influence any of our law makers, Catholic or not. The Pope needs to stay out of our politics, and Pelosi needs to stay away from the Pope.

Wow, Deb, I love Craig Ferguson! Glad you brought him up. I really don’t know what they’re thinking, putting Conan O’Brien on the Tonight Show. I always felt that the Tonight Show was really special, the pinnacle of late night entertainment. I remember Jack Parr, then of course, Johnny Carson, whom I loved. When they put Leno in, I guess I was OK with it because Carson liked him so much, though I didn’t watch it much anymore. But Conan O’Brien?! I can’t stand his show ~ he’s just not funny. But to put him where the ledgendary Carson once sat is just WRONG.

I would like to see more positive stories like this one concerning Iraq. We have paid such a huge price in American lives and taxpayers money, to bring freedom and self government to the Iraqi people, it’s a nice change to hear about children being able to play freely and safely outside at a park. Now the Iraqi people need to step up and take charge of their own freedom, so our servicemen and women can return home and watch their own children joyfully playing.

Don’t forget Reagan in 1980 when he chose George Bush Sr.

Sorry, but I can’t waste my time listening to a bunch of sore losers.They had 8 years to prove themselves and look where we are. Frankly, I’m sick of the republicans, and I KNOW republicans. I voted straight republican tickets for 30 years. After experiencing W (and his friends) as my governor, then as president, I’d had enough. If the republican congressmen and women REALLY cared about their constituents, then maybe they would have brought more to the stimulus package than tax cuts and bitter complaints. I didn’t see any of them offer anything better. And just how are their tax cuts going to help people who are unemployed and not paying taxes? Or the people who can’t get full-time work so they’re working part-time at minimum wage, who also pay very little in taxes? I get a very small pension ~ so small, they only take $17 out in taxes a month. How is a reduction in taxes going to help me? It’s unbelievable to me that out of the entire congress, only 3 republicans could even support the bill, yet they have NOTHING else to offer the American people. Some of them even thought it would be a good idea to do nothing at all. What do they care? They all have good paying jobs, great health insurance , and a great pension plan. They make me sick. I hope, come the 2010 elections, that we see an even bigger majority of Democrats in congress ~ not because I think the Dems are terrific, but because I think so little of the republicans. So no, I won’t waste my time.

Aww,Belinda, cute picture!!

I listened to this press conference, and one of the many things I truly like about President Obama is that when he speaks, he explains things in such a way that they really make sense. No double talk or way-out-there explanations. It’s so refreshing to have a president who not only speaks intelligently, but one that actually knows what he’s talking about. Now, about those republicans ~ John McCain, being his “mavericky” self yesterday, stated that the stimulis package needs more tax cuts. Hmmm….let’s see, people who are out of work, who are receiving unemployment benefits which most people do not have taxes taken from, are going to benefit from these tax cuts HOW? The republicans are acting like stubborn, petulant children who lost the game, so now they’re going to be stubborn and not play with the kids who beat them. Keep it up and the American people will vote out even more republicans in 2010.

Yes, and hopefully the American people will see them for what they are and vote all these arrogant republicans out if office in 2010. They just lost big time in 2008. You would think they’d want to put their best foot forward at this time, but I guess it’s true ~ you really CAN’T teach old dogs new tricks.

I agree with you. How is her resignation going to further help the women of Iraq??? Leaders who are truly trying to bring about change can’t simply throw in the towel and say, “I quit. Change is not coming fast enough”. What if Martin Luther King Jr. had said that? Would we be where we are today in this country? I truly hope they turn down her resignation, and she stays on to keep fighting for women’s rights.

I love Ellen DeGeneres. I think she’s one of the wittiest, smartest, and kindess women in Hollywood. I’ve never heard much about Portia NOT being gay. They both appear to be very committed to their marriage, and I enjoy seeing pictures and videos of them together that Ellen sometimes shares with her viewers. I wish them all the best, as I do any married couple. Marriage can be tough, but when you’re in it with the right person, you can work just about anything out. P.S. Never could stand Anne Hecht!

OK, ladies, enough! I agree with Belinda, Ava, and Tee Zee. Channa, you really need to get off your soap box. Yes, Etta James was a wonderful singer in her day, and she sang “At Last” beautifully. But does that mean NO ONE else can sing it but her?! Come on, be reasonable. Many great singers with hit songs get imitated ~ isn’t imitation the greatest form of flattery? I think Beyonce gave a wonderful, heart-felt, emotional performance of Mr.Gordon’s and Mr.Warren’s song ~ yes, NOT Ms. James’ song. She doesn’t own it, she simply made it popular. The Obama’s love the song, wanted it sung as their first dance song, and Beyonce was the one chosen to do so. GET OVER IT. Now, as to why Ms.James is spewing hatered against our President, I don’t know, nor do I listen to it. Next thing you know, Etta will be appearing with Rush Limbaugh.

Thanks Zera for the links. I was totally unaware of most of this when it was going on. I hate injustice on any level, but when it happens at the DEPARTMENT of Justice, it makes my blood boil.

I’m very glad to hear that the DOJ rehired Leslie Hagen and made her job permanent, but that’s NOT enough. She not only deserves an apology, but she deserves monetary compensation, and Monica Goodling needs to be brought up on charges of sexual discrimination, slander, and whatever else they can think of. Is this Monica person still working for the DOJ?? If she is, she needs to be terminated immediately.

Marjorie, I didn’t realize you were from MA. I was born and raised there in a little town on the coast between Boston and Plymouth. I’ve lived in Texas for over 30 years, but my family still lives there. My brother worked briefly for the state during the Big Dig project attempting to computerize a lot of the documents. He said there was so much corruption and money mismanagement (stealin? pay-offs?) that after one year he quit.We were in Boston the summer that the falling tile killed a woman and they had to shut down the tunnels. What a mess!! I love to go back and visit as often as I can, but I wouldn’t want to live there again.

Ouch!! That was a bit MEAN and NASTY, Lady Gator! You could have made your point with a little more kindness.