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There has to be diversity and Obama just isn't the one to it.....I would be very nervous if he won.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-15_14:30:14", "killed": false, "user_key": "51b3c584a6fafa5828b45f6c5c8ab3d9", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2920326": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I am a strong supporter of Sarah Palin. However as a staunch Catholic I have lately been troubled that her father and her whole family left the Catholic church to which they belong and became Pentecostal. Is this true? Were they,   first Catholics? ...If this is not true, all my Catholic friends and I  would like to support her but if they deserted the Catholic Church it will be difficult for millions of American Catholics to support someone who is unfaithful to her own Church.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-07_13:26:53", "killed": false, "user_key": "c8fcd1b941d59615f3e7c91c42b94f21", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "3033226": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I am a strong support of John McCain and Sara Palin for President of the United States. I have an email that I consider urgent for them see.  But the Republican Party email addresses - They answer the emails<br>but don't read them.  I am dispersed. Can you help me?<br><br>I will send it to you if you like.  They need to consider it  Please help me!", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-13_22:36:42", "killed": false, "user_key": "a3cd187e742c29e79808df561ab13580", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2282380": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Palin lies.  She said Obama authored \"not a single major law or reform - not even in the state senate.\u201d  <br><br>REALITY: OBAMA PASSED THE MOST SWEEPING REFORMS SINCE WATERGATE IN BOTH THE ILLINOIS AND US SENATES, AMONG OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS<br><br>Obama Helped Pass The 2007 Ethics Reform Law, Which Curbed The Influence Of Lobbyists And Was Described As The \u201cMost Sweeping Since Watergate.\u201d<br><br>In the first week of the 110th Congress, Obama joined with Senator Russ Feingold to introduce a \u201cGold Standard\u201d ethics package. Many of the Obama/Feingold bill\u2019s most important provisions were included in the final ethics reform package passed by the Senate in late January<br><br>In September 2007, the Associated Press reported, \u201cSen. Barack Obama, ... was one of four lawmakers who participated in \"the most sweeping ethics reform since Watergate.\u201d ..a product Of Bipartisan Work [S. 230, 110thCongress; S.1, Became Public Law 109-110-81, 9/14/07; AP, 9/15/07;TheWashington Post, Editorial, 1/21/07]<br><br>Obama Passed Illinois State Gift Ban Act \u201cHeralded As the MostSweeping Good-Government Legislation in Decades.\u201d [HB672, 3R P 52-4-1, 5/22/98; PA90-0737, 8/12/98; Chicago Tribune, 8/13/98; Chicago Independent Bulletin, 6/4/98]<br><br>Obama and Sen. Dick Lugar (IN) passed Legislation Boosting U.S. Efforts To Keep WMDs And Other Dangerous Weapons Out Of The Hands Of Terrorists. [P.L. 109-472, 1/11/07;House Report 109-706, 9/3/06; S. 2566, 109th Congress; S.1949, 109th Congress; Senate Report 110-40, 3/29/07]<br><br>In 2006,Obama and Coburn co-authored a bill to create a \u201cGoogle-like\u201d database of information on federal spending.. [S. 2590, Passed by Unanimous Consent,9/7/06; Became PL 109-282, 9/26/06]<br><br>In 2005, Obama sponsored and passed an amendment ensuring that wounded veterans recovering in military hospitals do not have to pay for theirown meals or phone calls to family members.  [S. Amdt. 390, Passed by unanimous consent,4/14/05 to H.R.1268, Signed by the President, 5/11/05, Became PublicLaw No: 109-013; Obama Press Release, 5/11/05]<br><br>Obama Proposals Providing Improvements In Health Care For Recovering Soldiers Were Passed Into Law, Including Mental Health Screenings . H.R. 976, [Vote307, H.R. 976, Passed, 68-31, 8/2/07; S. 713, 110th Congress; S. 1271,110th Congress; Obama Press Release, 7/25/07; H.R. 4986, Became PublicLaw No: 110-181, 1/28/08]<br><br>Obama Worked With Republicans To Pass Legislation, Which Became Law, Improving And Increasing Services For Homeless Veterans.  [S. 3421/P.L. 109-461; S. 1180, 109th Congress; S. 3475, 109thCongress; Obama Press Release, 6/26/06]<br><br>Obama Passed Bipartisan Legislation That Expanded Health Care CoverageTo 154,000 Residents, Including 70,000 Children.  [93rdGA, SB 130, 3R P 42-13-2; Signed into law 6/30/03, PA 93-0063; ChicagoDaily Herald, 7/2/03; Blagojevich release, 1/9/07; Blagojevich release, 4/13/07; Kaiser family report, 5/07; State Journal-Register,10/29/04]<br><br>Obama Passed A Bill Creating $100 Million Earned Income Tax Credit AsA Member Of The Minority Party In The Illinois Senate.  [91st GA, HB 3939; 4/14/00, 3R P; 59-0-0; P.A. 91-0700,5/11/00; Chicago Tribune, 4/10/99]<br><br>Obama Passed Near-Unanimous Death Penalty Overhaul Package. Obama wasthe chief co-sponsor and voted for bill creating the CapitalPunishment Reform Study Committee Act. The proposal, which wasapproved on a 57-1 vote,  [93rd GA, SB 0472; 4/3/03,3R P; 57-1-0; 5/29/03, HA1 SC; 56-3-0; 11/5/03, OAV P; 58-0-0; P.A.93-0605, 11/25/03; Pantagraph, 4/4/03; Associated Press, 4/24/03]", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-11_06:29:38", "killed": false, "user_key": "d79a125a3b437b13dd92310b854c617f", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2388902": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "HOPPY, come ON! I hardly think trying to get her ex brother in law fired who she had been feuding with hardly qualifies HER to weed out crooked politicians. You need to read EVERYTHING, not just what you WANT to read about her to make a sensible, educated decision. To each to their own but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read between the lines and get smart about her first.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-16_15:58:59", "killed": false, "user_key": "b7b398c241acbb54cb311473f7382cbe", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2359318": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "You started out sensible and then I realized that it was just a quote.  Too bad. <br> Blaming the president for the war in the middle east  is forgetting how it started. <br> Blaming him for the high cost of health care is - I'm sorry - but it's downright stupid.  <br>The Clinton's left that same problem.<br>About the  Fox News tidbit ... . \"someone  says\" is not a reliable source.<br>Considering CNN and others....it was not worth mentioning in the first place.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-15_10:11:45", "killed": false, "user_key": "f7425de592926bde8e3fbc0ce18d23d4", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2331189, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2389271": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "View slideshow from Anti-Palin rally this Sunday in Anchorage, AK<br><br><br>go to:<br><br><a href=\"http://bigshow.bigfolio.com/?s=000011662&t=0e6a8ae03101be65098418ccb735e4a1\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://bigshow.bigfolio.com/?s=000011662&t=0e6a...</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-16_16:25:02", "killed": false, "user_key": "mikeylikesit2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2388760": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I could not agree more with ScaredMom. The people of America need to WAKE UP! This woman is a puppet that was thrown into this candidacy to do exactly what she seems to somehow be doing, moving the polls in favor of McCain by gaining support from women's rights activists, etc. If you call yourself an activist and you are backing this Palin decision, I think its time to educate yourself. You owe it to your country to read this.....<br><br>Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 10:05 AM<br>Subject: Fwd: More on Palin from Wasilla Voter<br><br> A note to all by Anne Kilkenny<br><br>Dear friends,<br><br>So many people have asked me about what I know about Sarah Palin in the<br>last 2 days that I decided to write something up . . .<br><br>Basically, Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton have only 2 things in<br>common: their gender and their good looks. :)<br><br>You have my permission to forward this to your friends/email contacts<br>with my name and email address attached, but please do not post it on<br>any websites, as there are too many kooks out there . . .<br><br> [ This was already posted on Washington Independent comments area, <br>  &n bsp; with a controllable hotmail account, and was obviously meant by the<br>    author to be read. ]<br><br>Thanks,<br>Anne<br><br><br>ABOUT SARAH PALIN<br><br>I am a resident of Wasilla, Alaska. I have known Sarah since 1992.<br>Everyone here knows Sarah, so it is nothing special to say we are on a<br>first-name basis. Our children have attended the same schools. Her<br>father was my child's favorite substitute teacher. I also am on a<br>first name basis with her parents and mother-in-law. I attended more<br>City Council meetings during her administration than about 99% of the<br>residents of the city.<br><br>She is enormously popular; in every way she\u2019s like the most popular<br>girl in middle school. Even men who think she is a poor choice and<br>won't vote for her can't quit smiling when talking about her because<br>she is a \"babe\".<br><br>It is astonishing and almost scary how well she can keep a secret. She<br>kept her most recent pregnancy a secret from her children and parents<br>for seven months.<br><br>She is \"pro-life\". She recently gave birth to a Down's syndrome baby.<br>There is no cover-up involved, here; Trig is her baby.<br><br>She is energetic and hardworking. She regularly worked out at the gym.<br><br>She is savvy. She doesn't take positions; she just \"puts things out<br>there\" and if they prove to be popular, then she takes credit.<br><br>Her husband works a union job on the North Slope for BP and is a<br>champion snowmobile racer. Todd Palin\u2019s kind of job is highly<br>sought-after because of the schedule and high pay. He arranges his<br>work schedule so he can fish for salmon in Bristol Bay for a month or<br>so in summer, but by no stretch of the imagination is fishing their<br>major source of income. Nor has h er life-style ever been anything<br>like that of native Alaskans.<br><br>Sarah and her whole family are avid hunters.<br><br>She's smart.<br><br>Her experience is as mayor of a city with a population of about 5,000<br>(at the time), and less than 2 years as governor of a state with about<br>670,000 residents.<br><br>During her mayoral administration most of the actual work of running<br>this small city was turned over to an administrator. She had been<br>pushed to hire this administrator by party power-brokers after she had<br>gotten herself into some trouble over precipitous firings which had<br>given rise to a recall campaign.<br><br>Sarah campaigned in Wasilla as a \u201cfiscal conservative\u201d. During her 6<br>years as Mayor, she increased general government expenditures by over<br>33%. During those same 6 years the amount of taxes collected by the<br>City increased by 38%. This was during a period of low inflation<br>(1996-2002). She reduced progressive property taxes and increased a&lt; BR&gt;regressive sales tax which taxed even food. The tax cuts that she<br>promoted benefited large corporate property owners way more than they<br>benefited residents.<br><br>The huge increases in tax revenues during her mayoral administration<br>weren\u2019t enough to fund everything on her wish list though, borrowed<br>money was needed, too. She inherited a city with zero debt, but left it<br>with indebtedness of over $22 million. What did Mayor Palin encourage<br>the voters to borrow money for? Was it the infrastructure that she said<br>she supported? The sewage treatment plant that the city lacked? or a<br>new library? No. $1m for a park. $15m-plus for construction of a<br>multi-use sports complex which she rushed through to build on a piece<br>of property that the City didn\u2019t even have clear title to, that was<br>still in litigation 7 yrs later--to the delight of the lawyers<br>involved! The sports complex itself is a nice addition to the<br>community but a huge money pit, not the pr ofit-generator she claimed it<br>would be. She also supported bonds for $5.5m for road projects that<br>could have been done in 5-7 yrs without any borrowing.<br><br>While Mayor, City Hall was extensively remodeled and her office<br>redecorated more than once.<br><br>These are small numbers, but Wasilla is a very small city.<br><br>As an oil producer, the high price of oil has created a budget surplus<br>in Alaska. Rather than invest this surplus in technology that will<br>make us energy independent and increase efficiency, as Governor she<br>proposed distribution of this surplus to every individual in the state.<br><br>In this time of record state revenues and budget surpluses, she<br>recommended that the state borrow/bond for road projects, even while<br>she proposed distribution of surplus state revenues: spend today's<br>surplus, borrow for needs.<br><br>She\u2019s not very tolerant of divergent opinions or open to ou tside ideas<br>or compromise. As Mayor, she fought ideas that weren\u2019t generated by<br>her or her staff. Ideas weren\u2019t evaluated on their merits, but on the<br>basis of who proposed them.<br><br>While Sarah was Mayor of Wasilla she tried to fire our highly respected<br>City Librarian because the Librarian refused to consider removing from<br>the library some books that Sarah wanted removed. City residents<br>rallied to the defense of the City Librarian and against Palin's<br>attempt at out-and-out censorship, so Palin backed down and withdrew<br>her termination letter. People who fought her attempt to oust the<br>Librarian are on her enemies list to this day.<br><br>Sarah complained about the \u201cold boy\u2019s club\u201d when she first ran for<br>Mayor, so what did she bring Wasilla? A new set of \"old boys\". Palin<br>fired most of the experienced staff she inherited. At the City and as<br>Governor she hired or elevated new, inexperienced, obscure people,<br>creating a staff totally dependent on her for their jobs and eternally<br>grateful and fiercely loyal--loyal to the point of abusing their power<br>to further her personal agenda, as she has acknowledged happened in the<br>case of pressuring the State\u2019s top cop (see below).<br><br>As Mayor, Sarah fired Wasilla\u2019s Police Chief because he \u201cintimidated\u201d<br>her, she told the press. As Governor, her recent firing of Alaska's top<br>cop has the ring of familiarity about it. He served at her pleasure<br>and she had every legal right to fire him, but it's pretty clear that<br>an important factor in her decision to fire him was because he wouldn't<br>fire her sister's ex-husband, a State Trooper. Under investigation<br>for abuse of power, she has had to admit that more than 2 dozen<br>contacts were made between her staff and family to the person that she<br>later fired, pressuring him to fire her ex-brother-in-law. She tried to<br>replace the man she fired with a man who she knew had been reprimanded<br>for sexual harassment; when this caused a public furor, she withdrew<br>her support.<br><br>She has bitten the hand of every person who extended theirs to her in<br>help. The City Council person who personally escorted her around town<br>introducing her to voters when she first ran for Wasilla City Council<br>became one of her first targets when she was later elected Mayor. She<br>abruptly fired her loyal City Administrator; even people who didn\u2019t<br>like the guy were stunned by this ruthlessness.<br><br>Fear of retribution has kept all of these people from saying anything<br>publicly about her.<br><br>When then-Governor Murkowski was handing out political plums, Sarah got<br>the best, Chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission: one<br>of the few jobs not in Juneau and one of the best paid. She had no<br>background in oil & gas issues. Within months of scoring this great<br>job which paid $122,400/yr, she was complaining in the press about the<br>high salary. I was told that she hated that job: the commute, the<br>structured hours, the work. Sarah became aware that a member of this<br>Commission (who was also the State Chair of the Republican Party)<br>engaged in unethical behavior on the job. In a gutsy move which some<br>undoubtedly cautioned her could be political suicide, Sarah solved all<br>her problems in one fell swoop: got out of the job she hated and<br>garnered gobs of media attention as the patron saint of ethics and as a<br>gutsy fighter against the \u201cold boys\u2019 club\u201d when she dramatically quit,<br>exposing this man\u2019s ethics violations (for which he was fined).<br><br>As Mayor, she had her hand stuck out as far as anyone for pork from<br>Senator Ted Stevens. Lately, she has castigated his pork-barrel<br>politics and publicly humiliated him. She only opposed the \u201cbridge to<br>nowhere\u201d after it became clear that it would be unwis e not to.<br><br>As Governor, she gave the Legislature no direction and budget<br>guidelines, then made a big grandstand display of line-item vetoing<br>projects, calling them pork. Public outcry and further legislative<br>action restored most of these projects--which had been vetoed simply<br>because she was not aware of their importance--but with the unobservant<br>she had gained a reputation as \u201canti-pork\u201d.<br><br>She is solidly Republican: no political maverick. The State party<br>leaders hate her because she has bit them in the back and humiliated<br>them. Other members of the party object to her self-description as a<br>fiscal conservative.<br><br>Around Wasilla there are people who went to high school with Sarah.<br>They call her \u201cSarah Barracuda\u201d because of her unbridled ambition and<br>predatory ruthlessness. Before she became so powerful, very ugly<br>stories circulated around town about shenanigans she pulled to be made<br>point guard on the high school basketball team. When Sarah's<br>mother-in-law, a highly respected member of the community and<br>experienced manager, ran for Mayor, Sarah refused to endorse her.<br><br>As Governor, she stepped outside of the box and put together of package<br>of legislation known as \u201cAGIA\u201d that forced the oil companies to march<br>to the beat of her drum.<br><br>Like most Alaskans, she favors drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife<br>Refuge. She has questioned if the loss of sea ice is linked to<br>global warming. She campaigned \u201cas a private citizen\u201d against a state<br>initiaitive that would have either a) protected salmon streams from<br>pollution from mines, or b) tied up in the courts all mining in the<br>state (depending on who you listen to). She has pushed the State\u2019s<br>lawsuit against the Dept. of the Interior\u2019s decision to list polar<br>bears as threatened species.<br><br>McCain is the oldest person to ever run for President; Sarah will be a<br>heartbeat away from being President.<br><br>There has to be literally millions of Americans who are more<br>knowledgeable and experienced than she.<br><br>However, there\u2019s a lot of people who have underestimated her and are<br>regretting it.<br><br><br>CLAIM VS FACT<br>\u2022\u201cHockey mom\u201d: true for a few years<br>\u2022\u201cPTA mom\u201d: true years ago when her first-born was in elementary<br>school, not since<br>\u2022\u201cNRA supporter\u201d: absolutely true<br>\u2022social conservative: mixed. Opposes gay marriage, BUT vetoed a bill<br>that would have denied benefits to employees in same-sex relationships<br>(said she did this because it was unconsitutional).<br>\u2022pro-creationism: mixed. Supports it, BUT did nothing as Governor to<br>promote it.<br>\u2022\u201cPro-life\u201d: mixed. Knowingly gave birth to a Down\u2019s syndrome baby<br>BUT declined to call a special legislative session on some pro-life<br>legislation<br>\u2022\u201cExperienced\u201d: Some high schools have more students than Wasilla has<br>residents. Many cities have more residents than the state of Alaska.<br>No legislative experience other than City Council. Little hands-on<br>supervisory or managerial experience; needed help of a city<br>administrator to run town of about 5,000.<br>\u2022political maverick: not at all<br>\u2022gutsy: absolutely!<br>\u2022open & transparent: ??? Good at keeping secrets. Not good at<br>explaining actions.<br>\u2022has a developed philosophy of public policy: no<br>\u2022\u201da Greenie\u201d: no. Turned Wasilla into a wasteland of big box stores<br>and disconnected parking lots. Is pro-drilling off-shore and in ANWR.<br>\u2022fiscal conservative: not by my definition!<br>\u2022pro-infrastructure: No. Promoted a sports complex and park in a city<br>without a sewage treatment plant or storm drainage system. Built<br>streets to early 20th century standards.<br>\u2022pro-tax relief: Lowered taxes for businesses, increased tax burden on<br>residents<br>\u2022pro-small government: No. Oversaw greatest expansion of city<br>government in Wasilla\u2019s history.<br>\u2022pro-labor/pro -union. No. Just because her husband works union<br>doesn\u2019t make her pro-labor. I have seen nothing to support any claim<br>that she is pro-labor/pro-union.<br><br>WHY AM I WRITING THIS?<br><br>First, I have long believed in the importance of being an informed<br>voter. I am a voter registrar. For 10 years I put on student voting<br>programs in the schools. If you google my name (Anne Kilkenny +<br>Alaska), you will find references to my participation in local<br>government, education, and PTA/parent organizations.<br><br>Secondly, I've always operated in the belief that \"Bad things happen<br>when good people stay silent\". Few people know as much as I do because<br>few have gone to as many City Council meetings.<br><br>Third, I am just a housewife. I don't have a job she can bump me out<br>of. I don't belong to any organization that she can hurt. But, I am no<br>fool; she is immensely popular here, and it is likely t hat this will<br>cost me somehow in the future: that\u2019s life.<br><br>Fourth, she has hated me since back in 1996, when I was one of the 100<br>or so people who rallied to support the City Librarian against Sarah's<br>attempt at censorship.<br><br>Fifth, I looked around and realized that everybody else was afraid to<br>say anything because they were somehow vulnerable.<br><br>CAVEATS<br>I am not a statistician. I developed the numbers for the increase in<br>spending & taxation 2 years ago (when Palin was running for Governor)<br>from information supplied to me by the Finance Director of the City of<br>Wasilla, and I can't recall exactly what I adjusted for: did I adjust<br>for inflation? for population increases? Right now, it is impossible<br>for a private person to get any info out of City Hall--they are<br>swamped. So I can't verify my numbers.<br><br>You may have noticed that there are various numbers circulating for the<br>population of Wasilla, ranging from my \"about 5,000\" , up to 9,000. The<br>day Palin\u2019s selection was announced a city official told me that the<br>current population is about 7,000. The official 2000 census count was<br>5,460. I have used about 5,000 because Palin was Mayor from 1996 to<br>2002, and the city was growing rapidly in the mid-90\u2019s.<br><br>Anne Kilkenny<br><a href=\"mailto:annekilkenny@hotmail.com\" rel=\"nofollow\">annekilkenny@hotmail.com</a><br>August 31, 2008", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-16_15:50:31", "killed": false, "user_key": "b7b398c241acbb54cb311473f7382cbe", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2882076": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "FOR MC STUPID TO WIN HE HAS TO TAKE ALL BATTLEGROUND STATES INCLUDING FLORIDA, AS IT STANDS HE IS LOOSING 3 RIGHT NOW AND FLORIDA IS NOT GOING WITH HIM SO FAR IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR MC STUPID TO GET THE NOD.<br>REV JIM", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-05_15:12:09", "killed": false, "user_key": "JIM1366", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2298910": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "There's absolutely no point in drilling more here. It will take (they say) 10 years to bring it online where it might make a difference, but given how much we could get out, it won't (according to the experts). 10 years. We put a man on the moon in less time than that. If this country wants to get off foreign oil in 10 years, we could do it. T. Boone Pickens is one who's putting money into this, so is Richard Bramson. If we had a President who was willing to get behind this (clearly not McCain) we could be off fossil fuels in a decade. Wind, solar, alternative fuels (ethanol, sugar cane, whatever), nuclear. We should not build more nuclear plants, but just maintain the ones in existence. Brazil in the 1970s had the foresight to see the future and oil problems, and made the collective effort to get off fossil fuels for their cars. The result? Today nearly all of their cars run on ethanol (from sugar cane). We could have done this. We didn't. With McCain, we won't. Yeah, Clinton/Gore could have done more -- way more  -- while in office, but they were bought and paid for just like the Republicans to not do much in that regard, and to not increase fuel milage for cars. It's going to take leaders who are willing to stand up to the oil and car companies.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-12_06:06:45", "killed": false, "user_key": "0846d1999717e7c7a7ccca343653d812", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2294584, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2363167": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I hope Gov. Palin wins the election right along with McCain. Then when she gets to the White House she can fire hundreds of crooked politicians both democrat and Republican! Washington D.C. needs to be cleaned out of all the control freaks who call themselves servants of, for and by the people.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-15_15:14:35", "killed": false, "user_key": "617a298c4a1dd5297d0ee5abcbb59666", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2386592": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "\"\"I beg you, look at her actual positions, experience, and what she really stands for. I think you will find that she is not who you want as the president of our country\"\"<br><br>Change she to he, and you have an accurate statement about Obama.  Its funny how democrats can yell about how experience doesn't mater for 15mo. and then decide it does.......", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-16_12:47:57", "killed": false, "user_key": "c4a536e5874e232f39e54cbdb616b76d", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2366177, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2392454": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "What is truly frightening about Sarah Palin  <br> <br>By Bradley Burston  <br> <br>Tags: Burston, Palin, McCain, Obama  <br><br>TEL AVIV - It was in the taxicab this morning that it finally struck me about Sarah Palin. <br><br>I get it. I get that millions of Americans have a crying need for someone to stand up and say the things that Sarah Palin has been telling them. <br><br>I get that many, many Americans are fed up with big government and shame in patriotism and energy dependence and media condescension. I recognize that there are many on the right who are galvanized by a woman addressing the nation in condemnation of gun control and abortions. It's clear that many in the heartland and even on the Blue State coasts have been waiting years to hear someone take a take-no-prisoners verbal lash to Beltway waste and liberal political correctness and, by implication, to cultural pluralism and tree hugging and the very mention of the word Washington. <br> Advertisement <br> <br>But it wasn't until I got into the taxicab this morning, that I realized what the American voter truly faces this November. <br><br>The radio was playing a clip from her ABC News interview, the one in which she was asked about the Bush Doctrine. <br><br>The problem was not that she was unacquainted with the doctrine. Millions of Americans are unacquainted with it. <br><br>The problem is that Sarah Palin was also asking those millions of Americans to put her first in line for the most important position in humankind. <br><br>True, the Bush Doctrine, and the National Security Strategythat contains it, are not a one-sentence, easy to digest credo, and the doctrine is open to many interpretations. Sarah Palin had none of them. <br><br>This, despite the doctrine's contribution to the fact that America is at war, and that Governor Palin's own son is at war. This is the doctrine that underpins the policy that has had Americans fighting in Iraq two years longer than America fought World War II. And this is the doctrine which will serve as a guide if there is to be war in Iran. <br><br>The problem is that John McCain and Barack Obama and Joe Biden have spent years studying the assumptions and the foundations and the consequences of the Bush Doctrine. Governor Palin has not. <br><br>Yet Sarah Palin was proud of having had no hesitations, no reservations, no qualms about accepting John McCain's offer to share the national ticket. It was a matter of ideology with her. <br><br>\"I answered him yes because I have the confidence in that readiness and knowing that you can't blink, you have to be wired in a way of being so committed to the mission, the mission that we're on, reform of this country and victory in the war, you can't blink. <br><br>\"So I didn't blink then even when asked to run as his running mate.\" <br><br>The question about the Bush Doctrine was not a trick. It was not a trivial point designed to make Sarah Palin look bad. It is the summary of a worldview that has guided American foreign and military policy for the seven years since September 11, 2001. It is America's formal explanation for sending Americans into harm's way. It is America's explanation to the world for what America has done. <br><br>Even my Israeli cab driver, a non-American through and through, knew more about the Bush Doctrine than Sarah Palin. And that is cause for serious concern. <br><br>The cabbie knew, for example, that the doctrine provided for anticipatory self-defense, and pre-emptive strikes to forestall hostile acts even if uncertainty remains as to the time and place of the enemy's attack. <br><br>\"This would never have happened in Israel, ever\" remarked a journalist friend, referring to the choice of Governor Palin, whose credentials in the realms of foreign policy, statecraft and the military are limited in the extreme. <br><br>With irony bordering on the painful, the journalist added, \"Sarah Palin has restored my faith in Israel.\" <br><br>Israel is far from a model of good government, wise policymaking and exemplary leaders. But here, at least, voters and the politicians they make it their business to know inside and out, relate to politics not as if it were a spectacular bowl game or a reality show.but for what politics really is, in America and Israel both: a matter of life and death. <br><br>What, at root, are Americans looking for when they see Sarah Palin? A reprieve from their disappointment over elected officials? The prospect of cleaning house and overhauling a wasteful and ineffective Federal bureaucracy? Does she have what it takes to protect and rebuild an American slipping from the First World to the Third? <br><br>Or is Sarah Palin, in the end, a diversion, a curiosity, that most pressing of contemporary American needs: an entertainer? <br><br>We have little time to make a decision. We have heard McCain and Obama on the campaign trail for what seems like forever. And Biden has been a national figure for decades. Sarah Palin has less than 50 days to prove that she has the intelligence, the humility, the learning ability, and the wisdom to assume the burdens of the commander in chief. We have less than 50 days to learn about her. <br><br>George Bush, who spoke incessantly about leadership before his election, has had more than seven years to prove himself a leader, and managed to prove conclusively only that he was not. <br><br>This is what is truly frightening about Sarah Palin. There is something in the smugness, the faith-based rigidity, the dismissiveness, that suggests that once again, we may have a national leader who knows better how to divide than to rule. <br><br>True, for millions of people, Sarah Palin has lanced a cultural boil. <br>They feel anger, betrayal, and a profound alienation from the basic institutions of American life. The American dream is receding from them. She has given voice to the ache in their hearts, and, as such, has lifted their spirits. <br><br>Sarah Palin has given a voice to people who, even with an ostensibly fundamentalist Republican president in the White House, feel disenfranchised. It is not their Supreme Court, not their Congress. She has done a service for people unhappy with the America that they see. But that does not qualify her to be president. <br><br>Governor Palin has suggested that the special interests and superfluous bureaucrats are scared of her and the reforms she and John McCain intend to undertake. One hopes she's right. But what is certainly scary about Sarah Palin is how little that voters know about her, and in particular, how much she herself recognizes that she needs to learn. <br><br>Asked during the interview if she had the ability and the experience to serve as president of the United States, she replied without hesitation, without reservation, without contemplation - and without knowing, on a profound level, what that would, in fact, entail. \"I'm ready.\" <br><br>Here is the answer that is truly frightening. It lets us know that the nation may be in danger of electing another leader bearing the most profound of George Bush's shortcomings: blindness to one's own shortcomings. <br><br>Blindness, that is, to the breadth and depth and height and shape of what one does not know. Say what you will about Donald Rumsfeld, the former defense secretary knew an unknown unknown when he saw one. Sarah Palin, for whom appearance is understandably significant, has one in her mirror.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-16_20:36:49", "killed": false, "user_key": "22723b080979e3b25e4ce112d3dbfc10", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2818854": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "well what ever people think of her...................................i  think she is a really hot woman.<br>what do u think??", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-03_05:24:21", "killed": false, "user_key": "09da22c12b0b60b8ebf6d2536cdbd8e4", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2365737": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Though I am Republican  I could not with good conscience vote for Bush in the last election. Once again my party represents nothing of who I am. I've seen and read enough to know that Palin is a good parent but beyond that her history with regards to public service exemplifies an individual who is unusually self serving. It is coming to light that in performing her public duties she may have broken the law - but even if she is found innocent I believe her actions , whether legal or not, reflect one who is not fit for public service. I feel sorry for her in the sense that I really don't believe she understands what the fuss is all about. I pray for this country that we do not put her in the White House. I find myself more and more going back over the history of the JFK administration - \"Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country\" ,  we can be a great country once again - we just need to put the leaders in who truly represent the greatness that our country can be. I said I was republican but in putting my country first my days as a republican are behind me.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-15_18:31:22", "killed": false, "user_key": "58968582ab5da5549a89e284f898bb32", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2648747": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "It is news to myself and many others...<br>   Did Sarah teach Constitutional law at a university?  Has she been in Federal government,<br>or been aware of the other states of the union?<br>Does she know ANYTHING about community service and helping for the good of the people,<br>and environment?  <br>Obama selected a very experienced Joe to work with, instead of a self proclaimed oil-drilling<br>maverick.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-26_18:04:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "boomerpatriot", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "6853682": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "The user deleted this comment.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-03-03_20:08:24", "killed": false, "user_key": "e9644b0c680e75687682cd001753bf1a", "has_been_anonymized": true, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "9 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2793652": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "??If you have new credible material, then bring it.??  I don't think you read the article you posted this reply to.  Some one sent me this most apt joke.<br><br>While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75-year old Texas rancher whose hand was caught in a gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Sarah Palin and her bid to be a heartbeat away from being President. The old rancher said, \u201cWell, ya know, Palin is a post turtle.\u201d Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a post turtle was.<br> <br>The old rancher said, \u201cWhen you're driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a post turtle.\u201d<br> <br>The old rancher saw a puzzled look on the doctor's face, so he continued to explain. \u201cYou know, she didn't get up there by herself, she doesn't belong up there, she doesn't know what to do while she is up there, and you just wonder what kind of dumb ass put her up there to begin with.\u201d", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-01_23:09:19", "killed": false, "user_key": "31703d9adf806914acb0e7f20d5d35f8", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2411772, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2331189": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "MY REPLY TO THIS COMMENT:<br><br>\"Choices-McCain's pick of Palin-bad choice? Obama's choices, Rev. Wright, Bill Ares, Tony Resco, and more. This is a pattern of associations that are telling of his character. These are people he is obviously comfortable with. I ask you Obama supporters, would you have these people as your associates or friends? If the answer is yes, you really need help. Denying guilt by association does not work, just by being with a crowd that is causing trouble you are just as guilty because you are condoning the behavior. And exposing your children to this is more troubling. Obama supporters take a careful look at the man, not his great speaking abilities or your hate for Bush.\"<br><br>Firstly, I know someone who knows Bill Ayres and apparently he's a really fun interesting guy. If he wasn't remorseful for what he did there's no way he would have been hired to teach at a university. He is very remorseful for what he did 40 years ago, but my question to you is George W Bush remorseful for the thousands of bombs he has dropped on the Middle East, killing innocent women and children. is he remorseful for sending our young men to die there? Is he remorseful for the people in this country  who are dying because they do not have appropriate healthcare?<br><br>As for Rev. Wright all the hype about him being a black supremacist  is way out of context... I suggest you read his whole speech. By crying God Damn America he wasn't saying we should blow it up, just that we could and should do better. There should be equality and there isn't. As a white woman, I can only imagine what Rev. Wright's generation has gone through in terms of being rejected by a racist society. Rev. wright doesn't hate whites, he even acted as a marriage councellor to the Clintons. Total rubbish.<br><br>The bottom line is no one can find dirt on Obama so they need to take his speeches out of context, lie about his lack of accomplishments (why should he have executive experience - I think the fact he has devoted his life to helping the less fortunate has shown exactly what a great humanitarian president he will be) and most importantly, make accusations that he is somehow best friends with a pack of anti American thugs. How dare McCain accuse him of calling Palin a pig in lipstick when we have footage of McCain laughing when someone called Hillary a bitch.<br><br>Why are you so worried about who Obama is associated with? I am more worried about who Sarah Palin is. If you want to talk associates how about her husband Todd who was a member of the Alaskan Independence Party until 2002? How about Nazi Sympathizer Pat Buchannan who Sarah Palin reportedly campaigned for? THAT is what you shoudl be afraid of.<br><br>Someone was telling me that his sister in law works for Fox News and that they laugh about the fact they twist the news to make all the viewers vote against thier own economic interests. My father used to work for a newspaper, also owned by Murdoch who did the same thing. <br><br>So unless you are making over $250 000 a year I suggest you stop buying into such fearmongering and racism and vote for the candidate who will actually make this country a better place. Obama of course.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-13_14:35:57", "killed": false, "user_key": "5f7858a2d329510c72236a34a370fd2c", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2452022": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I found the websit for the hospital where sarah palin supposedly gave birth to \"her\" fifth child.  There was NO LISTING for a baby named Trig Palin .   I 've seen Trig's birthdate listed as April 18th and April 28th.  Whatever the actual date, THERE WAS NO LISTING.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-20_05:20:53", "killed": false, "user_key": "dbb5e13fe5ef2eb7c11019d7518ebb5b", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2294584": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "While the wind and solar are good ideas they have lain idle not only through Reagan/Bushes term, but also thru Clinton's and his great AL Gore\u2019s.  How long and at what cost does it take to bring those things on-line?  If the economy is allowed to be further dragged down by the lack of petroleum how will we get thru the transition from one to the other? (wind and solar will still have to have coal and nuke back-ups for decades.  Right now isn't T Boone Pickens the only one putting big money behind wind from the private sector? (11 billion)  His thing is also to do more with natural gas.  He\u2019s a rich oil baron who still has a head on his shoulders yet still at his roots is driven by the thought of making more money.  The only reason anything happens in this country and all others is to make money.  Big business and big money don't care whether you have a job or whether you are happy.  That being a given leaves us at the mercy of also needing ANY transition available also.  Oil companies pull out their books and say they are only making 4% after everything, which seems like they\u2019re fudging, I would guess it\u2019s nowhere near the percentile that our fed and state governments are sticking it to us in taxes on oil.  If you think that this country (from poor to rich) will forget about our oil while waiting on wind and solar it just won\u2019t happen.  Do you think that we would possibly move on to something nearer to 3rd world status while that money making stuff sits in the ground?  Our use of oil is decreasing but the world\u2019s use will continue to increase.  The prices will fluctuate but never go down drastically unless the world economy collapses (could happen).   The American materialistic driven way of life is affected but not destroyed.   We all have just like wolves tasted the \u201cred meat\u201d of this materialistic societal living.  I\u2019m sorry but I think we may as well drill and get it out of the ground since the transition phase of the planet will now ensue regardless of what this nation does with drilling.  But we will stay in this staggered state the longer we wait to begin.  If we had taken our oil twenty years ago it would be gone unnoticed, but those days have passed by.  If we all just buy carbon credits, and someone plants a few trees with those credits, we can run around in our Suburban\u2019s and fly around in our jets and act like we are making a difference.   At that point we would be just as big of a materialistic imposter as those on both sides of the aisle in Washington.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-11_20:58:58", "killed": false, "user_key": "89a8a177a4e19ca2a011acc5174031fa", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 3, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2292858, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2350905": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "This article ultimately says nothing.  It should have been saved until all of the \"investigations\" were completed.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-14_17:13:54", "killed": false, "user_key": "3e74d40298c109561419a431974885e6", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2528186": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?  Is Trig an alien?", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-22_21:40:30", "killed": false, "user_key": "89a8a177a4e19ca2a011acc5174031fa", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2452022, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2296202": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "John, Me thinks you do not know the difference between authoring (writing and initiating)a bill (which is what has been said about Obama) and either co-authoring or being on a bill as a co-sponser.  I watched congress on C-Span daily for a number of years and it is very common for congressmen to ask the actual authors of a bill if they could be added to the bill as a co-sponser or as a co-author (agreeing of course to meet with the actual writer of the bill at least once in conference (sometimes not at all, though they might add a sentence or two.  Also, If one is bring groomed for the position of Presidency at a future date, many of the party congressmen will actually put the name of the one being \"groomed\" so that they can claim a legacy.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-11_23:29:45", "killed": false, "user_key": "8f182de161c6f2c93205f2f4e05071d2", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "3926718": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I think in the end, at least in my neck of the woods, Gov. Palin lost McCain the election. From a former Californian's point of view, it wasn't even the accusations of corruption (though that didn't help) but her policies in regards to social issues. That's actually what led to me changing my vote from McCain to Obama", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-11-20_21:48:16", "killed": false, "user_key": "ff91c02a516fab5fded8fb7ff79bfed8", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2306229": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "With all the propaganda, deceptions, and lies it is clear the Iraq war was for the OIL. Many LIVES were shuttered.  Resources and money were burned in the <br>Mesopotamian desert. These CRIMES continue happening right now. Imagine instead of the war of all this human life, energy, martial, and monetary effort would be used to build solar and wind farm. Calculate how many watts of CLEAN ENERGY could be produced by now.  Imagine how many jobs would be created? Deceptive and corrupt \u201cleaders\u201d should be prevented from reaching office. These sleazy politicians want us to think that corruption is the nature and norm in politics. We can changes it and elect leaders that do and believe that the public/planet needs are a priority.  McCain supports the Iraq war and selected a comic leader, Palin as his running mate. Do not let them to reach the white house. Obama will be 1000 folds a better choice. He voted against the war.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-12_15:52:51", "killed": false, "user_key": "22723b080979e3b25e4ce112d3dbfc10", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2298910, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2282400": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "\"The best thing that's happened to.... the United States in a very long time...\"??? OMG, we are in such deep doo doo with people out there thinking like this. And then people wonder -- wonder!! -- why this country is so f*cked up, and why our economy is so bad. They think \"Oh, it's just the bad luck fairy who's dusted the U.S. with bad-luck dust. It's certainly not George Bush or Dick Cheney or Donald Rumsfeld or the Republican party. No, can't be them that's screwed everything up. Even though they lie and cheat and display extreme callousness over the deaths of our soldiers, they're still moral!\" Yeah, right. Those of you who think this, think like this... you need to start taking responsibility for this country having gone down the tubes.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-11_06:35:02", "killed": false, "user_key": "0846d1999717e7c7a7ccca343653d812", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2279255, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2289218": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "He is the hope to pull the country out of the mud.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-11_14:15:37", "killed": false, "user_key": "22723b080979e3b25e4ce112d3dbfc10", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2282380, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2435397": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "She still has nearly 80 % approval.  Name one congressperson or Governor with better.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-18_20:37:13", "killed": false, "user_key": "89a8a177a4e19ca2a011acc5174031fa", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2389271, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2363233": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Ditto...If Clinton had acted when the Trade center was bombed, or when the embassy was bombed, or even when the USS Cole was bombed, The Twin Towers would still be standing and most like not at war now at all. Even Bin Laden could have been taken care of by Clinton. Clinton emboldened the terrorists by not acting. The whimpy draft dodger he was.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-15_15:20:24", "killed": false, "user_key": "617a298c4a1dd5297d0ee5abcbb59666", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2359318, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "3926858": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I have to respectfully disagree with the poster below me. As a transplant to the Washington area from the 'deeper' south, I can tell you that both my relatives at home and many of my more Conservative leaning friends here were spurred into having a real interest in the election and in a McCain victory. They felt like they would finally have a voice in the white house, even if it was from the office next door to the important one.<br><br>Respectfully,<br>Jules Guerra", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-11-20_22:00:28", "killed": false, "user_key": "40c59768d6bf4a9bcc14e91467e87516", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2452683": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "she can truly make anybodys dick hard if you aren;t dead i think she could probably make a few dead ones stand up.  These absoutely fake pictures are as sick as the democratic dumb ass running for president.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-20_08:40:42", "killed": false, "user_key": "2c54e7e028f84ce36d35067b96d1d7ef", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2310988": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Please remember that Congress makes the laws. Congress was controlled by the Republican Party from January 1995 to January 2007. That's all but two of Clinton's presidency and 6 of G. Bush's.<br>T. Boone Pickens reminds us that the USA with 4+% of the worlds population and 3% of the worlds oil reserves, uses approximately 25% of the oil. And, we are sending $700,000,000,000.00 overseas each year to buy 70% of the oil we consume. <br>But, for the most part we agree square on. :)", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-12_18:31:37", "killed": false, "user_key": "c1f8ebc6e56bee3c9bff315c1ec509eb", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2298910, "depth": 3, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "5025741": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "israel eats garbage and if you guys out there are christian ,rember when they killed jesus and spit on him.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2009-01-09_19:39:44", "killed": false, "user_key": "f51b24c08aacd240df07f6d852535b0b", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "10 months ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2279255": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Give the girl a break - she is the best thing that happened to both the Republicans and the United States in a very long time - and, should, God forbid, anything happen to John McCain during his mandate, she would do us proud as President.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-11_03:09:33", "killed": false, "user_key": "a0f32354b1f2eeeb677206fca5f4eb99", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 2, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2833498": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "use your hand, you'll be more satisfied.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-03_20:09:08", "killed": false, "user_key": "489d13db2ac9173ff40f6cfd859e5211", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2818854, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2288988": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Running the country is not a Fairytale.  McCain and Palin did not get it. They are for the old failed politics. Do not let them to become the next losers. We cannot afford electing disastrous politicians in order to provide material for the comedy writers.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-11_13:59:10", "killed": false, "user_key": "22723b080979e3b25e4ce112d3dbfc10", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2279255, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2366177": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "I'll tell you what would put our country in \"way deep\"; an unqualified, dishonest, inexperienced candidate like Sarah Palin in office. Not only do I hope that Palin loses this election right along with McCain, but I am baffled daily by how many Americans are somehow under this woman's spell. She is a right-wing, ridiculously conservative person who is being groomed by the McCain campaign and the republican party to help McCain win! Please, I beg you, look at her actual positions, experience, and what she really stands for. I think you will find that she is not who you want as the president of our country if something happened to McCain. I am a scared mom hoping McCain/Palin lose big in 7 weeks.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-15_19:06:47", "killed": false, "user_key": "9d99b69536a3cee0b726b1bf3d9cb14f", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2882018": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "THIS POST SHOULD BE ON THE WEB SO EVERYONE CAN SEE WHAT A PHONY AND A LIAR SHE IS, ALSO A CONIEVING SELF CENTERED<br><br>PRETENDER. AFTER SERVING 6 YEARS IN THE MARINES SHE WOULD SCARE THE CRAP OUT OF ME WITH HER HAND ON THE RED BUTTON<br><br>PEOPLE DO NOT INVESAGATE THESE PEOPLE THEY JUST SAY THINGS LIKE I8 LIKE HER SHE HAS BALLS, MAYBE BUT NO BRAINS, THIS ELECTION WILL BE THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE IN MY LIF TIME AND A LIAR LIKE HER I WILL NOT SUPPORT.<br>REV JIM<br>USMC", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-05_15:03:47", "killed": false, "user_key": "JIM1366", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2301924": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "The more I read about Palin  the more she appears Bush like to me.  To me is is smoke and mirrors for McCain to slect her over the many more qualified females in the country.  She and McCain are preped, sponsed, supported by the Bush camp.  She and McCain are the same old thing and nothing new. And how dare the McCain/Bush camp insult the american women by thinking they would vote for her, just because she if \"female\".", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-12_11:17:26", "killed": false, "user_key": "Geney", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": false, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 1, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2451622": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I think the funniest thing about the whole Palin thing, is that some stupid Americans think Vps actually have any power in Washington. The sick sad truth is McCain will be dead before his term is up because he is so damn old, and Palin will be president, and history has shown that a Vp taking office is never a good thing.  Especially one that thinks she knows anything about Russia because as she put it \u201cI can see Russia from my house we\u2019re like neighbors.\u201d <br><br>Political Humor at its Finest<br><a href=\"http://www.barackobamasworld.com\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.barackobamasworld.com</a>", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-20_03:05:25", "killed": false, "user_key": "3eb1245b72d519eb5cde96e332a6ddeb", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2551911": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "\"Democrats to let offshore drilling ban expire\"  <br>The Democrats have given up.<br><br>Thank-you Sarah Palin", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-23_18:41:53", "killed": false, "user_key": "89a8a177a4e19ca2a011acc5174031fa", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2359400": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "He is the hope to push the country into the mud.", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-15_10:17:46", "killed": false, "user_key": "f7425de592926bde8e3fbc0ce18d23d4", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2289218, "depth": 2, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2903275": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Obama-hate, and Sarah Palin's War on Terror  <br> <br>By Bradley Burston  <br> <br>Tags: Palin, Israel News, Burston   <br><br>If you are planning to vote for John McCain because you view him as a man of rare integrity, demonstrated courage, intellectual and political independence, and because you believe him to be more seasoned and more savvy than Barack Obama in the realms of foreign policy, the applications of military force, and such domestic issues as taxation, health care, social security and welfare reform, you can stop reading this right now. <br><br>If you have decided to vote for Sarah Palin because you admire her as gutsy and fresh-thinking and an authentic Reagan Republican, and because you identify with her views on abortion, the right to buy and hold arms, and the excesses and interventions of big government, you can stop right here. <br><br>This is not going to be a column about issues, nor fitness for high office. And though this is not about racism in the classical sense, it is specifically about the passion and prejudices - race being just one of them - with which some people hate Barack Obama. <br><br>Obama-hate is worth a close look not only for what it tells us about political campaigns, but for what it can teach us about America itself, its divisions and the possibility of healing. <br><br>This is, as well, about the role Sarah Palin can play in the process. She can, if she chooses, elevate the level of debate on the urgent challenges Americans must face. Or she can say something like this: <br><br>\"We see America as the greatest force for good in this world,\" Palin told a fund-raising event in Colorado on Sunday. \"Our opponent though, is someone who sees America, it seems, as being so imperfect that he's palling around with terrorists who would target their own country.\" <br><br>\"This is not a man who sees America like you and I see America,\" she said. \"We see America as a force of good in this world.\" <br><br>Since taking the national stage a month ago, Sarah Palin has been subjected to an onslaught of invective, dismissal, insult and smear. Now, the debate safely behind her, she has chosen a new means of response: incitement. <br><br>Does she really believe that Barack Obama, and by extension, those who support him, do not see America as a force for good in this world? <br><br>If she does not, her statement was obscene. If she does, America as a whole is in trouble. And not because she's right. <br><br>There are many among her admirers who celebrate her for speaking unvarnished truth, for saying out loud the kinds of things that \"you and I\" really feel. <br><br>The problem is not unvarnished truth, but thinly varnished hatred. <br><br>As she proved in her speeches accepting John McCain's and her party's nominations, Governor Palin is a person with acute skills of self-expression. She knows exactly what response - and what bigotry - she will elicit when she denigrates the concept of a \"community organizer.\" <br><br>Just as she knows precisely what message she's sending when she states that Barack Obama \"is not a man who sees America like you and I see America.\" <br><br>She knows to the letter what flags she's flying when she implies that Obama not only does not love his country but reviles it, even to the point of being a fellow traveler to subversives and potential terror murderers. <br><br>Nor is it any accident that she uses the term \"terrorists\" - unnamed, plural, and in general usage in America, often referring to Islamic radicals - rather than focusing on the one man in question. <br><br>Sarah Palin has crossed a line. She could have used her powers of persuasion to advance her ideals. Instead, she has joined those who have chosen to fight Obama with prejudice. In the process, she has widened America's fault lines, equating her coy \"you and I\" with love of country. Her opponent, then, is the Non-Us, the AntiUs, and, by extension, the Unamerican. <br><br>Is this to be the Palin Doctrine - that the Right has a lock on love of country? <br><br>In making the Colorado declaration, which she was to repeat twice more that day, she drew a stark distinction between those who love America - her people - and those who love Barack Obama. <br><br>In doing so, and in tarring him as a man who consorts with terrorists, she has joined those who have leveraged other lies to extraordinary success, in particular, the lie that Obama is a Muslim. <br><br>It was the phenomenal power of the Muslim lie that has lent fuel to all others. The falsehood granted free rein to intolerance. It has successfully disguised racism as patriotism. It has granted false license to irrational suspicion and grotesque stereotyping on the basis of faith. <br><br>In short, it has freed people to hate a black man right out loud. <br><br>In painting her opponent as a fellow traveler with subversives and terrorists, Palin has joined those who have promulgated bigotry in inciting against Obama, those who say, in clear hints if not in so many words: <br><br>1. Vote against Obama because you fear and loathe Muslims <br><br>2. Vote against Obama because you fear and loathe Arabs. <br><br>3. Vote against Obama because you've had all you can take of affirmative action, immigrants, names which defy pronunciation, pluralism, and bend-over-backwards tolerance. <br><br>4. Vote against Obama because liberal Democrats are hypocritical wimps, not real Christians, and, in fact, closet gays - and deserve to be punished. <br><br>5. Vote against Obama because the New York media and Hollywood deserve to be exposed and disgraced. <br><br>6.Vote against Obama because in this day and age in America, white people get the short end of the stick. <br><br>7. Vote against Obama because the one group facing the worst discrimination is the community of believing Christian Republicans. <br><br>8. Vote against Obama because blacks hate whites. <br><br>9. Vote against Obama because even though Jews once helped blacks, blacks hate Jews. <br><br>10. Vote against Obama because the Left hates America. Because liberals are ruining America's core institutions, schools, the military, the economy. <br><br>In segregating America into Us and AntiUs, Sarah Palin is asking for the votes of all Americans in order to speak for half of them. The half she believes loves the country. In denying Barack Obama his love of country, she has denied the vision, the values, and the profound patriotism of the remainder. In doing do, she does a disservice to both sides, and to America.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-06_22:40:56", "killed": false, "user_key": "f1f2da9a534c872b8a1fc8c5e0bc3f74", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "3314286": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "I am not a Palin supporter. However, let's not blame her for McCain's failure to rally his party and the country. Colin Powell said it best. McCain ran too much of a negative campaign and picked the wrong vice-presidential candidate. McCain needs to take responsibility for both decision, and ultimately loosing the presidential election. Palin should go back to Alaska, read up on International Affairs, Belt Way Politics, and resurface in four years with a better track record.<br><br>They should also let her keep her $150,000 wardrobe. She deserves it.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-26_18:55:13", "killed": false, "user_key": "22a932ea3759d3a5a44f5016dfe36069", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2359151": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Ditto!!  Waste if time even reading it!", "is_last_child": true, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-15_09:56:56", "killed": false, "user_key": "f7425de592926bde8e3fbc0ce18d23d4", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2350905, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "3487472": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "she complained about the \"old boys clubs\" when running for mayor, only to replace it with another club, she complained about money in politics to shadow other ugly maneuvers like political firings, she's a maverick on different issues than mccain and they clashed because they are \"holier-than-thou\" on the issues they are mavericky about", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-11-04_10:50:27", "killed": false, "user_key": "3f8a0ed36ff07535b93bb8dfd1c22b11", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "3284213": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": false, "message": "Palin as Olmert? Free flights, fancy clothes and life of luxury<br><br>By Benjamin L. Hartman, Haaretz reporter<br><br><br>It turns out, the difference between a pitbull and a hockey mom isn't just lipstick, its designer lipstick, Manolo Blahnik pumps, and a $2,500 Valentino jacket. That should keep you warm at the Iron Dog snowmachine race. <br><br>It emerged this week that with the U.S. in the grip of one of its worst economic crises, the Republican National Committee had the clear and present judgment to run up a reported $150,000 bill to deck out Sarah Palin, the running-mate and rising Republican star who \"is just like the rest of us\", that is, if the rest of us drop a few thousand dollars at Nieman's on the way to the hockey rink. <br><br>As the Huffington Post reported Wednesday, the splurges included a reputed $75,000 shopping spree in a single day at a Nieman Marcus (or \"needless markup\" as they're widely known) store in \"not so sure it's real America still\" Minneapolis, as well as $50,000 spent at Saks Fifth Avenue chains in no-longer real America St. Louis and 10th circle of hell New York City.<br><br>In retrospect, though her rationale defending her foreign policy credentials was widely lampooned, it could be that Palin can in fact see Russia from Alaska; it would certainly explain how she came to adopt the fashion tastes of a Russian oligarch's wife since she became McCain's running mate. <br><br>The revelations have the potential to be infuriating and puzzling to many mainly because they come from the campaign that has played the \"elitist\" card with reckless abandon, and has made a central issue of their campaign the idealization and ownership of working-class \"small-town values\", hard-to-pin-down ideals that presumably cannot be found within a hundred miles of a Saks or Nieman's branch. Furthermore, over the last week, said campaign has turned its entire message into the celebration of one Joe the Plumber, an everyman who works with his hands and whose endorsement apparently bears more weight than that of former secretary of state Colin Powell. <br><br>From an Israeli-American point of view, Palin's \"makeovergate\" and the revelations this week that she billed the State of Alaska for thousands of dollars worth of commercial flights for her daughters, and for luxury hotel rooms for a family vacation, bear a certain resemblance to the travails and scandals of our disgraced outgoing prime minister Ehud Olmert, a man who came to power suddenly as vice premier, when the septuagenarian former warrior who swooped him into the halls of power fell terminally ill. Ring any bells? <br><br>Although the case was later closed, the Rishon Tours affair involved allegations that Olmert used thousands of dollars in state funds to pay for foreign air travel flights for his family. During the investigation, it was alleged that the flights were paid in large part through the funneling of money intended for charity organizations, and by writing off the tickets as official state business, not dissimilar to claims that Palin air-freighted her daughters at the taxpayers expense while governor. <br><br>Palin's shopping sprees were legal, but they do display a lack of judgment or consideration for how the acts may be perceived by the public. The fact that both Olmert and Palin seemed to be willing to put their careers or public approval in jeopardy for such petty rewards at a time when they were ostensibly well-off public servants seems reckless at best. <br><br>In Palin's case, even if she was just following the advice of campaign handlers with blank checks who wanted to spruce up her image, the fact that she would take part in such a breakneck spend-a-thon at some of America's ritziest stores while the country is on the verge of depression, shows a bewildering level of obliviousness that Olmert could surely understand. <br><br>While in office, both Olmert and Palin adopted the standpoint of cheapskate guests at an expensive wedding, or underpaid employees suddenly given an expense account, with the attitude that \"hey, if some somebody else is paying for it, why not supersize it? Why not first-class? Who cares who's watching?\" Or better yet, like guests who paid for an all-inclusive weekend in Eilat who assume that means not only can they avail themselves of the all-you-can-eat buffet, but they might as well pocket the silverware while they're at it. <br><br>The decision is also indicative (again) of the McCain campaign's seeming ignorance of the power of the Internet and the instant fact-checking that has changed the nature of the news and political campaigns forever. Like with the quicksilver vetting process of the Alaska governor, which some say missed \"Troopergate\" and Palin's pregnant teenage daughter, or the repeated, groundless attacks on Obama that have been easily debunked by anyone with access to Google, Palin's spending sprees show an ignorance of the instant access to information and the 24-hour news cycle, and possibly, in the worst case, an outright contempt for the very public whose values they pander to. <br><br>And what I'm wondering is, where did Joe the Plumber get the suit he was wearing on Fox News the other night", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-10-24_16:32:43", "killed": false, "user_key": "22723b080979e3b25e4ce112d3dbfc10", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 0, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2292858": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "Drill baby drill; they will pierce the planet to death. The next industrial revolution/Boom is going to be green energy, systems the produce and/or use sustainable energy.  McCain and Palin want to drill more. They are lunatics that live on another plant.  They do not notice what the rest of the world sees. Let\u2019s keep the oil, coal, and gas buried forever. This will result in a better planet for all its inhabitants, not just for the few rich. After Ronald Reagan took office he canceled the green subsidies that Jimmy Carter set off. Danish and Japanese companies bought up the solar and wind energy struggling companies. Today, who are the leaders in winds and solar energy? Japan and Denmark! McCain and Palin will repeat this disaster 1,000 times folds. The result will be industrial and economic tragedy for the US. Imagine US a third worlds country with a giant army and restricted human rights.  A dangerous trend that Gorge Bush Started and McCain and Palin will successfully will bring us there.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-11_18:20:45", "killed": false, "user_key": "22723b080979e3b25e4ce112d3dbfc10", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 4, "is_first_child": false, "email": "", "parent_post_id": null, "depth": 0, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}, "2411772": {"up_voted": false, "ip": "", "has_replies": true, "message": "By the time inauguration day comes this woman will be briefed on everything that could effect this country.  Mr Obama and Mr Biden as well as Mr McCain are also receiving the same treatment of being brought up to date.  That is why Mr Obama has come out very strongly and forceful against Iran.  It is also why this Iraq thing, which propelled him into this campaign,  is no longer even close to resembling his original position.  The pair that have shown, and convinced the majority that they have the unchanging character and drive to lead this country will win.   You can dig up all of these little nitpicking things you want about this woman in attempt to assassinate her character, but so far she is the shiniest one of the four.  Continual squawking to say the same things over and over will not change a thing.  If you have new credible material, then bring it.  If you can't, she is going to carry the old man from Arizona to the White House.", "is_last_child": false, "can_reply": true, "down_voted": false, "real_date": "2008-09-17_22:25:07", "killed": false, "user_key": "89a8a177a4e19ca2a011acc5174031fa", "has_been_anonymized": false, "edited": false, "author_is_moderator": false, "from_request_user": null, "votable": true, "date": "1 year ago", "approved": true, "num_replies": 1, "is_first_child": true, "email": "", "parent_post_id": 2392454, "depth": 1, "points": 0, "author_is_creator": false, "is_realtime": false}}, "integration": {"receiver_url": "", "theme": 1, "reply_position": false, "disqus_logo": false}, "timer": {"timer_url": "http://localhost:8005", "thread_id": "3995945", "user_id": "anonymous", "forum_id": "34441", "hash": 7186482840000317469}, "thread": {"days_alive": 0, "slug": "the_reform_candidate", "paginate": true, "num_pages": 12, "num_posts": 50, "per_page": 50, "total_posts": 569, "realtime_paused": true, "id": 3995945, "queued": false}, "reactions_limit": 10, "context": {"show_reply": true, "use_fb_connect": false, "forum_facebook_key": "", "use_yahoo": false, "subscribed": false, "use_twitter_signin": false, "use_openid": false, "realtime_speed": 5000}, "reactions_start": 0, "settings": {"debug": false, "disqus_url": "http://disqus.com", "media_url": "http://media.disqus.com"}, "media_url": "http://media.disqus.com"};
	/* */ this.jsonData.cookie_messages = {"user_created": null, "post_has_profile": null, "post_twitter": null, "post_not_approved": null}; this.jsonData.session = {"url": null, "name": null, "email": null}; /* */

	
	this.curPageId = 'dsq-comments';

	this.frames = {};
};

var disqus_popup_reference = null;

if(typeof DsqLocal == 'undefined') {
	DsqLocal = {};
}



/**
 * Dsq.Strings: UI strings
 */
Dsq.Strings = new function() {
	this.ADD_NEW_COMMENT = "Add New Comment";
	this.LOG_INTO_DISQUS = "Log into DISQUS";
	this.USE_MEDIA = "Use Media";
	this.LOGOUT = "Logout";
	this.SHARING_OPTIONS = "Sharing options";
	this.SHARE_ON = "Share on";
	this.TWEET_THIS_COMMENT = "Tweet this comment";
	this.SHARE_ON_NEWSFEED = "Share on news feed";
	this.SEND_UPDATE_TO_YAHOO = "Send update to Yahoo!";
	this.REBLOG_ON = "Reblog on";
	this.CONFIGURE_OPTIONS = "Configure options";
	this.POST_AS = "Post as";
	this.SORT_BY = "Sort by";
	this.SUBSCRIBE_BY_EMAIL = "Subscribe by email";
	this.SUBSCRIBE_BY_RSS = "Subscribe by RSS";
	this.POPULAR_NOW = "Popular now";
	this.BEST_RATING = "Best Rating";
	this.NEWEST_FIRST = "Newest first";
	this.OLDEST_FIRST = "Oldest first";
	this.HIGHLIGHTED = "Highlighted";
	this.UNSUBSCRIBE = "Unsubscribe";
	this.REQUIRED = "Required";
	this.OPTIONAL = "Optional";
	this.YOU_ARE_COMMENTING_AS_A = "You are commenting as a";
	this.LOGIN_BELOW = "Login below";
	this.PLEASE_LOGIN_BELOW_TO_COMMENT = "Please login below to comment.";
	this.SUBSCRIBE_TO_ALL_COMMENTS_BY_EMAIL = "Subscribe to all comments by email";
	this.DO_NOT_SUBSCRIBE_TO_COMMENTS = "Do not subscribe to comments";
	this.REALTIME_UPDATING_IS = "Real-time updating is";
	this.ENABLED = "enabled";
	this.PAUSED = "paused";
	this.PAUSE = "Pause";
	this.RESUME = "Resume";
	this.SHOW = "Show";
	this.JUST_NOW = "Just now";
	this.REPLY = "Reply";
	this.EDIT = "Edit";
	this.FLAG = "Flag";
	this.MODERATE = "Moderate";
	this.CANCEL = "Cancel";
	this.REPLYING_TO = "Replying to";
	this.REPORT_MISSING_REACTIONS = "Report missing reactions";
	this.POST_A_COMMENT = "Post a comment";
	this.FLAG_INAPPROPRIATE_COMMENT = "Flag inappropriate comment";
	this.FLAGGED = "Flagged";
	this.NO = "No";
	this.YES = "Yes";
	this.NEVER_MIND = "Never mind";
	this.ARE_YOU_SURE_YOU_WOULD_LIKE_TO_REPORT_THIS_COMMENT_TO_A_MODERATOR = "Are you sure you would like to report this comment to a moderator";
	this.THIS_WILL_FLAG_COMMENTS_FOR_MODERATORS_TO_TAKE_ACTION = "This will flag comments for moderators to take action";
	this.TO_RATE_PLEASE_LOG_IN = "To rate, please log in";
	this.JUST_A_MOMENT = "Just a moment...";
	this.GUEST = "Guest";
	this.NAME = "Name";
	this.EMAIL = "Email";
  this.WEBSITE = "Website";
  this.SETTINGS = "Settings";
  this.MODERATOR_OPTIONS = "Moderator options: ";
};
// Dsq.Strings

/**
 * Dsq.FmtStrings: functions that return interpolated UI strings
 */
Dsq.FmtStrings = new function() {
	// Seems we have to use named interpolation for Django to translate. Investigate more.
	this.LOGGED_IN_AS = function(username) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate('Logged in as %(username)s', {username:username});
	};

	this.LOGOUT_FROM = function(disqus) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate('Logout from %(disqus)s', {disqus:disqus});
	};

	this.SHOWING_COMMENTS_FULL = function(total, num) {
		if (num === 1) {
			return Dsq.Utils.interpolate("Showing <span id='dsq-num-posts'>%(num)s</span> of <span id='dsq-total-posts'>%(total)s</span> comment", {num:num, total:total});
		} else {
			return Dsq.Utils.interpolate("Showing <span id='dsq-num-posts'>%(num)s</span> of <span id='dsq-total-posts'>%(total)s</span> comments", {num:num, total:total});
		}
	};

	this.SHOWING_COMMENTS_WITHOUT_PAGINATION = function(num) {
		if (num === 1) {
			return Dsq.Utils.interpolate("Showing <span id='dsq-num-posts'>%(num)s</span> comment", {num:num});
		} else {
			return Dsq.Utils.interpolate("Showing <span id='dsq-num-posts'>%(num)s</span> comments", {num:num});
		}
	};

	this.NUMBER_OF_COMMENTS = function(num) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
			(num == 1
				? '%(num)s comment'
				: '%(num)s comments'
			), {num:num});
	};

	this.NUMBER_OF_LIKES = function(num) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
			(num == 1
				? '%(num)s like'
				: '%(num)s likes'
			), {num:num});
	};

	this.NUMBER_OF_POINTS = function(num) {
		return Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
			(num == 1
				? '%(num)s point'
				: '%(num)s points'
			), {num:num});
	};
};
// Dsq.FmtStrings





Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN = '21bc467119200cb06806902fa8e2f5b0';
Dsq.COMMENTS_RE = /(<li.*?id="?dsq-comment-(\d+)"?.*?>)((?:.|\s)*?)(<\/li>)/gim;
Dsq.POST_RE = /(<div.*?id="?dsq-comment-header-(\d+)"?.*?>)((?:.|\s)*?)(<\/div>)\s*(<div.*?class="?dsq-comment-body"?.*?>)((?:.|\s)*)(<\/div>)/gim;
Dsq.POST_BODY_RE = /\s*(<div.*?id="?dsq-comment-message-(\d+)"?.*?>)((?:.|\s)*)(<\/div>)/gim;
// HACK: Safari ends with "-->" while other browsers end with "--&gt;" as expected.
Dsq.MEDIA_POST_RE = /&lt;!--\[(.*?)\]--(?:>|&gt;)/gim;



// TODO: It might be faster to use string methods to find all <li (...) </li> blocks and pass to Dsq.PostHandler manually.
Dsq.CommentsHandler = function(str, head, post_id, content, tail, offset, s) {
	var prepend_post = Dsq.Templates.prependPost(post_id);
	var append_post = Dsq.Templates.appendPost(post_id);

	content = content.replace(Dsq.POST_RE, Dsq.PostHandler);
	Dsq.Templates.postLoopCounter++;
	head = Dsq.Templates.Filters.commentContainer(post_id, head);
	return prepend_post + head + content + tail + append_post;
};

Dsq.PostHandler = function(str, h_head, post_id, h_content, h_tail, b_head, b_content, b_tail, offset, s) {
	var prepend_header = Dsq.Templates.postPrependHeader(post_id);
	var append_header = Dsq.Templates.postAppendHeader(post_id);
	var prepend_body = Dsq.Templates.preBody(post_id);
	var append_body = Dsq.Templates.postBody(post_id);
	var append_footer = Dsq.Templates.postFooter(post_id);

	b_content = b_content.replace(Dsq.POST_BODY_RE, Dsq.PostBodyHandler);
	return h_head + prepend_header + h_content + append_header + h_tail + b_head + prepend_body + b_content + append_body + b_tail + append_footer;
};

Dsq.PostBodyHandler = function(str, head, post_id, content, tail, offset, s) {
	content = Dsq.Templates.Filters.commentContent(post_id, content);
	return head + content + tail;
};

Dsq.MediaPostHandler = function(str, args, offset, s) {
	args = args.split(' ');
	if(args[0] == 'seesmic') {
		return '<br />' + Dsq.Templates.mediaSeesmic(args[1], args[2]);
	}
	return '';
};


/**
 * Shorcuts
 */
Dsq.$ = function(element) { return document.getElementById(element); };
Dsq.$b = document.body || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0];


/**
 * Dsq.Debug: Logging functions.
 */

Dsq.Debug = new function() {this.log=function(s){};this.profile=function(f){if(typeof f == 'function')return f();else return eval(f);};};


/**
 * Dsq.Urls: URL paths
 */
Dsq.Urls = new function() {
	this.LOGIN = '/profile/login/';
	this.LOGOUT = '/logout/';
	this.REPLY = 'http://disqus.com/forums/washingtonindependent/the_reform_candidate/reply.html';
	this.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE = '/AnonymousUser/';
	this.REQUEST_USER_AVATAR = 'http://media.disqus.com/images/noavatar92.png';
};
// Dsq.Urls

/**
 * Dsq.Validators: Validation for form fields
 */
Dsq.Validators = new function() {
	this.VALID_EMAIL_RE = /^[a-z0-9\-\_\+]+(\.[a-z0-9\-\_\+]+)*\@(([a-z0-9\-\_\+]+(\.[a-z0-9\-\_\+]+)*)+\.[a-z]{2,}|([0-9]+\.){3}[0-9]+)$/i;
	this.name = function(name) {
		var error = false;

		if(typeof Dsq.Templates.placeholder !== 'undefined' &&
		   name == Dsq.Templates.placeholder.name) {
			error = true;
		}
		if(name.length <= 1) {
			error = true;
		}

		if(error) {
			return "Please enter a name to comment.";
		} else {
			return true;
		}
	};
	this.email = function(addr) {
		if(Dsq.Validators.VALID_EMAIL_RE.test(addr)) {
			return true;
		} else {
			return "Please enter a valid email to comment.";
		}
	};
	this.url = function(addr) {
		if(!addr || addr.indexOf('.') != -1) {
			return true;
		} else {
			return "Please check your website URL (this field is optional).";
		}
	};

	this.validate = function(bulk_validation, failure_callback) {
		failure_callback = failure_callback || function(e){ alert(e); };

		for(var i = 0; i < bulk_validation.length; i++) {
			v = bulk_validation[i];
			ret = v.validator(v.value);
			if(ret !== true) {
				failure_callback(ret);
				return false;
			}
		}
		return true;
	};
};

/**
 * Dsq.Utils: Generic utility functions.
 */
Dsq.Utils = new function() {
	this.ie = /msie/i.test(navigator.userAgent) && !/opera/i.test(navigator.userAgent);
	this.ie7 = (document.all && !window.opera && window.XMLHttpRequest) ? true : false;
	this.ie6 = (!window.XMLHttpRequest) ? true: false;
	this.webkit = navigator.userAgent.indexOf('AppleWebKit/') >= 0;
	this.gebiFromElementCollectionCache = {};
	this._styleSheet = null;

	this.gebiFromElement = function(el, id, tag) {
		// This only method only helps IE.
		if(!this.ie) {
			return Dsq.$(id);
		} else {
			var cacheKey = el.id + '-' + tag;
			tag = tag || 'div';
			if(typeof this.gebiFromElementCollectionCache[cacheKey] != 'undefined') {
				collection = this.gebiFromElementCollectionCache[cacheKey];
			} else {
				collection = el.getElementsByTagName(tag);
				this.gebiFromElementCollectionCache[cacheKey] = collection;
			}

			for(var i = 0; i < collection.length; i++) {
				if(collection[i].id == id) {
					return collection[i];
				}
			}
			return null;
		}
	};

	this.execOnReady = function(func) {
		var node = document.createElement('document:ready');
		try {
			node.doScroll('left');
			func();
			node = null;
		} catch(err) {
			setTimeout(function() { Dsq.Utils.execOnReady(func); }, 10);
		}
	};


	// Courtesy of http://www.quirksmode.org/js/cookies.html
	this.createCookie = function(name,value,days) {
		if (days) {
			var date = new Date();
			date.setTime(date.getTime()+(days*24*60*60*1000));
			var expires = "; expires="+date.toGMTString();
		}
		else var expires = "";
		document.cookie = name+"="+value+expires+"; path=/";
	};

	this.readCookie = function(name) {
		var nameEQ = name + "=";
		var ca = document.cookie.split(';');
		for(var i=0;i < ca.length;i++) {
			var c = ca[i];
			while (c.charAt(0)==' ') c = c.substring(1,c.length);
			if (c.indexOf(nameEQ) == 0) return c.substring(nameEQ.length,c.length);
		}
		return null;
	};

	this.eraseCookie = function(name) {
		Dsq.Utils.createCookie(name,"",-1);
	};

	this.deleteNode = function(node) {
		if(node) {
			this.deleteChildren(node);
			if(typeof node.outerHTML != 'undefined') { node.outerHTML = ''; }
			else if(node.parentNode) { node.parentNode.removeChild(node); }
			delete node;
		}
	};

	this.deleteChildren = function(node) {
		if(node) {
			for(var x = node.childNodes.length-1; x >= 0; x--) {
				var childNode = node.childNodes[x];
				if(childNode.hasChildNodes()) { this.deleteChildren(childNode); }
				if(typeof childNode.outerHTML != 'undefined') { childNode.outerHTML = ''; }
				else node.removeChild(childNode);
				delete childNode;
			}
		}
	};

	this.findPos = function(obj) {
		var curleft = 0;
		var curtop = 0;
		if (obj.offsetParent) {
			do {
				curleft += obj.offsetLeft;
				curtop += obj.offsetTop;
			} while (obj = obj.offsetParent);
		}
		return [curleft,curtop];
	};

	this.getWindowSize = function() {
		var windowWidth = -1;
		var windowHeight = -1;

		if(typeof(window.innerWidth) == 'number') { //Non-IE
			windowWidth = window.innerWidth;
			windowHeight = window.innerHeight;
		} else if(document.documentElement) { // IE 6+ in 'standards compliant mode'
			windowWidth = document.documentElement.clientWidth || document.body.clientWidth;
			windowHeight = document.documentElement.clientHeight || document.body.clientHeight;
		}

		return [windowWidth, windowHeight];
	}

	this.getScrollPos = function() {
		var scrollWidth, scrollTop;

		if(document.documentElement && (document.documentElement.scrollTop || document.documentElement.scrollWidth)) {
			scrollWidth = document.documentElement.scrollWidth;
			// IE is weird here.  If no doctype is provided, document.body.scrollTop is 0,
			// otherwise document.documentElement.scrollTop is 0.
			scrollTop = document.documentElement.scrollTop || document.body.scrollTop;
		} else if(document.body.scrollTop && document.body.scrollWidth) {
			scrollWidth = document.body.scrollWidth;
			scrollTop = document.body.scrollTop;
		}

		return [scrollWidth, scrollTop];
	}

	this.addEventListener = function(instance, eventName, listener) {
		var listenerFn = listener;
		if (instance.addEventListener) {
			instance.addEventListener(eventName, listenerFn, false);
		} else if (instance.attachEvent) {
			listenerFn = function() {
				listener(window.event);
			};
			instance.attachEvent("on" + eventName, listenerFn);
		} else {
			throw new Error("Event registration not supported");
		}
		return {
			instance: instance,
			name: eventName,
			listener: listenerFn
		};
	};

	this.removeEventListener = function(event) {
		var instance = event.instance;
		if (instance.removeEventListener) {
			instance.removeEventListener(event.name, event.listener, false);
		} else if (instance.detachEvent) {
			instance.detachEvent("on" + event.name, event.listener);
		}
	};

	this.fixIframesIE = function(id) {
		var disqusThread = Dsq.$(disqus_container_id);
		var iframes = disqusThread.getElementsByTagName('iframe');

		if(id) {
			var container = Dsq.$(id);
		} else {
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-content');
		}

		for(i = 0; i < iframes.length; i++) {
			if (container) {
				iframes[i].style.width = container.offsetWidth;
			}
		}
	};

	this.getElementsByClassName = function(oElm, strTagName, strClassName) {
	/* Credit: Jonathan Snook [http://www.snook.ca/jonathan], Robert Nyman [http://www.robertnyman.com] */
		var arrElements = (strTagName == "*" && oElm.all)? oElm.all : oElm.getElementsByTagName(strTagName);
		var arrReturnElements = new Array();
		strClassName = strClassName.replace(/\-/g, "\\-");
		var oRegExp = new RegExp("(^|\\s)" + strClassName + "(\\s|$)");
		var oElement;
		for(var i = 0; i < arrElements.length; i++) {
			oElement = arrElements[i];
			if(oRegExp.test(oElement.className)) {
				arrReturnElements.push(oElement);
			}
		}
		return (arrReturnElements);
	};

	this.postToUrl = function(url, post_data, opt_redirect) {
		var form = document.createElement('form');
		var iframe_container = document.createElement('div');
		var id = 'dsq-temp-iframe-' + (new Date()).getTime();

		form.method = 'POST';
		form.action = url;
		if (!opt_redirect) {
			form.target = id;
		}
		iframe_container.innerHTML = '<iframe style="display:none" name="' + id + '" id="' + id + '"></iframe>';

		for(var key in post_data) {
			if(post_data.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
				var input = document.createElement('input');
				input.name = key;
				input.type = 'hidden';
				input.value = post_data[key];

				form.appendChild(input);
			}
		}

		Dsq.$b.appendChild(iframe_container);
		Dsq.$b.appendChild(form);
		form.submit();
	};

	// Strips integer id from id of element in the form ('some-id-###')
	this.extractId = function(e) {
		var chunks = e.id.split('-');
		if(chunks.length <= 1) {
			return 0;
		} else {
			return parseInt(chunks[chunks.length-1]);
		}
	};

	this.getStyle = function(el, styleProp) {
		if(el.currentStyle) {
			var y = el.currentStyle[styleProp];
		} else if(window.getComputedStyle) {
			var y = document.defaultView.getComputedStyle(el, null).getPropertyValue(styleProp);
		}

		if(y == 'transparent' || y == '') {
			this.getStyle(el.parentNode, styleProp);
		} else {
			return y;
		}
	};

	this.execScript = function(url, append_qs, container) {
		var script = document.createElement('script');
		append_qs = typeof append_qs == 'undefined' ? true : append_qs;
		container = container || Dsq.container;

		if(append_qs) {
			var j = (url.indexOf('?') >= 0) ? '&' : '?';
			url += j + (new Date()).getTime();
		}
		script.type = 'text/javascript';
		script.charset = 'UTF-8';
		script.src = url;
		container.appendChild(script);
		return script;
	};

	this.pluralize = function(num, singular, plural) {
		return (num != 1) ? plural || 's' : singular || '';
	};

	this.getRequestParams = function(queryString /* optional */) {
		var pairs, tuple;
		var params = {};

		queryString = queryString || window.location.search.substring(1);
		pairs = queryString.split('&');

		for (var i = 0, pair; pair = pairs[i]; i++) {
			tuple = pair.split('=');
			params[tuple[0]] = (tuple[1] || true);
		}

		return params;
	};

	this.addCssRule = function(selector, styleText, index) {
		var stylesheet;
		index = index || 0;

		if(!this._styleSheet) {
			var styleEl = document.createElement('style');
			document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(styleEl);
			this._styleSheet = styleEl.sheet;
			if(!this._styleSheet) {
				// IE does not like our newly created stylesheet.
				this._styleSheet = document.styleSheets[document.styleSheets.length-1];
			}
		}
		stylesheet = this._styleSheet;

		if(stylesheet.insertRule) {
			var ruleText = selector + ' { ' + styleText + ' }';
			if(index == -1) {
				index = stylesheet.cssRules.length;
			}
			stylesheet.insertRule(ruleText, index);
		} else if(stylesheet.addRule) {
			stylesheet.addRule(selector, styleText, index);
		}
	};

	this.forEachIn = function(obj, callback) {
		for(var key in obj) {
			if(obj.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
				callback(key, obj[key]);
			}
		}
	};

	this._interpolateGlobalContext = {
		// values that get used a lot and are global to the request
		'profile_url': Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE,

		'disqus_url': Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url,
		'media_url': Dsq.jsonData.settings.media_url,
		'request_username': Dsq.jsonData.request.username,
		'request_display_username': Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username,
		'forum_name': Dsq.jsonData.forum.name
	};

	this.renderFromContextStack = function(key, contexts) {
		// Returns the first instance of `key` in the array of objects `contexts` or else ''
		for (var i=0; i<contexts.length; i++) {
			if (contexts[i][key] !== undefined) {
				return String(contexts[i][key]);
			}
		}
		throw new Error('key ' + key + ' not found in context');
	};

	var that = this;
	this.interpolate = function(fmt, opt_localContext) {
		// Interpolate `fmt` named-format string with an assumed global context.
		// Based on `interpolate` in django.views.i18n
		var contextStack = [opt_localContext || {}, that._interpolateGlobalContext];
		return fmt.replace(/%\(\w+\)s/g, function(match){
			return that.renderFromContextStack(match.slice(2,-2), contextStack);
		});
	};

	this.stripTags = function(s) {
		// Removes HTML tags from `s`
		return s.replace(/(<([^>]+)>)/g,"");

	};

	this.assert = function(b) {
		if (!b) {
			throw new Error('Assertion error.');
		}
	};

};
// Dsq.Utils

/**
 * Dsq.Popup: Popup helper functions.
 */
Dsq.Popup = new function() {
	this.timeHide = new Array();
	this.timeShow = new Array();
	this.activePopup = {};
	this.profileCache = {};
	this.statusCache = {};

	this.showTimer = function(post_id) {
		// clear the hide timer
		clearTimeout(this.timeHide[post_id]);

		// start the timer
		if(!Dsq.Popup.profileIsOn && !Dsq.Thread.adminIsOn) {
			this.timeShow[post_id] = setTimeout("Dsq.Popup.popProfile(\"" + post_id + "\")", 400);
		}
	};

	this.hideTimer = function(post_id) {
		// clear the show timer
		clearTimeout(this.timeShow[post_id]);
	};

	this.updateProfile = function(username) {
		// Callback from /embed/profile.js
		if (this.statusCache[username]) {
			var statusEl = Dsq.$('dsq-profile-status-' + username);
			statusEl.innerHTML = this.statusCache[username];
			statusEl.style.display = 'block';
		}

		if (this.profileCache[username]) {
			var _cache = this.profileCache[username];

			var _genhtml = function(text) { return '<span><big>' + text + '</big></span>'; };
			var _no_comments = _genhtml(Dsq.FmtStrings.NUMBER_OF_COMMENTS(_cache.comments_count));
			var _no_likes = _genhtml(Dsq.FmtStrings.NUMBER_OF_LIKES(_cache.likes_count));
			var _no_points = _genhtml(Dsq.FmtStrings.NUMBER_OF_POINTS(_cache.points));

			var statsEl = Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-user-stats-' + username);
			statsEl.innerHTML = '';

			if (Dsq.jsonData.users[username].registered) {
				statsEl.innerHTML = _no_comments + _no_likes;
			}
			statsEl.innerHTML += _no_points;

			var activeSites = '';
			for (var i = 0; i < _cache.active_sites.length; i++) {
				var site = _cache.active_sites[i];
				activeSites += '<li><a href="' + site.url + '"> \
					<img src="' + site.favicon + '"/ width="16" height="16"/></a>\
					<a href="' + site.url + '">' + site.name + '</a></li>';
			}
			if (activeSites !== '') {
				Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-active-sites-' + username).innerHTML = activeSites;
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-active-sites-' + username).innerHTML = 'This site.';
			}

			var moderatedSites = '';
			for (var i = 0; i < _cache.moderated_sites.length; i++) {
				var site = _cache.moderated_sites[i];
				moderatedSites += '<li><a href="' + site.url + '"> \
					<img src="' + site.favicon + '"/ width="16" height="16"/></a>\
					<a href="' + site.url + '">' + site.name + '</a></li>';
			}
			if (moderatedSites !== '') {
				Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-moderated-' + username).innerHTML = moderatedSites;
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-popup-profile-moderated-wrapper-' + username).innerHTML = '';
			}
		}

		// Reposition popup after full HTML is rendered
		if(Dsq.Popup.activePopup && Dsq.Popup.activePopup.el) {
			Dsq.Popup.initPopup(Dsq.Popup.activePopup.el, Dsq.Popup.activePopup.id, Dsq.Popup.activePopup.type);
		}

	};

	this.showCookieMsgs = function() {
		var title = '';
		var message = '';
		var numAlerts = 0;

		Dsq.Utils.forEachIn(Dsq.jsonData.cookie_messages, function(k, v) {
			if (!v) return;

			switch(k) {
				// Cookie: Twitter
				case 'post_twitter':
					if (v === 'error') {
						title = 'Twitter Error!';
						message += '<li id="dsq-msg-twitter-error">Oops, we couldn\'t tweet this comment. Please check your <a href="http://disqus.com/account/services">account settings</a>.</li>';
					} else {
						var _msg = v.split(':');
						title = 'Tweeted!';
						message += '<li id="dsq-msg-twitter-success">Your comment was successfully tweeted. <a href="http://twitter.com/' + _msg[0] + '/status/' + _msg[1] + '">Click here to view the tweet</a>.</li>';
					}
					break;
				// Cookie: Unapproved Post
				case 'post_not_approved':
					title = 'Comment awaiting approval by a moderator';
					message += '<li id="dsq-msg-post-not-approved">Your comment must be approved by a moderator before appearing here.</li>';
					break;
				// Cookie: Profile Found
				case 'post_has_profile':
					title = 'Use your existing commenter profile';
					message += '<li id="dsq-msg-post-has-profile">You have just posted your commment as a <span class="dsq-badge-guest">Guest</span>, but you may already have a <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> Profile.<br /><br /><a href="http://disqus.com/claim">Log in and claim this comment!</a></li>';
					break;
				case 'user_created':
					var _data = v.split(':');
					title = 'Profile created!';
					message += '<li id="dsq-msg-user-created">You have just created a <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> Profile, the best way to claim, manage, and track your comments all over the web. \
					<br /><br />A confirmation is being sent to <strong>' + _data[1] + '</strong>. Please check for this email in order to verify your profile. \
					<ul class="dsq-list-tick"> \
						<li>Your username is <strong>' + _data[0] +'</strong>. <a href="http://disqus.com/people/' + _data[0] + '/" target="_blank">Click here to view your public profile</a>.</li> \
						<li>Be sure to set your profile picture, as well as connect your <span class="dsq-badge-facebook">Facebook</span> and <span class="dsq-badge-twitter">Twitter</span> accounts. <a href="http://disqus.com/account/" target="_blank">Click here for account settings</a>.</li> \
					</ul> \
					</li>'
					break;
				default:
					break;
			}
			numAlerts++;
		});

		if(numAlerts > 1) {
			message = '<ul class="dsq-list-bluebullet">' + message;
			message += '</ul>';
			title = 'Thanks for posting!';
		}
		if(numAlerts > 0) {
			if(typeof(disqus_cookie_msgs) == 'function') {
				disqus_cookie_msgs(message, title);
			} else {
				Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title);
			}
		}
	};

	this.helpBadges = function(post_id) {
		var html = ' \
			<ul class="dsq-popup-help"> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-verified">Verified</span> has a <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> Profile with a confirmed email address.</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-registered">Registered</span> has a <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> Profile, but has not yet confirmed his or her email address.</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-guest">Guest</span> is not logged in with any account and has not claimed his or her comments.</li> \
				<li class="dsq-help-otheraccts">Other accounts</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-facebook">Facebook</span> is using his or her Facebook profile via Facebook Connect.</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-twitter">Twitter</span> is using his or her Twitter profile via Twitter Sign-in.</li> \
				<li><span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-openid">OpenID</span> is using his or her OpenID.</li> \
			</ul> \
		';

		this.popModal(html, 'Help: Types of Commenters', post_id);
		return;
	};

	this.permalink = function(post_id) {
		var header = 'Link to this comment';
		var body = '<strong>You are anchored to</strong>:<br />' + document.location.protocol + '//' + document.location.host + document.location.pathname + document.location.search + '#comment-' + post_id;

		this.popModal(body, header, post_id);
	};

	this.login = function(header, body) {
		var h = header || 'Login or Register';
		var b = body || '';
		b += Dsq.Templates.frameLogin({id: 'dsq-popup-login'});
		b += '</iframe>'; // HACK: Sometimes there is something funky with the IFRAME SRC that causes no end tag
		this.popModal(b, h, null, true, 'dsq-popup-login');
	};

	this.blacklist = function(id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];
		var title = 'Add to Blacklist';
		var message = ' \
		Adding this person to the blacklist will block him or her from commenting on this site. Check the following types that you would like to add to the blacklist:'
		+ (userData['registered'] ?
			'<div class="dsq-blacklist-option"> \
				<input id="dsq-blacklist-username" type="checkbox" checked> \
				<label for="dsq-blacklist-username"><strong>Username</strong>: ' + userData['username'] + '</label> \
			</div>'
			: '')
		+ (_meta.email ?
			'<div class="dsq-blacklist-option"> \
				<input id="dsq-blacklist-email" type="checkbox" checked> \
				<label for="dsq-blacklist-email"><strong>Email address</strong>: ' + _meta.email + '</label> \
			</div>'
			: '')
		+ '<div class="dsq-blacklist-option"> \
			<input id="dsq-blacklist-ip" type="checkbox" onclick="Dsq.$(\'dsq-blacklist-ip-warning\').style.display=\'block\'"> \
			<label for="dsq-blacklist-ip"><strong>IP address</strong>: ' + _meta.ip + '</label> \
		</div> \
		';

		message += ' \
			<p id="dsq-blacklist-ip-warning" style="display:none">	\
				Note: Blocking this person\'s IP address may also unintentionally prevent others, who share his/her IP address, from commenting on this site. \
				This may include people who are sharing the same computer, living in the same house, or using the same Internet provider. Only block an IP address as a last resort. \
			</p> \
		';

		message += ' \
			<p style="text-align:center"><button onclick="Dsq.Post.blockUser(' + id + '); this.disabled=true; this.innerHTML=\'Just one moment...\'">Add to Blacklist</button></p> \
		';

		Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title);
	};

	this.remoteAccountSettings = function() {
		var body = '';
		// Set up IFrame.
		var params = {};
		var base_url = 'http://disqus.com/forums/washingtonindependent/_auth/embed/remote_settings/';
		var attributes = {id: 'dsq-popup-account-settings'};
		if (typeof disqus_frame_theme != 'undefined') {
			params['theme'] = disqus_frame_theme;
		}

		body = Dsq.Templates._frameGeneric(base_url, params, attributes);
		this.popModal(body, 'Account Settings', null, true, 'dsq-popup-account-settings');
	};

	this.popModal = function(message, title, post_id, use_listener, extra_classes) {
		var container = document.createElement('div');
		var header, body;

		Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true);

		if(typeof(title) == 'undefined') { title = ''; }
		if(typeof(use_listener) == 'undefined') { use_listener = true; }

		if(post_id) {
			container.id = 'dsq-popup-message-' + post_id;
		} else {
			container.id = 'dsq-popup-message';
		}

		header = title;
		body = message;

		container.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.popupModal(header, body);
		Dsq.Popup.initPopup(container, post_id, 'message', extra_classes);
		if(use_listener) {
			Dsq.Popup.popupListener = Dsq.Utils.addEventListener(document, 'mouseup', Dsq.Popup._closePopup);
		}
	};

	this.popAlert = this.popModal;

	this.loading = function(post_id) {
		var title = Dsq.Strings.JUST_A_MOMENT;
		var body = '<div style="text-align:center; padding: 5px 0 10px 0"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading.gif" alt="" /></div>'
		Dsq.Popup.lightbox(body, title, post_id);
	};

	this.lightbox = function(message, title, post_id) {
		// Wraps Dsq.Popup.popModal

		var overlay = document.createElement('div');
		overlay.id = 'dsq-overlay';
		overlay.className = 'dsq-overlay';
		Dsq.$b.appendChild(overlay);
		
		Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title, post_id, false, 'dsq-lightbox');
	};

	this.popProfile = function(post_id, userKey) {
		var post = Dsq.jsonData['posts'][post_id];
		if (post && post.has_been_anonymized) {
			Dsq.Popup.popModal('This message was anonymized by its previous owner.', 'Anonymized', post_id);
			return;
		}

		if(post_id) {
			userKey = Dsq.jsonData['posts'][post_id].user_key;	
		}
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][userKey];
		var elId = 'dsq-popup-profile-' + userKey;
		var container = document.createElement('div');

		if(this.activePopup.el) {
			this._closePopup(null, true);
			if(this.activePopup.linkClicked) {
				this.activePopup.linkClicked = false;
				return;
			}
		}

		container.id = elId;
		container.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.popupProfile(userKey);

		this.initPopup(container, post_id, 'profile');
		this.popupListener = Dsq.Utils.addEventListener(document, 'mouseup', this._closePopup);

		if(!this.profileCache[userKey]) {
			Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/embed/profile.js'
				+ '?username=' + userKey
				+ '&anon=' + (userData['registered'] ? 0 : 1)
				+ '&f=' + Dsq.jsonData['request'].forum);
		} else {
			this.updateProfile(userKey);
		}
	};

	this._closePopup = function(e, force) {
		var activePopup = Dsq.Popup.activePopup.el;
		var id = Dsq.Popup.activePopup.id;
		var link = 'dsq-avatar-' + id; // HACK: Specific to profile toggle target

		// HACK: This event should be gone if there is no active popup.
		if(!activePopup) {
			return;
		}
		if(force || !Dsq.Popup.isClicked(e, activePopup.id)) {
			// TODO: This is breaking iE?
			if(Dsq.Popup.popupListener) {
				Dsq.Utils.removeEventListener(Dsq.Popup.popupListener);
			}
			
			// Kill overlay
			var overlay = Dsq.$('dsq-overlay');
			if(overlay) { Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(overlay); }
			
			try {
				Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(activePopup);
			} catch(e) {
				// HACK: IE6 throws an error when using deleteNode() with a node containing a <table> in the html.
				activePopup.parentNode.removeChild(activePopup);
			}
			Dsq.Popup.activePopup = {};
		}

		if(!force && Dsq.Popup.isClicked(e, link)) {
 			Dsq.Popup.activePopup.linkClicked = true;
		}

	};

	this.initPopup = function(popup, post_id, type, extra_classes) {
		popup.className = 'dsq-popup dsq-popup-' + type + ' ' + (extra_classes ? extra_classes : '');
		if(Dsq.Utils.ie6 || Dsq.Utils.ie7) {
			// HACK: We can't modify the body before it's ready, so we need
			//       to use an IE-safe "DOMReady" workaround before loading
			//       our popup.
			Dsq.Utils.execOnReady(function() {Dsq.$b.appendChild(popup); });
		} else {
			Dsq.$b.appendChild(popup);
		}

		popup.style.display = 'block';

		var xPos = (Dsq.Utils.getWindowSize()[0] - popup.offsetWidth) / 2;
		var yPos = (Dsq.Utils.getWindowSize()[1] - popup.offsetHeight) / 2;

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) {
			yPos += Dsq.Utils.getScrollPos()[1];
		}

		popup.style.left = xPos + 'px';
		popup.style.top = yPos + 'px';

		Dsq.Popup.activePopup = {
			'el' : popup,
			'id' : post_id,
			'type': type,
			'linkClicked' : false
		};
	};

	this.isClicked = function(e, id) {
		var t = e.target || e.srcElement;
		while(t && t.parentNode) {
			if(t.id == id) {
				return true;
			}

			t = t.parentNode;
		}
		return false;
	};
};
// Dsq.Popup

/**
 * Dsq.Templates
 */
Dsq.Templates = new function() {
	/*
	 * Counter keeping track of the number of posts iterated over.
	 */
	this.postLoopCounter = 0;
	this.filters = {};
	this.addPostContainer = 'dsq-post-add';
	this.textareaContainer = 'dsq-post-add';

	this.registerTemplate = function(name, func) {
		this['$$_' + name] = func;

		if(typeof DsqLocal.Filters != 'undefined'
		&& typeof DsqLocal.Filters[name] == 'function') {
			// Push filters to this.filters to unify code.
			this.filters[name] = this.filters[name] || [];
			this.filters[name].push(DsqLocal.Filters[name]);
		}

		this[name] = function() {
			var ret;

			if(typeof DsqLocal.Templates != 'undefined'
			&& typeof DsqLocal.Templates[name] == 'function') {
				ret = DsqLocal.Templates[name].apply(this, arguments);
			}

			if(ret === undefined) {
				ret = this['$$_' + name].apply(this, arguments);
			}

			if(this.filters[name]) {
				var args = [ret];

				args.push.apply(args, arguments);
				for(var i = 0; i < this.filters[name].length; i++) {
					ret = this.filters[name][i].apply(this, args);
				}
			}

			return ret;
		};
	};

	this.registerFilter = function(name, func) {
		this.filters[name] = this.filters[name] || [];
		this.filters[name].push(func);
	};

	/**
	 * Dsq.Templates.Filters
	 */
	this.Filters = new function() {
		this.commentContainer = function(post_id, s) {
			var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
			var classes = [];
			if(Dsq.jsonData.request.page > 1) {
				classes.push('dsq-append');
			}

			//
			// Extra classes used for custom themes
			//

			if(_meta.depth) {
				classes.push('dsq-comment-child', 'dsq-depth-' + _meta.depth, 'dsq-parent-is-' + _meta.parent_post_id);
			}


			//

			if(_meta.author_is_creator) {
				// TODO: We need to deprecate the "special" class since it is not properly prefixed.
				classes.push('special', 'dsq-special');
			}
			if(_meta.author_is_moderator) {
				classes.push('dsq-moderator');
			}
			classes.push(['dsq-odd', 'dsq-even'][Dsq.Templates.postLoopCounter % 2]);

			s = s.substring(0, s.lastIndexOf('>'));
			return s + ' class="dsq-comment ' + classes.join(' ') + '" style="margin-left:' + _meta.depth*30 + 'px">';
		};

		this.commentContent = function(post_id, s) {
			var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
			if (_meta.killed) {
				return '<em>Comment removed.</em>';
			} else if (!_meta.approved) {
				return '<em>This comment was flagged for review.</em>';
			}

			s = s.replace(Dsq.MEDIA_POST_RE, Dsq.MediaPostHandler);
			return s;
		};
	};

	//
	// Thread
	//
	// TODO: These need to be stripped of all Django template tags.

	this.authPost = function() {
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.context.show_reply) {
			return '';
		}
		var result = [];
		result = result.concat([
				'<div id="dsq-auth"',
						Dsq.jsonData.integration.reply_position ? 'class="dsq-auth-bottom"' : '',
						'>',
					'<div class="dsq-by">',
						'<a href="http://disqus.com" target="_blank">',
							(Dsq.jsonData.integration.disqus_logo ?
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<img src="%(media_url)s/images/embed/by-disqus.png" alt="discussion by DISQUS">') :
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<img src="%(media_url)s/images/embed/dsq-button-120x19.png" alt="discussion by DISQUS">')
							),
						'</a>',
					'</div>',
					'<div class="dsq-auth-header">',
						'<h3 id="dsq-add-new-comment" class="dsq-h3-addcomment">',
								Dsq.Strings.ADD_NEW_COMMENT,
						'</h3>',
						'<div id="dsq-login">',
						(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated && Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post
								? '<p class="dsq-login-message" id="dsq-login-message">You are commenting as a <a class="dsq-help" title="Click for more information" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges(); return false">Guest</a>. You may log into:</p>'
								: '')
		]);
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) {
			result = result.concat([
							Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
								'<a id="dsq-login-toggle" href="%(disqus_url)s%(login_url)s?next=article:%(thread_id)s" onclick="Dsq.Popup.login(); return false"><img class="dsq-login-icon" src="%(media_url)s/images/dsq-profile-btn.png" title="%(log_into)s" alt="%(log_into)s"/></a>',
								{login_url: Dsq.Urls.LOGIN, thread_id: Dsq.jsonData.thread.id, log_into: Dsq.Strings.LOG_INTO_DISQUS}
								),
							'&nbsp; ',
							(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_fb_connect ?
								'<div id="dsq-fbc-login" onlogin="DisqusFbcParentController.onLogin()" size="medium" background="light" length="short" style="display:inline; margin-right:7px"></div>' :
								''
							),
							(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_twitter_signin ?
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
									'<div id="dsq-twitter-login" class="dsq-twitter-login" onclick="Dsq.Twitter.startTwitterConnect();" style="display:inline; cursor: pointer"><img src="%(media_url)s/images/twitter-signin-short.png" style="margin-right:7px" /></div>', {}) : ''),
							(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_openid ?
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate(
									'<div id="dsq-openid-login" class="dsq-openid-login" onclick="Dsq.OpenID.requestURL();" style="display:inline; cursor:pointer;"><img src="%(media_url)s/images/openid-login-button.png"/></div>', {}
								) : '')
			]);
		}
		result = result.concat([
						'</div>', // dsq-login
					'</div>', // dsq-auth-header
					'<div id="dsq-authenticated" class="dsq-authenticated" ',
						Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated ? 'style="display:block"' : '',
						'>',
						'<div class="dsq-authenticated-pic">',
								Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<a href="%(url)s" title="%(request_display_username)s">' +
																			'<img class="dsq-post-avatar" src="%(avatar_url)s" alt="" /></a>',
																			{avatar_url: Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_AVATAR,
																			url: (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
																					 ? Dsq.jsonData.request.url
																					 : Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + Dsq.Urls.REQUEST_USER_PROFILE) }),
						'</div>',
						'<div class="dsq-authenticated-info">',
							'<ul>',
								'<li>',
									(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
										? Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGGED_IN_AS(
												Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<a href="%(url)s" title="%(request_display_username)s">%(request_display_username)s</a>', {url:Dsq.jsonData.request.url})
										  )
										: Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGGED_IN_AS(
												Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<a href="%(disqus_url)s%(profile_url)s" title="%(request_display_username)s">%(request_display_username)s</a>')
											)
									),
								'</li>',
								'<li class="logout">',
									(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
										? Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<img class="dsq-login-icon" src="%(media_url)s/images/dsqicon12.png" alt="%(logged_in_as)s"/>&nbsp',
											{logged_in_as: Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGGED_IN_AS(Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username)})
										: ''),

									(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote
										? Dsq.Utils.interpolate('<a href="%(disqus_url)s%(logout_url)s?ctkn=%(csrf_token)s" title="%(logout_from_disqus)s">',
											{logout_url: Dsq.Urls.LOGOUT, csrf_token: Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN, logout_from_disqus: Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGOUT_FROM('DISQUS')})
										: ((Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain == 'twitter')
												? Dsq.Utils.interpolate('using Twitter (<a href="%(disqus_url)s%(logout_url)s?ctkn=%(csrf_token)s" title="Logout">Logout</a>)',
												 {logout_url: Dsq.Urls.LOGOUT, csrf_token: Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN})
												: ((Dsq.jsonData.request.remote_domain == 'openid')
													 ? Dsq.Utils.interpolate('using OpenID (<a href="%(disqus_url)s%(logout_url)s?ctkn=%(csrf_token)s" title="Logout">Logout</a>)',
													 {logout_url: Dsq.Urls.LOGOUT, csrf_token: Dsq.CSRF_TOKEN})
													 : ''
													)
											)
									),

									(!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_remote ? Dsq.FmtStrings.LOGOUT_FROM('<span class="logo-disqus">DISQUS</span>') : ''),
									'</a>',
								'</li>',
							'</ul>',
						'</div>',
					'</div>'
		]);
		if (Dsq.jsonData.context.use_fb_connect) {
			result = result.concat([
					'<div id="dsq-fbc-authenticated" class="dsq-authenticated">',
						'<div id="dsq-fbc-profilepic" class="dsq-authenticated-pic" uid="loggedinuser" type="FB.XFBML.ProfilePic" size="square" facebook-logo="true"></div>',
						'<div class="dsq-authenticated-info">',
							'<ul>',
								'<li>',
									'Logged in as <span id="dsq-fbc-name" uid="loggedinuser" type="FB.XFBML.Name" linked="true" useyou="false"></span>',
								'</li>',
								'<li class="logout">using Facebook Connect <a href="#" onclick="javascript:DisqusFbcParentController.logout();return false;">(Logout)</a></li>',
							'</ul>',
						'</div>',
					'</div>'
			]);
		}
		result = result.concat([
				'</div>', // dsq-auth
				'<div id="dsq-toolbar-items">',
				'</div>'
		]);
		result = result.concat([
					//
					//
					//
				((!Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_post && !Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) ?
					// Needs to be translated:
					('<p id="dsq-no-anon-msg">Required: Please log into <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span> ' +
					(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_fb_connect ? 'or connect with Facebook ' : '') +
					(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_twitter_signin ? 'or sign in with Twitter ' : '') +
					(Dsq.jsonData.context.use_openid ? 'or sign in using OpenID ' : '') +
					Dsq.Utils.interpolate('to comment on <strong>%(forum_name)s</strong>.</p>')) :
					''
				),
				'<div id="dsq-post-add"></div>',
				'<div style="margin:10px 0">',
				((Dsq.jsonData.forum.use_media) ?
						'<a href="#" id="dsq-media-link" onclick="Dsq.Post.showMenu(this, false, \'media\'); return false">' + Dsq.Strings.USE_MEDIA + ' <small>&#9660;</small></a>' :
						''),
				'</div>'
		]);
		return result.join('');
	};


	this.header = function() {

		var html = '\<h3 id="dsq-comments-count" class="dsq-h3-commentcount">\
	 Showing <span id="dsq-num-posts">50</span> of <span id="dsq-total-posts">569</span> Comments\
	 &nbsp;\
	 <span class="dsq-item-feed">\
	 <a href="http://disqus.com/forums/washingtonindependent/the_reform_candidate/latest.rss"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/bullet-feed.png"></a>\
	 </span>\
	 </h3>\
	 <div id="dsq-options" style="margin:15px 0">\
	 <span class="dsq-item-sort">\
	 Sort by\
	 <select id="dsq-sort-select" onchange="Dsq.Thread.sortBy(this.value);">\
	 <option value="hot" >Popular now</option>\
	 <option value="best" >Best Rating</option>\
	 <option value="newest" selected="selected">Newest first</option>\
	 <option value="oldest" >Oldest first</option>\
	 </select>\
	 &nbsp;\
	 </span>\
	 <span class="dsq-item-cp"><a href="http://disqus.com/forums/washingtonindependent/the_reform_candidate/">Community Page</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>\
	 <span class="dsq-item-subscribe">\
	 <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/email.png" style="width:12px;height:12px;vertical-align:middle">\
	 <span id="dsq-subscribe">\
	 <a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(1); return false">Subscribe by email</a>\
	 </span>\
	 </span>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-alerts">\
	 </div>\
		';

		
			html = Dsq.Templates.authPost() + html;
		

		
		if (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator) { 
			html = ' \
			<div class="dsq-alert-message dsq-upgrade-message"> \
				<strong>Disqus upgrade available.</strong> Hi ' + Dsq.jsonData.request.display_username + ', this message is being displayed to you because you are a moderator of this site. <a href="#" onclick="Dsq.$(\'dsq-upgrade-message\').style.display=\'block\';this.style.display=\'none\';return false">Click here for details.</a> \
				<div style="display:none; margin-top:10px;" id="dsq-upgrade-message"> \
					A new theme is available with added features. <a href="http://disqus.com/comments/settings/' + Dsq.jsonData.forum.url + '/?p=customize">To change your theme, click here</a> and choose the theme Narcissus. \
					If you do not upgrade, you are missing out on features such as: real-time commenting, new sign-in integrations, and an upgrade interface. \
					<strong>This message will automatically go away in one week.</strong> \
				</div> \
			</div> \
			' + html; 
		}
		return html;
	};

	this.footer = function() {
		var html = Dsq.Templates.pagination();

		

		html += Dsq.Templates.reactions();

		

		return html;
	};

	this.pagination = function() {
		var html = '';
		
		if (Dsq.$('dsq-pagination')) { Dsq.$('dsq-pagination').innerHTML = ''; }
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.thread.paginate) { return ''; }

		//
		// TODO: num_paginator still uses the template tag for pagination, 
		// 		while append_paginator does it all in JavaScript.
		//		This should all be in JavaScript.
		//

		if (Dsq.jsonData.thread.num_pages > 1 && Dsq.jsonData.request.page < Dsq.jsonData.thread.num_pages) {
			html = ' \<a class="dsq-paginate-append-text" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.paginate(Dsq.jsonData.request.page + 1, this); return false">Show more comments...</a>\
	 <button class="dsq-button-small dsq-paginate-append-button" onclick="Dsq.Thread.paginate(Dsq.jsonData.request.page + 1, this);">Load more comments</button>\
			';
		}
		
		if (Dsq.$('dsq-pagination')) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-pagination').innerHTML = html;
			return '';
		} else {
			return '<div id="dsq-pagination" class="dsq-pagination">' + html + '</div>';
		}
	};

	this.trackbacks = function() {
		var html = '';

		if(typeof DsqLocal != 'undefined' && DsqLocal.trackback_url && DsqLocal.trackbacks) {
			var trackbacks = DsqLocal.trackbacks;
			var trackback_url = DsqLocal.trackback_url;
		} else {
			var trackbacks = [
			
			
			];
			var trackback_url = 'http://disqus.com/forums/washingtonindependent/the_reform_candidate/trackback/';
		}

		html += '<div class="dsq-item-trackback">Trackback URL&nbsp;&nbsp;<input class="dsq-trackback-url" onclick="this.select()" readonly="true" value="' + trackback_url + '"></div>';

		if(trackbacks.length) {
			html += '<ul id="dsq-references">'
			for(var i = 0; i < trackbacks.length; i++) {
				var trackback = trackbacks[i];
				html += '<li><cite><a href="' + trackback.author_url + '" rel="nofollow">' + trackback.author_name + '</a></cite> \
						<p class="dsq-meta">' + trackback.date + '</p> \
						<p class="dsq-content">' + trackback.excerpt + '</p></li>';
			}
			html += '</ul>';
			html = '<h3 class="dsq-h3-trackbacks">Trackbacks</h3>' + html;
		}

		return html;
	}

	this.showRetweets = function(id, limit, element_id /* Optional */) {
		var source, html = '';

		for (var i = 0, reaction; reaction = Dsq.jsonData.reactions[i]; i++) {
			if (reaction.id === id) {
				source = reaction.retweets;
			}
		}

		if (source) {
			if (limit === 0) {
				limit = source.length;
			}

			for (var j = 0; j < limit; j++) {
				var rt = source[j];
				html += '<a href="' + rt.url + '">' + rt.author_name + '</a>'	+ ((j === (limit - 1)) ? '.' : ', ');
			}
		}

		if (element_id === undefined) {
			return html;
		}

		var element = document.getElementById(element_id);
		element.innerHTML = html;
		return element;
	};

	this.showMoreReactions = function(reactions, has_more, start, limit) {
		var link = document.getElementById('dsq-show-more-reactions');
		var container = link.parentNode;
		container.removeChild(link);

		for (var i = 0, reaction; reaction = reactions[i]; i++) {
			var el = Dsq.Templates.generateReactionHTML(reaction);
			if (el) {
				container.innerHTML += el;
			}
		}

		if (has_more) {
			var d = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url;
			var f = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;
			var t = Dsq.jsonData.thread.id;
			var s = start;
			var l = limit;

			var handler = 'Dsq.Utils.execScript(\'' + d + '/forums/' + f + '/more_reactions.js?t=' + t + '&s=' + s + '&l=' + l + '\', true); return false;';
			container.innerHTML += '<li id="dsq-show-more-reactions"><a href="#" onclick="' + handler + '">Show more reactions</a></li>';
		}
	};

	this.generateReactionHTML = function(reaction) {
		if (reaction.body === null || reaction.body == '') {
			return;
		}

		if (reaction.author_name === '') {
			reaction.author_name = '&nbsp;';
		}

		if (reaction.url === '') {
			reaction.url = reaction.get_service_url;
		}

		/* Reaction HTML begins */
		var item = '<li class="dsq-reaction" id="dsq-reaction-' + reaction.id + '">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-reaction-header">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-header-avatar">';

		if (reaction.author_url && reaction.author_url !== '') {
			item += '<a target="_blank" href="' + reaction.author_url +'">';
		} else {
			item += '<a target="_blank" href="#" onclick="return false;">';
		}

		if (reaction.avatar_url && reaction.avatar_url !== '') {
			item += '<img src="' + reaction.avatar_url + '"/>';
		} else {
			item += '<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/noavatar32.png"/>';
		}

		var service_icon = (reaction.get_service_name == 'trackback' || reaction.get_service_name == 'pingback' ? 'rss' : reaction.get_service_name.replace(' ', ''));
		item += '<img class="dsq-service-icon" src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/reactions/services/' + service_icon + '.png"/>'
			+ '</a></div>'
			+ '<cite><span>' + reaction.author_name + '</span></cite>'
			+ '<span class="dsq-header-meta"><a class="dsq-header-time">' + reaction.date_created + '</a></span>'
			+ '</div><div class="dsq-reaction-body">'
			+ '<div class="dsq-reaction-message">' + reaction.body + '</div>'
			+ '<div class="dsq-reaction-footer">From <a class="dsq-service-name" target="_blank" href="' + reaction.url + '">' + reaction.get_service_name + '</a> '
			+ 'via ' + (reaction.source == 'backtype' ? '<a href="http://backtype.com/">BackType</a>' : '<a href="' + reaction.source_url + '">UberVU</a>')
			+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator ? '&nbsp;&bull;&nbsp;<a class="dsq-hide-reaction" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Reaction.hide(' + reaction.id + '); return false;">Hide</a>' : '') + '</div></div>';

		if(reaction.retweets) {
			var num_retweets = reaction.retweets.length;
			if (num_retweets > 0) {
				item += '<div class="dsq-reaction-retweets">';
				if (num_retweets == 1) {
					item += 'One more retweet from <a href="' + reaction.retweets[0].url + '">'  + reaction.retweets[0].author_name + '</a>';
				} else {
					item += (num_retweets + ' more retweets from ');

					item += '<span id="dsq-reaction-retweets-' + reaction.id + '">';
					var n_tweets = (num_retweets > 15) ? 15 : num_retweets;
					item += Dsq.Templates.showRetweets(reaction.id, n_tweets);

					if (n_tweets != num_retweets) {
						item += '</span> <a onclick="Dsq.Templates.showRetweets(' + reaction.id + ', 0, \'dsq-reaction-retweets-' + reaction.id + '\');'
							+ 'this.parentNode.removeChild(this); return false;" href="#">Show all</a>';
					}
				}
				item += '</div>';
			}
		}

		item += '</li>'; /* Reaction HTML ends */
		return item;
	};

	this.reactions = function() {
		var html, reaction;

		if (Dsq.jsonData.reactions === undefined || Dsq.jsonData.reactions.length === 0) {
			return '';
		}

		html = '';
		for (var i = 0; reaction = Dsq.jsonData.reactions[i]; i++) {
			var item = Dsq.Templates.generateReactionHTML(reaction);
			if (item) {
				html += item;
			}
		}

		if (Dsq.jsonData.has_more_reactions) {
			var d = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url;
			var f = Dsq.jsonData.forum.url;
			var t = Dsq.jsonData.thread.id;
			var s = Dsq.jsonData.reactions_start;
			var l = Dsq.jsonData.reactions_limit;

			var handler = 'Dsq.Utils.execScript(\'' + d + '/forums/' + f + '/more_reactions.js?t=' + t + '&s=' + s + '&l=' + l + '\', true); return false;';
			html += '<li id="dsq-show-more-reactions"><a href="#" onclick="' + handler + '">Show more reactions</a></li>';
		}

		return '<h3 class="dsq-h3-reactions">Reactions</h3><ul id="dsq-reactions" class="dsq-reactions">' + html + '</ul>';
	};
	
	this.missingPermissions = function() {
		return '';
	};

	//
	// Post
	//

	this.prependPost = function(post_id) {
		var html = '<div id="comment-' + post_id + '"></div>';
		return html;
	};

	this.appendPost = function(post_id) {
		var html = '<div id="dsq-comment-reply-' + post_id + '"></div>';
		return html;
	};

	this.postPrependHeader = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];

		var _includeServices = function() {
			var userServices = Dsq.Post.getUserServices(null, post_id);
			var html = '';
			var hiddenThreshold = 3; // Define # of services to show before stuffing them in hidden div

			for(var i = 0; i < userServices.length; i++) {
				html +=
				(i == hiddenThreshold
					? '<li id="dsq-drop-hidden-' + post_id +'" class="dsq-drop-hidden"><ul>'
					: '')
				+ '<li class="dsq-drop-services"> \
					<a class="dsq-service-' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" href="' + userServices[i].url + '" target="_blank"> \
						<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/embed/services/' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '.png" alt="' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '">'
					+ userServices[i].name
					+ '</a> \
				</li>';
			}

			if(i >= hiddenThreshold) {
				html += '</ul></li> \
				<li id="dsq-drop-more-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-drop-more"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.dropProfileMore(this, '+ post_id + '); return false"><small>&#9660;</small></a></li> \
				';
			}
			return html;
		};

		return ' \
			<div class="dsq-header-avatar" id="dsq-header-avatar-' + post_id + '" onmouseover="Dsq.Post.dropProfile(' + post_id + ')"> \
				<a id="dsq-avatar-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-avatar" href="' + userData.url + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.popProfile(' + post_id + '); return false;">'
			+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.show_avatar
				? '<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.users[_meta.user_key].avatar + '" alt="" />'
				: '')
			+ '</a>'
			+ '</div> \
		';
	};

	this.postAppendHeader = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];

		return ''
			+ (_meta.author_is_moderator
				? '<img class="dsq-mod-star" src="http://media.disqus.com/images/bullet-star.png" title="Moderator" alt="" />'
				: '')
			+ '<span class="dsq-header-meta"> \
				<a id="dsq-time-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-header-time" href="#comment-' + post_id + '" title="Permalink">' + _meta.date + '</a> \
			</span>';
	};

	this.preBody = function(post_id) {
		return '';
	}

	this.postBody = function(post_id) {
		// TODO: Deprecate flagging conditional
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		return ''
			+ (_meta.edited
				? '<p class="dsq-editedtxt">(Edited by a moderator)</p>'
				: '')
			;
	};

	this.postFooter = function(post_id) {
		// TODO: Use media should be conditional
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		if(_meta.killed) { return ''; }

		return ' \
			<div class="dsq-comment-footer" id="dsq-comment-footer-' + post_id + '"> \
				<div id="dsq-points-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-likedtxt">'
				+ (_meta.points
					? _meta.points + Dsq.Utils.pluralize(_meta.points, ' person', ' people') + ' liked this comment.'
					: '')
				+ '</div>'
				+ '<ul class="dsq-comment-options dsq-list-style">'
				+ (_meta.votable
					? '<li class="dsq-list-first dsq-rate" id="dsq-rate-cont-' + post_id + '">'
					+ (!_meta.up_voted
						? '<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.rate(this, ' + post_id + ', 1); return false;">Like</a>'
						: 'You liked this.') + '</li>'
					: '')
				+ '<li class="dsq-report' + (!_meta.votable ? ' dsq-list-first' : '') + '" id="dsq-post-report-' + post_id + '"><a href="#" class="dsq-post-report" onclick="Dsq.Post.report(' + post_id + ', false); return false;">Report</a></li> \
				</ul> \
				<ul class="dsq-list-style">'
				+ (_meta.can_reply
					? '<li class="dsq-list-first"><a href="#" id="dsq-reply-link-' + post_id +'" onclick="Dsq.Post.toggleReply(this, ' + post_id +'); return false;">Reply</a></li>'
					: '')
				+ (_meta.can_reply && !_meta.has_replies && _meta.from_request_user
					? '<li id="dsq-edit-el-' + post_id + '"><a id="dsq-edit-link-' + post_id + '" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.edit(this, ' + post_id + '); return false;">Edit</a></li>'
					: '')
				+ '<li class="' + (!_meta.can_reply ? 'dsq-list-first' : '') + '" id="dsq-more-el-' + post_id + '"><a id="dsq-more-link-' + post_id + '" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.showMenu(this, ' + post_id + ', \'more\'); return false">More <small>&#9660;</small></a></li>'
				+ (Dsq.jsonData.forum.use_media
					? '<li id="dsq-media-el-' + post_id +'" style="display:none"><a id="dsq-media-link-' + post_id + '" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.showMenu(this, ' + post_id + ', \'media\'); return false">Use Media <small>&#9660;</small></a></li>'
					: '')
				+ '</ul>'
				+ '<div id="dsq-reply-bar-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-reply-bar" style="display:none"> \
						<div id="dsq-reply-bar-items-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-reply-bar-items"> \
						</div> \
						<div id="dsq-reply-bar-auth-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-reply-bar-auth"> \
							 \
								 \
								 	<a href="#" class="dsq-help dsq-reply-req-opt" title="You are commenting as a Guest. You may choose to log into an existing DISQUS Profile, your Facebook, Twitter or OpenID account to comment on The Washington Independent" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges(); return false">Optional:</a> \
								 \
								<img class="dsq-login-icon" src="http://media.disqus.com/images/dsq-favicon-16x16.png" alt="" /> \
								<a id="dsq-reply-login-' + post_id + '" href="http://disqus.com/profile/login/?next=article:3995945" onclick="Dsq.Popup.login(); return false">Login</a> \
								 \
								 \
								 \
							 \
						</div> \
					</div> \
					<div id="dsq-reply-' + post_id + '"></div> \
			</div> \
		';
	};

	//
	// Iframes
	//

	this._makeAttributes = function(attributes) {
		// Makes a tag attributes string out of an object.
		// Caller is responsible for making sure nothing needs to be escaped.
		var result = [];
		for (key in attributes) {
			result.push(' ' + key + '="' + attributes[key] + '"');
		}
		result = result.join('');
		return result;
	};

	this._frameGeneric = function(base_url, params, attributes) {
		if(typeof(disqus_callback_params) == 'undefined') {
			disqus_callback_params = '';
		}

		var default_params = {
			// TODO: These should be moved to Dsq.jsonData.
			'f'				: 'washingtonindependent',
			't'				: 'the_reform_candidate',
			// Do we need encodeURIComponent here?
			'ifrs'			: encodeURIComponent(disqus_iframe_css),
			'to_redirect'	: encodeURIComponent(window.location),
			'cbp'			: disqus_callback_params,
			'ff'			: Dsq.Thread.ff,
			'fc'			: Dsq.Thread.fc,
			'ac'			: Dsq.Thread.ac,
			'default_text'	: disqus_default_text
		};

		base_url += '?' + (new Date()).getTime();
		// Add params to default_params.
		if(params) {
			for(var key in params) {
				if(params.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
					default_params[key] = encodeURIComponent(params[key]);
				}
			}
		}
		// Build querystring.
		for(var key in default_params) {
			if(default_params[key] && default_params.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
				base_url += '&' + key + '=' + default_params[key];
			}
		}

		return [
			'<iframe marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" hspace="0" vspace="0" frameborder="0"',
			(' allowtransparency="true" src="' + base_url + '"'),
			this._makeAttributes(attributes),
			'</iframe>'].join('');
	};

	this.frameLogin = function(opt_attributes) {
		var params = {};
		var base_url = 'http://disqus.com/embed/login.html';
		var attributes = opt_attributes || {};
		attributes['class'] = 'dsq-post-login';

		if(typeof disqus_frame_theme != 'undefined') {
			params['theme'] = disqus_frame_theme;
		}
		return this._frameGeneric(base_url, params, attributes);
	};

	this.frameReply = function(post_id, extra_params, attributes) {
		// Returns the HTML for a reply iframe. Called by Dsq.Iframes.setReplyIframeToContainer
		var _meta = (typeof post_id != 'undefined') ? Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id] : false;
		var base_url = Dsq.Urls.REPLY;
		var params = {
			'def_email'		: disqus_def_email,
			'def_name'		: disqus_def_name
		};
		if(extra_params) {
			for(var key in extra_params) {
				if(extra_params.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
					params[key] = extra_params[key];
				}
			}
		}
		if(_meta) {
			params['parent_post'] = post_id;
		}
		if(typeof disqus_per_page != 'undefined') {
			params['per_page'] = disqus_per_page;
		}
		if(typeof disqus_frame_theme != 'undefined') {
			params['theme'] = disqus_frame_theme;
		}
		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated) {
			attributes['class'] += '-authenticated';
		}
		return this._frameGeneric(base_url, params, attributes);
	};

	this.frameEdit = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = (typeof post_id != 'undefined') ? Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id] : false;
		var base_url = 'http://disqus.com/embed/edit.html';
		var params = {
			'p' : post_id
		};
		return this._frameGeneric(base_url, params, {'class': 'dsq-post-edit', 'name': 'dsq-edit_' + post_id + '-frame'});
	};

	//
	// Menus
	//

	this.menuMore = function(post_id) {
		// TODO: "Remove post" button should hide menu.
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];
		return ' \
			<li><a href="#comment-' + post_id + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.permalink(' + post_id + ')">Link</a></li> \
			<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.popProfile(' + post_id + '); return false;">Profile</a></li>'
	+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || Dsq.jsonData.request.is_global_moderator
		? '	<li class="dsq-menu-sep"></li>' + (_meta.email ? '<li class="dsq-admin-email">' + _meta.email + '</li>' : '')
		+ '	<li class="dsq-admin-ip">' + _meta.ip + '</li> \
			<li class="dsq-menu-sep"></li>'
		+ (Dsq.jsonData.request.moderator_can_edit
			? ' <li class="dsq-admin-edit"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.edit(this, ' + post_id + '); return false;">Edit Comment</a></li>'
			: '')
		+ ' <li class="dsq-remove"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.removePost(' + post_id + ', 1); return false;">Remove Comment</a></li> \
			<li class="dsq-report-spam"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.reportSpam(' + post_id + '); return false;">Mark Spam</a></li> \
			<li class="dsq-block-user"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.blacklist(' + post_id + '); return false">Block User</a></li>'
		: '');
	};

	this.menuMedia = function(post_id) {
		return ' \
			<li><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.toggleMediaReply(this, ' + post_id + ', \'seesmic\'); return false;">Record video</a></li> \
		';
	};

	this.dropProfile = function(post_id) {
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id];
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][_meta.user_key];

		var _includeServices = function() {
			var userServices = Dsq.Post.getUserServices(null, post_id);
			var html = '';
			var hiddenThreshold = 3; // Define # of services to show before stuffing them in hidden div

			for(var i = 0; i < userServices.length; i++) {
				html +=
				(i == hiddenThreshold
					? '<li id="dsq-drop-hidden-' + post_id +'" class="dsq-drop-hidden"><ul>'
					: '')
				+ '<li class="dsq-drop-services"> \
					<a class="dsq-service-' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" href="' + userServices[i].url + '" target="_blank"> \
						<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/embed/services/' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '.png" alt="' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '">'
					+ userServices[i].name
					+ '</a> \
				</li>';
			}

			if(i >= hiddenThreshold) {
				html += '</ul></li> \
				<li id="dsq-drop-more-' + post_id + '" class="dsq-drop-more"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Post.dropProfileMore(this, '+ post_id + '); return false"><small>&#9660;</small></a></li> \
				';
			}
			return html;
		};


		var menu = '<li class="dsq-drop-showlnk"><a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup.popProfile(' + post_id + '); return false;">Expand &#8663;</a></li>';
		var pointsMessage = '';
		if (userData['registered']) {
			pointsMessage = 'with ' + userData['points'] + ' points (more points are better).';
		}

		if (userData['is_remote']) {
			var domain = userData['remote_domain_name'];
			menu += '<li class="dsq-drop-badge" title="' + userData['display_name'] + ' is a ' + domain + ' user ' + pointsMessage + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges()">';
			menu += '<span class="dsq-badge-' + domain.toLowerCase() + '">' + domain + '</span></li>';
		} else if (userData['registered']) {
			if (userData['verified']) {
				menu += '<li class="dsq-drop-badge" title="' + userData['display_name'] + ' has a verified commenter profile ' + pointsMessage + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges()">';
				menu += '<span class="dsq-badge-verified">Verified</span></li>';
			} else {
				menu += '<li class="dsq-drop-badge" title="' + userData['display_name'] + ' has a registered, but unverified, commenter profile ' + pointsMessage + '" onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges()">';
				menu += '<span class="dsq-badge-registered">Registered</span></li>';
			}
		} else {
			menu += '<li class="dsq-drop-badge" title="' + userData['display_name'] + ' has not claimed this commenter profile." onclick="Dsq.Popup.helpBadges()"><span class="dsq-badge-guest">Guest</span></li>';
		}

		menu += _includeServices();
		return menu;
	};

	//
	// Popups
	//

	this._popupGeneric = function(content) {
		return ' \
		<div class="dsq-popup-content"> \
			<div class="dsq-popup-top"></div> \
			<div class="dsq-popup-body" class="clearfix"> \
				<div class="dsq-popup-body-padding"> \
					<div class="dsq-popup-header"> \
						<a class="dsq-close-link" href="#" onclick="Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true); return false"><img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/modal-close.png" alt="" /></a>'
						+ content['header']
					+ '</div>'
					+ content['body']
					+ '<div class="powered-by"><a href="http://disqus.com/comments/">Powered by <img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/embed/disqus-logo.png" alt="Disqus Comments" style="margin-bottom:-5px" /></a></div> \
				</div> <!-- padding --> \
			</div> <!-- body --> \
			<div class="dsq-popup-bottom"></div> \
		</div> \
		';
	};

	this.popupProfile = function(user_key) {
		var userServices = Dsq.Post.getUserServices(user_key, null);
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][user_key];
		var headerHtml = '';
		var bodyHtml = '';
		var content = {};

		var _includeServices = function() {
			var html = '';
			for(var i = 0; i < userServices.length; i++) {
				html +=
				(i == 0
					? '<h4>Connections</h4><ul>'
					: '')
				+ '<li> \
					<img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.media_url + '/images/embed/services/' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '.png" alt="' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" title="' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" /> \
					<a class="dsq-service-' + userServices[i].name.toLowerCase() + '" href="' + userServices[i].url + '" target="_blank">'
					+ userServices[i].name
					+ '</a> \
				</li>'
				+ (i+1 == userServices.length ? '</ul>' : '');
			}
			return html;
		};

		headerHtml = ' \
			<table> \
				<tr> \
					<td> \
						<a class="dsq-profile-userurl" href="' + userData.url + '"><img class="dsq-popup-profile-avatar" src="' + userData['avatar'] + '" alt="" /></a> \
					</td> \
					<td> \
						<div class="dsq-popup-profile-user"> \
							<h3>' + userData['display_name'] + '</h3> \
							<div class="dsq-popup-profile-user-stats" id="dsq-popup-profile-user-stats-' + user_key + '">Loading...</div> \
						</div> \
					</td> \
				</tr> \
			</table> \
		';

		bodyHtml = ' \
			<div class="dsq-popup-profile-state"> \
				This is a&nbsp;<span class="'
					+ (userData['registered']
						? (userData['verified']
							? ' dsq-badge-verified'
							: (userData['is_remote']
								? ' dsq-badge-' + userData['remote_domain_name'].toLowerCase()
								: ' dsq-badge-registered')
							)
							: ' dsq-badge-guest') + '">'
			+ (userData['registered']
				? (userData['verified']
					? 'Verified'
					: (userData['is_remote']
						 ? userData['remote_domain_name']
						 : 'Registered')
					)
				: 'Guest')
			+ '</span>&nbsp;commenter profile.'
			+ '&nbsp;<a class="dsq-profile-userurl" href="' + userData.url + '"><strong>View more comments </strong></a>'
			+ (!userData['points']
				? '<p class="dsq-popup-notice">If this is you, <a href="http://disqus.com/profile" target="_blank">claim it now</a> to manage your comments.</p>'
				: '')
			+ ((userData['registered'] && !userData['verified'] && (Dsq.jsonData.request.username && (Dsq.jsonData.request.username == userData['username'])) && !userData['is_remote'])
				? '<p class="dsq-popup-notice"><strong>Alert</strong>: You have not verified this account. <a href="http://disqus.com/verify">Verify it now.</a></p>'
				: '')
			+ '</div> \
			<div id="dsq-profile-status-' + user_key + '" class="dsq-popup-profile-status" style="display:none"></div> \
			<div class="dsq-popup-profile-snapshot"> \
				<table> \
					<tr> \
						<td> \
							<div id="dsq-popup-profile-active-sites-wrapper-' + user_key + '"> \
								<h4>Most active sites</h4> \
								<ul id="dsq-popup-profile-active-sites-' + user_key + '"> \
									<li>Loading...</li> \
								</ul> \
							</div> \
						</td> \
						<td>'
							+ _includeServices()
							+ '<div id="dsq-popup-profile-moderated-wrapper-' + user_key + '"> \
								<h4>Moderator of</h4> \
								<ul id="dsq-popup-profile-moderated-' + user_key + '"> \
									<li>Loading...</li> \
								</ul> \
							</div> \
						</td> \
					</tr> \
				</table> \
			</div> \
			';

		content = {
			'header': headerHtml,
			'body': bodyHtml
		};

		return this._popupGeneric(content);
	};

	this.popupReblog = function() {
		var headerHtml = '';
		var bodyHtml = '';
		var content = {};

		headerHtml = ' \
			<cite><span>Reblog this comment</span></cite> \
		';

		bodyHtml = ' \
			<div id="dsq-reblog-form" class="dsq-reblog-form"> \
			</div> \
		';

		content = {
			'header': headerHtml,
			'body': bodyHtml
		};

		return this._popupGeneric(content);
	};

	this.popupModal = function(title, message) {
		var headerHtml = '';
		var bodyHtml = '';
		var content = {};

		headerHtml = ' \
			<h3>' + title + '</h3> \
		';

		bodyHtml = message;

		content = {
			'header': headerHtml,
			'body': bodyHtml
		};

		return this._popupGeneric(content);
	};

	this.alertContent = function(name, post_id) {
		var alert = {
			'post_not_approved': {
				'title': 'Comment awaiting approval by a moderator',
				'message': 'Thanks for posting. Your comment must be approved by a moderator before appearing here.'
			},
			'post_has_profile': {
				'title': 'Use your existing commenter profile',
				'message': 'You have just posted your commment as a <span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-guest">Guest</span>, but you may already have a <span class="dsq-badge dsq-badge-registered">Registered</span> commenter profile.<br /><br /><a href="http://disqus.com/claim">Log in and claim this comment!</a>'
			}
		};
		return alert[name] || false;
	};

	//
	// Actions
	//

	this.voted = function(post_id, points, vote) {
		// Update number of points
		Dsq.$('dsq-points-' + post_id).innerHTML = points + Dsq.Utils.pluralize(points, ' person', ' people') + ' liked this comment.';

		// Update link text
		if(vote) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-rate-cont-' + post_id).innerHTML = 'You liked this.';
		}
	};

	this.subscribed = function(status) {
		var title, message;

		if(status) {
			title = 'Subscribed!';
			message = 'You have subscribed to this comment thread. New comments will be sent directly to your email inbox, where you may read and respond by email.';
			Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe').innerHTML = ' \
				<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(0); return false">Unsubscribe</a> \
			';
		} else {
			title = 'Unsubscribed';
			message = 'You have unsubscribed to this comment thread. New comments will no longer be sent to your email inbox.';
			Dsq.$('dsq-subscribe').innerHTML = ' \
				<a href="#" onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(1); return false">Subscribe by email</a> \
			';
		}

		Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title);

	};
	
	this.highlighted = function() {
		Dsq.Popup.popModal('This comment has been highlighted.', 'Highlighted comment');
	};

	//
	// Media
	//

	this.mediaSeesmic = function(id, thumb) {
		return ' \
			<div id="dsq-seesmic-' + id + '_preview" class="dsq-seesmic-preview"><a href="http://www.seesmic.com/video/' + id + '" target="_blank" class="see_link">&nbsp;</a> \
				<div style="display:block;width:160px; height:120px; border:none; background-image:url(http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/' + thumb + ')"> \
					<div id="dsq-seesmic-' + id + '_hide" class="seePlayOverlay" style="display:none;"><img onclick="see_play_video(\'' + id + '\',false)" src="http://media.disqus.com/images/seesmic/stopOverlay.png" width="50" height="50" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; padding-top: 30px; padding-left: 50px" alt="" /></div> \
					<div id="dsq-seesmic-' + id + '_show" class="seePlayOverlay"><img onclick="see_play_video(\'' + id + '\',true)" src="http://media.disqus.com/images/seesmic/playOverlay.png" width="50" height="50" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand; border:none; padding-top: 30px; padding-left: 50px" alt="" /></div> \
				</div> \
			</div> \
			<div id="' + id + '_content" style="display:block; width:100%; padding-top:5px"></div> \
		';
	};

	//
	// Callbacks
	//

	this.postComment_onSuccess = function(parent_post_id) {
		// Increment post count
		var num_posts = Dsq.$('dsq-num-posts');
		var total_posts = Dsq.$('dsq-total-posts');
		
		if (num_posts) { 
			num_posts.innerHTML = parseInt(num_posts.innerHTML) + 1;
		}
		if (total_posts) { 
			total_posts.innerHTML = parseInt(total_posts.innerHTML) + 1;
		}
	};
};
// Dsq.Templates


/**
 * Dsq.Post
 */
Dsq.Post = new function() {
	this.openedMenu = {};
	this.menuEventListener = null;
	this.stateReplyToggled = {};
	this.stateEditToggled = {};
	this.stateRecordLink = {};

	/**
	 * Inserts a new post into the document.
	 *
	 * @param after_id {Number}	Insert a post before specified id.  If after_id
	 *							evaluates to false, then post in the front.  If
	 *							after_id is -1, post at the end.
	 */
	this.insert = function(after_id, id, message, author) {
		// Skeleton template from thread_posts.html.
		var skeleton = ' \
			<li id="dsq-comment-%(id)s"> \
				<div id="dsq-comment-header-%(id)s" class="dsq-comment-header"> \
					<cite id="dsq-cite-%(id)s" class="dsq-comment-cite"> \
						<a id="dsq-author-user-%(id)s" href="%(author_url)s" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">%(author_name)s</a> \
					</cite> \
				</div> \
				<div id="dsq-comment-body-%(id)s" class="dsq-comment-body"> \
					<div id="dsq-comment-message-%(id)s" class="dsq-comment-message">%(message)s</div> \
				</div> \
			</li> \
		';
		var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[id];
		var _user_meta = Dsq.jsonData.users[_meta.user_key];
		var markup = Dsq.Utils.interpolate(skeleton, {
			id: id,
			message: message,
			author_url: _user_meta.blog,
			author_name: _user_meta.display_name
		});
		var div = document.createElement('div');
		markup = markup.replace(Dsq.COMMENTS_RE, Dsq.CommentsHandler);
		div.innerHTML = markup;

		if (after_id === -1) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-comments').appendChild(div);
		} else if (!after_id) {
			Dsq.$('dsq-comments').insertBefore(div, Dsq.$('dsq-comments').firstChild);
		} else if (Dsq.$('dsq-comment-' + after_id)) {
			// Get next node after "after_id", so we can insert before it.
			// If "after_id" is the last comment, the target node is the
			// last node.
			
			// var append_post_id = Dsq.Templates.appendPost(after_id).replace('<div id="','').replace('"></div>', '');
			var append_post_id = 'dsq-append-post-' + after_id;
			var node = Dsq.$(append_post_id);
			while (node = node.nextSibling) {
				if (!node || node.nodeType == 1) { // 1 == Node.ELEMENT_NODE
					break;
				}
			}
			if (!node) {
				node = Dsq.$(append_post_id);
			}
			node.parentNode.insertBefore(div, node);
		}
	};

	this.incrementPostCount = function() {
		
		var num_posts = Dsq.$('dsq-num-posts');
		var total_posts = Dsq.$('dsq-total-posts');

		if (num_posts) {
			num_posts.innerHTML = parseInt(num_posts.innerHTML, 10) + 1;
		}
		if (total_posts) {
			total_posts.innerHTML = parseInt(total_posts.innerHTML, 10) + 1;
		}
	}
	
	this.outlineComment = function(post_id) {
		Dsq.$('dsq-comment-' + post_id).className += ' dsq-comment-outline';
		setTimeout("(function () { Dsq.Post.clearOutlineComment(" + post_id + ") })()", 3000);
	};
	
	this.clearOutlineComment = function(post_id) {
		Dsq.$('dsq-comment-' + post_id).className = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-' + post_id).className.replace('dsq-comment-outline', '');
	};

	this.showMenu = function(el, id, name) {
		var anchorPos = Dsq.Utils.findPos(el);
		var menu = document.createElement('ul');

		if(this.openedMenu) {
			if(this.openedMenu.linkClicked) {
				this.openedMenu.linkClicked = false;
				return;
			}
		}

		switch(name) {
			case 'more':
				menu.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.menuMore(id);
				break;
			case 'media':
				menu.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.menuMedia(id);
				break;
			default:
				break;
		}

		// Add menu to document body
		menu.id = 'dsq-menu-' + id;
		menu.className = 'dsq-menu';
		Dsq.$b.appendChild(menu);

		// Position and show
		anchorPos[1] += 15;
		menu.style.left = anchorPos[0] + 'px';
		menu.style.top = anchorPos[1] + 'px';
		menu.style.display = 'block';

		// Set global reference
		this.openedMenu = {
			'el' : menu,
			'id' : id,
			'name' : name,
			'linkClicked' : false
		};

		// Set listener
		this.menuEventListener = Dsq.Utils.addEventListener(document, 'mouseup', this._hideMenu);
	};

	this._hideMenu = function(e) {
		var el = e.target || e.srcElement;
		var openedMenu = Dsq.Post.openedMenu.el;
		var id = Dsq.Post.openedMenu.id;

		if(!id) {
			var link = 'dsq-' + Dsq.Post.openedMenu.name + '-link';
		} else {
			var link = 'dsq-' + Dsq.Post.openedMenu.name + '-link-' + id;
		}

		if(!openedMenu) {
			return;
		}

		if(!Dsq.Popup.isClicked(e, openedMenu.id)) {
			openedMenu.style.display = 'none';
			Dsq.Utils.removeEventListener(Dsq.Post.menuEventListener);
			Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(openedMenu);

		} else {
			// Hide the menu if a link was clicked inside the menu.  We can't
			// completely remove the menu until the onclick event on the link
			// fires, but the menuEventListener will prevent multiple menus
			// from polluting the DOM.
			if(el && typeof el.href != 'undefined') {
				openedMenu.style.display = 'none';
				Dsq.Post.openedMenu.el = null;
			}
		}

		if(Dsq.Popup.isClicked(e, link)) {
 			Dsq.Post.openedMenu.linkClicked = true;
		}
	};


	this.getUserServices = function(user_key, id) {
		if(!user_key && id) {
			var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[id];
			user_key = _meta.user_key;
		}
		var userData = Dsq.jsonData['users'][user_key];
		var userServices = [];

		// Keep a full list of supported services. This is the order they will display in the drop-profile.
		// Each service must have a corresponding case in _buildServiceUrl()
		var supportedServices = ['blog', 'twitter', 'facebook', 'tumblr'];

		function _buildServiceUrl(serviceName) {
			var data = userData[serviceName];
			var services = {
				blog:		function(d) { return d; },
				twitter:	function(d) { return d; },
				facebook:	function(d) { return d; },
				tumblr:		function(d) { return 'http://' + d + '.tumblr.com'; }
			};
			return services[serviceName](data);
		}

		for(var i = 0; i < supportedServices.length; i++) {
			if(userData[supportedServices[i]]) {
				var serviceUrl = _buildServiceUrl(supportedServices[i]);
				userServices.push({'name' : supportedServices[i], 'url' : serviceUrl});
			}
		}
		return userServices;
	}

	this.dropProfile = function(id) {
		var dp = Dsq.$('dsq-drop-profile-' + id);

		// IE6 needs JS to display/hide. All other browsers use CSS.
		if(dp) {
			if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) dp.style.display = (dp.style.display == 'inline') ? 'none' : 'inline';
			return false;
		} else {
			dp = document.createElement('ul');
		}

		dp.id = 'dsq-drop-profile-' + id;
		dp.className = 'dsq-drop-profile';

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) { dp.style.display = 'inline'; }

		var container = Dsq.$('dsq-header-avatar-' + id);
		dp.innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.dropProfile(id);
		container.appendChild(dp);
	};

	this.dropProfileMore = function(el, id) {
		var hiddenItems = Dsq.$('dsq-drop-hidden-' + id);

		hiddenItems.style.display = 'inline';
		el.parentNode.style.display = 'none';
	};

	this._updateReplyLinks = function(el, id) {
		// Update "reply / cancel" links based on state.
		var displayDict = {};

		if(id) {
			if(this.stateReplyToggled[id]) {
				el.innerHTML = 'Cancel';
				displayDict['media'] = 'inline';
				displayDict['edit'] = 'none';
			} else {
				el.innerHTML = 'Reply';
				displayDict['media'] = 'none';
				displayDict['edit'] = 'inline';
			}
		}

		for(var key in displayDict) {
			if(displayDict.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
				var	linkEl = Dsq.$('dsq-' + key + '-el-' + id),
					spacer = Dsq.$('dsq-' + key + '-spacer-' + id);

				if(linkEl) {
					linkEl.style.display = displayDict[key];
					if(spacer) spacer.style.display = displayDict[key];
				}
			}
		}
	};

	this._updateMediaLinks = function(el, id) {
		// Update "use media / cancel" links based on state.
		var appendId = (id) ? ('-' + id) : '';
		var link = Dsq.$('dsq-media-link' + appendId);

		if(this.stateRecordLink[id]) {
			link.innerHTML = 'Cancel Media';
			link.onclick = function() { Dsq.Post.toggleMediaReply(link, id); return false; };
		} else {
			link.innerHTML = 'Use Media <small>&#9660;</small>';
			link.onclick = function() { Dsq.Post.showMenu(link, id, 'media'); return false; };
		}
	};

	this.toggleReply = function(el, id) {
		// Create reply IFrame
		if (window.disqus_use_postmessage) {
			if (!this.stateReplyToggled[id]) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id).style.display = 'block';
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-bar-' + id).style.display = 'block';
				// Create IFrame if it doesn't exist.
				if (!Dsq.frames['reply_' + id]) {
					var _meta = Dsq.jsonData.posts[id];
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + id] = new Dsq.ReplyFrame(Dsq.$('dsq-reply-frame-' + id), id);
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + id].init();
					Dsq.frames['reply_' + id].setState(id, _meta.depth);
				}
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id).style.display = 'none';
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-bar-' + id).style.display = 'none';
			}
		} else {
			// DEPRECATED
			if(!this.stateReplyToggled[id]) {
				// Reply toolbar
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-bar-' + id).style.display = 'block';
				Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainerIfAllowed(Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id), id);
			} else {
				Dsq.$('dsq-reply-bar-' + id).style.display = 'none';
				Dsq.Iframes.hideAllInContainer(Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id));
				if(this.stateRecordLink[id]) {
					// HACK: Cancel media before canceling self.
					this.toggleMediaReply(Dsq.$('dsq-media-link-' + id), id);
				}
			}
		}

		this.stateReplyToggled[id] = !this.stateReplyToggled[id];
		this._updateReplyLinks(el, id);

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE('dsq-reply-' + id); }

		Dsq.Events.fire(Dsq.Events.REPLY_IFRAME_TOGGLED, {
			postId: id,
			opened: this.stateReplyToggled[id]
		});
	};

	this.toggleMediaReply = function(el, id, xtype) {
		id = id || 0;
		if(id) {
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + id);
		} else {
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-post-add');
		}

		if(!this.stateRecordLink[id]) {
			Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainer(container, id, {xtype:xtype}, 'dsq-post-video');
		} else {
			Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainer(container, id);
		}
		this.stateRecordLink[id] = !this.stateRecordLink[id];
		this._updateMediaLinks(el, id);

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(); }
	};

	this.edit = function(el, id) {
		Dsq.$('dsq-comment-message-' + id).innerHTML = Dsq.Templates.frameEdit(id);
		el.parentNode.style.display = 'none';
		if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE('dsq-comment-message-' + id); }
	};

    this.rate = function(el, id, vote) {
		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated || Dsq.jsonData.forum.allow_anon_votes) {
			if(vote == 1) {
                Dsq.$('dsq-rate-cont-' + id).innerHTML = '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-small.gif">';
            }

            Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/washingtonindependent/vote.js'
                + '?post_id='    + id
                + '&vote='        + vote);

		} else {
			Dsq.Popup.login(Dsq.Strings.TO_RATE_PLEASE_LOG_IN);
		}
    };

	this.report = function(id, confirmed) {
		if(confirmed) {
			Dsq.Utils.postToUrl('http://disqus.com/forums/washingtonindependent/the_reform_candidate/post_report/', {'post_id': id});
			Dsq.Popup.popModal('Thank you. This comment has been flagged for moderator attention.', 'Successfully flagged');
			Dsq.Utils.deleteNode(Dsq.$('dsq-post-report-' + id));
		} else {
			var title = Dsq.Strings.FLAG_INAPPROPRIATE_COMMENT;
			var message = Dsq.Strings.ARE_YOU_SURE_YOU_WOULD_LIKE_TO_REPORT_THIS_COMMENT_TO_A_MODERATOR + '? \
			<br /><br /> \
			<button onclick="Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true)"><strong>' + Dsq.Strings.NO + '</strong>, ' + Dsq.Strings.NEVER_MIND + '</button>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<button onclick="Dsq.Post.report(' + id + ', true);"><strong>' + Dsq.Strings.YES + '</strong>, ' + Dsq.Strings.FLAG_INAPPROPRIATE_COMMENT + '</button><br /><br />'
			+ Dsq.Strings.THIS_WILL_FLAG_COMMENTS_FOR_MODERATORS_TO_TAKE_ACTION + '. \
			';

			Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title, id);
		}
	};



	this.showAlert = function(id, msg) {
		var msgEl = Dsq.$('dsq-comment-message-' + id);
		var alert = '<div class="dsq-comment-alert">' + msg + '</div>';

		msgEl.innerHTML = alert + msgEl.innerHTML;
	};

};
// Dsq.Post


/**
 * Dsq.Thread
 */
Dsq.Thread = new function() {
	this.fc = null;
	this.ff = null;
	this.ac = null;

	
	this.adminIsOn = false;

	
	
	

	this.hlComment = null;
	this.hlCommentClass = null;

	this.getNextComment = function(el) {
		var start_id = el.id;
		while(el = el.nextSibling) {
			if(el.id && el.id.indexOf('dsq-comment-') != -1 && el.id != start_id) {
				return el;
			}
		}
		return null;
	};

	this.getActiveCommentId = function() {
		if (document.URL.indexOf('#comment-') >= 0) {
			var anchor = document.URL.slice(document.URL.indexOf('#') + 1);
			return anchor.replace('comment-', '');
		}
		return null;
	};

	this.highlightAnchor = function() {
		var i = this.getActiveCommentId();
		if (i == null) return false;
		var id = 'dsq-comment-' + i;
		var hash = window.location.hash;

		// Toggle the hash incase the comment isn't available when the page loads
		// for WebKit-based browsers.
		if (Dsq.Utils.webkit) {
			window.location.hash = '';
			window.location.hash = hash;
		}

		this.hlComment = Dsq.$(id);
		// Adding this conditional guard pending #289
		if (!this.hlComment) {
			return;
		}
		this.hlCommentClass = this.hlComment.className;
		this.hlComment.className += ' dsq-hl-anchor';

		setTimeout("Dsq.Thread.highlightClear()", 3000);
	};

	this.highlightClear = function() {
		if (!this.hlComment) {
			return;
		}
		this.hlComment.className = this.hlCommentClass;
	};

	this.login = function(toggle) {
		// toggle id is #dsq-reply-login-[id]
		var postId;
		if(toggle.id.indexOf('dsq-reply-login') != -1) {
			postId = toggle.id.slice(16);
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-reply-' + postId);
		} else {
			var container = Dsq.$('dsq-post-add');
		}

		if(toggle) {
			if(toggle.className == 'dsq-login-active') {
				Dsq.Iframes.showReplyIframeInContainerIfAllowed(container, postId);
				toggle.className = '';
			} else {
				Dsq.Iframes.showLoginIframeInContainer(container, postId);
				toggle.className = 'dsq-login-active';
			}
		} else {
			Dsq.Iframes.showLoginIframeInContainer(container, postId);
		}

		if(Dsq.Utils.ie) { Dsq.Utils.fixIframesIE(); }
	};


	this.paginate = function(page, el_clicked, per_page) {
		// Use extra_params to pass any override parameters that we need to persist.
		var extra_params = '';

		// "Per page" can either be overriden by providing it as an argument
		// (per-call) or setting the disqus_per_page override variable (global).
		if(typeof per_page == 'undefined') {
			per_page = null;
		}
		if(typeof disqus_per_page != 'undefined' && per_page === null) {
			per_page = disqus_per_page;
		}

		if(typeof disqus_sort != 'undefined') {
			extra_params += '&sort=' + disqus_sort;
		}
		if(per_page !== null) {
			extra_params += '&per_page=' + per_page;
		}

		Dsq.$('dsq-pagination').innerHTML += '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading-small.gif">';
		
		if(el_clicked) {
			el_clicked.style.display = 'none';
		}
		
		Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/washingtonindependent/thread.js'
			+ '?slug='	+ 'the_reform_candidate'
			+ '&p='		+ page
			+ extra_params);
	};

	this.sortBy = function(sort) {
		var disqus_script = document.createElement('script');
		var disqus_date = new Date();

		if (location.hash != '') {
			location.hash = '#disqus_thread';
		}

		if(typeof(disqus_url) == 'undefined') {
			disqus_url = disqus_href;
		}
		disqus_script.type = 'text/javascript';
		disqus_script.src = 'http://disqus.com/forums/washingtonindependent/thread.js'
			+ '?slug='	+ 'the_reform_candidate'
			+ '&sort='	+ sort
			+ '&title='
			+ '&'		+ disqus_date.getTime();

		Dsq.$('dsq-comments').innerHTML = '<img src="http://media.disqus.com/images/loading.gif">';
		Dsq.container.appendChild(disqus_script);
	};

	this.subscribe = function(status, email) {
		// `status` is an int -- 1 to subscribe, 0 to unsubscribe
		if(Dsq.jsonData.request.is_authenticated || email) {
			// If authenticated user OR anonymous email provided

			if(email) {
				Dsq.Popup._closePopup(null, true);
			}

			Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/washingtonindependent/subscribe.js'
				+'?status=' 	+ status
				+ '&slug='		+ 'the_reform_candidate'
				+ '&email=' 	+ encodeURIComponent(email));

		} else if(!email) {
			// If anonymous user and no email has been provided yet, prompt for email

			var title = 'Subscribe to this comment thread';
			var message = ' \
				New comments will be sent directly to your email inbox! \
				<div class="dsq-subscribe-submit"> \
					<p><strong>Enter your email address below.</strong></p> \
					<input type="text" id="dsq-subscribe-email"> \
					<button onclick="Dsq.Thread.subscribe(1, Dsq.$(\'dsq-subscribe-email\').value)">Subscribe</button> \
				</div> \
			';

			Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, title);
		}
	};

	this.showSettings = function() {
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator) {
			return;
		}

		/* The form has to be re-designed when more options will come out. */
		var html = 'Automatically close comments after <input size="3" id="dsq-thread-days-alive" value="' + Dsq.jsonData.thread.days_alive + '" type="text" /> days. Existing comments will still be displayed.<br /><br />(Using 0 days will disable this feature)<br /><br />'
								 + '<button onclick="Dsq.Thread.updateDaysAlive();" class="dsq-button-small"><span>Save</span></button>'
								 + '<span id="dsq-thread-settings-status" class="dsq-options-status"></span>';
		Dsq.Popup.popModal(html, 'Settings');
	};

	this.updateDaysAlive = function() {
		var days = Dsq.$('dsq-thread-days-alive').value;
		var status = Dsq.$('dsq-thread-settings-status');
		Dsq.Utils.postToUrl('http://disqus.com/forums/washingtonindependent/update_days_alive.js', {days:days,thread:Dsq.jsonData.thread.id});
		status.innerHTML = 'Saved!';
		window.setTimeout(function() { status.innerHTML = ''; }, 1000);
	};
};
// Dsq.Thread

Dsq.Events = function() {
	var obj = {};

	// Private
	var handlers = {};
	var getHandlers = function(event) {
		if (handlers[event] === undefined) {
			handlers[event] = [];
		}
		return handlers[event];
	};

	// Public
	// Value keys : postId, node, xtype
	obj.REPLY_IFRAME_CREATED = 1;
	// Value keys : postId, opened
	obj.REPLY_IFRAME_TOGGLED = 2;
	obj.fire = function(event, opt_value) {
		if (!event) {
			throw new Error('Unknown event');
		}
		var value = opt_value || {};
		for (var i=0; i<getHandlers(event).length; i++) {
			getHandlers(event)[i](value);
		}
	};
	obj.addHandler = function(event, callback) {
		getHandlers(event).push(callback);
	};

	return obj;
}();

/**
 * Dsq.Realtime
 */
Dsq.Realtime = new function() {
	var initialized = false;
	var interval = null;
	var last_checked = Dsq.jsonData.request.timestamp;
	var new_posts = [];
	var ongoing_request = false;
	var prev_script = null;

	function updateNewPostCount() {
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-alert').style.display = new_posts.length ? 'block' : 'none';

		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-queued').innerHTML = new_posts.length
		+ ' new '
		+ Dsq.Utils.pluralize(new_posts.length, 'comment', 'comments')
		+ Dsq.Utils.pluralize(new_posts.length, ' was', ' were')
		+ ' just posted.';

		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-show').innerHTML = '(' + Dsq.Strings.SHOW + ')';
	}

	function insertNewPosts() {
		var post_id = null;
		var after_id = Dsq.$('dsq-sort-select').value === 'oldest' ? -1 : null;

		for (var i=0; i<new_posts.length; i++) {
			post_id = new_posts[i];
			Dsq.Post.insert(after_id, post_id, Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id].message);
			Dsq.Post.incrementPostCount();
			Dsq.Post.outlineComment(post_id);
		}
		new_posts = [];
	}

	this.enableInterval = function() {
		interval = setInterval(Dsq.Realtime.check, Dsq.jsonData.context.realtime_speed);
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-status').innerHTML = Dsq.Strings.ENABLED;
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-toggle').innerHTML = '(' + Dsq.Strings.PAUSE + ')';
	}

	this.disableInterval = function() {
		if (interval) {
			clearInterval(interval);
			interval = null;
		}
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-status').innerHTML = Dsq.Strings.PAUSED;
		Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-toggle').innerHTML = '(' + Dsq.Strings.RESUME + ')';
	}

	this.toggleInterval = function() {
		if (!interval) {
			Dsq.Realtime.enableInterval();
		} else {
			Dsq.Realtime.disableInterval();
		}
		return false;
	}

	this.initialize = function() {
		if (!initialized) {
			initialized = true;
			Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-toggle').onclick = this.toggleInterval;
			if (!Dsq.jsonData.forum.streaming_realtime) {
				Dsq.$('dsq-realtime-show').onclick = this.show;
				updateNewPostCount();
			}
			if (Dsq.jsonData.thread.realtime_paused) {
				Dsq.Realtime.disableInterval();
			} else {
				Dsq.Realtime.enableInterval();
			}
		}
	}

	this.show = function() {
		insertNewPosts();
		updateNewPostCount();
		return false;
	}

	this.check = function() {
		if (!ongoing_request && Dsq.jsonData.realtime_enabled) {
			if (prev_script) {
				prev_script.parentNode.removeChild(prev_script);
			}
			ongoing_request = true;
			prev_script = Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/3995945/realtime.js?timestamp=' + last_checked);
		}
	};

	this.update = function(timestamp, posts, users) {
		ongoing_request = false;
		last_checked = timestamp;

		if (users) {
			for (var user_id in users) {
				if (users.hasOwnProperty(user_id)) {
					if (!Dsq.jsonData.users[user_id]) {
						Dsq.jsonData.users[user_id] = users[user_id];
					}
				}
			}
		}

		if (posts) {
			for (var post_id in posts) {
				if (posts.hasOwnProperty(post_id)) {
					if (!Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id]) {
						Dsq.jsonData.posts[post_id] = posts[post_id];
						new_posts.push(post_id);
					}
				}
			}

			if (Dsq.jsonData.forum.streaming_realtime) {
				insertNewPosts();
			} else {
				updateNewPostCount();
			}
		}
	};

}();

// DEPRECATED
Dsq.Iframes = function() {
	// Different style of object from the above. Hoping to switch to this for some reason.
	var obj = {};

	// Private
	var showIframeInContainer = function(container, id, markup) {
		// Look through container for iframes, hiding them, except show one that matches id
		// If none of them matched id, create a new iframe using markup and insert it.
		// Returns the iframe node if and only if it was newly created.
		var found = false;
		for (var i=0; i<container.childNodes.length; i++) {
			var child = container.childNodes[i];
			if (child.nodeName == 'IFRAME') {
				if (child.id == id) {
					child.style.display = 'block';
					found = true;
				} else {
					child.style.display = 'none';
				}
			}
		}
		if (found) {
			return;
		}
		// The iframe wasn't found, so construct it and add it to the container.
		// Don't use innerHTML because it might reload iframes
		var div = document.createElement('div');
		div.innerHTML = markup;
		var iframe = div.childNodes[0];
		div.removeChild(iframe);
		container.appendChild(iframe);
		return iframe;
	};

	// Public
	obj.makeReplyIframeId = function(opt_postId, opt_xtype) {
		var id = 'dsq-post-add-iframe';
		if (opt_xtype) {
			id += '-' + opt_xtype;
		}
		if (opt_postId) {
			id += '-' + opt_postId;
		}
		return id;
	};
	obj.makeLoginIframeId = function(opt_postId) {
		if (!opt_postId) {
			return 'dsq-login-iframe';
		}
		return 'dsq-login-iframe-' + opt_postId;
	};
	obj.makeReplyIframeName = function(opt_postId, opt_xtype) {
		var name = 'dsq-reply-frame';
		if (opt_xtype) {
			name += '-' + opt_xtype;
		}
		if (opt_postId) {
			name += '-' + opt_postId;
		}
		return name;
	};
	obj.showReplyIframeInContainer = function(container, opt_postId, opt_extraParams, opt_className) {
		// Construct the id so we can check if it's already present.
		// Hide any other iframes we find, and show this one if it's found.
		var params = opt_extraParams || {};
		// use xtype in the id and name so we can distinguish media replies from text replies:
		var id = Dsq.Iframes.makeReplyIframeId(opt_postId, params.xtype);
		var name = Dsq.Iframes.makeReplyIframeName(opt_postId, params.xtype);
		var attributes = {
			'id': id,
			'name': name,
			'class': opt_className || 'dsq-post-reply'
			};
		var markup = Dsq.Templates.frameReply(opt_postId, opt_extraParams, attributes);
		var iframe = showIframeInContainer(container, id, markup);
		// It was newly created
		if (iframe) {
			Dsq.Events.fire(Dsq.Events.REPLY_IFRAME_CREATED, {
				postId: opt_postId,
				node: iframe,
				xtype: params.xtype
			});
		}
	};
	obj.showLoginIframeInContainer = function(container, opt_postId) {
		var id = Dsq.Iframes.makeLoginIframeId(opt_postId);
		var markup = Dsq.Templates.frameLogin({id: id});
		showIframeInContainer(container, id, markup);
	};
	obj.showReplyIframeInContainerIfAllowed = function(container, opt_postId) {
		if (Dsq.jsonData.context.show_reply) {
			obj.showReplyIframeInContainer(container, opt_postId);
		} else {
			obj.hideAllInContainer(container);
		}
	};
	obj.hideAllInContainer = function(container) {
		for (var i=0; i<container.childNodes.length; i++) {
			var child = container.childNodes[i];
			if (child.nodeName == 'IFRAME') {
				child.style.display = 'none';
			}
		}
	};

	return obj;
}();

Dsq.Twitter = new function() {
	var that = this;

	this.startTwitterConnect = function() {
		var popupParams = 'location=0,status=0,width=800,height=400';
		that._twitterWindow = window.open(Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/_ax/twitter/begin/', 'twitterWindow', popupParams);
		that._twitterInterval = window.setInterval(that.completeTwitterConnect, 1000);
	};

	this.completeTwitterConnect = function() {
		if (that._twitterWindow.closed) {
			window.clearInterval(that._twitterInterval);
			window.location.reload();
		}
	};
};

Dsq.Yahoo = new function() {
	var that = this;

	this.startYahooConnect = function() {
		var popupParams = 'location=0,status=0,width=800,height=400';
		that._yahooWindow = window.open(Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/_ax/yahoo/begin/', 'yahooWindow', popupParams);
		that._yahooInterval = window.setInterval(that.completeYahooConnect, 1000);
	};

	this.completeYahooConnect = function() {
		if (that._yahooWindow.closed) {
			window.clearInterval(that._yahooInterval);
			window.location.reload();
		}
	};
};

Dsq.OpenID = new function() {
	var that = this;

	this.requestURL = function() {
		var message = '<table class="dsq-openid-form"><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;" rowspan="2"><img src="' + Dsq.jsonData.settings.media_url + '/images/openid-icon-100x100.png" /></td>';
		message += '<td><label for="dsq-openid-url">OpenID URL:</label></td><td><input type="text" id="dsq-openid-url" /></td></tr>';
		message += '<tr><td><label for="dsq-openid-username">Display name:</label></td><td><input type="text" id="dsq-openid-username" /></td></tr>';
		message += '<tr><td class="dsq-openid-submit" colspan="3"><input type="button" value="Sign in" onclick="Dsq.OpenID.startConnect();" /></td></tr>';
		message += "</table>";

		Dsq.Popup.popModal(message, 'Sign in using OpenID');
	};

	this.startConnect = function() {
		var isblank = function(str) {
			return /^\s*$/.test(str);
		};

		var openid_url = Dsq.$('dsq-openid-url').value;
		var username = Dsq.$('dsq-openid-username').value;

		if (isblank(openid_url)) {
			return;
		}

		var popupParams = 'location=0,status=0,width=800,height=500';
		var url = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/_ax/openid/begin/' + '?url=' + encodeURIComponent(openid_url) + '&username=' + encodeURIComponent(username);
		that._openidWindow = window.open(url, 'openidWindow', popupParams);
		that._openidInterval = window.setInterval(that.completeConnect, 1000);
	};

	this.completeConnect = function() {
		if (that._openidWindow.closed) {
			window.clearInterval(that._openidInterval);
			window.location.reload();
		}
	};
};

Dsq.Reaction = new function() {
	var that = this;

	this.hide = function(id) {
		Dsq.Utils.execScript('http://disqus.com/forums/washingtonindependent/hidereaction.js?' + 'reaction_id=' + id);
	};

	this.reportMissingReactions = function() {
		if (!Dsq.jsonData.request.is_moderator || !Dsq.jsonData.forum.reactions_enabled) {
			return;
		}

		if (Dsq.jsonData.thread.queued) {
			Dsq.Popup.popModal('Your report has been received. The system will automatically search for new reactions; if any are found, they will be displayed on this comment thread.<br/><br/>Thank&nbsp;you.',
												 'Reported missing reactions');
			return;
		}

		Dsq.Utils.execScript(Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + '/forums/washingtonindependent/queueurl.js');
	};
};

Dsq.CNN = function() {
	var obj = {};

	obj.authenticate = function() {
		var url = Dsq.jsonData.settings.disqus_url + "/saml/cnn/try/";
		Dsq.Utils.postToUrl(url, {'target': document.location}, true);
	};

	return obj;
}();


if(Dsq.Utils.ie6) {
	(function() {
		DSQ_HEADER_AVATAR_RE = /<div class="dsq-header-avatar"(.*?)>/gim;
		Dsq.Templates.registerFilter('postPrependHeader', function(html, post_id) {
			// Add "onmouseout" for dsq-header-avatar for dropProfile
			// functionality since IE6 cannot use :hover.
			function _headerAvatarReplace(content, inner, _unused, html) {
				return '<div class="dsq-header-avatar" '
					+ inner
					+ ' onmouseout="Dsq.Post.dropProfile(' + post_id + ')">';
			}
			html = html.replace(DSQ_HEADER_AVATAR_RE, _headerAvatarReplace);
			return html;
		});
	})();
}









(function() {
	//
	// Load theme.  This overrides the base templates with template functions
	// from the respective themes.
	//
	if (Dsq.jsonData.integration.theme == 4) {
		var theme = 'narcissus';
		// HACK: Set variable on window to use post message.
		window.disqus_use_postmessage = true;

		
		for(var prop in Dsq.Themes[theme]) {
			if(Dsq.Themes[theme] && Dsq.Themes[theme].hasOwnProperty(prop)) {
				Dsq.Templates[prop] = Dsq.Themes[theme][prop];
			}
		}
		
		for(var prop in Dsq.Post) {
			if(Dsq.Themes[theme] && Dsq.Themes[theme].hasOwnProperty(prop)) {
				Dsq.Post[prop] = Dsq.Themes[theme][prop];
			}
		}
	}

	//
	// Register templates.  This must be done after all themes are loaded.
	//
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('authPost', Dsq.Templates.authPost);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('header', Dsq.Templates.header);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('footer', Dsq.Templates.footer);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('trackbacks', Dsq.Templates.trackbacks);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('reactions', Dsq.Templates.reactions);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('prependPost', Dsq.Templates.prependPost);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('appendPost', Dsq.Templates.appendPost);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postPrependHeader', Dsq.Templates.postPrependHeader);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postAppendHeader', Dsq.Templates.postAppendHeader);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('preBody', Dsq.Templates.preBody);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postBody', Dsq.Templates.postBody);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postFooter', Dsq.Templates.postFooter);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('_popupGeneric', Dsq.Templates._popupGeneric);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('voted', Dsq.Templates.voted);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('popupProfile', Dsq.Templates.popupProfile);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postBox', Dsq.Templates.postBox);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('pagination', Dsq.Templates.pagination);
	Dsq.Templates.registerTemplate('postComment_onSuccess', Dsq.Templates.postComment_onSuccess);

})();

Dsq.container.className = "clearfix";
Dsq.container.innerHTML = ' \
<ul id="dsq-comments">\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-6853682">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-6853682" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-6853682" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-6853682">Guest</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-6853682" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-6853682" class="dsq-comment-message">The user deleted this comment.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-5025741">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-5025741" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-5025741" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-5025741" href="http://www.washingtonindependent.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">jason</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-5025741" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-5025741" class="dsq-comment-message">israel eats garbage and if you guys out there are christian ,rember when they killed jesus and spit on him.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-3926858">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-3926858" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-3926858" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-3926858" href="http://washingtondc.nyctourist.com/washingtondc-discount-cheap-hotels.php" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Washington DC Hotels</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-3926858" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-3926858" class="dsq-comment-message">I have to respectfully disagree with the poster below me. As a transplant to the Washington area from the \'deeper\' south, I can tell you that both my relatives at home and many of my more Conservative leaning friends here were spurred into having a real interest in the election and in a McCain victory. They felt like they would finally have a voice in the white house, even if it was from the office next door to the important one.<br><br>Respectfully,<br>Jules Guerra</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-3926718">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-3926718" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-3926718" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-3926718" href="http://washingtondc.nyctourist.com/washingtondc-tours.php" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">DC Tours</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-3926718" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-3926718" class="dsq-comment-message">I think in the end, at least in my neck of the woods, Gov. Palin lost McCain the election. From a former Californian\'s point of view, it wasn\'t even the accusations of corruption (though that didn\'t help) but her policies in regards to social issues. That\'s actually what led to me changing my vote from McCain to Obama</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-3487472">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-3487472" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-3487472" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-3487472" href="http://www.chrispaulforpresident.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">chris paul</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-3487472" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-3487472" class="dsq-comment-message">she complained about the "old boys clubs" when running for mayor, only to replace it with another club, she complained about money in politics to shadow other ugly maneuvers like political firings, she\'s a maverick on different issues than mccain and they clashed because they are "holier-than-thou" on the issues they are mavericky about</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-3314286">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-3314286" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-3314286" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-3314286">Lee Cooper</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-3314286" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-3314286" class="dsq-comment-message">I am not a Palin supporter. However, let\'s not blame her for McCain\'s failure to rally his party and the country. Colin Powell said it best. McCain ran too much of a negative campaign and picked the wrong vice-presidential candidate. McCain needs to take responsibility for both decision, and ultimately loosing the presidential election. Palin should go back to Alaska, read up on International Affairs, Belt Way Politics, and resurface in four years with a better track record.<br><br>They should also let her keep her $150,000 wardrobe. She deserves it.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-3284213">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-3284213" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-3284213" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-3284213">Moshe</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-3284213" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-3284213" class="dsq-comment-message">Palin as Olmert? Free flights, fancy clothes and life of luxury<br><br>By Benjamin L. Hartman, Haaretz reporter<br><br><br>It turns out, the difference between a pitbull and a hockey mom isn\'t just lipstick, its designer lipstick, Manolo Blahnik pumps, and a $2,500 Valentino jacket. That should keep you warm at the Iron Dog snowmachine race. <br><br>It emerged this week that with the U.S. in the grip of one of its worst economic crises, the Republican National Committee had the clear and present judgment to run up a reported $150,000 bill to deck out Sarah Palin, the running-mate and rising Republican star who "is just like the rest of us", that is, if the rest of us drop a few thousand dollars at Nieman\'s on the way to the hockey rink. <br><br>As the Huffington Post reported Wednesday, the splurges included a reputed $75,000 shopping spree in a single day at a Nieman Marcus (or "needless markup" as they\'re widely known) store in "not so sure it\'s real America still" Minneapolis, as well as $50,000 spent at Saks Fifth Avenue chains in no-longer real America St. Louis and 10th circle of hell New York City.<br><br>In retrospect, though her rationale defending her foreign policy credentials was widely lampooned, it could be that Palin can in fact see Russia from Alaska; it would certainly explain how she came to adopt the fashion tastes of a Russian oligarch\'s wife since she became McCain\'s running mate. <br><br>The revelations have the potential to be infuriating and puzzling to many mainly because they come from the campaign that has played the "elitist" card with reckless abandon, and has made a central issue of their campaign the idealization and ownership of working-class "small-town values", hard-to-pin-down ideals that presumably cannot be found within a hundred miles of a Saks or Nieman\'s branch. Furthermore, over the last week, said campaign has turned its entire message into the celebration of one Joe the Plumber, an everyman who works with his hands and whose endorsement apparently bears more weight than that of former secretary of state Colin Powell. <br><br>From an Israeli-American point of view, Palin\'s "makeovergate" and the revelations this week that she billed the State of Alaska for thousands of dollars worth of commercial flights for her daughters, and for luxury hotel rooms for a family vacation, bear a certain resemblance to the travails and scandals of our disgraced outgoing prime minister Ehud Olmert, a man who came to power suddenly as vice premier, when the septuagenarian former warrior who swooped him into the halls of power fell terminally ill. Ring any bells? <br><br>Although the case was later closed, the Rishon Tours affair involved allegations that Olmert used thousands of dollars in state funds to pay for foreign air travel flights for his family. During the investigation, it was alleged that the flights were paid in large part through the funneling of money intended for charity organizations, and by writing off the tickets as official state business, not dissimilar to claims that Palin air-freighted her daughters at the taxpayers expense while governor. <br><br>Palin\'s shopping sprees were legal, but they do display a lack of judgment or consideration for how the acts may be perceived by the public. The fact that both Olmert and Palin seemed to be willing to put their careers or public approval in jeopardy for such petty rewards at a time when they were ostensibly well-off public servants seems reckless at best. <br><br>In Palin\'s case, even if she was just following the advice of campaign handlers with blank checks who wanted to spruce up her image, the fact that she would take part in such a breakneck spend-a-thon at some of America\'s ritziest stores while the country is on the verge of depression, shows a bewildering level of obliviousness that Olmert could surely understand. <br><br>While in office, both Olmert and Palin adopted the standpoint of cheapskate guests at an expensive wedding, or underpaid employees suddenly given an expense account, with the attitude that "hey, if some somebody else is paying for it, why not supersize it? Why not first-class? Who cares who\'s watching?" Or better yet, like guests who paid for an all-inclusive weekend in Eilat who assume that means not only can they avail themselves of the all-you-can-eat buffet, but they might as well pocket the silverware while they\'re at it. <br><br>The decision is also indicative (again) of the McCain campaign\'s seeming ignorance of the power of the Internet and the instant fact-checking that has changed the nature of the news and political campaigns forever. Like with the quicksilver vetting process of the Alaska governor, which some say missed "Troopergate" and Palin\'s pregnant teenage daughter, or the repeated, groundless attacks on Obama that have been easily debunked by anyone with access to Google, Palin\'s spending sprees show an ignorance of the instant access to information and the 24-hour news cycle, and possibly, in the worst case, an outright contempt for the very public whose values they pander to. <br><br>And what I\'m wondering is, where did Joe the Plumber get the suit he was wearing on Fox News the other night</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-3033226">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-3033226" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-3033226" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-3033226">Kenneth Stewart</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-3033226" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-3033226" class="dsq-comment-message">I am a strong support of John McCain and Sara Palin for President of the United States. I have an email that I consider urgent for them see.  But the Republican Party email addresses - They answer the emails<br>but don\'t read them.  I am dispersed. Can you help me?<br><br>I will send it to you if you like.  They need to consider it  Please help me!</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2920326">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2920326" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2920326" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2920326">roby</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2920326" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2920326" class="dsq-comment-message">I am a strong supporter of Sarah Palin. However as a staunch Catholic I have lately been troubled that her father and her whole family left the Catholic church to which they belong and became Pentecostal. Is this true? Were they,   first Catholics? ...If this is not true, all my Catholic friends and I  would like to support her but if they deserted the Catholic Church it will be difficult for millions of American Catholics to support someone who is unfaithful to her own Church.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2903275">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2903275" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2903275" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2903275">Moshe</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2903275" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2903275" class="dsq-comment-message">Obama-hate, and Sarah Palin\'s War on Terror  <br> <br>By Bradley Burston  <br> <br>Tags: Palin, Israel News, Burston   <br><br>If you are planning to vote for John McCain because you view him as a man of rare integrity, demonstrated courage, intellectual and political independence, and because you believe him to be more seasoned and more savvy than Barack Obama in the realms of foreign policy, the applications of military force, and such domestic issues as taxation, health care, social security and welfare reform, you can stop reading this right now. <br><br>If you have decided to vote for Sarah Palin because you admire her as gutsy and fresh-thinking and an authentic Reagan Republican, and because you identify with her views on abortion, the right to buy and hold arms, and the excesses and interventions of big government, you can stop right here. <br><br>This is not going to be a column about issues, nor fitness for high office. And though this is not about racism in the classical sense, it is specifically about the passion and prejudices - race being just one of them - with which some people hate Barack Obama. <br><br>Obama-hate is worth a close look not only for what it tells us about political campaigns, but for what it can teach us about America itself, its divisions and the possibility of healing. <br><br>This is, as well, about the role Sarah Palin can play in the process. She can, if she chooses, elevate the level of debate on the urgent challenges Americans must face. Or she can say something like this: <br><br>"We see America as the greatest force for good in this world," Palin told a fund-raising event in Colorado on Sunday. "Our opponent though, is someone who sees America, it seems, as being so imperfect that he\'s palling around with terrorists who would target their own country." <br><br>"This is not a man who sees America like you and I see America," she said. "We see America as a force of good in this world." <br><br>Since taking the national stage a month ago, Sarah Palin has been subjected to an onslaught of invective, dismissal, insult and smear. Now, the debate safely behind her, she has chosen a new means of response: incitement. <br><br>Does she really believe that Barack Obama, and by extension, those who support him, do not see America as a force for good in this world? <br><br>If she does not, her statement was obscene. If she does, America as a whole is in trouble. And not because she\'s right. <br><br>There are many among her admirers who celebrate her for speaking unvarnished truth, for saying out loud the kinds of things that "you and I" really feel. <br><br>The problem is not unvarnished truth, but thinly varnished hatred. <br><br>As she proved in her speeches accepting John McCain\'s and her party\'s nominations, Governor Palin is a person with acute skills of self-expression. She knows exactly what response - and what bigotry - she will elicit when she denigrates the concept of a "community organizer." <br><br>Just as she knows precisely what message she\'s sending when she states that Barack Obama "is not a man who sees America like you and I see America." <br><br>She knows to the letter what flags she\'s flying when she implies that Obama not only does not love his country but reviles it, even to the point of being a fellow traveler to subversives and potential terror murderers. <br><br>Nor is it any accident that she uses the term "terrorists" - unnamed, plural, and in general usage in America, often referring to Islamic radicals - rather than focusing on the one man in question. <br><br>Sarah Palin has crossed a line. She could have used her powers of persuasion to advance her ideals. Instead, she has joined those who have chosen to fight Obama with prejudice. In the process, she has widened America\'s fault lines, equating her coy "you and I" with love of country. Her opponent, then, is the Non-Us, the AntiUs, and, by extension, the Unamerican. <br><br>Is this to be the Palin Doctrine - that the Right has a lock on love of country? <br><br>In making the Colorado declaration, which she was to repeat twice more that day, she drew a stark distinction between those who love America - her people - and those who love Barack Obama. <br><br>In doing so, and in tarring him as a man who consorts with terrorists, she has joined those who have leveraged other lies to extraordinary success, in particular, the lie that Obama is a Muslim. <br><br>It was the phenomenal power of the Muslim lie that has lent fuel to all others. The falsehood granted free rein to intolerance. It has successfully disguised racism as patriotism. It has granted false license to irrational suspicion and grotesque stereotyping on the basis of faith. <br><br>In short, it has freed people to hate a black man right out loud. <br><br>In painting her opponent as a fellow traveler with subversives and terrorists, Palin has joined those who have promulgated bigotry in inciting against Obama, those who say, in clear hints if not in so many words: <br><br>1. Vote against Obama because you fear and loathe Muslims <br><br>2. Vote against Obama because you fear and loathe Arabs. <br><br>3. Vote against Obama because you\'ve had all you can take of affirmative action, immigrants, names which defy pronunciation, pluralism, and bend-over-backwards tolerance. <br><br>4. Vote against Obama because liberal Democrats are hypocritical wimps, not real Christians, and, in fact, closet gays - and deserve to be punished. <br><br>5. Vote against Obama because the New York media and Hollywood deserve to be exposed and disgraced. <br><br>6.Vote against Obama because in this day and age in America, white people get the short end of the stick. <br><br>7. Vote against Obama because the one group facing the worst discrimination is the community of believing Christian Republicans. <br><br>8. Vote against Obama because blacks hate whites. <br><br>9. Vote against Obama because even though Jews once helped blacks, blacks hate Jews. <br><br>10. Vote against Obama because the Left hates America. Because liberals are ruining America\'s core institutions, schools, the military, the economy. <br><br>In segregating America into Us and AntiUs, Sarah Palin is asking for the votes of all Americans in order to speak for half of them. The half she believes loves the country. In denying Barack Obama his love of country, she has denied the vision, the values, and the profound patriotism of the remainder. In doing do, she does a disservice to both sides, and to America.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2882076">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2882076" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2882076" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2882076">JIM1366</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2882076" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2882076" class="dsq-comment-message">FOR MC STUPID TO WIN HE HAS TO TAKE ALL BATTLEGROUND STATES INCLUDING FLORIDA, AS IT STANDS HE IS LOOSING 3 RIGHT NOW AND FLORIDA IS NOT GOING WITH HIM SO FAR IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR MC STUPID TO GET THE NOD.<br>REV JIM</div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2882018">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2882018" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2882018" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2882018">JIM1366</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2882018" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2882018" class="dsq-comment-message">THIS POST SHOULD BE ON THE WEB SO EVERYONE CAN SEE WHAT A PHONY AND A LIAR SHE IS, ALSO A CONIEVING SELF CENTERED<br><br>PRETENDER. AFTER SERVING 6 YEARS IN THE MARINES SHE WOULD SCARE THE CRAP OUT OF ME WITH HER HAND ON THE RED BUTTON<br><br>PEOPLE DO NOT INVESAGATE THESE PEOPLE THEY JUST SAY THINGS LIKE I8 LIKE HER SHE HAS BALLS, MAYBE BUT NO BRAINS, THIS ELECTION WILL BE THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE IN MY LIF TIME AND A LIAR LIKE HER I WILL NOT SUPPORT.<br>REV JIM<br>USMC</div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2818854">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2818854" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2818854" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2818854">faisal</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2818854" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2818854" class="dsq-comment-message">well what ever people think of her...................................i  think she is a really hot woman.<br>what do u think??</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2833498">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2833498" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2833498" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2833498">josh</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2833498" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2833498" class="dsq-comment-message">use your hand, you\'ll be more satisfied.</div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2648747">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2648747" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2648747" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2648747">boomerpatriot</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2648747" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2648747" class="dsq-comment-message">It is news to myself and many others...<br>   Did Sarah teach Constitutional law at a university?  Has she been in Federal government,<br>or been aware of the other states of the union?<br>Does she know ANYTHING about community service and helping for the good of the people,<br>and environment?  <br>Obama selected a very experienced Joe to work with, instead of a self proclaimed oil-drilling<br>maverick.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2551911">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2551911" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2551911" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2551911">abacus101</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2551911" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2551911" class="dsq-comment-message">"Democrats to let offshore drilling ban expire"  <br>The Democrats have given up.<br><br>Thank-you Sarah Palin</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2452683">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2452683" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2452683" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2452683">don</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2452683" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2452683" class="dsq-comment-message">she can truly make anybodys dick hard if you aren;t dead i think she could probably make a few dead ones stand up.  These absoutely fake pictures are as sick as the democratic dumb ass running for president.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2452022">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2452022" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2452022" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2452022">E. M. Thomas</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2452022" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2452022" class="dsq-comment-message">I found the websit for the hospital where sarah palin supposedly gave birth to "her" fifth child.  There was NO LISTING for a baby named Trig Palin .   I \'ve seen Trig\'s birthdate listed as April 18th and April 28th.  Whatever the actual date, THERE WAS NO LISTING.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2528186">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2528186" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2528186" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2528186">abacus101</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2528186" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2528186" class="dsq-comment-message">Are you thinking what I\'m thinking?  Is Trig an alien?</div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2451622">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2451622" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2451622" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2451622" href="http://www.barackobamsworld.om" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mayhem4Masses</a>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2451622" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2451622" class="dsq-comment-message">I think the funniest thing about the whole Palin thing, is that some stupid Americans think Vps actually have any power in Washington. The sick sad truth is McCain will be dead before his term is up because he is so damn old, and Palin will be president, and history has shown that a Vp taking office is never a good thing.  Especially one that thinks she knows anything about Russia because as she put it “I can see Russia from my house we’re like neighbors.” <br><br>Political Humor at its Finest<br><a href="http://www.barackobamasworld.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.barackobamasworld.com</a></div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2392454">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2392454" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2392454" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2392454">Moshe</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2392454" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2392454" class="dsq-comment-message">What is truly frightening about Sarah Palin  <br> <br>By Bradley Burston  <br> <br>Tags: Burston, Palin, McCain, Obama  <br><br>TEL AVIV - It was in the taxicab this morning that it finally struck me about Sarah Palin. <br><br>I get it. I get that millions of Americans have a crying need for someone to stand up and say the things that Sarah Palin has been telling them. <br><br>I get that many, many Americans are fed up with big government and shame in patriotism and energy dependence and media condescension. I recognize that there are many on the right who are galvanized by a woman addressing the nation in condemnation of gun control and abortions. It\'s clear that many in the heartland and even on the Blue State coasts have been waiting years to hear someone take a take-no-prisoners verbal lash to Beltway waste and liberal political correctness and, by implication, to cultural pluralism and tree hugging and the very mention of the word Washington. <br> Advertisement <br> <br>But it wasn\'t until I got into the taxicab this morning, that I realized what the American voter truly faces this November. <br><br>The radio was playing a clip from her ABC News interview, the one in which she was asked about the Bush Doctrine. <br><br>The problem was not that she was unacquainted with the doctrine. Millions of Americans are unacquainted with it. <br><br>The problem is that Sarah Palin was also asking those millions of Americans to put her first in line for the most important position in humankind. <br><br>True, the Bush Doctrine, and the National Security Strategythat contains it, are not a one-sentence, easy to digest credo, and the doctrine is open to many interpretations. Sarah Palin had none of them. <br><br>This, despite the doctrine\'s contribution to the fact that America is at war, and that Governor Palin\'s own son is at war. This is the doctrine that underpins the policy that has had Americans fighting in Iraq two years longer than America fought World War II. And this is the doctrine which will serve as a guide if there is to be war in Iran. <br><br>The problem is that John McCain and Barack Obama and Joe Biden have spent years studying the assumptions and the foundations and the consequences of the Bush Doctrine. Governor Palin has not. <br><br>Yet Sarah Palin was proud of having had no hesitations, no reservations, no qualms about accepting John McCain\'s offer to share the national ticket. It was a matter of ideology with her. <br><br>"I answered him yes because I have the confidence in that readiness and knowing that you can\'t blink, you have to be wired in a way of being so committed to the mission, the mission that we\'re on, reform of this country and victory in the war, you can\'t blink. <br><br>"So I didn\'t blink then even when asked to run as his running mate." <br><br>The question about the Bush Doctrine was not a trick. It was not a trivial point designed to make Sarah Palin look bad. It is the summary of a worldview that has guided American foreign and military policy for the seven years since September 11, 2001. It is America\'s formal explanation for sending Americans into harm\'s way. It is America\'s explanation to the world for what America has done. <br><br>Even my Israeli cab driver, a non-American through and through, knew more about the Bush Doctrine than Sarah Palin. And that is cause for serious concern. <br><br>The cabbie knew, for example, that the doctrine provided for anticipatory self-defense, and pre-emptive strikes to forestall hostile acts even if uncertainty remains as to the time and place of the enemy\'s attack. <br><br>"This would never have happened in Israel, ever" remarked a journalist friend, referring to the choice of Governor Palin, whose credentials in the realms of foreign policy, statecraft and the military are limited in the extreme. <br><br>With irony bordering on the painful, the journalist added, "Sarah Palin has restored my faith in Israel." <br><br>Israel is far from a model of good government, wise policymaking and exemplary leaders. But here, at least, voters and the politicians they make it their business to know inside and out, relate to politics not as if it were a spectacular bowl game or a reality show.but for what politics really is, in America and Israel both: a matter of life and death. <br><br>What, at root, are Americans looking for when they see Sarah Palin? A reprieve from their disappointment over elected officials? The prospect of cleaning house and overhauling a wasteful and ineffective Federal bureaucracy? Does she have what it takes to protect and rebuild an American slipping from the First World to the Third? <br><br>Or is Sarah Palin, in the end, a diversion, a curiosity, that most pressing of contemporary American needs: an entertainer? <br><br>We have little time to make a decision. We have heard McCain and Obama on the campaign trail for what seems like forever. And Biden has been a national figure for decades. Sarah Palin has less than 50 days to prove that she has the intelligence, the humility, the learning ability, and the wisdom to assume the burdens of the commander in chief. We have less than 50 days to learn about her. <br><br>George Bush, who spoke incessantly about leadership before his election, has had more than seven years to prove himself a leader, and managed to prove conclusively only that he was not. <br><br>This is what is truly frightening about Sarah Palin. There is something in the smugness, the faith-based rigidity, the dismissiveness, that suggests that once again, we may have a national leader who knows better how to divide than to rule. <br><br>True, for millions of people, Sarah Palin has lanced a cultural boil. <br>They feel anger, betrayal, and a profound alienation from the basic institutions of American life. The American dream is receding from them. She has given voice to the ache in their hearts, and, as such, has lifted their spirits. <br><br>Sarah Palin has given a voice to people who, even with an ostensibly fundamentalist Republican president in the White House, feel disenfranchised. It is not their Supreme Court, not their Congress. She has done a service for people unhappy with the America that they see. But that does not qualify her to be president. <br><br>Governor Palin has suggested that the special interests and superfluous bureaucrats are scared of her and the reforms she and John McCain intend to undertake. One hopes she\'s right. But what is certainly scary about Sarah Palin is how little that voters know about her, and in particular, how much she herself recognizes that she needs to learn. <br><br>Asked during the interview if she had the ability and the experience to serve as president of the United States, she replied without hesitation, without reservation, without contemplation - and without knowing, on a profound level, what that would, in fact, entail. "I\'m ready." <br><br>Here is the answer that is truly frightening. It lets us know that the nation may be in danger of electing another leader bearing the most profound of George Bush\'s shortcomings: blindness to one\'s own shortcomings. <br><br>Blindness, that is, to the breadth and depth and height and shape of what one does not know. Say what you will about Donald Rumsfeld, the former defense secretary knew an unknown unknown when he saw one. Sarah Palin, for whom appearance is understandably significant, has one in her mirror.</div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2411772">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2411772" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2411772" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2411772">abacus101</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2411772" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2411772" class="dsq-comment-message">By the time inauguration day comes this woman will be briefed on everything that could effect this country.  Mr Obama and Mr Biden as well as Mr McCain are also receiving the same treatment of being brought up to date.  That is why Mr Obama has come out very strongly and forceful against Iran.  It is also why this Iraq thing, which propelled him into this campaign,  is no longer even close to resembling his original position.  The pair that have shown, and convinced the majority that they have the unchanging character and drive to lead this country will win.   You can dig up all of these little nitpicking things you want about this woman in attempt to assassinate her character, but so far she is the shiniest one of the four.  Continual squawking to say the same things over and over will not change a thing.  If you have new credible material, then bring it.  If you can\'t, she is going to carry the old man from Arizona to the White House.</div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2793652">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2793652" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2793652" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2793652">Quantum Fusion</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2793652" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2793652" class="dsq-comment-message">??If you have new credible material, then bring it.??  I don\'t think you read the article you posted this reply to.  Some one sent me this most apt joke.<br><br>While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75-year old Texas rancher whose hand was caught in a gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Sarah Palin and her bid to be a heartbeat away from being President. The old rancher said, “Well, ya know, Palin is a post turtle.” Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a post turtle was.<br> <br>The old rancher said, “When you\'re driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that\'s a post turtle.”<br> <br>The old rancher saw a puzzled look on the doctor\'s face, so he continued to explain. “You know, she didn\'t get up there by herself, she doesn\'t belong up there, she doesn\'t know what to do while she is up there, and you just wonder what kind of dumb ass put her up there to begin with.”</div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2389271">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2389271" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2389271" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2389271">mikeylikesit2</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2389271" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2389271" class="dsq-comment-message">View slideshow from Anti-Palin rally this Sunday in Anchorage, AK<br><br><br>go to:<br><br><a href="http://bigshow.bigfolio.com/?s=000011662&t=0e6a8ae03101be65098418ccb735e4a1" rel="nofollow">http://bigshow.bigfolio.com/?s=000011662&t=0e6a...</a></div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2435397">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2435397" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2435397" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2435397">abacus101</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2435397" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2435397" class="dsq-comment-message">She still has nearly 80 % approval.  Name one congressperson or Governor with better.</div>\
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	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2388902">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2388902" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2388902" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2388902">INFORMED</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2388902" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2388902" class="dsq-comment-message">HOPPY, come ON! I hardly think trying to get her ex brother in law fired who she had been feuding with hardly qualifies HER to weed out crooked politicians. You need to read EVERYTHING, not just what you WANT to read about her to make a sensible, educated decision. To each to their own but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read between the lines and get smart about her first.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2388760">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2388760" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2388760" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2388760">Scared Womens Rights</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2388760" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2388760" class="dsq-comment-message">I could not agree more with ScaredMom. The people of America need to WAKE UP! This woman is a puppet that was thrown into this candidacy to do exactly what she seems to somehow be doing, moving the polls in favor of McCain by gaining support from women\'s rights activists, etc. If you call yourself an activist and you are backing this Palin decision, I think its time to educate yourself. You owe it to your country to read this.....<br><br>Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 10:05 AM<br>Subject: Fwd: More on Palin from Wasilla Voter<br><br> A note to all by Anne Kilkenny<br><br>Dear friends,<br><br>So many people have asked me about what I know about Sarah Palin in the<br>last 2 days that I decided to write something up . . .<br><br>Basically, Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton have only 2 things in<br>common: their gender and their good looks. :)<br><br>You have my permission to forward this to your friends/email contacts<br>with my name and email address attached, but please do not post it on<br>any websites, as there are too many kooks out there . . .<br><br> [ This was already posted on Washington Independent comments area, <br>  &n bsp; with a controllable hotmail account, and was obviously meant by the<br>    author to be read. ]<br><br>Thanks,<br>Anne<br><br><br>ABOUT SARAH PALIN<br><br>I am a resident of Wasilla, Alaska. I have known Sarah since 1992.<br>Everyone here knows Sarah, so it is nothing special to say we are on a<br>first-name basis. Our children have attended the same schools. Her<br>father was my child\'s favorite substitute teacher. I also am on a<br>first name basis with her parents and mother-in-law. I attended more<br>City Council meetings during her administration than about 99% of the<br>residents of the city.<br><br>She is enormously popular; in every way she’s like the most popular<br>girl in middle school. Even men who think she is a poor choice and<br>won\'t vote for her can\'t quit smiling when talking about her because<br>she is a "babe".<br><br>It is astonishing and almost scary how well she can keep a secret. She<br>kept her most recent pregnancy a secret from her children and parents<br>for seven months.<br><br>She is "pro-life". She recently gave birth to a Down\'s syndrome baby.<br>There is no cover-up involved, here; Trig is her baby.<br><br>She is energetic and hardworking. She regularly worked out at the gym.<br><br>She is savvy. She doesn\'t take positions; she just "puts things out<br>there" and if they prove to be popular, then she takes credit.<br><br>Her husband works a union job on the North Slope for BP and is a<br>champion snowmobile racer. Todd Palin’s kind of job is highly<br>sought-after because of the schedule and high pay. He arranges his<br>work schedule so he can fish for salmon in Bristol Bay for a month or<br>so in summer, but by no stretch of the imagination is fishing their<br>major source of income. Nor has h er life-style ever been anything<br>like that of native Alaskans.<br><br>Sarah and her whole family are avid hunters.<br><br>She\'s smart.<br><br>Her experience is as mayor of a city with a population of about 5,000<br>(at the time), and less than 2 years as governor of a state with about<br>670,000 residents.<br><br>During her mayoral administration most of the actual work of running<br>this small city was turned over to an administrator. She had been<br>pushed to hire this administrator by party power-brokers after she had<br>gotten herself into some trouble over precipitous firings which had<br>given rise to a recall campaign.<br><br>Sarah campaigned in Wasilla as a “fiscal conservative”. During her 6<br>years as Mayor, she increased general government expenditures by over<br>33%. During those same 6 years the amount of taxes collected by the<br>City increased by 38%. This was during a period of low inflation<br>(1996-2002). She reduced progressive property taxes and increased a&lt; BR&gt;regressive sales tax which taxed even food. The tax cuts that she<br>promoted benefited large corporate property owners way more than they<br>benefited residents.<br><br>The huge increases in tax revenues during her mayoral administration<br>weren’t enough to fund everything on her wish list though, borrowed<br>money was needed, too. She inherited a city with zero debt, but left it<br>with indebtedness of over $22 million. What did Mayor Palin encourage<br>the voters to borrow money for? Was it the infrastructure that she said<br>she supported? The sewage treatment plant that the city lacked? or a<br>new library? No. $1m for a park. $15m-plus for construction of a<br>multi-use sports complex which she rushed through to build on a piece<br>of property that the City didn’t even have clear title to, that was<br>still in litigation 7 yrs later--to the delight of the lawyers<br>involved! The sports complex itself is a nice addition to the<br>community but a huge money pit, not the pr ofit-generator she claimed it<br>would be. She also supported bonds for $5.5m for road projects that<br>could have been done in 5-7 yrs without any borrowing.<br><br>While Mayor, City Hall was extensively remodeled and her office<br>redecorated more than once.<br><br>These are small numbers, but Wasilla is a very small city.<br><br>As an oil producer, the high price of oil has created a budget surplus<br>in Alaska. Rather than invest this surplus in technology that will<br>make us energy independent and increase efficiency, as Governor she<br>proposed distribution of this surplus to every individual in the state.<br><br>In this time of record state revenues and budget surpluses, she<br>recommended that the state borrow/bond for road projects, even while<br>she proposed distribution of surplus state revenues: spend today\'s<br>surplus, borrow for needs.<br><br>She’s not very tolerant of divergent opinions or open to ou tside ideas<br>or compromise. As Mayor, she fought ideas that weren’t generated by<br>her or her staff. Ideas weren’t evaluated on their merits, but on the<br>basis of who proposed them.<br><br>While Sarah was Mayor of Wasilla she tried to fire our highly respected<br>City Librarian because the Librarian refused to consider removing from<br>the library some books that Sarah wanted removed. City residents<br>rallied to the defense of the City Librarian and against Palin\'s<br>attempt at out-and-out censorship, so Palin backed down and withdrew<br>her termination letter. People who fought her attempt to oust the<br>Librarian are on her enemies list to this day.<br><br>Sarah complained about the “old boy’s club” when she first ran for<br>Mayor, so what did she bring Wasilla? A new set of "old boys". Palin<br>fired most of the experienced staff she inherited. At the City and as<br>Governor she hired or elevated new, inexperienced, obscure people,<br>creating a staff totally dependent on her for their jobs and eternally<br>grateful and fiercely loyal--loyal to the point of abusing their power<br>to further her personal agenda, as she has acknowledged happened in the<br>case of pressuring the State’s top cop (see below).<br><br>As Mayor, Sarah fired Wasilla’s Police Chief because he “intimidated”<br>her, she told the press. As Governor, her recent firing of Alaska\'s top<br>cop has the ring of familiarity about it. He served at her pleasure<br>and she had every legal right to fire him, but it\'s pretty clear that<br>an important factor in her decision to fire him was because he wouldn\'t<br>fire her sister\'s ex-husband, a State Trooper. Under investigation<br>for abuse of power, she has had to admit that more than 2 dozen<br>contacts were made between her staff and family to the person that she<br>later fired, pressuring him to fire her ex-brother-in-law. She tried to<br>replace the man she fired with a man who she knew had been reprimanded<br>for sexual harassment; when this caused a public furor, she withdrew<br>her support.<br><br>She has bitten the hand of every person who extended theirs to her in<br>help. The City Council person who personally escorted her around town<br>introducing her to voters when she first ran for Wasilla City Council<br>became one of her first targets when she was later elected Mayor. She<br>abruptly fired her loyal City Administrator; even people who didn’t<br>like the guy were stunned by this ruthlessness.<br><br>Fear of retribution has kept all of these people from saying anything<br>publicly about her.<br><br>When then-Governor Murkowski was handing out political plums, Sarah got<br>the best, Chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission: one<br>of the few jobs not in Juneau and one of the best paid. She had no<br>background in oil & gas issues. Within months of scoring this great<br>job which paid $122,400/yr, she was complaining in the press about the<br>high salary. I was told that she hated that job: the commute, the<br>structured hours, the work. Sarah became aware that a member of this<br>Commission (who was also the State Chair of the Republican Party)<br>engaged in unethical behavior on the job. In a gutsy move which some<br>undoubtedly cautioned her could be political suicide, Sarah solved all<br>her problems in one fell swoop: got out of the job she hated and<br>garnered gobs of media attention as the patron saint of ethics and as a<br>gutsy fighter against the “old boys’ club” when she dramatically quit,<br>exposing this man’s ethics violations (for which he was fined).<br><br>As Mayor, she had her hand stuck out as far as anyone for pork from<br>Senator Ted Stevens. Lately, she has castigated his pork-barrel<br>politics and publicly humiliated him. She only opposed the “bridge to<br>nowhere” after it became clear that it would be unwis e not to.<br><br>As Governor, she gave the Legislature no direction and budget<br>guidelines, then made a big grandstand display of line-item vetoing<br>projects, calling them pork. Public outcry and further legislative<br>action restored most of these projects--which had been vetoed simply<br>because she was not aware of their importance--but with the unobservant<br>she had gained a reputation as “anti-pork”.<br><br>She is solidly Republican: no political maverick. The State party<br>leaders hate her because she has bit them in the back and humiliated<br>them. Other members of the party object to her self-description as a<br>fiscal conservative.<br><br>Around Wasilla there are people who went to high school with Sarah.<br>They call her “Sarah Barracuda” because of her unbridled ambition and<br>predatory ruthlessness. Before she became so powerful, very ugly<br>stories circulated around town about shenanigans she pulled to be made<br>point guard on the high school basketball team. When Sarah\'s<br>mother-in-law, a highly respected member of the community and<br>experienced manager, ran for Mayor, Sarah refused to endorse her.<br><br>As Governor, she stepped outside of the box and put together of package<br>of legislation known as “AGIA” that forced the oil companies to march<br>to the beat of her drum.<br><br>Like most Alaskans, she favors drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife<br>Refuge. She has questioned if the loss of sea ice is linked to<br>global warming. She campaigned “as a private citizen” against a state<br>initiaitive that would have either a) protected salmon streams from<br>pollution from mines, or b) tied up in the courts all mining in the<br>state (depending on who you listen to). She has pushed the State’s<br>lawsuit against the Dept. of the Interior’s decision to list polar<br>bears as threatened species.<br><br>McCain is the oldest person to ever run for President; Sarah will be a<br>heartbeat away from being President.<br><br>There has to be literally millions of Americans who are more<br>knowledgeable and experienced than she.<br><br>However, there’s a lot of people who have underestimated her and are<br>regretting it.<br><br><br>CLAIM VS FACT<br>•“Hockey mom”: true for a few years<br>•“PTA mom”: true years ago when her first-born was in elementary<br>school, not since<br>•“NRA supporter”: absolutely true<br>•social conservative: mixed. Opposes gay marriage, BUT vetoed a bill<br>that would have denied benefits to employees in same-sex relationships<br>(said she did this because it was unconsitutional).<br>•pro-creationism: mixed. Supports it, BUT did nothing as Governor to<br>promote it.<br>•“Pro-life”: mixed. Knowingly gave birth to a Down’s syndrome baby<br>BUT declined to call a special legislative session on some pro-life<br>legislation<br>•“Experienced”: Some high schools have more students than Wasilla has<br>residents. Many cities have more residents than the state of Alaska.<br>No legislative experience other than City Council. Little hands-on<br>supervisory or managerial experience; needed help of a city<br>administrator to run town of about 5,000.<br>•political maverick: not at all<br>•gutsy: absolutely!<br>•open & transparent: ??? Good at keeping secrets. Not good at<br>explaining actions.<br>•has a developed philosophy of public policy: no<br>•”a Greenie”: no. Turned Wasilla into a wasteland of big box stores<br>and disconnected parking lots. Is pro-drilling off-shore and in ANWR.<br>•fiscal conservative: not by my definition!<br>•pro-infrastructure: No. Promoted a sports complex and park in a city<br>without a sewage treatment plant or storm drainage system. Built<br>streets to early 20th century standards.<br>•pro-tax relief: Lowered taxes for businesses, increased tax burden on<br>residents<br>•pro-small government: No. Oversaw greatest expansion of city<br>government in Wasilla’s history.<br>•pro-labor/pro -union. No. Just because her husband works union<br>doesn’t make her pro-labor. I have seen nothing to support any claim<br>that she is pro-labor/pro-union.<br><br>WHY AM I WRITING THIS?<br><br>First, I have long believed in the importance of being an informed<br>voter. I am a voter registrar. For 10 years I put on student voting<br>programs in the schools. If you google my name (Anne Kilkenny +<br>Alaska), you will find references to my participation in local<br>government, education, and PTA/parent organizations.<br><br>Secondly, I\'ve always operated in the belief that "Bad things happen<br>when good people stay silent". Few people know as much as I do because<br>few have gone to as many City Council meetings.<br><br>Third, I am just a housewife. I don\'t have a job she can bump me out<br>of. I don\'t belong to any organization that she can hurt. But, I am no<br>fool; she is immensely popular here, and it is likely t hat this will<br>cost me somehow in the future: that’s life.<br><br>Fourth, she has hated me since back in 1996, when I was one of the 100<br>or so people who rallied to support the City Librarian against Sarah\'s<br>attempt at censorship.<br><br>Fifth, I looked around and realized that everybody else was afraid to<br>say anything because they were somehow vulnerable.<br><br>CAVEATS<br>I am not a statistician. I developed the numbers for the increase in<br>spending & taxation 2 years ago (when Palin was running for Governor)<br>from information supplied to me by the Finance Director of the City of<br>Wasilla, and I can\'t recall exactly what I adjusted for: did I adjust<br>for inflation? for population increases? Right now, it is impossible<br>for a private person to get any info out of City Hall--they are<br>swamped. So I can\'t verify my numbers.<br><br>You may have noticed that there are various numbers circulating for the<br>population of Wasilla, ranging from my "about 5,000" , up to 9,000. The<br>day Palin’s selection was announced a city official told me that the<br>current population is about 7,000. The official 2000 census count was<br>5,460. I have used about 5,000 because Palin was Mayor from 1996 to<br>2002, and the city was growing rapidly in the mid-90’s.<br><br>Anne Kilkenny<br><a href="mailto:annekilkenny@hotmail.com" rel="nofollow">annekilkenny@hotmail.com</a><br>August 31, 2008</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2366177">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2366177" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2366177" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2366177">ScaredMom</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2366177" class="dsq-comment-message">I\'ll tell you what would put our country in "way deep"; an unqualified, dishonest, inexperienced candidate like Sarah Palin in office. Not only do I hope that Palin loses this election right along with McCain, but I am baffled daily by how many Americans are somehow under this woman\'s spell. She is a right-wing, ridiculously conservative person who is being groomed by the McCain campaign and the republican party to help McCain win! Please, I beg you, look at her actual positions, experience, and what she really stands for. I think you will find that she is not who you want as the president of our country if something happened to McCain. I am a scared mom hoping McCain/Palin lose big in 7 weeks.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2386592">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2386592" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2386592" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2386592">RedinMass</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2386592" class="dsq-comment-message">""I beg you, look at her actual positions, experience, and what she really stands for. I think you will find that she is not who you want as the president of our country""<br><br>Change she to he, and you have an accurate statement about Obama.  Its funny how democrats can yell about how experience doesn\'t mater for 15mo. and then decide it does.......</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2365737">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2365737" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2365737" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2365737">table three</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2365737" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2365737" class="dsq-comment-message">Though I am Republican  I could not with good conscience vote for Bush in the last election. Once again my party represents nothing of who I am. I\'ve seen and read enough to know that Palin is a good parent but beyond that her history with regards to public service exemplifies an individual who is unusually self serving. It is coming to light that in performing her public duties she may have broken the law - but even if she is found innocent I believe her actions , whether legal or not, reflect one who is not fit for public service. I feel sorry for her in the sense that I really don\'t believe she understands what the fuss is all about. I pray for this country that we do not put her in the White House. I find myself more and more going back over the history of the JFK administration - "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country" ,  we can be a great country once again - we just need to put the leaders in who truly represent the greatness that our country can be. I said I was republican but in putting my country first my days as a republican are behind me.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2363167">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2363167" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2363167" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2363167">Hoppy</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2363167" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2363167" class="dsq-comment-message">I hope Gov. Palin wins the election right along with McCain. Then when she gets to the White House she can fire hundreds of crooked politicians both democrat and Republican! Washington D.C. needs to be cleaned out of all the control freaks who call themselves servants of, for and by the people.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2362626">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2362626" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2362626" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2362626">Tracy</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2362626" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2362626" class="dsq-comment-message">Our country will be in way deep if Obama becomes president.  There has to be diversity and Obama just isn\'t the one to it.....I would be very nervous if he won.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2350905">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2350905" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2350905" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2350905">Angel</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2350905" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2350905" class="dsq-comment-message">This article ultimately says nothing.  It should have been saved until all of the "investigations" were completed.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2359151">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2359151" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2359151" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2359151">Jean</span>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2359151" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2359151" class="dsq-comment-message">Ditto!!  Waste if time even reading it!</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2331189">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2331189" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2331189" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <a id="dsq-author-user-2331189" href="http://www.myspace.com/bringlish" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Natalie</a>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2331189" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2331189" class="dsq-comment-message">MY REPLY TO THIS COMMENT:<br><br>"Choices-McCain\'s pick of Palin-bad choice? Obama\'s choices, Rev. Wright, Bill Ares, Tony Resco, and more. This is a pattern of associations that are telling of his character. These are people he is obviously comfortable with. I ask you Obama supporters, would you have these people as your associates or friends? If the answer is yes, you really need help. Denying guilt by association does not work, just by being with a crowd that is causing trouble you are just as guilty because you are condoning the behavior. And exposing your children to this is more troubling. Obama supporters take a careful look at the man, not his great speaking abilities or your hate for Bush."<br><br>Firstly, I know someone who knows Bill Ayres and apparently he\'s a really fun interesting guy. If he wasn\'t remorseful for what he did there\'s no way he would have been hired to teach at a university. He is very remorseful for what he did 40 years ago, but my question to you is George W Bush remorseful for the thousands of bombs he has dropped on the Middle East, killing innocent women and children. is he remorseful for sending our young men to die there? Is he remorseful for the people in this country  who are dying because they do not have appropriate healthcare?<br><br>As for Rev. Wright all the hype about him being a black supremacist  is way out of context... I suggest you read his whole speech. By crying God Damn America he wasn\'t saying we should blow it up, just that we could and should do better. There should be equality and there isn\'t. As a white woman, I can only imagine what Rev. Wright\'s generation has gone through in terms of being rejected by a racist society. Rev. wright doesn\'t hate whites, he even acted as a marriage councellor to the Clintons. Total rubbish.<br><br>The bottom line is no one can find dirt on Obama so they need to take his speeches out of context, lie about his lack of accomplishments (why should he have executive experience - I think the fact he has devoted his life to helping the less fortunate has shown exactly what a great humanitarian president he will be) and most importantly, make accusations that he is somehow best friends with a pack of anti American thugs. How dare McCain accuse him of calling Palin a pig in lipstick when we have footage of McCain laughing when someone called Hillary a bitch.<br><br>Why are you so worried about who Obama is associated with? I am more worried about who Sarah Palin is. If you want to talk associates how about her husband Todd who was a member of the Alaskan Independence Party until 2002? How about Nazi Sympathizer Pat Buchannan who Sarah Palin reportedly campaigned for? THAT is what you shoudl be afraid of.<br><br>Someone was telling me that his sister in law works for Fox News and that they laugh about the fact they twist the news to make all the viewers vote against thier own economic interests. My father used to work for a newspaper, also owned by Murdoch who did the same thing. <br><br>So unless you are making over $250 000 a year I suggest you stop buying into such fearmongering and racism and vote for the candidate who will actually make this country a better place. Obama of course.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2359318">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2359318" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2359318" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2359318">Jean</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2359318" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2359318" class="dsq-comment-message">You started out sensible and then I realized that it was just a quote.  Too bad. <br> Blaming the president for the war in the middle east  is forgetting how it started. <br> Blaming him for the high cost of health care is - I\'m sorry - but it\'s downright stupid.  <br>The Clinton\'s left that same problem.<br>About the  Fox News tidbit ... . "someone  says" is not a reliable source.<br>Considering CNN and others....it was not worth mentioning in the first place.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2363233">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2363233" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2363233" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2363233">Hoppy</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2363233" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2363233" class="dsq-comment-message">Ditto...If Clinton had acted when the Trade center was bombed, or when the embassy was bombed, or even when the USS Cole was bombed, The Twin Towers would still be standing and most like not at war now at all. Even Bin Laden could have been taken care of by Clinton. Clinton emboldened the terrorists by not acting. The whimpy draft dodger he was.</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2301924">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2301924" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2301924" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2301924">Geney</span>\
	 </cite>\
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	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2301924" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2301924" class="dsq-comment-message">The more I read about Palin  the more she appears Bush like to me.  To me is is smoke and mirrors for McCain to slect her over the many more qualified females in the country.  She and McCain are preped, sponsed, supported by the Bush camp.  She and McCain are the same old thing and nothing new. And how dare the McCain/Bush camp insult the american women by thinking they would vote for her, just because she if "female".</div>\
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	 <li id="dsq-comment-2296202">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2296202" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2296202" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2296202">kay</span>\
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	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2296202" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2296202" class="dsq-comment-message">John, Me thinks you do not know the difference between authoring (writing and initiating)a bill (which is what has been said about Obama) and either co-authoring or being on a bill as a co-sponser.  I watched congress on C-Span daily for a number of years and it is very common for congressmen to ask the actual authors of a bill if they could be added to the bill as a co-sponser or as a co-author (agreeing of course to meet with the actual writer of the bill at least once in conference (sometimes not at all, though they might add a sentence or two.  Also, If one is bring groomed for the position of Presidency at a future date, many of the party congressmen will actually put the name of the one being "groomed" so that they can claim a legacy.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2292858">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2292858" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2292858" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2292858">Moshe</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2292858" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2292858" class="dsq-comment-message">Drill baby drill; they will pierce the planet to death. The next industrial revolution/Boom is going to be green energy, systems the produce and/or use sustainable energy.  McCain and Palin want to drill more. They are lunatics that live on another plant.  They do not notice what the rest of the world sees. Let’s keep the oil, coal, and gas buried forever. This will result in a better planet for all its inhabitants, not just for the few rich. After Ronald Reagan took office he canceled the green subsidies that Jimmy Carter set off. Danish and Japanese companies bought up the solar and wind energy struggling companies. Today, who are the leaders in winds and solar energy? Japan and Denmark! McCain and Palin will repeat this disaster 1,000 times folds. The result will be industrial and economic tragedy for the US. Imagine US a third worlds country with a giant army and restricted human rights.  A dangerous trend that Gorge Bush Started and McCain and Palin will successfully will bring us there.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2294584">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2294584" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2294584" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2294584">abacus101</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2294584" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2294584" class="dsq-comment-message">While the wind and solar are good ideas they have lain idle not only through Reagan/Bushes term, but also thru Clinton\'s and his great AL Gore’s.  How long and at what cost does it take to bring those things on-line?  If the economy is allowed to be further dragged down by the lack of petroleum how will we get thru the transition from one to the other? (wind and solar will still have to have coal and nuke back-ups for decades.  Right now isn\'t T Boone Pickens the only one putting big money behind wind from the private sector? (11 billion)  His thing is also to do more with natural gas.  He’s a rich oil baron who still has a head on his shoulders yet still at his roots is driven by the thought of making more money.  The only reason anything happens in this country and all others is to make money.  Big business and big money don\'t care whether you have a job or whether you are happy.  That being a given leaves us at the mercy of also needing ANY transition available also.  Oil companies pull out their books and say they are only making 4% after everything, which seems like they’re fudging, I would guess it’s nowhere near the percentile that our fed and state governments are sticking it to us in taxes on oil.  If you think that this country (from poor to rich) will forget about our oil while waiting on wind and solar it just won’t happen.  Do you think that we would possibly move on to something nearer to 3rd world status while that money making stuff sits in the ground?  Our use of oil is decreasing but the world’s use will continue to increase.  The prices will fluctuate but never go down drastically unless the world economy collapses (could happen).   The American materialistic driven way of life is affected but not destroyed.   We all have just like wolves tasted the “red meat” of this materialistic societal living.  I’m sorry but I think we may as well drill and get it out of the ground since the transition phase of the planet will now ensue regardless of what this nation does with drilling.  But we will stay in this staggered state the longer we wait to begin.  If we had taken our oil twenty years ago it would be gone unnoticed, but those days have passed by.  If we all just buy carbon credits, and someone plants a few trees with those credits, we can run around in our Suburban’s and fly around in our jets and act like we are making a difference.   At that point we would be just as big of a materialistic imposter as those on both sides of the aisle in Washington.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2298910">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2298910" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2298910" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2298910">TruthSpeaker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2298910" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2298910" class="dsq-comment-message">There\'s absolutely no point in drilling more here. It will take (they say) 10 years to bring it online where it might make a difference, but given how much we could get out, it won\'t (according to the experts). 10 years. We put a man on the moon in less time than that. If this country wants to get off foreign oil in 10 years, we could do it. T. Boone Pickens is one who\'s putting money into this, so is Richard Bramson. If we had a President who was willing to get behind this (clearly not McCain) we could be off fossil fuels in a decade. Wind, solar, alternative fuels (ethanol, sugar cane, whatever), nuclear. We should not build more nuclear plants, but just maintain the ones in existence. Brazil in the 1970s had the foresight to see the future and oil problems, and made the collective effort to get off fossil fuels for their cars. The result? Today nearly all of their cars run on ethanol (from sugar cane). We could have done this. We didn\'t. With McCain, we won\'t. Yeah, Clinton/Gore could have done more -- way more  -- while in office, but they were bought and paid for just like the Republicans to not do much in that regard, and to not increase fuel milage for cars. It\'s going to take leaders who are willing to stand up to the oil and car companies.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2310988">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2310988" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2310988" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2310988">Jim</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2310988" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2310988" class="dsq-comment-message">Please remember that Congress makes the laws. Congress was controlled by the Republican Party from January 1995 to January 2007. That\'s all but two of Clinton\'s presidency and 6 of G. Bush\'s.<br>T. Boone Pickens reminds us that the USA with 4+% of the worlds population and 3% of the worlds oil reserves, uses approximately 25% of the oil. And, we are sending $700,000,000,000.00 overseas each year to buy 70% of the oil we consume. <br>But, for the most part we agree square on. :)</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2306229">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2306229" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2306229" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2306229">Moshe</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2306229" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2306229" class="dsq-comment-message">With all the propaganda, deceptions, and lies it is clear the Iraq war was for the OIL. Many LIVES were shuttered.  Resources and money were burned in the <br>Mesopotamian desert. These CRIMES continue happening right now. Imagine instead of the war of all this human life, energy, martial, and monetary effort would be used to build solar and wind farm. Calculate how many watts of CLEAN ENERGY could be produced by now.  Imagine how many jobs would be created? Deceptive and corrupt “leaders” should be prevented from reaching office. These sleazy politicians want us to think that corruption is the nature and norm in politics. We can changes it and elect leaders that do and believe that the public/planet needs are a priority.  McCain supports the Iraq war and selected a comic leader, Palin as his running mate. Do not let them to reach the white house. Obama will be 1000 folds a better choice. He voted against the war.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2282380">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2282380" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2282380" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2282380">John</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2282380" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2282380" class="dsq-comment-message">Palin lies.  She said Obama authored "not a single major law or reform - not even in the state senate.”  <br><br>REALITY: OBAMA PASSED THE MOST SWEEPING REFORMS SINCE WATERGATE IN BOTH THE ILLINOIS AND US SENATES, AMONG OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS<br><br>Obama Helped Pass The 2007 Ethics Reform Law, Which Curbed The Influence Of Lobbyists And Was Described As The “Most Sweeping Since Watergate.”<br><br>In the first week of the 110th Congress, Obama joined with Senator Russ Feingold to introduce a “Gold Standard” ethics package. Many of the Obama/Feingold bill’s most important provisions were included in the final ethics reform package passed by the Senate in late January<br><br>In September 2007, the Associated Press reported, “Sen. Barack Obama, ... was one of four lawmakers who participated in "the most sweeping ethics reform since Watergate.” ..a product Of Bipartisan Work [S. 230, 110thCongress; S.1, Became Public Law 109-110-81, 9/14/07; AP, 9/15/07;TheWashington Post, Editorial, 1/21/07]<br><br>Obama Passed Illinois State Gift Ban Act “Heralded As the MostSweeping Good-Government Legislation in Decades.” [HB672, 3R P 52-4-1, 5/22/98; PA90-0737, 8/12/98; Chicago Tribune, 8/13/98; Chicago Independent Bulletin, 6/4/98]<br><br>Obama and Sen. Dick Lugar (IN) passed Legislation Boosting U.S. Efforts To Keep WMDs And Other Dangerous Weapons Out Of The Hands Of Terrorists. [P.L. 109-472, 1/11/07;House Report 109-706, 9/3/06; S. 2566, 109th Congress; S.1949, 109th Congress; Senate Report 110-40, 3/29/07]<br><br>In 2006,Obama and Coburn co-authored a bill to create a “Google-like” database of information on federal spending.. [S. 2590, Passed by Unanimous Consent,9/7/06; Became PL 109-282, 9/26/06]<br><br>In 2005, Obama sponsored and passed an amendment ensuring that wounded veterans recovering in military hospitals do not have to pay for theirown meals or phone calls to family members.  [S. Amdt. 390, Passed by unanimous consent,4/14/05 to H.R.1268, Signed by the President, 5/11/05, Became PublicLaw No: 109-013; Obama Press Release, 5/11/05]<br><br>Obama Proposals Providing Improvements In Health Care For Recovering Soldiers Were Passed Into Law, Including Mental Health Screenings . H.R. 976, [Vote307, H.R. 976, Passed, 68-31, 8/2/07; S. 713, 110th Congress; S. 1271,110th Congress; Obama Press Release, 7/25/07; H.R. 4986, Became PublicLaw No: 110-181, 1/28/08]<br><br>Obama Worked With Republicans To Pass Legislation, Which Became Law, Improving And Increasing Services For Homeless Veterans.  [S. 3421/P.L. 109-461; S. 1180, 109th Congress; S. 3475, 109thCongress; Obama Press Release, 6/26/06]<br><br>Obama Passed Bipartisan Legislation That Expanded Health Care CoverageTo 154,000 Residents, Including 70,000 Children.  [93rdGA, SB 130, 3R P 42-13-2; Signed into law 6/30/03, PA 93-0063; ChicagoDaily Herald, 7/2/03; Blagojevich release, 1/9/07; Blagojevich release, 4/13/07; Kaiser family report, 5/07; State Journal-Register,10/29/04]<br><br>Obama Passed A Bill Creating $100 Million Earned Income Tax Credit AsA Member Of The Minority Party In The Illinois Senate.  [91st GA, HB 3939; 4/14/00, 3R P; 59-0-0; P.A. 91-0700,5/11/00; Chicago Tribune, 4/10/99]<br><br>Obama Passed Near-Unanimous Death Penalty Overhaul Package. Obama wasthe chief co-sponsor and voted for bill creating the CapitalPunishment Reform Study Committee Act. The proposal, which wasapproved on a 57-1 vote,  [93rd GA, SB 0472; 4/3/03,3R P; 57-1-0; 5/29/03, HA1 SC; 56-3-0; 11/5/03, OAV P; 58-0-0; P.A.93-0605, 11/25/03; Pantagraph, 4/4/03; Associated Press, 4/24/03]</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2289218">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2289218" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2289218" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2289218">Moshe</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2289218" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2289218" class="dsq-comment-message">He is the hope to pull the country out of the mud.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2359400">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2359400" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2359400" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2359400">Jp</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2359400" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2359400" class="dsq-comment-message">He is the hope to push the country into the mud.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2279255">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2279255" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2279255" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2279255">Emri Mata</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2279255" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2279255" class="dsq-comment-message">Give the girl a break - she is the best thing that happened to both the Republicans and the United States in a very long time - and, should, God forbid, anything happen to John McCain during his mandate, she would do us proud as President.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2288988">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2288988" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2288988" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2288988">Moshe</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2288988" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2288988" class="dsq-comment-message">Running the country is not a Fairytale.  McCain and Palin did not get it. They are for the old failed politics. Do not let them to become the next losers. We cannot afford electing disastrous politicians in order to provide material for the comedy writers.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 <li id="dsq-comment-2282400">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-header-2282400" class="dsq-comment-header">\
	 <cite id="dsq-cite-2282400" class="dsq-comment-cite">\
	 <span id="dsq-author-user-2282400">TruthSpeaker</span>\
	 </cite>\
	 </div>\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-body-2282400" class="dsq-comment-body">\
	 <div id="dsq-comment-message-2282400" class="dsq-comment-message">"The best thing that\'s happened to.... the United States in a very long time..."??? OMG, we are in such deep doo doo with people out there thinking like this. And then people wonder -- wonder!! -- why this country is so f*cked up, and why our economy is so bad. They think "Oh, it\'s just the bad luck fairy who\'s dusted the U.S. with bad-luck dust. It\'s certainly not George Bush or Dick Cheney or Donald Rumsfeld or the Republican party. No, can\'t be them that\'s screwed everything up. Even though they lie and cheat and display extreme callousness over the deaths of our soldiers, they\'re still moral!" Yeah, right. Those of you who think this, think like this... you need to start taking responsibility for this country having gone down the tubes.</div>\
	 </div>\
	 </li>\
	 </ul>\
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