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Friday Open Thread

Your turn. Plus a video in honor of Steny Hoyer and his fellow capitulators.

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    Confidence in Congress is (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 12:23:12 PM EST
    at it's lowest rate in the 35 years that Gallup has asked the question.  

    Per Gallup:

    Link

    And this is the Democrats' year?

    That is a pathetic report (5.00 / 0) (#5)
    by JavaCityPal on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 12:34:56 PM EST
    on some of the most important industries we have.

    I think I need to find a large place to gather, and get my local reps and Senators to come and speak to a group of citizens and demand they answer for this.

    Maybe a high school gymnasium and set them up in panel for a big townhall.

    Parent

    Good luck with that (5.00 / 0) (#6)
    by vigkat on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 12:39:37 PM EST
    I doubt it would matter.  They know who their overlords are, and they are not us.  We register on their radar only when they need us to do something for them; otherwise, we are merely an inconvenient mass that no longer even demands to be placated, much less satisfied.

    Parent
    It's up to the people to protect themselves (5.00 / 0) (#36)
    by JavaCityPal on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 02:29:05 PM EST
    If we don't figure out how to take back our power, this country doesn't stand a chance. They need to be reminded they hold their office at our will.


    Parent
    Chris Carney had a open forum a couple (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by BarnBabe on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 02:23:49 PM EST
    of weeks ago in Honesdale PA. He is my REP and since he voted his Super Delegate for Hillary as his constituency did, I will make it a point to go and vote for him. Interesting enough, it seems that he came to talk about fuel prices and most of the questions pertained to the natural gas leases in this area.

    I don't know how many of you are aware, but the Marcellus Shale natural gas formation takes up most of PA, some Ohio, W Vir, and Kentucky. It might be the biggest ever source of natural gas. Right now, Cheaspeak and a few others are leasing all the big farms for 5 years for $1850 per acre plus 15 cents per cu ft if they strike Natural Gas. In other states they paid less, but here, they are paying decently. They actually started one drill in upper Wayne County. It costs $4mil to put one up and with the amount they are paying out on leases and the well, I think they are serious. The state will be watching for the environment. Over 900 farms have signed the leases from $500 to $2k per acre. BTW, they drill to about 8000 ft down and then sideways for 1 mile. So the people in PA will not be so bitter I guess.

    Parent

    Glennwald Notes (5.00 / 2) (#20)
    by BDB on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 01:28:58 PM EST
    The latest Fox polls show the Democratic Congress is more popular with Republicans than Democrats.  Hmmm, I wonder why?

    Parent
    That's (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 01:43:40 PM EST
    what post-partisan unity08 is all about....making the Republicans happy.

    Parent
    Looking for advice (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by JavaCityPal on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 12:26:13 PM EST
    I got an email this morning from a friend of mine with a news report attached.

    Her 19 year old daughter called 911 in the middle of the night Sunday morning because someone was trying to break into her apt. The police office who arrived forced her to strip while he performed a "search" on her. The officer confessed, and left the force, but she can't even get the ACLU to return her calls. Her daughter is now terrified this officer is free and certainly knows where she lives.

    Anyone know of an attorney in the Scottsdale, AZ area that may be of assistance in this type of case?

    My friend recently moved to Chicago, so is doing what she can to help her daughter from a distance at the moment.

    Any advice would be very appreciated :)

    Every force of any size (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by Molly Pitcher on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 12:28:56 PM EST
    has a review board.  That may be a better place to start.  Lawyers: legal aid society.

    Parent
    In my experience.... (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 12:56:13 PM EST
    filing a complaint with a review board or the police force is a total waste of time.  Especially if the guy is off the force.

    Get a good lawyer to sue the sh*t out of Scotsdale, and I hate to say it, but the poor girl should probably move if she doesn't feel safe in her home.  The cops can't protect ya, and I'd imagine the place would be a house of horrors to her now anyways.

    Tell you what I'd do if it was my sister...find the d*rtbag and settle it street justice style.

    Parent

    You may want to contact (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by riddlerandy on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 12:40:19 PM EST
    John Burris or Karen Snell in the SF Bay area, and see whether they have recommendations for AZ.  Actually, it legal action is filed in federal court, either of those two may be able to do it.  Both smart, aggressive civil rights lawyers.  

    Parent
    Your advice (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by JavaCityPal on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 02:26:21 PM EST
    caught her eye. She's contacted Karen Snell, was very impressed with her and is hoping she and her partner will decide this is a case they want to handle.

    Thanks :)

    Parent

    Glad to hear it (none / 0) (#50)
    by riddlerandy on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 06:26:14 PM EST
    Karen is terrific

    Parent
    That is horrible; here's a thought (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by Cream City on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 12:46:53 PM EST
    When friends had a student son in trouble out of town, I got in touch with a local EEOC litigator, who recommended a great lawyer at the locale right away.  They have a sort of network, knowing who is good in areas of gender, racial, etc., bias.

    Your friend could contact her EEOC in Chicago and ask for a reference for Scottsdale.  Or, I think the EEOC office for the Midwest is in Milwaukee -- and if so, tell her to call and ask for a senior litigator named Dennis. . . .

    Parent

    But this isn't an EEOC matter. Need a good (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by oculus on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 01:07:40 PM EST
    plaintiff's federal civil rights (42 U.S.C. section 1983) lawyer.  

    Parent
    She should also consider (5.00 / 2) (#16)
    by indy in sc on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 01:17:20 PM EST
    getting a real estate atty to help her break her lease if she doesn't feel safe there anymore and wants to move.  The attorney who helps her with the police matter might also be able to help read her lease and give her general advice on how to proceed.

    Parent
    I didn't say it was. I said, if you read it (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by Cream City on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 02:33:37 PM EST
    that EEOC lawyers have a sort of network that means that they know non-EEOC lawyers good in these areas.

    Please reread, and you'll see, so that you don't discourage Java from reading the suggestion.

    Parent

    Rest assured, Cream (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by JavaCityPal on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 04:03:22 PM EST
    I read and forwarded your sage advice.

    The perp was a police officer, a person we are supposed to trust with our safety and rights.  I have no doubt her mom will be coming after him from every available direction.

    She responded with much gratitude to all of you. I can only imagine how hard it is to think straight from so many miles away.


    Parent

    Contact the Local Women's Center (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by BDB on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 01:26:43 PM EST
    or rape crisis center.  They usually offer a broad array of services and should be able to refer your daughter to a lawyer.

    Parent
    THANKS to all of you!! (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by JavaCityPal on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 01:37:18 PM EST
    I've forwarded your ideas and advice to my friend. You all came up with better suggestions than what I could think of.

    Again, my gracious thank you to all of you.


    Parent

    One Rather Repetant Obama (5.00 / 0) (#9)
    by facta non verba on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 12:43:19 PM EST
    Fascinating in an unintended way (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by davnee on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 02:08:38 PM EST
    This guy was naive, earnest, narcissistic, and hungry for purpose and connection all at once.  And very much alone in his basement with his tech toys, despite being handsome and articulate and clearly succesful.  Said more to me about the YouTube generation than about Obama.

    Parent
    He clearly has NOT taken... (none / 0) (#12)
    by AX10 on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 12:58:26 PM EST
    his daily dose of kool-aid.

    <sarcasm off>

    Parent

    On a more pleasant note, (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by oculus on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 01:02:59 PM EST
    last night I opened an e mail from Clinton campaign featuring a photo album.  Lovely.  It is probably also available at hillaryclinton.com.

    Just another day.... (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 01:42:38 PM EST
    in the war on drugs.

    At least nobody got shot...this time.

    Nasty (none / 0) (#24)
    by squeaky on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 01:47:32 PM EST
    What a waste of resources.

    Parent
    Figures.... (none / 0) (#27)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 02:04:48 PM EST
    that when a drug raid happens upon a freak festival that the biggest freaks of all are the DEA agents.

    That just says it all man....

    Parent

    Has kos personally called out Obama (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by oculus on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 02:13:07 PM EST
    on the FISA bill?  I don't see any such indication.  

    Does anyone expect him to? (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by Joelarama on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 02:35:04 PM EST
    I really don't care myself.

    Parent
    hahahahahahahahaha! (5.00 / 0) (#40)
    by Dr Molly on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 02:41:10 PM EST
    You crack me up oculus.


    Parent
    I didn't understand the media (5.00 / 2) (#31)
    by ruffian on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 02:14:18 PM EST
    until I started reading The Daily Howler.

    He knocks it out of the park again today.

    Once you understand that most TV news "personalities" (I refuse to call them reporters) want to be millionaires, it all makes so much more sense.

    I've Been Dyin' (5.00 / 0) (#45)
    by JimWash08 on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 03:14:54 PM EST
    For an Open Thread to throw this question out for anyone -- Jerralyn, BTD or the venerable posters on this site -- to ponder and share an answer.

    I'm increasingly hearing that Dean, Pelosi et. al. are refusing to put Hillary's name on the first ballot at the Convention.

    1. Is this true?
    2. What are the implications and suggestions behind it?

    For me, I find it highly disturbing that they would spearhead such a move. Hillary was not just any second-place finisher (though she'll always be the first-placer to me).

    She was barely behind Mr. Presumptuous Nominee in pledged delegates, ahead in the popular vote, ahead in the electoral college vote count and won ALL BUT 1 of the must-win states.

    Is it too much to ask for some respect for her, her accomplishments and her nearly 18 million supporters to have her name on the ballot?

    What exactly are they afraid of? That she might actually win the votes at the convention, and the past three months prior to the Convention were for naught because they stretchered their Golden Boy Barry over the finish line, panting and flailing?

    Give me a break! I am sad, angry, frustrated and livid!

    On a lighter note, I actually drove right next to (I'm very positive that it was) Hillary's motorcade this afternoon in Dupont Circle. I was so hoping she'd wind down her window so I could profess my unwavering support and love for her. Yeah, I'm drowning in the tank for her!

    Well, some good news, I guess (none / 0) (#4)
    by andgarden on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 12:29:56 PM EST
    Sununu and McCain both appear to be toast in New Hampshire.

    Sununu! (none / 0) (#8)
    by Valhalla on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 12:42:00 PM EST
    Is he still around!?

    Parent
    BTD is cited in NYT blog (none / 0) (#15)
    by oculus on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 01:13:26 PM EST
    re Obama's announcing he will not accept public financing:
    NYT

    First Case After Boumediene v. Bush (none / 0) (#17)
    by squeaky on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 01:18:32 PM EST
    The Taliban tortured Abdul Rahim Abdul Razak al Ginco. They thought he was a U.S. spy. Then, U.S. soldiers called the Syrian native an enemy and shipped him to Guantanamo.

    Now, Ginco will be turning a spotlight back on the Bush administration itself. Newly empowered by the Supreme Court, Ginco has become the first Guantanamo detainee to demand in a U.S. federal court that the military show the hard evidence that justifies his detention. Scores of others are expected to do likewise, attorneys predict.

    The war on terror may never be the same.

    McClatchy via War & Piece


    Evidence.... (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 01:26:27 PM EST
    imagine that...this guy wants to see the eveidence against him.  The nerve of some people!

    Parent
    renting my place for DNC (none / 0) (#25)
    by klyx on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 01:52:19 PM EST
    hey can anyone give me recommends for how to go about renting out my place for the DNC?  I live in the Highlands just on the other side of the Highlands Bridge.  You can walk to the Pepsi Center in about 20 minutes form my place.

    Craigs List? (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by oculus on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 01:56:21 PM EST
    hoping (none / 0) (#29)
    by klyx on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 02:09:19 PM EST
    for a more official or directed channel?

    Parent
    If you want... (none / 0) (#33)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 02:22:54 PM EST
    ..."offical" people, contact the Organizing Committee here in town.  For the general public, Craig's List.  If you want the big corporate $ (media and the like), you'll be best served to find a temporary excutive housing service.  

    Good luck.  I've already been told I will suffer heavy fines from the HOA if I rent-out my place--also about 20 minutes from the Can.

    Parent

    HOA's.... (none / 0) (#41)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 02:45:58 PM EST
    some of the most tyrannical outfits around.

    The nerve to tell you what you can do with your pad.  

    Can't you just call your convention renter a "friend from outta town" to get 'em off your case Mile?  

    Parent

    I could... (none / 0) (#44)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 03:05:14 PM EST
    ...but it would be more hassle that its worth.  Since I'm on the tranplant list, I can't go very far away anyway.

    Most people are getting the heck out of Dodge because they think it is going to be chaos around here.  Me, I like choas.  Might even give me an excuse to have a party.

    Parent

    I hear ya.... (none / 0) (#46)
    by kdog on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 03:20:13 PM EST
    thats how the man gets ya...make doing the right thing, or the free thing, such a hassle that nobody wants to bother being right or free.  That's why innocent people plead guilty and cop a plea on the regular...

    Of course your health comes first bro....I wish you well my freedom-loving friend.  

    The HOA better not take issue when I roll through town and crash on your couch...I'm taking you up on that drink one day:)

    Parent

    Michelle Obama vs. Cindy McCain (none / 0) (#32)
    by samtaylor2 on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 02:17:24 PM EST
    I was watching this bizarre discussion this week and was wondering which potential president's wife more (quantity) women in this country will idenitify with.

    Ms. Cain
    Does not come off as assertive (positive or negative?)
    Seems a little unhealthy in appearance
    Lots of money (positive or negative?)
    White

    Ms. Obama
    Comes off asseritive
    Very healthy looking
    Educated (positive or negative?)
    Black

    These are obviously just a short list of their attributes, but which one (if either) gains more votes, or helps gain more votes?

    Compare Kerry to Bush (none / 0) (#37)
    by BarnBabe on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 02:33:21 PM EST
    Leave the color out. I remember thinking I wish Theresa gave a better convention speech. It was blah. And she was very outspoken and didn't care. Laura came out as a Mother and school teacher. Did it matter in the end? I think Cindy does not look unhealthy. I just saw a picture of her in a baseball cap and T-shirt. She looks very lady like and very elegant in many of her appearances. Michele looks very nice too and has a great smile but is more her own woman. She actually seems stronger than Obama in many cases. In the end, people really do not vote for the wives or husbands. They vote for the person.

    Parent
    I agree it makes no (none / 0) (#42)
    by samtaylor2 on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 02:47:48 PM EST
    Difference.  But the pundants are talking a lot about Ms. Obama(and I guess talk radio talks about her all the time?) as a reflection of Obama.  So does this year make a difference?  Regullary they would attack the wife for working and being outspoken, but the stereotype of a Black women, in my mind, stops that attack, because "black women are just like that."   I think it is interesting that the sexist stereotype of a black woman as a "B", protect her/ stop the attacks Hillary recieved.  Though obviously she gets attacked in a different way.

    Parent
    If she'd spoken out against it she'd have defenses (none / 0) (#51)
    by Ellie on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 06:47:40 PM EST
    ... when she gets assailed, but instead she played along with the anti-HRC misogyny by accenting how she, Michelle, was more of a Laura Bush "style" of presumptive First Lady.

    Ugh, who admits that voluntarily.

    (The generic fauxgressive spin fomenting it with the excuse that HRC "deserved" it, rather than denouncing the gratuitous bigotry, won't help the anti-smear effort. The primaries are also about marshalling tools for the next battle.)

    In any case, I wish her luck when the Rethugs use BOTH weapons against her: the misogyny and accusations of misrepresenting herself if she shows any pushback at that time.

    Parent

    Cindy McCain always reminds me of the (none / 0) (#53)
    by PssttCmere08 on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 07:47:18 PM EST
    beauty queen pitcher, Ellen Sue, in A League Of Their Own...

    Parent
    213 days... (none / 0) (#43)
    by A little night musing on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 02:54:45 PM EST
    Proxy war on Iran

    Good thing we've got a Democratic Congress to stand up to Bush/Cheney though, whatever they may be planning.

    Oh, wait...

    Just for fun (none / 0) (#47)
    by anniethena on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 03:36:42 PM EST
    BSG and politics - I (shamelessly)nabbed these images from the BSG Sci-fi forum:

    presidential preference

    separated at birth?

    I am in no way advocating or organizing against TL rules - just wanted to share ;).

    BSG is the one reason (5.00 / 0) (#49)
    by Valhalla on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 04:12:13 PM EST
    I'm not worried about the election.  See, Roslin got her rightful place as Prez back in the end, didn't she?  BSG has been surprisingly prophetic so far.

    So by the convention, or in 2012, or even (gasp!) 2016, she'll be back.  Ron Moore knows what he's talking about, y'all.


    Parent

    They said NO (none / 0) (#52)
    by JavaCityPal on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 07:02:15 PM EST
    Martha Stewart denied a visa to visit England because of her criminal record.

    Susan Atkins will die in prison.

    Obama May fundraising: 22 million (none / 0) (#54)
    by nycstray on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 07:48:29 PM EST
    OOPS! Not good, imo.

    Heh (none / 0) (#56)
    by JavaCityPal on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 09:02:07 PM EST
    I hope he ends up wishing he hadn't broken his promise for public funding and everyone who thought about contributing to his campaign sends their money to help the flood victims in the midwest instead.

    He's got 700 paid staff, and at least twice as many offices around the country than McCain does.

    How can we trust him to watch our tax money with this kind of decadence?

    Parent

    Weakest Month (none / 0) (#57)
    by Valhalla on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 09:11:36 PM EST
    So, he ended May with $43 million total, which several articles said included nearly $10 million 'exclusively for the general election'.

    Even I'm guessing he'll raise a lot more than that, but does anyone know how this works?  Then $10 million he can't use until after the convention?  Is that right?  But he can use the other $33 mil any time?

    Parent

    After checking in on some of the more (none / 0) (#62)
    by Anne on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 10:39:56 PM EST
    previously rabid Obama sites, I think it will be very interesting to see what his June fundraising numbers are - and if he made a commitment to help Hillary pay off her campaing debt, whether that will be another promise he reneges on.

    With respect to money for general election - there's a $2,300 max for both the primary and the general; if you max out on the primary, additional monies have to be earmarked for the general.

    I am pretty stunned at the comments from many names I recognize from the days before the Clinton Derangement Crowd made it too unpleasant to stick around - quite a lot of disappointment - dare I say "bitterness?" - more than a few comments about wanting contributions back, text of e-mails sent to Obama's office, people taking Obama signs down, changing their party affiliation to independent, lots and lots of anger and feelings of being betrayed.

    I have to say that I am wondering if this FISA debacle won't be a real turning point in Obama's support structure  - it's like the scales have fallen from a lot of idealistic eyes, and I don't know what he does to overcome that.  That utterly stupid Great Seal of Obama isn't going to help.

    I wish "I told you so" felt better than it does, ya know?

    Parent

    I got an email from ClintonDems.com today (none / 0) (#63)
    by JavaCityPal on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 01:55:33 AM EST
    They are asking for help in retiring Clinton's campaign debt. The campaign is trying very hard to get this taken care of because there will be strings attached that Clinton does not want to live with should she have to accept Obama's assistance in paying off her debt.

    Dear Clinton Dem,

    Yesterday I joined in on a conference call Hillary had with her National Finance team. She thanked her supporters emphatically for all we have done, and let us know that she wants to keep her network of friends together to fight for issues of great importance over the next few months. It was so great to hear her voice -- like all of you, I miss her.

    She made a personal appeal for assistance in retiring the outstanding debt owed to vendors by the campaign. It is often the case that the eventual nominee pays off at least a part of the debt incurred by a competitor's campaign. It is clear that Hillary does not want to be in a position to have to accept that kind of "help". There certainly will be strings attached.

    If you can spare it, please donate whatever you can right now.



    Parent
    Maybe there's a really big (none / 0) (#64)
    by JavaCityPal on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 01:58:23 AM EST
    "I told you so" yet to come :)

    Parent
    Harold Rhode Lawyers Up (none / 0) (#55)
    by squeaky on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 08:49:51 PM EST
    Laura Rozen reports that Harold Rhode may be under investigation.

    Mother Jones has learned that one subject of one of the recent Senate Intelligence committee reports has told associates that he has hired a defense attorney in connection to a federal investigation. Pentagon official Harold Rhode, a long-time civilian employee of the Pentagon's Office of Net Assessments, who participated in controversial meetings with Iranian arms dealer Manucher Ghorbanifar in Rome and Paris, did not respond to messages sent to his home and Pentagon emails inquiring about the Senate's report on the Ghorbanifar channel...

    Rhode, Leeden, Franklin who is now in Jail (AIPAC gate),  were all using Manucher Ghorbanifar to build a case for war with Iraq among other things, think PNAC. Now it seems that Manucher Ghorbanifar may have been using them, and Rhode is going to  take the heat for it.  

    I'm curious about other people's (none / 0) (#58)
    by suisser on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 09:13:59 PM EST
    reaction to the "Democratic Women for Change - Check List"
    Personally, I was irritated by this. Believing that it's a pathetic attempt to rally HRC supporters, yet leaves me feeling that if they just had shown some greater fortitude there would be no need for this list.
    Why does everything feel so dodgy??

    Went to the website (none / 0) (#59)
    by Fabian on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 09:28:56 PM EST
    Boy, was that a disappointment.

    No thanks.  Send me an email when they have something better to offer.

    Parent

    Very unhappy with what I've seen (none / 0) (#61)
    by JavaCityPal on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 10:02:58 PM EST
    Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray stayed firmly with Hillary, and if they have followed her request to support Obama they will, but neither one came out to be publicly noticed for it.

    I am surprised they would join a group like this. Both of them are more independent than that. I intend to write to both (they are my state Senators) and ask what in the world they are doing.

    Anything with McCaskill on it is vile to me.

    Parent

    Well, um, ....er..... (none / 0) (#60)
    by Fabian on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 09:38:02 PM EST
    I went to the Great Orange Exploding Heads.

    There are three camps:

    Are you a Democrat or what?   Obama is the Democratic nominee.  Suck it up, soldier!

    Why do we elect Democrats, if this is all they are good for?

    We told you so!

    I guess I'm in the latter group.  Anyone who dares to gripe about being betrayed by Obama is generally considered a childish whiner who doesn't understand that many things must be sacrificed to win an election.

    Oh, yeah.  I think some of us figured that out already.  "Sacrificed" sounds more noble than being tossed under the bus.