Another Moment of Tragedy For Philadelphia Police - Sometimes We Forget What Real Heroes They Are
It is depressing. There is no other way to describe that sinking feeling in the stomach every time I hear about it, all the times I broadcast it, and waiting for the next sudden burst of news. I never met Patrick McDonald, the police officer who died after a gunfight a few blocks from the Temple campus. I never met Richard Bowes, another officer who was wounded responding to the scene. Most of you have never met them, but in a way, you have.
Over the years, at all kinds of events, I remember their faces. They are the people, the men and women, who, daily, gut it out on the streets of the nation’s most extraordinary city, a city of contrasts. More and more the city becomes a mecca, as more and more, gun violence denies some of the citizens a chance at a life without fear.
You’ve met them. Some are young, others a bit older. They wear blue and they love the city. Their pay is never enough, but that’s not what keeps them going in the sometimes harrowing and always stressful task of keeping it safe for the rest of us who sometimes may forget just how important they are.
I have spent many a night thinking about them. These thoughts began in the sixties when I first reported the death of a police officer. The first one, the latest one. It is the same agonizing sense of community loss. This time there is an irony. The police department says Patrick McDonald had been working on a special project to get dangerous guns off the streets. He, like so many others, took a bullet for us, those he protected.
A long time ago, I was asked question at a school. The student said, “Is every violent death a news story? The answer is, of course, yes. Every life has a value. Every victim has a family. But quite often we overlook the fact that the death of a police officer doing his or her job, becomes not just an object of mourning for a few, but a shared sense of grief for an entire community. So it becomes a bigger story, because that person, in this case Patrick McDonald, represents the thousands who show up for roll call every day, knowing that the price for their service to the community could be very high.
In a courtroom, where I covered a murder trial years ago, a defense attorney said I was blatantly pro-cop in my reporting. I try hard to be fair. I always have. But when it comes to the police of Philadelphia and all of our communities, I have a different perspective. I think police officers are among the most amazing people I’ve ever covered. They are courageous, serving, powerfully tolerant of all people, and enormously gracious. Most of all, they treat each other like family.
Right now that big family is suffering. The family of Patrick McDonald is huge - thousands of police and firefighters who give us so much every day.
In death, our grief and compassion is clear. In life, we salute the police officers of our city and our nation, and in return for their dedication, respond with respect and a full measure of appreciation.
A final note. Those suburban lawmakers who are fighting stricter gun laws for Philadelphia only, should go into a cave and hide their shame.
Oh Larry, so predictable, so feckless. How many times can you dust this old argument off? I suspect 20 years from now the media will still be suing it instead of getting at the root of the problem. The piece of garbage who shot the officer wasnt allowed to have a gun and surprise, he used one anyway.
I don’t want to come off sounding like a harbinger of doom but I just don’t see things getting better.As Tim said above,the guy wasn’t supposed to have a gun & he did.Everyone,it seems,has a gun.There’s such an air of desperation in this city,high school dropout rates,too many babies having babies,not enough solid male influence in the families,prospects for a good job somewhat grim.I’ve not fired a weapon since I last fired an M-16 & that was some time ago but I’m on the verge of buying a gun.Never thought I’d own a gun but there it is.It almost seems necessary.
Finally,I think it’s at least disingenous of you Larry to describe this city as extraordinary.I’ve reached the point where there’s very little positive to say.The crime,the filth,the rude behavior of the citizens,the lack of vision among elected officials.It’s just hard to stay optimistic about this city.
Philadelphia lost it greatness long ago. There are so many better places to live with nicer, smarter, and more civil people. Philadelpia has a very well deserved inferiority complex.
First off, Larry, I think this is one of the best-written pieces you’ve featured on your blog. You obviously spent some time getting it right.
At the same time, I was almost hit this morning just south of City Hall by two policemen who decided they didn’t have to stop at a red light. No lights, no sirens. Just arrogance. If they had been olive-skinned men driving a taxi, you would have targeted them for criticism. Does the fact that they went to police academy mean they are above reproach? I don’t think so.
Of course it’s terrible when a police officer is killed in the line of duty. However, I don’t think it’s any more terrible than anyone else being killed during the perpetration of violent crimes. Hundreds of people are killed violently in Phildelphia each year, and the police and city don’t pause for a second for them. The news media don’t fawn over them and their families. To me, that disparate treatment is incredibly disrespectful of common citizens.
Philadelphia. I need some coffee.
Leo-I think the reason for that, is that a lot of the violent killings you describe, are people who put themselves in that kind of situation.Not all,of course but many & sadly it just becomes another story.
Try Cafe Ole,works for me.
Larry, first of all, thank you for listening and changing blog topic. I knew you could do it if you put your mind to it.
Unfortunately Philadelphia has not been a first rate city since the days of Benjamin Franklin. Always second fiddle to New York, it’s relevance decreases steadily with each year. Businesses have long since gone. Exodus from the city. City government corruption scandals. Crime, Move and a welfare state. Look closely and you can see Billy Penn hanging his head in shame.
It’s not just Philly. All the intercities have been abandon by middle class Americans and turned over to those who view crime as their only means of survival. It’s beyond a sad commentary. It’s beyond a simple, quick fix. It’s institutionalized and pervasive. It will take generations to change. Rudy Guliani helped clean up NYC a bit but the deep rooted problems continue.
Guns are just a symptom of a much deeper and disturbing problem.
OOOJ, I lived in Detroit. Middle class whites have not abandoned the city of Philadelphia the way they have abandoned Detroit. There’s still a lot of non-commecial property value in Philadelphia. I agree, though, that guns and violet crimes are symptoms of a socioeconomic disease that has to be treated with something other than tough gun laws, although I don’t mind tough gun laws.
The coffee didn’t help. Violet crimes are violent crimes.
Larry, did you put a hex on me and steal my grammar and spelling mojo?
Richard Simmons is guilty of violet crimes.
Do you think we’ll be getting daily refreshed blogs from Larry now or is this an aberation?
I agree, tough gun laws are a good thing.
I’m a little concerned that YFAP will be arming his plane and doing strafing runs over North Philly.
Not a good day to pick on Larry or the Police. I only hope the McDonald family can get through this horrible fate handed to them. That includes the Phila. police. Last time this happened they tore several individuals out of their car and smashed their heads. All caught on video. Not to be too morose I have come up with an answer to all our problems. Turn the distribution of drugs over to the government. Make them legal. Use the profits to shore up our financial system and rehab areas like North Phila. Street dealers would be put out of business and the “drug culture atmosphere” which pervades the entire city would be eliminated. It will be like prohibition in reverse. What have we to loose?
Ed, propose that plan to Gov. Rendell. It would dovetail nicely with the casinos.
Leo, if anyone could pitch the idea it would be Eddie. I mean isn’t he trying to sell the turnpike too. I think my idea makes more sense than that. I haven’t been to Harrah’s in Chester yet(It’s at least a 10 minute ride for me to get there) but I’m sure it’s a great success. Those Phila casinos must really be raking in the green backs h
Not to switch subjects but since it appears the subject has dried up…..did I miss something while in New Mexico ? Is Biden running as Obama’s VP or is he running for President on his own ticket ?It doesn’t seem as though these two are in the same book let alone same page.Take heart jr,Obama might be calling Hillary for a little chat.
If a change in subject is on the table, I say we look at McCain’s cynical ploy to derail the debate and to try to look like a leader.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/24/senate-dems-call-mccains_n_129009.html
At the same time, if Edwards was the Breck Girl because of his $400 haircuts, I guess McCain’s $5000 makeup job will have Rush Limbaugh calling him him the Cover Girl.
http://www.usmagazine.com/news/john-mccain-uses-american-idol-makeup-artist
So am I to believe that McCain’s advisers
suggested that he delay the debate in order to sift through the bailout doctrine. That will be the biggest boondoggle in the history of any presidential campaign I’ve ever seen. It smells, it stinks, it doesn’t make any sense to me. Why not just tell Obama he’s already won the election. This old geezer might as well have Biden as his running mate. This is soooo wrong. If he is trying to sell me on how important it is for him to be in Washington for the bailout debate then where was he when this financial crisis was coming to a head? I say blow up the whole city, but wait long enough for McCain to get back.
I’ve got an exclusive!!!!
http://www.drudgereport.com/flash3cbm.htm
I’ve got a headline for it too.
“Frail old man runs from African American asking for change”
Matt, you and your liberal cronies will get what you want soon enough. The end of the Bush decade, end of America fighting back, end of tax breaks, end of America being the World’s policeman and the end the Democrats excuses for not getting anything done in DC. Brace for higher taxes, more social and welfare programs, socialistic heathcare, tree hugging, and windmills to tilt at. Don Quixote Obama rides into DC on his donkey with his sidekick Sancho Biden. Dems will run roughshod over these 2 lightweights. More business as usual.
You’ll soon have what you want. I hope you enjoy it.
Somebody help me. Now that i know Obama will be our next president How am I going to deal with Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Barny Frank, Chris Dodd, Charlie Schumer, Ted Kennedy, Dennis Kucinich, Charlie Rangle, Barbra Boxer, Maxine Walters, Diane Fienstein, and all the out of touch liberal left wing representatives in office.
Cyanide
Sell your house, cash in your investments and bend over.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjkCrfylq-E
Hey Matt, do you have any original thoughts of your own?
No. I just report.
Developing.
Cyanide…mmmmm let me see what happens in the Mets game.
I said some good things today also.
I took a dig at Republican presidential nominee John McCain, who interrupted his campaign to return to Washington on Thursday to help work on a Wall Street bailout.
“All of sudden, now that we are on the verge of making a deal, John McCain here drops himself in to help us make a deal, I said.
I also expressed fear that McCain, a U.S. senator from Arizona who has spent much of the year away from the Capitol campaigning, could end up slowing down work on the bill.
I noted that a meeting on Capitol Hill on Thursday will be not interrupted for a “photo op” at the White House with congressional Democrats and Republicans as well as Bush.
“We’re trying to rescue the economy, not the McCain campaign,” I said.
Vrooom
Yo Barney it was your committee that had oversight over the banking community not McCain. If you spent less time at the Hershey Hotel and more time doing your job we wouldn’t be in this mess. Don’t blame McCain for your failure you mo. I’m just a dumbshit NASCAR driver and I can figure that out.
Keep your eyes off the stickshift. Go to go you mo!
Vrooom
Yo Barney you got the same slogan as Modells Got to go to Mos!
Mr Larry rickshaw business booming Sarah Palin take ride in rickshaw she very goodlooking and very smart she say ‘I can see New Jersey from New York’ she give Sonny big tip and hug she make wife Kim Lee jealous Sonny have to sleep in rickshaw last night.
Sonny Ree you weally get around dude. Denver Minnesota and now New York.
Kim Chee right to make you sleep outside after lust fest with Eskimo Princess.
I hope your love wand got stuck to her.
BREAKING: SARAH PALIN IS SUBMORONIC
Can’t identify any time McCain ever was in favor of more regulation or reform of commerce or markets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xpb7z_PjbAs
Developing . . .
Mr Chaka Sonny Lee have fleet of rickshaw in big cities but no camden camden ahole of America.
Kim Shee spicy dish. You crazy man to get involved with eskimo princess. Rickshaw business not work in Camden. No one work in Camden.
Matt Drudge think he funny but he as funny as Barney Frank in your rearviuew mirror. He make as much sense as Rarry.
YFAP, you’re still in stealthmode?
You’re not missing much that’s for sure. I see Larry is back to his old MO: waiting several days to change blog topics.
LARRY, STAY FOCUSED! CHANGE BLOG DAILY!
I read Rarry’s brog every ray. I mosry rike Sonny Ree’s comments. Me arso rikes rat Sarah Prain. Chickie chickie boom boom. Spreaking of boom boom I just soiled my pants again.
Hey KJ don’t mess up blog with toilet humor. You like Matt Drudge. You say nothing. Jeff Gordon more insightful than you. You troble maker. You bery bad man. Rarry says nothing too.
Good stuff, Drudge. But aren’t you supposed to be a conservative or something?
Why is Chaka Khan speaking in a bad parody of a rascist version of Asian speech? I don’t get it.
Barney, I’m sorry that most of the bad mortgage loans were made while you were in the minority party in the House. I’m sure your oversight on the House Banking Committee would have been valuable if you had been permitted to implement anything instead of being shot down by partisan votes by the people who were setting the agenda. Seems like you might have been a better watchdog in the 2000-2006 timeframe.
Ur, racist. Where’s that coffee?
Reo you are one condescending sob. You got no clue. Rarry is right about you. You ride my rickshaw. I tell you all about it.
It’s lonely at the top, Sonny Lee.
Barney, I must apologize for mistaking your committee membership. I didn’t realize it was the House Financial Services Committee.
Is that better, Sonny? Nice racist impression of Asian-American speech, by the way. Obviously, no one would write that way unless he or she were trying to invoke racist stereotypes. You’re doing great! I’m sure Larry appreciates your efforts.
Mr Larry someone make sock puppet of Sonny Lee Leo no rickshaw ride he ban with Joe Biden Joe Biden mean nasty like godzilla.
Mr Larry Sonny Lee have problem with wife Kim Lee no need sock puppets to steal name.
Here in North Korea we never have a financial crisis. We have no money. Reo, why not come for a visit, you my kind of guy. You can help me explain to my people how everything is George Bush’s fault.
McCain’s presence in Washington,though not vital,is probably more important than Obama’s .Lets face it,Obama would likely vote “present ” anyway.How ridiculous is it to think McCain would duck Obama in a debate ? Teleprompters are not allowed,ergo Obama is toast.Maybe he can revisit his performance in Bristol,Va.Truly a classic.
Actually, YBP, it’s McCain who’s missed more votes in the Senate than Obama has, including during this campaign season.
Are you slurring the Palins with that reference to a performance “in Bristol”? Shady.
Leo-I changed my call sign so that you could be right.
The Bristol reference has nothing to do with the Palins.I do understand your not wishing to recall that performance though.
Talk about teleprompters. Obama is nothing without them. His motto “don’t say anything without one”. At the Clinton Initiative speech he just gave the problems he encountered with his teleprompter made him look like an empty suit as he waded through the technical difficulties with his screen. He might as well have been hosting some awards show.
Phony baloney a sham in a suit.
YBP, you figured it out! Kudos.
Sonny you come home right now. You no have time for blog.
Did I hear correctly,the debate is back on ? Can’t wait,a couple of smoothies after work,a couple of innings with the Phils & then the big show.Getcha ya popcorn ready.
The debate was never off. Only McCain was. He flip flopped again.
Did you hear that he tried to take a campaign aide, not a senate staffer, into the “urgent meeting” in D.C.? Oops.
This thing is slipping away, YFAP. McCain had his chance to seize the economy talking points but let that chance slip away. Now we are in reactive panic mode and any rational discussions about the economy are put on indefinite hold.
I look for Obama to try to bait McCain into one of his angry moments during the debate. If it works, McCain won’t look very Presidential.
For all of you playing at home, let’s count how many times McCain says “my friend” or “My friends” during the debate. I’ll bet it’s double figures.
McCain couldn’t even get “suspending the campaign” right:
While Mr. McCain said he was suspending his campaign to focus on the economic turmoil, it was difficult to tell on Thursday. Campaign commercials continued to be broadcast in some locations, because the advertisements were already cued up to run on national cable and in local markets.
In Florida, there were several indications that Mr. McCain’s order to suspend his campaign had not reached officials in the state. Radio advertisements could be heard on Thursday afternoon and the state campaign director, Arlene DiBenigno, sent an e-mail message urgently asking supporters to help the campaign effort in the Sunshine State.
“With less than six weeks to go in what remains a very close and competitive election,” Ms. DiBenigno wrote in a message that was sent late Thursday, “we are rapidly increasing our efforts across Florida and we need your help.”
Mr. McCain’s running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin, spent about a half-hour at the museum at ground zero in lower Manhattan, and then visited a memorial for the 343 firefighters who died on Sept. 11 before leaving for Philadelphia, though no public events were scheduled there.
In addition, Nancy Mitchell Pfotenhauer, senior economic policy adviser with the McCain campaign, appeared on Fox News to discuss McCain’s positions on the proposed government bailout.
Oops.
I never did understand the complaints about McCain’s anger.I just don’t see the problem.In all three major facets of my life (raising children,officiating & running a business)I’ve displayed anger.One might even say I have a temper.I’d rather see that than some weak Richard trying to sweet talk someone into seeing his way.I’d much rather see an angry McCain dealing with Ahmadinejad than Obama, who’d spend way too much time trying to convince him that he ’s smarter.
I don’t see Obama as a great debater.I thought that, during the GOP debates,McCain was very forceful.Obama will need to bring a set tomorrow.Unless Michelle doesn’t let him,of course.
Larry,will you report on the chaos at city hall with wilson b goode jr just today one of goode’s thugs slapped a female tv reporter,things are out of control in city hall and giving the city another black eye,hopefully a reporter of your status can get to the truth for the tax paying citizens.
The DA’s office may have to get involved if so then I will know more.
***
I refuse to take a cab in this city you never know when one of the drivers will decide to you know what,I will have to start taking sonny lee’s rickshaw service.
***
Rumor in city hall has it LB will be suspending his blogging campaign.
***
Larry see you next week my friend and friends.
It’s already started:
The cost of the $700 billion bailout bill, criticized as unconstitutional by legal scholars, is rising, as Congressional leaders demand new handouts for deadbeats in exchange for passing it (ignoring cheaper solutions to the financial crisis). Now, there will be foreclosure “relief” at taxpayer expense. The government is going to use its role “as the biggest mortgage holder in town” to give special breaks to borrowers who are behind on their mortgage payments, rather than to stem the financial crisis.
“Democratic demands that Congress be given greater authority over the bailout and that the government be required to help homeowners renegotiate their mortgages so they have lower monthly payments already have been accepted in principle. Under the bailout bill, which will let the government buy huge amounts of toxic mortgage-related assets, ‘we’re now the biggest mortgage holder in town, and we can do serious foreclosure avoidance,’ [liberal Congressman Barney] Frank said.’”
read more here:
http://www.openmarket.org/2008/09/
OOOJ, just wait until they try to find the racial injustice in the plan.
I think McCain miscalulated by trying to cancel the debate, Obama has out manuvered him on this saying he can multi-task and they have airplanes nowadays to Mississippi (I love writting that word- reminds me of third grade spelling).
Wall Steet bailouts, what a great country. I am really glad to see overextended consumers force to a day of reconciliation, I just wish they were force to suffer more for their stupidity, thats really the best way to reform. Also anger is a great way to govern, angry mean leaders are effective, Obama is too much of a peace maker.
Palin looked weak with Katie Couric, which is sad given how lame Katie is, Sarah sounded like a pageant contestant with some answers, and I’m a huge fan. I hear Obama might replace Biden with Hillary. Bill is busy undercutting Obama, gotta love that guy!
YBP, you don’t control the button. And Bush tried the anger route to international diplomacy. It doesn’t work. His administration weakened the country and weakened the liberties of its citizens. He’s failed on all fronts.
On the anger thing, just look at Reagan. Even though he was ostensibly tough like a cowboy, he didn’t communicate that toughness by throwing hissy fits or tantrums. McCain is prone to petulant frenzies. Not presidential at all.
But in Russia,Putin controls the button.Not exactly Mr.Nice Guy,eh ?
Leo, I’m not ready to concede this election just yet. I’m sure there are skeletons in Obama’s background that will be rolled out with 10 days to go.
You will be sadly disappointed if he is elected. He will get rolled over in Washington. Just the title won’t get you anywhere with the pigheaded partisans in Congress. They have to be bullied or shamed into introducing any change. In this regard, Obama is in way over his head!
Leo, I am almost ready to concede. McCain was a douche bag today, and I saw more of the PAlin interview and it was cringe inducing. It was almost as if she was doing a Tina Fay impressiion of Tina Fay doing her, the idioic stuff about Russia and describing the geography of Alaska having borders with foreign countries and Putin rearing his head. Jesus Christ! This election is Obama’s to lose and he’s really been doing better. I’m thinking of putting an Obama and Mcain sign in my yard , in part to annoy the neighbors and then take down loser’s sing on election night, I’m sick of it. I hope to God Obama does a good job, this country needs the help of a kind smart mallato to bring it together!
I was watching TV today and the scare stories about the economy are unbeleivable. There was a group of old ladies who lost tons of money from the market, and they were cutting back on medicine. When asked if they had to give up their pets because of cost of veteranian and pet food, one woman said never, and offered that to keep her cat she was buying cat food in bulk and eating it herself with the cat to save money on food for herself. Now that is a thrifty pet lover!
George Bush’s lagacy from the Great Panic ‘08 will be; Let them eat cat food!
George-Steady boy, steady.It’s the market melt down that’s got you nervous.McCain’s still the better choice.
It’s really taken a toll YAP, maybe you’re right, I’ll get a good nights sleep and see how i feel tomorrow
YBP, Putin may not be Mr. Nice Guy, but he’s also not Mr. Hissy Fit. There’s a profound difference between being tough and resolute, on the one hand, and being immature and tempermental, on the other.
One reason I actually like Biden as a VP pick is that he might help Obama maneuver with Dems in the Senate, preventing another Carter-type disconnect. (I don’t see how McCain would do much better with Congress at this point anyway, especially if there’s not a Republican majority in the House or Senate.) Obama has campaigned on change, and he can claim a mandate if he’s elected with any kind of popular majority, just like Bush claiming a mandate in his first term even though he didn’t get a popular majority.
Did someone actually say that Biden is a good thing? Jesus Christ, Biden is a bad thing that’s a given. This guy has nothing he ahas been reelected by a state with a population that can’t even read let alone make an informed decision.
Oh it was only you Leo. I thought someone who actually cared about our country thought Biden was a good idea.
Leo-I’ll give you the Congressional point.McCain,alas,will be ineffectual.He’ll be completely stymied by Congress.But Putin,tough & resolute,yet McCain immature & tempermental ? You’ve resorted to praising Putin ? Actually you’ll just go to any length to take a shot at McCain.
How about this scenario:Obama wins the popular vote but McCain wins the Electoral College,ala 2000 ? What effect on the populace ?
YBP, that’s McCain’s “anger.” Have you seen him in a tiff? He’s not firm and resolute. I did give Reagan points for that. McCain is a different kind of “angry.” I’m not praising Putin, but I haven’t seen him throw any tantrums. McCain, on the other hand . . . .
Ed, are you sure you’re not talking about Palin there?
Putin is kind and loving. A few years ago he randomly raised up the shirt of a 6 year old boy in a parade and kissed his chest? It was a very odd random act of love and admiration for the boy according to Putin- or was it? Putin will be Czar of Russia, he is a weird crazy KGB dude, and we should fear him. GW got that one wrong- big time!
I wonder if Larry Kane will have the courage to discus the Wilson B Goode Jr controversey. Lets see, it involves the media and politics, so it should be of interest to him. However, it also involves race and democrats acting badly, so don’t expect much, definately no serious criticism of Goode Jr, Larry predicted he’d be mayor someday.
John Street was right, the brothers and sisters are running the city- he and Wilson Sr must be so proud.
George, you are right on point. Alas Larry is not even paying attention again.
LARY, PLEASE PAY ATTENTION AND CHANGE BLOGS DAILY. IT’S A HYGENE THING.
Leo, Angry Joe has proven to be a stiff of monumental proportions. How you can see that he is anything but a liability or an albatross is beyond me. What major piece of legislature has he ever pushed through? Nada. He maybe a nice guy and part of the old boy network, but he was thought to be a “safe” pick and now he’s viewed as a liability. Running along with a cigar store wooden indian presidential candidate, that doesn’t give us much hope, does it?
Larry,The Native American People are tired of the racial slurs where’s the outrage, if it were any other group of people ‘Meli Leo’ would be doing his Rev Al Sharpton impersonation.
do not speak for native americans as if you know what you are talking about. we are retaking america one casino at a time paleface.
WaMu down the tubes.Didn’t someone here predict that about two weeks ago ?
from what i can tell from my limited exposure to this website it is not worth taking over. the three democrats are moe (leo), larry and curley (jack).
ciger store wooden indian reference to obama is an insult to native americans everywhere. wooden indians are not hollow.
yap are you making subtle reference to native americans?
I’ve been told I’m as subtle as a jack hammer,so,I’ll say no.
Larry, I got on the Market-Frankford El at 69th Street this morning, and there was vomit all over a few seats and the floor by one of the doors. I thought of your blog.
Obviously, someone had seen how McCain’s return to Washington actually encouraged House Republicans to try to blow up the compromise by insisting that there be no capital gains tax for two years. Say what? That’s going to free up credit? And here I thought that interest income–you know, what banks make on loans–was, uh, income, not capital gains.
McCain is playing political chicken on the back of the financial system. This is not leadership. It’s reckless partisan political posturing. If this is what we could expect from him as president in times of crisis, I think the answer is clear that he’s unfit for office. Well, at least the fundamentals of our economy are strong. . . .
Looks like McCain will attend the debate. In fact, he’s already running web ads saying that he’s won it.
http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/9/26/105843/780
He’s a genius!
YAP, that was me with the WAMU prediction, and there will certainly be more even if the bailout passes. The bailout in fact may not ultimately have the desired effect in that it will mark down assets to clearing levels causing banks who dont sell to write down their assets to fire sale prices and take further capital hits. Only the stongest can raise capital today. Wachovia might be next to fail, and but for short sale restrictions its still alive, but it is off 40%, down 4pts to $9. We are on the precipice of a finacial collapse, and I happen to a bit more insight than my usual idiotic posts otherwise indicate. The stock market does not yet fully reflect whats happened in the credit markets, a full on economic depression, unlike any blogger has ever seen, is a now a real possibility with or without the bailout.
Leo, you are right about McCain, flat out correct. He has been reckless in his grandstanding and he has no expertise to drop in there and tell them how its done. He’s an admitted gambler and this is his big political gamble. We had 8 years of a mildly retarded gambler in the white house and don’t need a smug angry gambler to relace him. I am just about ready to go to the dark side with Obama, its a becoming clear to me he is a safer choice.
George-Are you in favor of the bailout ?
George, is that really you, or is that a sock puppet “George”?
I am in favor of the bailout because the alternative is worse, as Paulson says. But my fear is the bailout is not enough,and banks continue to fail and the foreigners who finance half of the US debt panic and pull back. Then we have the depression, its a very possible scenario. Wachocia down over 5 pts to $8, it may fail over the weekend, National City is also on the brink.
Leo, it really is me, I’ve lost faith in McCain Palin ticket.
George, the Presidency is about a lot more than just the current economic disaster. Tink about =who has the experience and horsepower to get something done.
Remember, Obama can’t bring his teleprompter everywhere!
OOOJ, I saw that Palin interview with Couric and it removed any last doubts I had about her inability to lead the country. McCain has made some big bad decisions because he’d rather win the election than abide by whatever principles he previously held. He’s looking reckless and incapable of making good decisions under pressure. Where I used to have some degree of admiration for him back around 2000, I’m left with nothing but questions about what happened to the man he used to be.
Chris Rock said he’s voting for Obama.I’m stunned,absolutley stunned.
Leo, why are all your people throwing around the word “reckless” as if McCain was doing something that would jeopardize
any bill being passed in Washington. If I lived in Arizona I would want my senator to be involved in solving our financial problems. Your myopic and prejudiced view does little to throw light on a difficult decision that Americans have to make. Your constant attack on Palin leads me to believe you are just jealous of her outfits. I KNOW that’s why you don’t like Cindy McCain.
The debates are on. All the outrage from McCain supporters (MSM.,Afro Americans, Limpwristed Elites, socialists, communists, Osama bin laden) can now rest in peace.
Ooops i meant Obama supporters
Sonny Ree where are you you knucklehead? You come home right now. You bring rickshaw. You drop off Michelle Obama. You pick up Buddy Ree at Ree Jeans.
Kim Lee I go to Irish Pub with Sarah Palin I drop off Michelle Obama at West Philly bar and grill she no tip I work hard it hard work I cannot get loan for new rickshaw I go to bank it close Sonny Lee go crazy I start drink again I call cab from Irish Pub Bahahahaha.
You no drink Sonny Ree. You lazy bum. You come home. You no drink with eskimo princess. You bad man.
Not the debate I expected.Not the same confident,aggressive McCain I saw during the GOP debates.In fact,he didn’t hit his stride until about 940 & I wonder if it was too late.Good close,threw out Foreign leaders names with ease,a nice contrast with Obama.Anyone else think the moderator was a bit odd ?
Kim Chee-I probably shouldn’t get in the middle of a domestic cabbage dispute but c’mon,that girl is smokin’.No offense but how are you holding up these days ?
Obama did well tonight. He didn’t need a teleprompter to give intelligent, focused answers. He was also more presidential in his bearing; McCain engaged in petty mocking (especially that disrespectful and idiotic exaggeration of what Obama purportedly expects the dialog to be at diplomatic meetings with Iran). McCain kept saying Obama didn’t understand, but Obama’s answers made the case that he has a keen understanding. He did very well on McCain’s turf.
And Obama isn’t running with Palin. Even writers for the National Review are now calling for Palin to withdraw from the race. McCain’s aides are allegedly claiming that Palin cannot be prepped for debates and that she’s absorbing nothing.
It’ll be interesting to see what public reaction is here.
yap you experienced asian girls in vietnam. we aim to prease. who you think smoking hot? me?
you talk about jim rehrer. he rook rike man on crack. grassy eyes. brank stare. maybe opium. very strange rooking.
sonny ree you rook out. i have strange attraction to reo broom. he remind me of john kerry who i service in vietnam. i tell you why they call him swiftboat. hehe. anyway reo you and me baby. we rock the house. we swing from shandrier. that assume you rike women. you rike women?
Leo-I will not concede the Presidential bearing point.In fact,I was kinda surprised to see Barry interrupt President McCain early on.Ms,apparently,is big on respect & Barry was flat out rude.
YBP, I guess it does’t matter what you concede. GOP-, Dem-, and independent- run focus groups all give Obama the win on that issue and the debate overall.
There are instant polls showing that uncommitted voters believe Obama won the debate by a 12% margin. Pretty good for someone the GOP was claiming needed a teleprompter to answer questions.
It would be hard for me to argue about a result when I wasn’t happy about the proceeding.Oh well,round two awaits.
Twelve per cent in this electorate ? I know you don’t believe that.