Disqus - Friends of RepublicansRock

Re: Open Startup: Askablogr in Mashable

daltonsbriefs — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:55:07 -0000

I joined due to that mashable post, so it worked!

Re: Washington Post Blames Private Sector for Government Failures

daltonsbriefs — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 20:17:41 -0000

Finally someone with some readership saying this, I've been in the mortgage business and home building business (what fun) and have been trying to explain that Fannie and Freddie weren't private enterprises, if we want them to be totally private great ... but the government has to take the junk off their hands first.
http://synergyhomes.blogspo...

Re: $700 Billion for Disastrous Financial System Bailout

daltonsbriefs — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 10:42:39 -0000

Terrific post, I've been hoping that conservatives would start talking about the government's role in causing this crisis in the first place. The problem isn't too little regulation, but far too much.

As a home builder I watched governments at local, state and national level regulate our industry to the point of collapse. As a mortgage lender I've now watched regulations raise the cost of obtaining a home, raise the cost of overhead to all participants, and somehow reduce the market's belief in what used to be the strongest credit market in the world.

Re: Testing Disqus for comment interaction

daltonsbriefs — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 08:59:17 -0000

Still testing commenting section on our NW Indiana blog.

Re: Testing Disqus for comment interaction

daltonsbriefs — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:02:48 -0000

Now testing "add reply" feature, will this go straight to the blog, or stay here on Disqus?

Re: Testing Disqus for comment interaction

daltonsbriefs — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:04:13 -0000

Yep, when you reply in Disqus to a comment, it automatically flows into the original blog post. RSS feeds also easy to grab, some interesting thoughts arise from this. Have to keep experimenting

Re: rizzn's personal blog

daltonsbriefs — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:06:35 -0000

Mark, come back, don't let the FF bullies tell you that you can't speak freely. Don't let them win.

Re: Conventional Wisdom Will Be Wrong

daltonsbriefs — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:21:12 -0000

"better to be contrarian" totally agree, following like a bunch of lemmings will only end up in failure.

Re: We’re Proof Blogging Isn’t Dead

daltonsbriefs — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:29:33 -0000

Thanks for the list of ways to follow and link. Now following on twitter, and headed to check out your ning site

Re: Installed Disqus for commenting

daltonsbriefs — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:39:32 -0000

Testing new commenting setup. I hope it doesn't tick off those of you with posting priveleges who haven't had to do anything but sign into blogger ... but this will allow us to further expand our commenting interaction. Trust me, it's at least worth a trial.

Re: Michael Essany releases book

daltonsbriefs — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:02:05 -0000

I invited Mr. Essany to come on to answer follow-up questions, so post questions here in comments if you have others for him.

Re: Michael Essany releases book

daltonsbriefs — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 21:58:07 -0000

Michael, thanks a ton for dropping in. I sent notes to our regular readers, who were probably all watching 24 tonite, asking them to send in questions too. Stop back in tomorrow if you get a chance.

Re: What would Jack Bauer tell Pres. Barack Obama

daltonsbriefs — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:21:45 -0000

Had a lot more responses on twitter last nite, maybe they'll wander over this morning. My couple:

First, our single most important and greatest export is freedom, campaigns are just talk and over, it's real time now Mr. President.

Second, the first time you negotiate with terrorists will be the end of your role as legitimate leader of the free world, Mr. President

Re: What would Jack Bauer tell Pres. Barack Obama

daltonsbriefs — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:35:53 -0000

Great quotes Bob. I love "you want results but you never want to get your hands dirty" ... In my consulting practice this is many times the case too. Results take dirty work, thinking harder than cute quotes, wrestling with truth v. perception, finding collaborative partners and even evangelists. thanks for commenting

Re: Synthesis on Ron Paul Commentary: The Right Way, The Wrong Way, and the Indifferent

daltonsbriefs — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:33:10 -0000

Thanks Mark, agreed. We've had quite the commenting barrage this week after the first "Ron Paul" article was posted last week. My favorite is that we've engaged, found each other, and decided to stay connected as we all move together forward. That's something.

Re: Installed Disqus for commenting

daltonsbriefs — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:50:27 -0000

Still wondering what our regular readers and commenters think of the new Disqus commenting system? I see very few of you have actually signed up and claimed your profile on Disqus.

Re: Synthesis on Ron Paul Commentary: The Right Way, The Wrong Way, and the Indifferent

daltonsbriefs — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:11:23 -0000

Joel (and Big Gipper for that matter) well done. While the party insiders may not be watching or caring, you two have done what the party needs to do to reform and rebuild itself. Of course a hand should be extended, of course the debates are valuable. Joel, I reiterate my offer to bring you on this site's author list, just email me if you want to join us to write more regularly.

Republicans Rock, thanks for holding your line too. We need the engagement of people closer to the party inner core, hopefully they will listen to you.

I'll be writing a post today on the election of a new County Chair for the GOP. I hope all of you will engage and give your thoughts on what kind of leader we need going forward. Remember it is an election, not a coronation, and therefore well worth some debate and thought.

Re: Thanks for all the visits

daltonsbriefs — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:02:17 -0000

For some reason when I used Climarks earlier today the disqus commenting didn't work, not sure why. So I'll refrain from using that service to post to this blog. Thanks Big Gip for commenting on the old version

Re: Synthesis on Ron Paul Commentary: The Right Way, The Wrong Way, and the Indifferent

daltonsbriefs — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:19:47 -0000

Hey Joel, I didn't get an email from you. I'll go to meetup and see if you left it there. I'm in Indy this week and haven't stopped into all my social platforms since Tuesday. Please send again if you see this comment

Re: Politics Gets Personal: Who Will Be the Next Leaders of the Porter County GOP?

daltonsbriefs — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:54:43 -0000

Chris, I just completed my fourth straight meeting this week on these very issues, both local and statewide. Here's what I'd like to see:

A leader who can engage and even invigorate the many activists that feel akin to the conservative issues but feel left out of the party at the local level. Ron Paul supporters, pro-life, pro-guns, low taxes, smaller government and on and on. I'm afraid many of our activists sat on the sidelines for the last election.

A leader who can articulate regularly to the press our key concerns with the Democrat government that now runs this county, but when the major media won't listen can also use social media and technology to end run them.

A leader who appeals to both hard right and progressive conservatives. This is tough to do, pragmatic results matter ... but conservatives don't always support results when they play litmus tests

A leader who embraces online technology for fundraising, communiciation, engagement, and debate. We need every group taking part in the process

A leader can raise funds year around, year in and year out.

A leader who can be extremely organized, where every township feels like they are involved in decisions, candidate selection, and ideas.

And most importantly, a party that support this leader.

Re: GOP should reach out to Ron Paul supporters

daltonsbriefs — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:57:40 -0000

Can't wait till Joel comments Chris. When this post was picked up on Hoosier Access the comments got quite animated. Here's a sample from: http://hoosieraccess.com/bl...

1.
Uncle Says:
December 1st, 2008 at 4:53 pm

I’ve tried to herd that cat before. If they can’t get perfect, then they don’t want it at all. You can hand them 99.99% of what they want and if they don’t get that extra .01… They are friendly, but beware the brownies.
2.
Harl Delos Says:
December 1st, 2008 at 6:02 pm

It’s not necessarily going to be the GOP reaching out to get Ron Paul supporters. It may be the Ron Paul supporters reaching out to get the GOP.

And a lot of GOP members are going to be unhappy with the GOP if they do.

You like law and order? Dr. Paul’s supporters think that most drug laws should be repealed, and that people who are in prison for drug-related offenses - which happens to be the biggest category - should be set free. Selling to kids might still be a crime, but as far as adults go, they figure that drug abuse ends drug use in the same way that cancer cures smoking.

You like faith-based initiatives? Dr. Paul’s supporters want an end to them. They’d also eliminate the ban on preachers offering political talk from the pulpit, at the same time that they’d end churchs’ tax-exempt status.

You want to end abortion? Dr. Paul’s supporters think that a woman’s health is a matter for her and her doctor, and not the government. If a baby can live after being evicted from her womb, then it lives; if it can’t, too bad.

You like fishing at Loogootee? Dr. Paul’s supporters would put all federally-owned parks and recreational lands up for sale to the highest bidder.

The thing is, they’ve tried to organize as the Libertarian Party, but the laws in most (all?) states don’t just favor a two-party system, but specifically these two parties. It’s almost impossible for them to become a major party unless one of the existing parties dies - but they can take over an existing party, and redefine the philosophy of the party.

In fact, that’s exactly what the religious right and the neo-cons did in the 1980s, taking over the GOP from the true conservatives. That, too, happened because of an invitation extended from within the GOP - Richard Nixon’s “Southern Strategy”, which got the remnants of the old “Dixiecrat Party” to join the GOP.

Those of us who were Republicans before 1968 wouldn’t feel too dispossessed if the Ron Paul element were to join en masse. They’re closer to the old-style Republican party than the current party is.
3.
Joel Harris Says:
December 1st, 2008 at 7:17 pm

This is really one of the points in the post on coalitions that I posted earlier today. The primary idea of making a coalition is expressed as:

“I can’t get what I want alone and neither can you. Let’s make a deal: I’ll support you for what you want and you support me for what I want.”

So what do “Ron Paul supporters” want? What is central to their message–not the full platform, but the list of two or three highest priority items?

The followup question will end up being the conservatives expressing the same thing and then we can find out if we can work together.
4.
Diana Says:
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:05 am

Harl, your assumptions are bogus! I support Ron Paul, but I do not support all the measures that you have attributed to ALL Ron Paul supporters. The Paul supporters that I know are entirely pro-life and they do not wish to remove the tax exempt status from churches. We are also not advocating drug use. Ron Paul is a Republican, and there are many of us out there who support his viewpoints of limited government and personal freedom. Put down your broad brush and play fair. Most Ron Paul people are very easy to get along with. If anyone deserves that label, it’s the GOP party hacks who will drink the Kool-Aid no matter what!
5.
Joel Harris Says:
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:44 am

Thanks for your comment Diana. Once again, what was central to your support of Ron Paul? What is the one or two ideas that are the most motivating for you in your support of Paul?
6.
John Faber Says:
December 2nd, 2008 at 4:33 pm

Sorry, but I see the Paulistas as an embarassment to the rest of us and ideologically as much the enemy as the liberals. They imagine plots everywhere (the non-existent NAU comes to mind), and their foreign policy is right out of Barack Obama’s playbook.

Moreover, although they delude themselves otherwise, they are far too few in number to matter. The GOP needs to get as far away from Ron Paul and his supporters as possible.
7.
Harl Delos Says:
December 2nd, 2008 at 4:59 pm

I support Ron Paul, but I do not support all the measures that you have attributed to ALL Ron Paul supporters. The Paul supporters that I know are entirely pro-life and they do not wish to remove the tax exempt status from churches. We are also not advocating drug use.

Sorry. I was referring to Ron Paul supporters who actually have a clue as to just what Ron Paul supports.

Ron Paul is a Republican, and there are many of us out there who support his viewpoints of limited government and personal freedom.

Ron Paul is a Republican when it’s convenient; philosophically, he’s the same Libertarian he was when he ran as their candidate for president in 1988.

And yes, unlike the neo-cons and theocrats currently controlling the GOP, he’s in favor of drastically limiting government, and dramatically restoring personal freedoms.

The libertarian platform says “In order to defend freedom, we advocate a strict separation of church and State.”

It calls to Repeal all drug laws creating “crimes” without victims

It says Government should be kept out of the matter of abortion… Abortion is a woman’s choice and does not concern the state

It says Military should defend against aggression; not world police… Reduce defense spending by half; just defend the US… Eliminate nuclear weapons & bring all U.S. troops home

It says Eliminate all restrictions on immigration

It says Allow drugs, alcohol, prostitution, gambling, and suicide… Strengthen, not reduce, the rights of the accused

These aren’t positions that all GOP members will feel entirely comfortable with; in fact, I suspect a majority of all GOP members will feel very uncomfortable with many of these positions. On the other hand, they are logical and consistant with the idea of limiting government and expanding personal liberties.

Re: Straight Ticket Voting

daltonsbriefs — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:50:29 -0000

Joel and y0mbo thanks for commenting. RR, you are looking very closely at these results, great diligence.

What was confusing to all of us was the fact that it's allowable to vote straight ticket, and then redirect a vote to someone else from another party on the ballot. I have no problem with straight ticket, and the Democrats are the masters of using this strategy to beat Republicans soundly. But, straight ticket should be just that, all for one party ... no exceptions. If you want to pick and choose, and do the additional research, great then do so and stay away from party voting.

Re: Budget tightening at local levels

daltonsbriefs — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:52:52 -0000

Rob, good point.
I was wondering aloud the other day, on a more local level, if a map could be created to show which cities and towns were affected most by the Indiana property tax caps ... and relate that to party in control

Re: Georgia Senate seat - Chambliss wins easily

daltonsbriefs — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:56:25 -0000

Whoseshe, I think I'll leave your spam on here so our regular readers can see what a true spammer looks and feels like. So basically you're preying on people's fears and uncertainty to try and get them to come to your site and use you to "bail" themselves out? That's greedy and beneath those of us who want to work together and help people, but have no use for these types of scams.

I personally handle mortgage loans, refi's and loan modifications for families here in our community, and have no need to use "scarry bailout" or "free cash" language. Please spam elsewhere

Re: GOP should reach out to Ron Paul supporters

daltonsbriefs — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:01:50 -0000

I think Ron Paul supporters were varied.

Some were strong conservatives frustrated that Republicans were spending like drunken sailors and using techniques for security at the national level that they felt were infringing on personal freedoms

Some were very indeed third party types that have figured out that they can't make any difference whatsoever in the LIbertarian Party, and find the liberal Libertarians bad news.

Some were tin-foil wearing wacks who see conspiracies, Illuminati, and want to return to an America of old.

Can't really throw one litmus test at "all" of them. I like the RP supporters I've met and kinda feel like they had a good point when we changed or broke our own convention rules just to keep them quiet and ram our rules thru. Isn't that what we all stand for? Open debate and transparency.

I say let's work together to help create more debate, engagement, and openess.